01/12/05 Don`t open that; Do and don`t

R-CALF U.S.A. has filed yet another lawsuit in attempts to keep Canadian live cattle and beef products covered under the soon to be lifted ban out of the U.S. In a case filed in U.S District Court in Montana Monday, R-CALF U.S.A. asked for the court to overturn U.S.D.A.'s final rule that will allow Canadian beef into our country. The suit claims the final rule fails to protect the U.S. from possible increased cases of b.s.e. from Canadian beef, and creates an unnecessary economic hardship for U.S. cattle producers. The suit comes just days after outgoing U.S.D.A. Secretary Ann Veneman, in what may be one of her last public appearances in the role, told the American Farm Bureau Federation that the final rule as proposed will be implemented by March Seventh as scheduled. Some will have no effect, some will. That is the determination of the Environmental Protection Agency in its review of the final seven active pesticide ingredients of fifty four included in last year's lawsuit that led to pesticide no-spray buffer zones in some water ways in Washington, Oregon, and California. The determination is how the ingredients will affect endangered and threatened salmon species. Among the findings & pendimethalin and land use of 2, 4-D no longer are subject to the court ordered buffers. However, 2, 4-D in use for aquatic weed control, Bromoxynil used for wheat, and Carbofuran used to prevent chewing insects in potatoes were determined to require buffers. Now with today's "Food Forethought", here's Susan Allen. ALLEN: I have spent the a majority of this week stewing over comments made by UN officials and even fellow countrymen, chastising America for what they deem are "paltry" global relief efforts. When I mull over America's humanitarian role in the world a picture of agriculture comes to mind. Through our farmers ability to produce an over abundance of high quality food America a super power has become to the world's super giver. Where would Africa, perennially plagued by droughts famines and wars be today without our food aide? My son, adopted from Ethiopia as a ten year old experienced hunger first hand. His view of US aide is a little different from the UN's, one of awe and gratitude. He vividly recalls abundant shipments of American commodities, like wheat and flour arriving consistently at times of need. Wheat and Flour are the leading exports under our aide program and have made their way to a number of countries including Jordan, Ethiopia, Peru, El Salvador, North Korea, Afghanistan and Iraq. Thanks to proficient farming we continue to have abundant emergency reserves to meet the world's needs. I'm Susan Allen and this is Food Forethought.