September 2001

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New Pathogen Infects Oaks In Southern Oregon By Peg Herring, Oregon State University There is a killer on the move. Sudden Oak Death (SOD), a new disease that has caused dramatic mortality to coastal California oaks, has recently been discovered in southwestern Oregon. The disease is caused by a brand-new strain of fungus, a water mold similar to the one that was responsible for the Irish potato famine of the 19th century. It is related to pathogens that are now killing Port Orford cedar in southern Oregon. SOD infects trees through their leaves and bark, killing parts of the tree and inviting invasion by bark beetles and wood borers. Symptoms may include a blood-red to black ooze from the trunk and dark-rimmed red lesions in the bark and wood, according to Everett Hansen, plant pathologist at Oregon State University. Previously known only from California's central coast, this new disease infects several tree species, including tanoak and black oak, both native to Oregon. Tanoak, a close relative of the true oaks, is found in the Coast Range as far north as the Coos Bay area. Black oak is common farther inland as far north as Roseburg. The pathogen can also cause foliage and twig blight in rhododendron, myrtlewood, madrone, and evergreen huckleberry, all common along the southern Oregon coast and elsewhere throughout the state. In parts of Australia, similar pathogens have killed 70 percent of an area's woody species. So far in Oregon, only tanoak has been killed by the pathogen. Evergreen huckleberry and wild rhododendron growing beneath dead tanoaks are suffering leaf and twig blight in some areas. But the SOD fungus is proving to be versatile. Although it has been found primarily in cool, coastal areas, it can survive extended drought and occurs on some drier sites in California. It can be carried in rainwater splashed from trees, or in the infected leaves of rhododendrons and other carriers. The Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Forestry have asked the help of Oregonians to limit the spread of this new disease. Do not transport firewood, acorns, soil, or any parts of plants from infested areas of Oregon or California. As a precaution, clean mud from bicycles, hiking boots, vehicles or equipment if you visit areas which may be infested. Learn to recognize the symptoms and report any potentially infected oak or tanoak trees to OSU County Extension or Oregon Department of Forestry offices. WA Receives Money To Increase Ag Exports News From WSDA The Western United States Trade Association (WUSATA) has allocated $178,000 to the state Department of Agriculture's Marketing Program to promote overseas sales of Washington food and agricultural products. These funds will be used to expand produce sales into Southeast Asian countries, to grow seafood markets in the European Union, to promote consumer food products in Mexico and Taiwan, and to increase sales of northwest food ingredients in Japan. Enjoying a 6.5 percent increase over last year's allotment, the state Department of Agriculture received 12 percent of all the funds available to the 13 member states. The Marketing Program and the Oregon Department of Agriculture also were allocated $100,000 to manage a nursery project in Japan. In addition to these funds, 16 Washington companies have applied for $1.4 million from WUSATA to market their branded products overseas with assistance from the Marketing Program. Branded products are those that carry the labels of specific companies. For the first time this year, apple companies are participating in the program. WUSATA is a non-profit organization that combines federal, state and industry resources to carry out programs that help to increase exports of food and agricultural products from the Western region of the United States. The activities of WUSATA are directed by the 13 Western states, and funded through contributions from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service, the state departments of agriculture and private firms. One of four international trade development organizations called state regional trade groups, WUSATA often secures more money for its members than the states would be able to get one their own. Trade missions, technical seminars, retail or restaurant promotions, and other WUSATA activities conducted by the state Department of Agriculture assist agriculture in all Western states, in addition to Washington companies. Washington companies can participate in the activities of other Western states, too. As a member of WUSATA, the state Department of Agriculture and the agricultural businesses it serves will benefit from $6.6 million in federally funded programs and services this year. A vital link between international food buyers, Western U.S. food suppliers, state agricultural agencies and the federal government, WUSATA services include export promotion, customized export assistance, a cost-share funding program, international trade exhibitions, overseas trade missions, export seminars, in-country research, and point-of-sale promotions in foreign food chains and restaurants. Canada's All-Wheat Crop Projected At Smallest Since '88 WAWG's GreenSheet&emdash;From World-Grain.com The Agriculture Division of Statistics Canada projected Canadian production of all wheat in 2001 at 21,453,500 tonnes (788,276,000 bushels), down 5.3-million tonnes, or 20%, from Canada's 2000 harvest. The 2001 crop also