Spring 1994 (v6n2)
	Briefly Noted Compiled by David Campbell, SAREP Grower Research Organization Forms California Clean Growers Association, a San Joaquin Valley-based farmer organization promoting natural farming techniques, has recently formed the Participatory Research Institute (PRI). Its purpose is to bring farmers and researchers together in a dynamic working relationship. PRI program director Mas Masumoto and research director Jeff Dlott have started a monthly newsletter, On Common Ground. According to Masumoto, "Our research institute hopes to work with researchers interested not only in the farm, but also in the farmer." Projects currently underway include brown rot disease management in stone fruit, an implementation model for sustainable farming practices in stone fruit funded by the California Energy Commission, and a database of farmer indigenous knowledge and experience. For more information, contact PRI, 586 S. Reed, Reedley, CA 93654; tel: (209) 637-1405. Cal EPA Weakens Methyl Bromide 'Right to Know' On December 22,1993, California's Environmental Protection Agency (Cal EPA) reversed its January 1993 decision to list methyl bromide under Proposition 65. This action means that farmworkers and other rural residents will not have the "right-to-know" when the pesticide is used in agricultural production. Under the terms of Proposition 65, growers would have been required to warn anyone living or working within four miles when methyl bromide was to be used. Applications of methyl bromide for structural fumigation will still be listed under Proposition 65, but uses for agricultural purposes will now be exempt. Five environmental and labor organizations have sued Cal EPA over the new ruling Scientific studies required by Proposition 65 indicate that methyl bromide can cause birth defects and genetic mutations in laboratory tests. For more information, see The Pesticide Action Network Updates Service, January 10, 1994; tel: (415) 541 9140. Coalition Asks Clinton to Lead Sustainable Ag A coalition of 116 local and national organizations has written President Clinton, Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy and Environmental Protection Agency head Carol Browner, encouraging the federal government to take an active leadership role in promoting sustainable agriculture. The letter followed the Clinton Administration's June 1993 pledge to promote sustainable agriculture and reduce pesticide use. Among the specific actions requested in the letter were: revising water quality and pest management programs to link them directly to sustainable agriculture initiatives; retraining and reorganizing USDA personnel so that sustainable agriculture becomes the organizing principle of the agency; and increasing funding for the USDA's Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, EPA's Agriculture in Concert with the Environment (ACE), and the Organic Foods Production Act. For more information see "Coalition Asks Clinton to Lead Sustainable Ag Effort," Nutrition Week, Nov. 12, 1993; tel: (202) 462-4700. Report Questions Transgenic Crops A new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists raises concerns about the environmental risks associated with transgenic plants currently being developed and tested. Transgenic plants are crops that have been genetically engineered to contain traits from unrelated organisms. Already genes have been added to engineered crops from organisms as diverse as fireflies, fish, hamsters and chickens. The report suggests that these applications of biotechnology could threaten global crop diversity, and pose a number of known and unknown environmental risks. The agricultural biotechnology industry hopes to introduce hundreds of transgenic vegetables, grains, fruits, trees, fiber crops and ornamentals by the turn of the century. The report, co-authored by Jane Rissler and Margaret Mellon, is available for $12 from Union of Concerned Scientists, 26 Church Street, Cambridge, MA 02238; tel: (617) 547-5552. Sustainable Ag Consortium A broadbased consortium is being formed among researchers, Extension workers, farmers and advocates to cooperate in building their individual and collective capacity to develop and foster a sustainable agriculture. "Effectively shaping national research and extension policy to support a more sustainable system is the principal rationale for organizing a consortium," according to the Consortium's draft mission statement. "Over 300 natural and social scientists, farmers and others have indicated interest in joining the Consortium so far," says Elizabeth Bird, the Consortium's executive director For more information, contact Bird at the Center for Rural Affairs, PO Box 406, Walthill, NE 68067; tel: (402) 846-5428; fax: (402) 846-5420; e-mail: hnl721@handsnet.org. [ Back | Search | Feedback ]