12/08/08 Post Falls Water Issue & Using Genetically Modified Crops

Post Falls Water Issues & Using Genetically Modified Crops plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report. People in Post Falls, Idaho are on high alert for bad water. Six water samples taken during a routine sampling have shown coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria is naturally present in the environment and is used as an indicator that other, potentially harmful bacteria may be present. Officials say this is not an emergency situation and that Total coliform bacteria are generally not harmful. So far, no serious bacteria such as E.coli has been found, but workers are chlorinating wells just to be safe. Feeding the world is an issue but is using genetically modified crops a blessing or a bane. According to Ag Secretary Ed Shafer a number of nations are considering it. SCHAFER: As we have seen the movement here, even over the last 6 months, it's changing dramatically the countries that are saying we need this technology to help feed our people. But importantly, countries that the EU has tried to keep their thumb over for years and saying you have to do what we demand or if you are going to trade with us you'd better be careful of this  and especially African countries for the first time no are saying the EU doesn't want us to do this but we have to start looking at this technology that's going to help feed our people. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Lacy Gray. PETA and the EPA could stand to take a lesson from Star Trek, particularly the Star Trek character Mr. Spock who stated "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few." In their most recent illogical episode, which has most of us scratching our heads in disbelief, PETA is backing and promoting an EPA proposed livestock tax which would require farmers and ranchers who own more than a certain percentage of livestock to pay an outrageous "flatulence" tax. No, as ridiculous as it sounds, it is not a joke, and has taken root ever since a Supreme Court judgment last year that deems livestock flatulence as greenhouse gas emissions. This form of taxing would penalize farmers and ranchers and potentially bankrupt most family owned farms. In this day and age it seems that a handful of misguided zealots have the power to run roughshod over the majority; the California "chicken" initiative being their most recent victory. These initiatives end result do nothing to ensure animal safety and well being; they do however result in driving up food costs for all of us and punishing farmers. Thanks Lacy. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.