will be Canada's smallest since the drought year of 1988, when production was 15.9-mifilon tonnes (584-million bushels). The recent 5-year average for Canadian wheat production was 26.4-million tonnes (970-million bushels). "Almost all major crops are showing a decline in production over last year," said Statistics Canada. "The drought experienced throughout most areas of the Prairies reduced yields of the major crops to some of the lowest experienced in many years." Statistics Canada said that projected average wheat yield was 29.1 bushels per acre, down from 36.4 bushels per acre in 2000 and the lowest since 1989, when average yield was 26.9 bushels per acre. The most recent 5-year average yield was 35.2 bushels per acre. Spring wheat production will fall to 16.8-million tonnes, 3.2-million tonnes less than the 5-year average, in spite of a 70/0 increase in acreage seeded this year. The average reported yield was calculated to be 29.3 bushels per acre, the lowest since 27.0 bushels per acre in 1989. Durum wheat production will amount to 3.1-million tonnes, based on 15% less seeded area this year and a yield of only 22.3 bushels per acre. The 5-year average production is 5.0-million tonnes. This year's yield wm be the lowest since 1988. The recent five-year average yield is 32.4 bushels per acre. Competition For Egyptian Market Heats Up From OWGL's Wheat Newsletter With the announced purchase recently of 175,000 metric tons of U.S. wheat by Egypt's official government wheat buyer, the U.S. wheat industry gave a sigh of relief, but that feeling may be short-lived, according to U.S. Wheat Associates vice president Dick Prior. Egypt has long been the world's biggest importer of U.S. wheat, last year taking in more than 4 million metric tons and giving the U.S. a market share of 86%. But this year's export sales, as of August 16, are lagging by about 1.5 million metric tons. "We will have a more competitive year;" Prior reported, "as increasing competition between private millers is forcing everyone to explore all potential suppliers." Prior points out that GASC, the government buying agency that accounts for 60% of Egypt's total imports, will need to import as much wheat as they did last year, and they will buy at best price (fob) for the perceived quality. Other exporters, like Canada and Australia, have stepped up their activities, Prior notes, "and if CWB or the AWB start undercutting U.S. prices, our market share may suffer." While hard red winter wheat remains the standard for the private market, "buyers are crying for hard white wheat" he says. Prior recently met with Kansas wheat producers during a series of meetings in that state, and urged the growers to seriously consider upping production of HW in order to provide a reliable and constant supply for the export market. World Wheat Stocks Forecast Drops To Lowest Since 1982/83 From OWGL's Wheat Newsletter The following is excerpted from the USDA Economic Research Service's "August Wheat Outlook". Global wheat ending stocks forecast for 2001/02 are 131 million tons, down more than 2 million from the previous month, and the lowest in almost two decades. The largest month-to-month change is in China, down almost 3 million tons, and the EU stocks forecast also dropped significantly, down 1.6 million tons, with smaller reductions for Canada and Africa. However, there were increased stocks prospects in the former Soviet Union, up over 2 million, and Eastern Europe, up almost 1 million. This month's modifications to forecast 2001/ 02 wheat supply and use for China include reduced production and imports leading to lower stocks. China's forecast wheat production was reduced 2 million tons to 94 million. Despite a second year of drought-reduced production, wheat prices in China have shown little increase because large stocks have provided ample supplies. Thus, projected imports for China were cut in half to only 1 million tons. Consumption prospects were not changed, dropping projected stock levels to 32 million tons, less than half the estimated level of 2 years earlier. However, although down sharply, China's 2001/02 forecast ending stocks are still almost twice as large as expected U.S. stocks. Projected EU stocks also declined this month. EU 2001/02 production prospects were reduced more than 2 million tons this month to 94 million, as reports on the ongoing harvest indicate a smaller-than-expected crop, especially for France. The EU is expected to increase imports nearly 1 million tons, with half coming from outside the EU countries. Forecast EU exports to the rest of the world are down a million tons this month to 12.5 million. With forecast 2001/02 use in the EU down only slightly this month, ending stocks are projected down 1.6 million tons to 13 million, the lowest in 5 years. Canada's 2001/02 ending stocks are forecast down 0.4 million tons this month to 7.2 million, the lowest in 4 years. Production prospects declined 2.5 million tons to 22.5 million this month as drought centered in southwestern Saskatchewan and western Alberta reduced prospects. Projected exports dropped 1.5 million tons and forecast feed use in Canada was reduced 0.6 million. Projected 2001/02 ending stocks in the former Soviet Union increased this month by 2.2 million totis. Russia reported a better-than-expected winter wheat harvest, up l million tons this month. Stocks had been forecast at near minimal levels, so the increased production directly boosted stocks prospects. Wheat