FEED - March 2009
Contents
1. FDA approves first engineered animal—without public input
2. Diversity in U.S. farming is growing
3. Earth-friendly vision comes to USDA with Merrigan, People's Garden
4. USDA says antibiotic use in animals can be reduced at reasonable cost
5. What You Can Do: Learn about meat CSAs
1. FDA approves first engineered animal—without public input
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first commercialization both of a drug from a genetically engineered (GE) animal and of the animal itself. Although the agency previously assured the public that it would offer opportunities for public input into decisions to approve GE animals, the FDA made the approval without requesting input either from the public or an FDA advisory committee. The animal is a goat engineered to produce milk containing a human protein that is intended to prevent blood clots. A Massachusetts company is raising a herd of the GE goats to produce the protein. Under the FDA's process, there were no discussions of the safety or ethical implications of the approval, nor were regulations developed to keep the goats and their milk from contaminating the food supply. The FDA is using drug laws as the basis to regulate all GE animals, even though most GE animals do not produce drugs, and even though the drug laws affirmatively discourage public participation, transparency, and appeal of approvals. Read more in the New York Times.
| "The behind-closed-doors process used to approve the first GE animal shows why the use of the drug laws for GE animals is wholly unacceptable. We need new legislation to require a transparent, participatory regulatory system for GE animals." ~ Margaret Mellon, Food & Environment Program Director |
2. Diversity in U.S. farming is growing
New farm census results from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicate that the number of small farms in the United States increased since the previous census in 2002. Unfortunately, the 2007 census also showed an increase in the number of very large industrialized farms (see story #4), and the number of mid-sized operations—often among the most efficient farms—declined. The nation's farmers are becoming more diverse, with more women and minorities operating farms since the last census. In addition, the 300,000 new farms that have begun operating since then are generally smaller and are raising a more diverse mix of crops and livestock than U.S. farms overall. Organic farming is also on the rise, with more than 600,000 acres on nearly 12,000 farms converted to organic production since the last census. Read the USDA's press release, or look at the 2007 census results directly.
3. Earth-friendly vision comes to USDA with Merrigan, People’s Garden
President Barack Obama recently appointed Kathleen Merrigan, a long-time supporter of organic and sustainable farming practices, as Deputy Secretary of the USDA. If she is confirmed for the department's number two position, she will likely play a major role in developing key USDA policies. As a Senate aide and later administrator of the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, Merrigan helped write and implement the nation's organic food law. She currently directs the Agriculture, Food and Environment graduate program at Tufts University. In other encouraging news, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has established a People's Garden at the USDA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The garden will showcase eco-friendly practices, including water conservation and native plantings, and will have an energy-saving rooftop garden component. Read more about Merrigan and about the People's Garden.
4. USDA says antibiotic use in animals can be reduced at reasonable cost
The overuse of antibiotics in animal agriculture contributes to the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections in humans that are costly and difficult to treat. According to a new report from the USDA's Economic Research Service, there are moderate-cost alternatives to the routine use of antibiotics in animal agriculture, including keeping living conditions for animals more sanitary and testing chickens for disease so that treatment can be provided only when necessary. The report—which focused on the increasing size, industrialization, and specialization of U.S. farms over time—found that routine feeding of antibiotics does not provide more than marginal benefits for broiler chickens and adult pigs, and confers benefits only to young pigs. CAFOs (confined animal feeding operations) are particularly prone to use antibiotics intensively. Read the report.
5. What You Can Do: Learn about meat CSAs
Spring is in the air, farmers are getting ready to plant, and many people are signing up for regular deliveries of fresh seasonal produce through community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs. Did you know that you can join a meat CSA too? These operations are run by local farmers and ranchers who tend to raise animals using more environmentally sound, sustainable practices. Check out our new fact sheet to learn more about CSAs and particularly meat and egg CSAs and buying clubs. Joining a CSA is a great way to improve the quality and freshness of your family's food, preserve local farmland, and keep your food dollars in your community. Find a CSA near you.
