NoNAIS.org

Washington, DC — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has failed two straight audits over its unsafe handling of highly toxic agents at the same time the agency is distributing a detailed Homeland Security “checklist” to farmers, ranchers and dairy operators, according to agency documents released today by Sinapu and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).

The audits, conducted by the Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General in 2005 and 2006, concern a branch of the agency, ironically* named Wildlife Services, which exterminates wildlife at the request of farmers and ranchers. In 2004, the last year for which figures are available, Wildlife Services killed 2.7 million animals, principally birds, using an array of lethal chemical agents ranging from sodium cyanide to aluminum phosphate, deployed across the country as bait, in fumigants, sprays and gases.
:
“The Department of Agriculture itself poses a bigger homeland security threat than any possible infiltration of Iowa by Al Qaeda,” stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch, noting that the USDA has not acted to follow many of the Inspector General’s recommendations or to punish the responsible Wildlife Services managers. “USDA ought to stop giving out homeland security advice until it starts following the most basic bio-security precautions.”

In addition to the lack of toxic controls, the groups have raised concerns about aviation accidents stemming from the Wildlife Services aerial gunning program as well as dangers to people, pets and “non-target” wildlife due to the agency’s indiscriminate se of traps, poisoned bait and other eradication techniques.

[*The name and function of “Wildlife Services” is especially ironic since the USDA also has a division called the Farm Service Agency… -WJ]

Hat tip Ann

From the USDA:

Sir or Ma’am,

I’ve been asked to inform you that USDA Under Secretary Bruce Knight will be coming to Syracuse on Feb. 2, at approximately 1:00 p.m., in the Summerset Room of the New York State Fairgrounds. He would like his audience (about 50-100 people) to include members of conservation districts, landowner groups, producers, Farm Bureau members, college agriculture students, specialty crop growers, and people interested in organics. I will have an outline of his presentation on Monday, but his aide asked that I start to spread the news of his appearance to help generate interest and attendance. The Under Secretary’s presentation will last approximately an hour and members of the media will be present.

If you know of individuals or groups who might want to attend this presentation, please forward the email to them or otherwise make contact. I will send the presentation information as soon as it arrives.

Best,
Kris

Kristen Pelhan Skopeck
Public Affairs Specialist
USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service
441 S. Salina Street, Suite 354
Syracuse, New York 13202
tel 315-477-6524
fax 315-477-6560
email kristen.skopeck@ny.usda.gov

Joel Salatin, Speaker Anti-NAIS, pro small/sustainable/independent agriculture

Under the banner of The National Independent Consumers and Farmers Advocates Fund (NICFA Fund)

WHAT: Grassroots lobbying and legislative reception
WHERE: Washington, DC
WHEN: Wednesday, February 14th, 2007, 12 noon
WHY: So legislators can meet small, sustainable producers and the consumers who depend on them, and hear their message.

Most federal legislators don’t know we exist, or take us seriously. We have to change that.

Jointly organized by the Virginia Independent Consumer Farmers Association (VICFA) and the Maryland Independent Consumers and Farmers Association (MICFA), Farm Food Voices, DC 2007 will bring America’s farmers and the consumers who depend on them from all over the country to DC to meet legislators, explain to them why NAIS would destroy sustainable agriculture, the economies and communities these small farms sustain, and the foods millions of consumers depend on. We will provide Talking Points for grassroots lobbyists and information packets for legislators.

Weston A. Price Foundation members in the DC area will prepare a nourishing Traditional Luncheon style reception, with food sampling, for legislators and grassroots lobbyists. (We’ll meet in one of the Congressional office buildings. See http://www.nicfa.net for room closer to the date).

AGENDA:
12:00 – 12:50 Reception
1:00 — 3:00 Lobby legislators from your state
Meet at noon in reception room
Joel Salatin will address grassroots lobbyists and legislators, followed by Q and A
Mingle with and speak to legislators and staffers during reception
1:00—disperse to meet with representatives and senators of your state to tell them about small producers and that NAIS is another big government program that discriminates against small farmers.

We oppose any government funded or managed National Animal Identification System.

ACTIONS:
• Come to Washington DC February 14th.
• Call the U.S. Representative and Senators from your state now and make an appointment to speak with them or their staff members February 14th. (Staffers are just as important!!!).
• When you call them for the appointment, invite them and their staffers to the legislative reception at noon. (See http://www.nicfa.net for room closer to date).

Find your legislators:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/

Event information: http://www.nicfa.net
Email: editor@vicfa.net
Phone: Richard Bean, (434) 263-8704