01/08/07 Ethanol Bill & BSE Proposal

Ethanol bill & BSE Proposal. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report. Last week the U.S. Senate introduced legislation that will increase Americas' access to ethanol at fuel pumps. The bill proposes a new renewable fuels standard that calls for 60-billion gallons of ethanol and biodiesel to be included in the United States motor vehicle fuel supply annually, by the year 20-30. It also says that large oil companies would be required to install E85 pumps at their stations with approximately 50% percent of the pumps available within a decade and directing automakers to gradually increase flex-fuel vehicle production - until nearly all vehicles sold in the U.S. are Flex Fuel Vehicles within 10 years. U.S.D.A.'s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is proposing to expand the list of allowable beef imports from countries recognized as presenting a minimal risk of introducing bovine spongiform encephalopathy  or - BSE into the United States. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns says - this proposal would continue to protect the United States against BSE - while taking the next step forward in our efforts to implement science-based trade relations with countries that have appropriate safeguards in place to prevent BSE. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Susan Allen. For small farmers the new year could have an Orwellian aura. If you farm in Michigan for example, Big Brother will now be watching in the form of the National Animal Identification system or NAIS, and starting March 1st will require that livestock, chicken, goats, pigs and horses be tagged with a radio frequency device. The government's intentions are admirable using the id system to insure a more stable global market by implement a tracking system that follows the animal from the farm to the consumer's table. Yet small farmers in particular are rebelling against what could soon lead to an inclusive mandatory tagging system . Farmers are calling the new animal ID system an invasion of privacy and plus a load of extra work and record keeping and irrelevant for the farmer who sells his lamb or chicken to a local customer base through farmers market. Other states are not taking NAIS In stride, independent Texans are balking at any attempt to tag their animals and their fever has Texas officials shelving the ID system for now. Thanks Susan. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.