Underbrush cleanup could reduce forest fires
The chairman of the House Agriculture's forestry subcommittee wants environmental activists to permit the clearing of dead underbrush in national forests as a way of eliminating conditions that provoke the spread of wildfires.
Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., expressed his view during hearings held Thursday, saying current stewardship contracts could allow for the cleanup efforts without putting forest health at risk.
"The real perverse incentive is to maintain the status quo, point the finger and watch disastrous wildfires burn," Goodlatte said.
Environmental activists are skeptical of such efforts, fearing they will be expanded to justify the cutting of timber in federal forests. They argue the underbrush and fires are natural conditions and no human interference is necessary.
Goodlatte disagreed, citing this season's disastrous wildfires in the West.
"Fires like this are not a natural part of our ecosystem," Goodlatte said. "They are not cleansing nor beneficial to the forest. They are dangerous and destructive."
He said the fires bared mineral soil, killed trees and vegetation, heated streams and rivers and pose threats of more devastation from mudslides.
"The campaign to keep people out of the forest with a hands-off philosophy is dangerous to the very existence of our forests," he said.
Also on Capitol Hill Thursday, National Farmers Union President Dave Frederickson told the Senate Agriculture price competitiveness subcommittee federal pesticide regulations put U.S. farmers at a disadvantage, compared to Canadian farmers.
Frederickson said a typical northern wheat and barley farm with 1,200 acres in production and 300 acres in summer fallow will cost a U.S. farmer $13,400 more per year in pesticides than a Canadian farmer would have to pay.
The farmers union supports measures that would ease pesticide restrictions for U.S. farmers, saying the pesticide expenses can represent as much as 15 percent of a U.S. farm's gross crop income.
Corn syrup:
The U.S. Trade Representative is upset with Mexico's Supreme Court, which ruled recently to restore a tax on beverages made with high-fructose corn syrup.
The high court last week overturned President Vincente Fox's suspension of the 20 percent tax on beverages sweetened with the syrup. The tax had been enacted in January.
The tax was seen as ominous for U.S. agriculture interests since many Mexican soda pop manufacturers were choosing to purchase less corn syrup from U.S. suppliers.
Spokesman Richard Mills said U.S. officials will express displeasure to Fox.
"The court action makes it more imperative for the Mexican government to end its unjustified discrimination against (high fructose corn syrup)," Mills said.
Mad Cow:
The Agriculture Department's animal and plant health inspection service is altering its regulations to include Israel in the list of regions where mad cow disease exists.
Federal officials said the change reflects the fact that bovine spongiform encephalopathy has been detected in native-born animals in that country.
The regulations in question are meant to ensure that no bovines with mad cow manage to get into the United States. Thus far, the disease has not been detected in the United States although it has been found in many European nations and in Japan, as well as Israel.
Disasters:
The Agriculture Department has designated counties in Arizona, California, Texas and Virginia as agriculture disaster areas, making farmers in those states eligible for low-interest emergency farm loans.
Drought is the primary cause of problems in most of the areas. But in San Diego County, Calif., wind and fire also were cited as problems affecting area farmers.
"The emergency declarations will provide farmers and ranchers with much needed assistance to recover from these natural disasters," Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman said. "We continue to utilize all existing authorities to provide relief for weather-stricken areas."
Rodeo:
Animal rights activists want a rodeo to be held this weekend in the Chicago suburbs to be canceled, saying the animals being used in the show are being mistreated.
The Geneva, Ill.-based Showing Animals Respect & Kindness group noted the Kane County Fair rodeo scheduled for Saturday is being organized by Big Hat Rodeo Co., which organized a similar event last weekend in Pontiac, Ill.
Group leader Steve Hindi said he has video footage of animals at the Pontiac event being hit with electric shocks and having their tails twisted and pulled despite new Illinois Agriculture Department policies prohibiting such acts for rodeo animals.
Grains:
Grain futures were mixed at the close Thursday on the Chicago Board of Trade.
Soybeans and corn rose on uncertainty over weather forecasts, with many predicting hot and dry conditions during the next 10 days.
Wheat fell on weekly export sales figures showing a declining demand for the crop. Oats were mixed.
The prices:
Soybeans: Aug 5.77 1/2 up 3/4, Sep 5.51 1/2 up 2 1/4, Nov 5.34 1/2 up 4, Jan 5.34 up 4.
Corn: Sep 2.32 3/4 up 1 1/4, Dec 2.42 1/2 up 1, Mar 2.48 1/4 up 1/2, May 2.51 1/4 up 1/4.
Wheat: Sep 3.33 1/4 off 1 3/4, Dec 3.42 3/4 off 1 1/2, Mar 3.47 off 1 1/2, May 3.40 off 1.
Oats: Sep 1.76 off 4 1/4, Dec 1.73 1/4 off 2, Mar 1.73 1/2 off 1 1/4, May 1.73 up 1/2.