production prospects increased 2 million tons in Kazakstan, with favorable rains for spring wheat. Kazakstan's export prospects only increased 0.5 million tons because of the high cost of transportation to markets outside the former Soviet Union and limited demand within the region. Kazaktan's domestic use is projected up only slightly this month because of the limited number of animals for feeding. The small adjustments to use leave Kazakstan's ending stocks forecast up 1.2 million tons this month. Eastern Europe's forecast 2001/02 ending stocks increased 0.8 million tons this month. Production prospects increased nearly 3 million tons as harvest reports indicated better-than-expected crops in Romania, Hungary, and Poland. Increased feed use is expected, up over 1 million tons this month, and export prospects increased almost 1 million tons. Imports were reduced slightly. The prospect of reduced exportable supplies in Canada and the EU, two of the largest wheat export competitors, were offset by increased competition from Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union and reduced global imports. Thus, wheat importers are expected to increase purchases from the United States in coming months, maintaining U.S. export prospects for 2001/02 despite the slow pace of shipments during the first months of the marketing year. Use Of Corn-Based Polymers To Increase Use of corn in the production of film wrap, food containers, fabrics and other products will increase dramatically over the next few years, said speakers recently at the U.S. Grains Councilís Third International Value-Enhanced Grains Conference. Several companies, including Cargill Dow, DuPont, Mitsubishi Plastics and BASF, plan to produce polymers from corn (or biopolymers) on a large scale over the next 10 years, according to representatives from both U.S. and Japanese companies. Pat Gruber, chief technology officer for Cargill Dow, said his company recently completed construction of a plant in Blair, Nebraska, and plans to begin operation in 2002. The company will produce biodegradable plates, forks, spoons, cups, deli containers, clear film, bottles and fabrics from PLA, a biopolymer made from lactic acid, which is made from fermentable sugars from corn. Gruber said Cargill Dow anticipates purchasing 14 million bushels of corn a year once the plant reaches full-scale operation. Ray Miller, technology and business development manager for DuPont Sorona, said his company anticipates purchasing upwards of 100 million bushels of corn a year once DuPontís bio-based materials strategic business unit reaches large-scale operation. Miller said DuPont Sorona will begin producing apparel, home furnishings and packaging from bio-based polymers within the next two years and be fully operational by 2010. Bio-based polymers have become attractive to manufacturers recently due to their environmental profile. Unlike plastics made from petroleum, biopolymers made from fermented cornstarch are biodegradable and do not emit toxic fumes when incinerated. Biopolymer products also can be recycled. Biopolymers perform well in a variety of fiber and resin applications, Miller said. They dye easily, make a soft fabric and are inherently resistant to stains and UV rays. Also attractive to DuPont is the fact that the company can retrofit existing polyester facilities rather than build new plants to produce the new bio-based materials, Miller said. Isao Inomata, senior manager for Mitsubishi Plastic, one of Japan's largest plastic product manufacturers, said the biopolymer market is also expected to grow substantially in Japan over the next decade. "Biopolymers are safe to the environment, which is very important in Japan," Inomata said. "The demand forecast of the biopolymer market in Japan is very high." Inomata participated in a panel discussion on the potential and benefits of biopolymers, along with two other Japanese industry representatives: Masatsugu Mochizuki of Unitika, Ltd., an Osaka-based company whose textiles, resins, films and plastics are used in everything from food packaging to athletic apparel; and Koichi Kikuchim of Kanebo Gohsen Ltd., a major Japanese textile company that has been at the forefront of commercial applications for fabrics made from PLA fiber. A shortage of landfill space in Japan makes bio-based materials a particularly appealing option there. The U.S. Grains Council's Tokyo office has been working for a number of years to help develop the regulatory and commercial infrastructure to make widespread use of bio-based products a reality in Japan. Rush Skeletonweed Continues To Be A Threat Information From Adams Co. Noxious Weed Control Board Coordinator Sue Sackmann Late summer and fall is a good time to look for Rush skeletonweed. It is showing up in summerfallow, CRP fields and scabland areas. Rush skeletonweed is a Class B noxious weed that needs to be controlled prior to fall seeding. This weed is aggressive and difficult to control. Any damage by cultivation, pulling or digging of the plant will stimulate regrowth of more plants from the numerous roots left in the ground. If cultivation is the choice of control, the landowner needs to be aware that this will most likely spread a small infestation throughout their entire field, thus becoming more of a problem. Control requires killing the entire plant, including the roots. Biological agents, such as insects, have had limited success in controlling this plant. Chemical control can