Chickens better off kept in coops, farmers say
New rules meant to ensure the purity of organically developed foods may actually wind up causing harm to some farm animals, farmers say.
Specifically, farmers are upset with new Agriculture Department regulations requiring organically grown chickens to have time outside the henhouse and out of their coops. Supporters say the animals are better off if they can have some time outdoors to move their legs about. But people who deal with chickens say that is wrong.
They told the Des Moines Register allowing the animals to go outside will expose them to rats and mice, which could pass along bacteria, including salmonella. They also note exposure to other birds could result in avian influenza.
"Here we have a new government program that is not going to allow, but require, birds to have access to outside," said Robert Eckroade, director of American Association of Avian Pathologists. "It borders on stupidity."
But Food Safety and Inspection Service spokesman Steve Cohen said keeping chickens constantly in their coops is bad because it means they are kept exposed to their own fecal matter.
"We think it could potentially be a significant human health problem," he said.
The rule is being studied by the Food and Drug Administration where officials admit they are concerned it could negatively impact egg production. Those officials met Friday with Eckroade and other lobbyists for the egg industry to determine what needs to be done.
As currently set up, the new rule is among several that take effect Oct. 21. Under the new rules, foods can no longer be labeled and sold as organic unless they comply with the stricter processing regulations crafted by the Agriculture Department's national organic standards board.
The rules impose many changes meant to improve living conditions for livestock, as well as reduce the types of fertilizers and pesticides that can be used on organic crops.
Federal officials noted that organic foods are one of the fastest-growing types in the food industry in the U.S., increasing by about 20 percent per year.
Organic eggs alone accounted for sales of $42.3 million during 2000, up by $5 million from the previous year.
Hurricanes:
Lili and Isidore both did their share of damage to agricultural interests, federal Agriculture Department officials said Friday.
In its Global Crop Condition brief, the Agriculture Department said high winds from Lili, the hurricane that diminished into a tropical storm once it hit the shore, ruined crops throughout Louisiana and the Mississippi Delta region, as well as in Cuba.
That damage came in the days after the region was trying to recover from Hurricane Isidore, although Agriculture Department officials said there was a slight benefit to the first storm. All the water it brought with it helped alleviate drought-like conditions in the Delta and the southeastern United States.
Agriculture Department officials made their analysis based on maps prepared by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that showed the extent of the weather damage.
Fruit Purchase:
The Agriculture Department will buy nearly $57 million worth of dried fruits and nuts for use in child nutrition and other domestic food aid programs.
School lunch and breakfast programs will be the main beneficiaries of the surplus of cranberries, dates, figs, plums, raisins, almonds and walnuts that were purchased.
"This purchase will provide recipients of our federal food programs with good nutritious and quality products," Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said. "Because these crops are abundant this year, (the Agriculture Department) is taking advantage of this opportunity to purchase these products and make them available for various nutrition programs."
Genetic Crops:
The Soil Association, which is the leading campaigning and certification organization for organic farming in the United Kingdom, has issued a report saying genetically modified crops have been an "economic disaster" in the United States and Canada.
The association estimates engineered soybeans, corn and oilseed rape have cost the U.S. economy $12 billion since 1999, due to farm subsidies, lower crop prices, loss of major export orders and product recalls. The StarLink incident, which involved genetically modified corn, alone cost an estimated $1 billion, the association says.
The association's policy director, Peter Meitchett, says a decision will be made next year on whether to allow genetically modified crops to be grown in Britain commercially. He hopes Britain can avoid the mistakes he says were made in the United States and Canada.
Britain's government is publicly committed to ensuring the expansion of organic farming is not undermined by the existence of genetically modified crops.
"Our report shows that the two cannot co-exist," he said.
(by E.W. Kieckhefer)
Barley:
Koreans believe barley has great health benefits.
Six Korean barley processors, marketers and snack and confectionary makers came to North Dakota, Minnesota and Michigan recently to learn about food uses for barley.
A number of U.S. studies have dealt with such potential health benefits as barley beta glucans, a form of soluble fiber, and their effect on lowering blood cholesterol and improving blood glucose response.
Grains:
Grain futures were higher at the close Friday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Corn rose on private crop estimates that led traders to beliefs next week's official estimates from the U.S. Agriculture Department will boost prices. Spillover from corn pushed soybean, wheat and oats higher.
The prices:
Soybeans: Nov 5.34 1/2 up 1 1/2, Jan 5.44 up 1 1/4, Mar 5.46 1/2 up 1 1/4, May 5.46 up 1 1/2.
Corn: Dec 2.57 3/4 up 3 1/4, Mar 2.63 3/4 up 3, May 2.67 up 3, Jul 2.67 1/4 up 3.
Wheat: Dec 3.76 1/4 up 1/2, Mar 3.79 1/2 up 3/4, May 3.63 up 1, Jul 3.38 1/2 up 3/4.
Oats: Dec 2.12 1/2 up 1 1/2, Mar 2.06 up 3/4, May 1.99 1/2 up 1/2, Jul 1.94 1/2 up 1/2.
