04/10/08 Investigation Continues & Tree Top Fine

Investigation Continues & Tree Top Fine plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report. The investigation into the Westland/Hallmark meat packing plant incident continues and Ag Secretary Schafer told a Senate Appropriations Committee that they didn't really know when it would wrap up. SCHAFER: I do believe that the result of our investigations when we get completed will allow us to make some further changes to enhance the process but we believe that the USDA inspectors and veterinarians are capable, are hard working and committed to their jobs and we think we can direct them in the proper place so that this does not take place again. Schafer was on Capitol Hill seeking support for the President's 93-billion dollar budget request for USDA in Fiscal 2009. Tree Top in Prosser, Washington has been slapped with an $89-thousand dollar fine by the EPA. The fine comes from the lack of implementing a risk management plan and not from any safety violations. A risk management plan must be in place for plants that use more than 10-thousand pounds of anhydrous ammonia a year. The violation was discovered during a 2006 EPA inspection and according to company officials, all violations have been resolved. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Lacy Gray. How much is too much? The Energy Department's Energy Information Administration is predicting that pump prices could rise as high as $4 a gallon this summer. The government's crystal ball is also predicting that such astronomical prices may cut demand for gasoline at the height of the summer. Ya think! Sadly, such high prices at the pumps will have the domino effect across the nation this summer, not just hitting the consumer's pocketbook. If consumers can't afford to fill the family car, they won't be taking that much needed vacation. National park attendance will suffer, hotel and restaurant business will plummet and several other businesses that rely on summer tourist traffic may suffer irreparable damage. In such a catch twenty two situation experts argue over just how high prices have to rise before consumers are shocked into driving less. Some say that $4 per gallon may just be the crucial tipping point. Will $4 a gallon change your summer plans? Ultimately, it will be your decision on whether you have to cancel your family vacation. So how much is too much, only the ring of the gas pump will tell. Thanks Lacy. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.