be done late into the fall after the first frost. Rush skeletonweed is a member of the sunflower family. It looks like a skeleton of a plant and can grow up to 4 feet tall. The flowers are bright yellow and bloom for only one day. A single plant can produce more than 15,000 seeds with fine hairs that allow them to be wind blown. The seed matures in 2 weeks and can be carried on the wind 8-10 miles in calm weather and 20 miles in a strong wind. Usually, 90% of the seeds germinate. The roots have been found up to 20 feet vertically and 25 feet laterally. Many new plants start from a root bud. This invasive plant is found in several eastern Washington counties and efforts need to continue to control this species. CARA Report Released Reprinted from WAWG's GreenSheet&emdash; Info. From Liberty Matters News Service Fred Kelly Grant's latest report on the Conservation and Reinvestment Act, "CARA, The Unraveling of a Free Nation" is an in-depth look at the many ways this proposed legislation would destroy property rights in America and comes complete with specific questions you can ask your congressional representatives. To reserve a copy, call 1-800-847-0227. Trade Promotion Authority Vital To Future Of U.S. Grain Exports Since trade promotion authority (TPA) expired in 1994, other countries have been moving forward with trade agreements while the United States has been stalled. In fact, there are more than 130 preferential trade and investment agreements in the world today, and the United States is a party to only two. The U.S. grain industry is among the big losers. Trade promotion authority (formerly known as "fast track") requires the executive branch public, as trade agreements are being negotiated. In return, Congress agrees not to amend legislation implementing trade agreements, instead voting simply yes or no. Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) would put the United States in a strong position to lead the way in completing major new trade agreements that would advance the global interests of U.S. agriculture. Without it, the United States &endash; and its agricultural sector &endash;will remain at a distinct disadvantage in the world trade arena. Links: For more information on how TPA benefits agriculture, including state-specific fact sheets, visit the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service web site: http://www.fas.usda.gov/info/factsheets/TPA/ For additional background information about TPA, visit U.S. Trade at: www.us-trade.org or the Executive Branch's TPA web site at www.tpa.gov. To contact Congress about TPA, link to the National Corn Growers Assocation: www.ncga.com, and click on the "Legislative Alert" in the upper right corner of the page. Perks!? Our Senators/Representatives do not pay into Social Security, and therefore they do not collect from it. Social Security benefits were not suitable for them. They felt they should have a special plan. Many years ago they voted in their benefit plan. In more recent years, no congress person has felt the need to change it. After all, it is a great plan. For all practical purposes, their plan works like this: When they retire, no matter how long they have been in office, they continue to draw their same pay until they die, except it may be increased from time to time by the cost-of-living adjustments. For example, former Senator Bill Bradley (New Jersey) and his wife may be expected to draw $7,900,000.00 over an average life span, with Mrs. Bradley drawing $275,000.00 during the last year of her life. Their cost for this excellent plan!!&emdash;is "0", nada, zilch. This little perk they voted in for themselves is free to them. You and I pick up the tab for this plan. Our tax dollars at work! With Social Security, which you and I pay into every payday for our own retirement, with an equal amount matched by our employer, we can expect to get an average of $1,000 per month. Or, we would have to collect our benefits for 68 years and 1 month to equal the Bradley's benefits. Imagine for a moment that you could structure a retirement plan so desirable, a retirement plan that worked so well, that Railroad Employees, Postal Workers, and others who were not in the plan would clamor to be included. This is how good Social Security could be, if only one small change was made. That change would be to jerk the Golden Fleece Retirement Plan out from under the Senators/Congressmen. Put them into the Social Security plan with the rest of us. Watch how fast they fix it!!!! If enough people become aware of this maybe a seed will be planted, and maybe good changes will evolve. Don't forget, our girl, Hillary Rodham Clinton, thanks to the infinite wisdom of New York State voters, now comes under this Congressional Retirement Plan. Talking about the Clintons, it's common knowledge that, in order for her to establish NYS residency, they purchased a million + house in upscale Chappaqua, NY. Makes sense. Now, they are entitled to Secret Service protection for life. Still makes sense. Here is where it becomes interesting. A residency had to be built in order to house the Secret Service agents. The Clintons now charge the Secret Service rent for the use of said residence and that rent is just about equal to their mortgage payment, meaning that we, the tax payers, are paying the Clinton's mortgage and it's all perfectly legal. Ethical? How do you feel about this? Maybe we should all run for congress! This is sort of depressing when you think of how many ex-congressmen there are collecting from us.

