bc-farm
UPI Farming Today
By Gregory Tejeda, United Press International
Ag chair wants Europe to drop genetic ban
House Agriculture Chairman Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., wants the European Union to drop its restrictions on imports of foods that come from genetically modified seed.
Goodlatte met recently in Belgium with union Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy, where he asked for an end to the moratorium on genetic food imports.
The European Union has had its restrictions in place for the past four years, out of fear that foods produced from genetically enhanced seed could contain harmful side effects for people.
Officials in the United States who have developed such crops argue that such claims are groundless. They also are upset because the European opposition to genetic crops is encouraging countries in other parts of the world to reject such food as well.
They even include nations in southern Africa where famine is leaving people in starvation. But donations of food containing corn produced with genetically enhanced seed are being rejected.
"The politicizing of agricultural biotechnology must end, so that we can return to providing food aid to the hungry as soon as possible," said Goodlatte.
"The (union's) policy is not based on sound science, and it is harmful not only to American agriculture but to those people throughout the world who are in the grip of starvation," he said.
Goodlatte was among a group of Congress members who want President Bush to have the United States file a complaint with the World Trade Organization, claiming that European restrictions on genetically produced foods violate the goals of open trade between countries.
Supporters of such crops in the United States argue that the genetic alterations actually result in better crops, and more ample food supplies of crops with characteristics desired by consumers.
In a separate move, Kraft Foods CEO Betsey Holden said she would like to see more federal oversight of research into genetically modified foods.
She told a recent Agriculture Department forum that additional regulatory action is the best way to increase public acceptance of foods that are genetically altered.
"Right now, public acceptance of biotechnology is high," Holden said. "How many times can we test the public before we lose it?"
U.S. wheat sales decline, but not due to politics
Political tensions related to the prospect of war with Iraq are not the reason that prices paid for U.S.-grown wheat are on the decline.
The U.S. Wheat Associates said they do not believe political tensions are causing people to reject purchases of U.S.-grown wheat. They say increases in supply from non-traditional countries such as Ukraine are what caused prices to drop for U.S. farmers.
Wheat Associates Vice President Paul Dickerson said political tensions are making travel more difficult, while Middle East Vice President Dick Prior said many people were still making a point to pick out U.S.-grown wheat because of its alleged quality.
"While publicly, the masses were boycotting American products, they still would not opt for lower quality when buying for their families," he said.
Ag gets new nutrition director
Eric Hentges was chosen to be director of the Agriculture Department's center for nutrition policy and promotion.
The post will put Hentges in charge of coordinating the agency's efforts with the Health and Human Services Department on nutrition guidance.
Hentges, who began work Monday, previously worked for the National Pork Board, was a director with the National Pork Producers Council and also worked with the National Livestock and Meat Board. He has a doctorate in animal nutrition from Iowa State University.
Six states get ag disaster status
The Agriculture Department has designated assorted counties in California, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon, Pennsylvania and West Virginia as disaster areas, due to losses suffered by farmers because of inclement weather.
Weather problems in the various counties ranged from flooding to drought. All occurred during 2002.
The designations make farmers in those counties eligible for low-interest loans from the Farm Service Agency. Farmers have eight months to apply for loans, which are meant to help them recover from their weather-caused crop losses.
Farm machinery maker receives funding
Maryland-based American Capital Strategies Ltd. will spend $24.3 million to support the re-capitalization of CPM Acquisition Corp., which does business as California Pellet Mill and makes machinery for the animal feed and oilseed processing industries.
American Capital investments will take the form of a senior term loan and senior subordinated note with warrants.
"American Capital is adding a world leading niche manufacturer in two industries to our diversified portfolio of 70 companies," chief operating officer Ira Wagner said.
Grains down on CBOT
Grains futures were mostly lower at the close of activity Monday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Soybean futures were hurt by progress with the harvest in Brazil, increasing the size of the crop and causing prices to decline.
Corn futures fell due to follow-through activity from Friday's price declines.
Wheat futures were hurt by snow during the weekend across the Plains states. Oats futures were higher.
The prices:
Soybeans: Mar 5.72 1/4 off 1 3/4, May 5.70 1/4 off 3, Jul 5.67 off 2 1/2, Aug 5.56 3/4 off 2 1/2.
Corn: Mar 2.30 3/4 off 1, May 2.32 3/4 off 1 1/4, Jul 2.35 off 1 1/2, Sep 2.35 1/4 off 1 1/2.
Wheat: Mar 3.21 1/2 off 7, May 3.23 1/2 off 6, Jul 3.16 1/4 off 7, Sep 3.20 1/2 off 6 1/2.
Oats: Mar 2.09 3/4 up 1/4, May 1.99 up 1 1/4, Jul 1.86 up 1/4, Sep 1.64 off 3.
