Checking the Fish & Trade Secretary

Checking the Fish & Trade Secretary plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

Last year’s tsunami and ensuing Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster may be having impacts on the west coast shoreline. The question has been asked whether or not salmon and steelhead returning to rivers in the northwest have any radiation contamination. While most health officials don’t believe so, they are testing the fish. Technicians are looking primarily for two isotopes: Caesium-137 and Iodine-131. Both isotopes are associated with nuclear power production. Tests are continuing.

Many have expressed concern that the international trade functions of USDA are located in several USDA mission areas leading to a lack of coordination and coherent management. Nebraska Republican Mike Johanns raised the issue during the Senate Ag Committee markup of new five-year farm legislation

JOHANNS: As the former Ag Secretary I know well the importance of the department responding quickly and aggressively to SBS and other non-trade barriers. For this reason I’ve offered this amendment. It just requires the study of USDA trade functions covering both imports and exports. As a part of this study the secretary may include a recommendation for the establishment of an Under Secretary for Trade in foreign agricultural affairs. That would be discretionary.

Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.

Many people with disabilities who are employed in agriculture have been fortunate to have the AgrAbility Program, which links the Cooperative Extension Service at a land-grant university with a private nonprofit disability service organization in order to provide practical education and assistance promoting independence in ag production and rural living. The program’s online technology database, called the Toolbox, now offers information for horticulture, gardening, and forestry tools. The new products range from specialty items like hydroponic gardening systems to tools that assist in activities normally happening on or around the farm. AgrAbility project manager, Paul Jones, says that the new products are meant to serve a wide range of disabilities because there are farmers with a wide variety of needs in varying ag-related enterprises. Those with disabilities prove time and time again that they are quite capable of leading highly productive lives, whatever career path they choose. With programs such as AgrAbility these determined individuals have help to overcome barriers so they can continue and advance their agricultural career.

Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.