Senate makes progress on farm bill [San Luis Obispo Tribune]
The Senate late Monday broke a deadlock that had threatened to bring down a half-trillion-dollar farm and food bill, setting the stage for expected passage of the measure later this week. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced a list of 73 amendments that were acceptable to both parties. That was out of the approximately 300 proposed amendments to the measure, a 1,000-page bill that will set farm policy over the next five years and provide nearly $80 billion a year for the federal food stamp program….The Senate will start voting on the amendments Tuesday with much of the attention centered on proposals to cut food stamp spending or put limits on subsidies offered farmers for crop insurance.
Editorial: Congress must step up on lapsing farm bill [Sacramento Bee]
…The farm bill should provide a food safety net, particularly during economic downturns, so that Americans don't go hungry. It should provide a farm safety net, to minimize the volatility of the weather, pests and world prices. It should provide a land safety net, to minimize the effects of floods, drought and erosion. The Senate bill would meet those aims and is the best bet for a new farm bill….Senators should get the farm bill done this week, so Americans can put a full-court press on the House before the August recess. This bill should be on President Obama's desk before the old bill expires in September.
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/06/19/4571720/congresss-must-step-up-on-lapsing.html#storylink=misearch
Ag workers stage strike [Salinas Californian]
More than 200 non-union farmworkers marched and chanted near lettuce fields in Gonzales during a one-day strike Monday over what they claim is a lack of medical insurance, job equipment and overtime pay. The workers, employed by Amaral Ranches, Inc., were scheduled to try and determine today in a “pre-election” who among them is eligible to vote in any future election held to determine their eligibility for union representation, UFW officials said….They said they seek pay increases, paid holidays and vacation days; overtime pay, equipment such as rain gear and medical plans. Employees answering the phones at Amaral Ranches on Monday would not comment on the strike or other developments.
Mexico enters talks on joining Pacific trade pact [McClatchy Newspapers]
Mexican President Felipe Calderon on Monday hailed his nation’s entry into talks to join a pan-Pacific trade agreement as a route to steady economic growth for decades ahead. Calderon, hosting the G-20 summit of global leaders in Baja California, said the United States and eight other members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership had issued the invitation….Mexico asked to join the trade talks in November. Its request was accepted ahead of those of Japan and Canada, which also seek to join. The United States is currently negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, with Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Chile, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei….The TPP talks go far beyond tariff reductions. They also delve into regional supply chains to speed production and delivery of goods, promote smaller companies and ensure that state-owned enterprises are on even footing with private companies.
http://www.kansascity.com/2012/06/17/3664314/mexico-enters-talks-on-joining.html#storylink=misearch
Commentary: Farm Bureau can't back MID water sale [Modesto Bee]
…The Stanislaus County Farm Bureau has taken a position of not supporting Modesto Irrigation District's initial proposal. Our mission is to advocate for our most vital industry — agriculture — and its resources. Water is our most precious, finite natural resource, and we have an obligation to protect it….In 2008, our Natural Resources Committee proposed a general water transfer policy to our Board of Directors that would support water transfers if the contracts met certain criteria.…In light of the same water transfer policy, however, we find the MID water transfer, as currently proposed, does not meet the conditions required for the Bureau's support….We have always had an open mind when dealing with such delicate issues and will continue to cooperate in any way to continue this dialogue.
http://www.modbee.com/2012/06/18/2247581/peterson-farm-bureau-cant-back.html
Lots of confusion when it comes to pesticides [Chicago Sun-Times]
Are you concerned about pesticides? Sixty percent of consumers express a high concern about pesticide residues, much of which is based on misleading information, according to The Alliance for Food and Farming, a non-profit organization that represents organic and conventional farmers and farms of all sizes. Established in 1989, the Alliance’s goal is to deliver credible information to consumers about the safety of fruits and vegetables. Teresa Thorne, Alliance spokesperson, reported to us that recent surveys show that 29 percent of consumers are buying less fruits and vegetables due to concerns about pesticide residues….The Dirty Dozen is a list put out by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) naming those fruits and vegetables (analyzed for pesticide residues by the USDA) that have the highest residues and receives an enormous amount of publicity, but scientists caution that the list is misleading and the Alliances website discussed why in great detail.
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