Southern Poverty Law Center Focuses On ELF By Pete Fretwell, Far West Agribusiness Association The Southern Poverty Law Center's Intelligence Report (Summer, 2001) has an interesting article linking the ideology and methods of the Earth Liberation Front with the Ku Klux Klan. You can read the article, 'By Any Means Necessary', at http://www.splcenter.org/intelligenceproject/ip-4r8.html. Spray Perennial Weeds In The Fall By Peg Herring, Oregon State University Perennial weeds, such as blackberry and poison oak, must be killed at the roots or they will resprout. Glyphosate herbicides (such as 'Roundup') applied in the fall tend to get to the roots more effectively than applications done in the spring, according to Diane Kaufman, district extension agent at Oregon State University's North Willamette Research and Experiment Station in Aurora. In the autumn, the sap flow of perennial weeds is downward to the canes and roots. This downward flow carries the glyphosate herbicides into the root system and kills the entire plant. In the spring, sap flow is primarily upward toward developing leaves and flowers. Because of this, glyphosate applied to perennial weeds before they flower will tend to remain in the leaves and only kill the top part of the plant, leaving the root system intact and capable of resprouting. Glyphosate is most effective if applied from time of flowering through the fall when the plant's energy system shifts to developing roots. Chemicals absorbed by the leaves in late summer and fall will translocate with the carbohydrates moving down to the roots. Glyphosate is unique because of this ability to translocate. Some other herbicides, such as Gramoxone burn kill the leaves and stem tissue to which they are applied, but are not absorbed or translocated within the plant. Glyphosate moves through the plant, inhibiting protein synthesis necessary for plant growth. Some perennial weeds are harder to kill than others. Some, such as wild blackberry or field bindweed, have a vast system of underground stems or roots from which new plants can develop. Such weeds will not be controlled with one application of glyphosate. It will probably take several years of late summer or fall applications to weaken the underground system enough to get these weeds under control. Because glyphosate is a nonselective herbicide and is very effective, you should always use great caution when applying it and make sure no herbicide is accidentally blown or dripped onto other plants. Canada's All-Wheat Crop Projected At Smallest Since '88 WAWG's GreenSheet&emdash;From World-Grain.com The Agriculture Division of Statistics Canada projected Canadian production of all wheat in 2001 at 21,453,500 tonnes (788,276,000 bushels), down 5.3-million tonnes, or 20%, from Canada's 2000 harvest. The 2001 crop also will be Canada's smallest since the drought year of 1988, when production was 15.9-mifilon tonnes (584-million bushels). The recent 5-year average for Canadian wheat production was 26.4-million tonnes (970-million bushels). "Almost all major crops are showing a decline in production over last year," said Statistics Canada. "The drought experienced throughout most areas of the Prairies reduced yields of the major crops to some of the lowest experienced in many years." Statistics Canada said that projected average wheat yield was 29.1 bushels per acre, down from 36.4 bushels per acre in 2000 and the lowest since 1989, when average yield was 26.9 bushels per acre. The most recent 5-year average yield was 35.2 bushels per acre. Spring wheat production will fall to 16.8-million tonnes, 3.2-million tonnes less than the 5-year average, in spite of a 70/0 increase in acreage seeded this year. The average reported yield was calculated to be 29.3 bushels per acre, the lowest since 27.0 bushels per acre in 1989. Durum wheat production will amount to 3.1-million tonnes, based on 15% less seeded area this year and a yield of only 22.3 bushels per acre. The 5-year average production is 5.0-million tonnes. This year's yield wm be the lowest since 1988. The recent five-year average yield is 32.4 bushels per acre. GMO Technology&emdash; A Gentle Genie Or A Tyrant? By Diana Roberts, WSU Cooperative Extension, Agronomy, Spokane, WA "The genie is out of the bottle" is a phrase I hear frequently about the advent of GMOs (genetically modified organisms) in agriculture. I sense the speakers are implying that the technology is with us, that there's no going back, and there's little to be done about it. In that context it would be more appropriate to quote the story of Pandora's box. This Greek myth tells that curious Pandora opened a forbidden box that could never again be shut, with many unforeseen and irreversible consequences. Conversely, the genies in the Asian tales frequently did retreat into their bottles. It was the attitude and wisdom of the humans in the stories that determined whether the genie worked as a useful servant or became a dominating tyrant. I do believe that this is the appropriate analogy for GMO technology. However, the technology by itself is neither good nor evil (like guns or television), but we, the people, have tremendous responsibility to use it wisely. February 2001 forum on GMOs: Last February, Washington State University (Cooperative Extension and the WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources) and the Washington Sustainable Food and Farming Network