03/16/05 We want in; How to reform it

It could be another wrinkle in the long running debate over whether or not to allow specified Canadian live cattle and beef product back into our country. U.S.D.A. has until early May to file an appeal of an injunction blocking reopening of the border before the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. So far, Ag Secretary Mike Johanns has been tight lipped over whether an appeal will be filed. But the more interesting storyline may be the emergency filing in the Ninth Circuit by the National Meat Association, representing various meat packers, to be granted intervener status. That news comes as both U.S.D.A. and R-C.A.L.F. U.S.A. file schedules for trial today before U.S. District Court Judge Richard Cebull. N.M.A. officials will present arguments next Monday on being granted intervener status. A previous attempt by N.M.A. to be allowed in the case as an intervener was denied, but N.M.A. officials say they now have a stronger case. The N.M.A. not only wants to present its case to reopen the border. The meat packers are considering seeking millions of dollars in compensation from R-C.A.L.F. U.S.A. for lost revenues as a result of the border closure. The latest call to reform the Endangered Species Act comes from the Western Governors Association. The group recently sent the Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee a letter outlining objectives including recovery goals for listed species, more state involvement, decisions based on sound science, and providing incentives for conservation. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Susan Allen. ALLEN: Asparagus farmers in Washington State have been facing a fierce battle, and reminiscent of the Alamo, and the odds aren't in their favor. Northwest asparagus growers, along with growers in Michigan and California have suffered dearly for their inability to compete globally on an unfair playing field because canners like Seneca Foods and Del Monte have packed up their bags and moved south to Peru. In what has provided a strategic win for Peru, the country received special treatment from the Andean Trade Preferences act that insured growers who switched from narcotic crops to asparagus a duty free ticket to the United States. Switch they did in droves, but this year Peru has faced its own demons due to over production of asparagus acreage and high transportation costs. The white knight with the potential to ride in and save the day, could be a mechanical harvester slated to be in commercial production within the next 3 years helping to elevate the cheap labor advantage Peru enjoys over the US. Let's hope the growers can hold off the onslaught from the south until the mechanical cavalry arrives. I'm Susan Allen and this is "Food Forethought".