hosted a forum in Spokane on GMO technology. The discussion covered many topics, but centered on the risks associated with GMOs. Chris Laney, a farmer from Sprague and past president of WAWG, opened with a discussion of how he saw the technology, specifically herbicide tolerance, having tremendous potential for helping growers manage weeds as they transition to direct seeding systems in order to conserve soil. Laney also outlined the risks associated with herbicide tolerant crops: • Pollen drift to non-GMO and organic fields. • Development of herbicide resistant weeds through outcrossing from GMO crops to related weeds. • Development of herbicide resistant weeds due to inadequate herbicide rotation. Dr. Jim Cook, Endowed Wheat Research Chair at WSU, emphasized the risks of not going forward with GMO technology. He said that Washington State led the Green Revolution but is not participating in the "gene revolution". Cook explained that a transgenic potato that is virus resistant produces the protein coat of the virus -the presence of which prevents further infection. An unmodified potato that is diseased will contain the whole virus. Both potatoes look and taste identical. Yet transgenic potatoes are not grown in Washington because McDonalds won't buy them. Cook also outlined the stand that the US National Academy of Science has taken&emdash;that the risks of growing any plant are the same regardless of the method by which its genes were modified. Dr. Ignacio Chapela, UC Berkeley, described this philosophy as the principle of substantial equivalence&emdash;that if two products look the same and behave the same then they should be treated and regulated the same. Chapela recommended using the precautionary principle, which places the burden of proving safety fully on the originating company. A product should not be claimed as safe because its potential risks have not been examined. The Dutch government and the Royal Society of Canada support this perspective. He maintained that American farmers who grow transgenic crops, instead of the companies that patent them, are currently bearing the risk and cost of potential threats that these crops pose to the environment. Phil Bereano, Professor of Technical Communication at the University of Washington, continued this theme with the text, "no evidence of risk is not the same as evidence of no risk". He emphasized that recent evidence indicates that risk assessment is not being done, and adequate risk analysis should be conducted before releasing a transgenic organism. Bereano related the paradox that companies are claiming that transgenic organisms are the same as non-GMOs based on substantial equivalence, but then they are patenting them as being different! He also raised the concern that patented material is not available for open testing and peer review. Safety is a social notion, not a scientific one, and individuals have varying levels of acceptable risk for their lives. Scientific assessment of GMO risks and benefits: So, if risk of the unexpected is the greatest barrier to adoption of GMO technology, what is being done to understand and minimize the hazards? An article in the December 2000 issue of Science (Vol. 290 pp. 2088-2093 by L.L. Wolfenbarger and P.R. Phifer) discussed "The ecological risks and benefits of genetically engineered plants." The paper is a review of recent scientific literature in academic, peer-reviewed journals. It covers environmental risk assessment, but does not include food safety issues. The authors discussed a number of potential risks associated with introduction of transgenic plants: • Risk of invasiveness. The literature indicated that only a few of the 50,000 introduced species in the US become invasive, but those "weedy" species cost $137 billion a year for direct management or indirect effects. Controlled experiments showed that some transgenic crops could hybridize with related wild species, but there were no reports in scientific journals of this occurring in natural populations (though the media has reported numerous events). • Risk of direct effects on nontarget beneficial and native organisms. The popular press has addressed the controversy over transgenic (Bt) corn that contains the genes to produce the insecticidal toxin of Bacillus thuringiensis bacteria. Laboratory experiments showed that pollen from Bt corn was detrimental to larvae of Monarch butterflies, a nontarget species. Wolfenbarger and Phifer said that the laboratory studies did not necessarily apply to natural populations because they did not report the rate at which the larvae encountered the toxic pollen, which was necessary for assessing risk. Other studies revealed that transgenic crops might affect soil fertility, reduce the diversity of soil microbial populations, and affect the rate of plant decomposition. However, the long-term effects were not clear. • Risk of indirect effects on beneficial and native organisms. Wolfenbarger and Phifer said reports were mixed as to whether populations of natural predators of crop pests were reduced in fields of Bt crops. Similarly, laboratory studies showed differing results on the longevity and accumulation of Bt toxin in predatory insects that ate insects feeding on Bt crops. These studies also lacked data on field exposure levels, so the results could not be extrapolated to natural systems. There was evidence, however, that soil pH and microbial levels affect the breakdown rate of Bt toxin in the soil, and it was most persistent in soils with high clay content and low pH. • Risk of new viral diseases. Reports indicated that it is potentially possible for new viruses to develop from plants that carry the genes for virus coat proteins, which make them virus-resistant. However, so far there is no actual evidence of this happening in real life. • Risk of variability and unexpected results. Current scientific literature showed that the complexity of ecosystems makes it challenging to identify and anticipate risks associated with GMO technology. Variability amongst cultivars and their interaction with different environments&emdash;soil type, temperature, moisture, etc.&emdash;limit extrapolation of results from small field experiments. Unexpected hazards are more likely to occur if GMO crops are introduced widely across different habitats and interact with a variety of other species, some of which may be more sensitive to impact. Wolfenbarger and Phifer also evaluated papers reporting on potential benefits of GMO crops. • Reduced environmental impacts from pesticides and increased yield. For comparisons of potential risks and benefits of GMO crops to be valid, they must be considered relative to other farming practices, such as conventional or organic systems. Claims that less chemical is used with GMO crops must include number of treatments, application rate (total amount of chemical), acreage treated, and environmental conditions or infestation rate. Not all studies included these factors, so their claims of decreased pesticide use with GMO crops were tenuous. The potential for increased yield with GMO crops is not assured, but is probably greatest in developing countries. • Soil conservation. Farmers successfully using direct seeding systems should reduce soil erosion and water loss, and improve soil quality. Herbicide tolerant crops could be beneficial in such systems as growers could manage weeds with post-emergent herbicides, such as glyphosate, instead of using tillage and pre-emergent, soil-incorporated herbicides. • Soil phytoremediation. Some GMO plants and microorganisms may remediate polluted soil and water by removing heavy metals or changing pollutants to more benign forms. The authors drew the following conclusions: • The greatest benefit, and also the greatest risk, of GMO technology is its ability to break barriers between species. • Crucial experiments to assess environmental benefits and risks of GMO crops are still needed for adequate analysis. • Neither the risks nor the benefits of GMO crops are assured or widespread, and both may vary with different situations and environments. • Our ability to predict the impact of any introduced species (including GMOs) is inexact and the data collected has limitations, which decreases considerably the accuracy of long-term risk assessment. • Hazards associated with GMOs are likely to increase with the number and variety of GMOs released. • Careful documentation of GMO benefits, in relation to other practices, is important in weighing benefits against potential irreversible changes in the environment. • Technology that sustains the effectiveness of transgenes or prevents their movement into wild populations will minimize risk and prolong the benefits. Viewpoint: There are no silver bullets, and GMO technology will not substitute for quality farm management practices. The paper in Science emphasized that risk analysis of GMO effects on the environment is incomplete and it would be virtually impossible to anticipate all possible consequences of their introduction. There is risk in every aspect of life, yet we want to avoid a "Pandora's box" situation. How then will we manage this GMO genie so that it's a useful tool, not an uncontrollable menace? I believe that developing a holistic perspective of the benefits and the risks associated with the technology will be crucial for making decisions about whether to release individual transgenes and each crop into which they are inserted. This will be a huge challenge and incredibly expensive. The decision-making approach should be specific to each individual release. Even so there are likely to be unforeseen consequences. I have not discussed food safety issues in this article, but GMOs generate many potential benefits, issues, and concerns in that arena also. At the Spokane GMO forum, Ignacio Chapela stressed that farmers, who are a tiny proportion of the US population, are making decisions about GMOs that will impact the nation and the whole world. This is a position of tremendous power and responsibility. Individual producers, and communities of producers, must be informed in your decision-making. I believe it is important that you read and listen to perspectives from both sides of the debate. The GMO issue generates great emotion, and I have not heard a single person who is totally unbiased about it, regardless of how they present their opinions. It is also important to listen to your intuition. Everyone tends to take risks in life (e.g. sports, travel, investments, relationships) based on their senses, and your intuitive process is worth considering, along with logical data, in all decisions. The "disconnect" what has existed between the USA and many other countries over GMOs may boil down to their perspectives of the principle of substantial equivalence and the precautionary principle. Nations and individuals that have refused to use GMO products have said essentially that they do not want to bear the risk of any detrimental consequences to themselves or to their environment. They are using the precautionary principle. I believe that any farmers considering production with GMOs should hear the concerns in this light. Are you willing to bear the risk on behalf of the originating companies? There are farmers who have not even grown GMO crops who are learning about this risk (see that last website listed below). On the other hand, do you believe that GMOs will provide you the competitive edge that you need in a global market so that you need to take the risk of adopting the technology? Further reading: The following websites provide information on a variety of aspects of GMO technology. http://www.colostate.edu/programs/lifesciences/TransgenicCrops/ Includes an outline (using animated graphics) of the process for developing GMO crops. http://biotech-info.net/index.html A collection of papers and reports representing both sides of the GMO debate. http://www.house.gov/science/smithreport041300.pdf A report to Congress summarizing the regulation and potential benefits of GMOs. http://www.edmonds-institute.org/ A protocol for examining health and environmental risk of GMOs. http://www.percyschmeiser.com/ Outlines the tribulations of a Canadian farmer who lost a lawsuit against a company that claimed he was growing GMO varieties illegally when pollen drift contaminated his fields. U.S. And Mexico To Share Vital Food Safety Information Leading officials from the U.S. and Mexican governments today signed a cooperative arrangement that will improve the safety of the food supplies in both nations.  The arrangement, in conjunction with other cooperative measures, will help reduce the incidence of food-borne illnesses on both sides of the border. "This agreement marks a very important new era in the food safety efforts of both our countries," HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. "It recognizes the strong bond between Mexico and the United States &endash; a bond that is reflected in the enormous increase in the trade of food commodities across our borders." Under the terms of the arrangement, the HHS' Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Mexico's Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación (SAGARPA) and Secretaría de Salud (SSA) will enhance their existing food safety partnership through expanding programs, sharing information and coordinating specific activities. FDA, SSA and SAGARPA will cooperate to share information on the sources of fresh produce and to investigate into the causes of any contamination of these products.  The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service and Foreign Agriculture Service and SAGARPA will take steps to ensure the safety of meat, poultry and egg products in both countries. These efforts are expected to ensure that borders remain open and that safe products continue to flow freely between the countries.  The agencies will also collaborate on other specific projects to achieve common understanding on issues of mutual concern. "With the high level of trade between our countries, cooperation on food safety is vital," USDA's Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Bill Hawks said. "Working together on harmonized regulations, inspection standards and information exchanges will improve the food safety for citizens in both our countries." Express Yourself With Garden Decorations By Peg Herring, Oregon State University "A well-decorated garden sparkles with interest and vitality beyond the natural beauty of the gardener's growing plants." So says Joyce Schillen, Master Gardener with the Jackson County office of the Oregon State University Extension Service. Embellishments such as garden statues or fountains can become a fixed detail in an ever-changing landscape. Garden decorations range from fine sculpture to a rickety old wheelbarrow that has seen better days. However, decorating your garden requires careful consideration of items and location, Schillen advises. "It does not mean plunking things down willy-nilly." Schillen offers a few guidelines to add decoration and sparkle to your garden: • Work with the "bare bones" of your garden. Perhaps you have a fence, or raised beds, or a wooden bench that already catch the eye. Pathways can help compose various scenes in your garden, carrying the viewer from close-up detail to round-the-bend distance. • Keep decorations in scale with the size of your garden. • Don't overwhelm your garden with huge objects or clutter it with too many tiny things. • Choose durable items that will withstand the onslaught of weather, and the occasional 'decorations' that birds might drop! • Choose locations that invite the viewer to pause and focus. A good place might be an entryway or next to a specimen plant. Place a birdbath or potted plant outside your window where you can enjoy the effect from indoors. Suspend flower baskets from overhanging tree limbs. • Highlight features with different kinds of night lighting. Background lights create their own patterns of silhouettes and shadow. Up-turned lights emphasize the shape of plants and decorations. Down-turned lights emphasize pathways. Most of all, have fun. Show off your passions and create a space that is all your own. HUMOR Some people think life begins at conception, while others think life begins at birth. But, some believe that life begins when the kid moves out and the dog he left behind dies.

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