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AR-NEWS Digest 604
Topics covered in this issue include:
1) Hundreds received blood from CJD infected donor
by Andrew Gach
2) (Aust)CSIRO concern on rabbit virus
by bunny
3) (Aust)Rabbits fighting off virus
by bunny
4) (NZ)Company seeks to sell RCD[deadly virus]as a Pesticide
by bunny
5) [UK] Minister threatens to block EU beef
by David J Knowles
6) [UK] Europe 'at risk of missing chance to save the cod'
by David J Knowles
7) (UK) Activists clash with hunters in Hampshire
by Chris Wright
8) Re: Rock Doves maimed or killed in explosions for movie scene
by Marisul
9) (US) Animal Cruelty Funds Cut
by allen schubert
10) Online Poll about Buffalo Slaughter in Yellowstone--Vote
today!!
by Michael Markarian
11) info request
by Leah D Wise
12) FYI on Organic Standards
by Amy Bricker
13) (TW) Top Agricultural Officials Removed
by Vadivu Govind
14) Japan's first criminal complaint involving CJD
by Vadivu Govind
15) (MY) Quail rearing promoted
by Vadivu Govind
16) English fox hunt fans allegedly beaten
by Mesia Quartano
17) Defenders of Wildlife to contest wolf ruling
by Mesia Quartano
18) (US) Rodeo Abuse story on TV
by Mesia Quartano
19) Chicken embryo hearts and heart attack victims
by allen schubert
20) U.S. suggests standards to define organic foods
by allen schubert
21) Pig liver cells and liver patients
by allen schubert
22) (TW) FMD-free pigs to be tagged
by allen schubert
23) (US) REMARKS OF SECRETARY GLICKMAN PROPOSED ORGANIC STANDARDS
by allen schubert
24) (US) GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF NATIONAL ORGANIC
PROGRAM PROPOSED RULE
by allen schubert
25) HUNTINGDON DROPS LAWSUIT
by Alison Green
26) (Ca) CSIS Eyes AR Activists
by Ty Savoy
27) [UK] Freight effects hit home in 1997 as the Crow flies
by David J Knowles
28) [UK] Ban raises fear of new 'beef war'
by David J Knowles
29) [UK] Magpies cleared of the songbird murders
by David J Knowles
Date: Sun, 14 Dec 1997 21:02:22 -0800
From: Andrew Gach
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Hundreds received blood from CJD infected donor
Message-ID: <3494B9DE.43D3@worldnet.att.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
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Hundreds of people received blood contaminated with mad cow disease
Agence France-Presse
DUBLIN (December 14, 1997 4:30 p.m. EST)
Nearly 270 people in Ireland have received blood from a British donor
who was infected with the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease virus, the human
form of "mad cow" disease, the Irish health ministry said Sunday.
Blood products from the donor were transfused into patients in nine
Irish hospitals before it was learnt that the donor had died of
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD). The products were immediately withdrawn
from the market on November 26 and destroyed, the ministry said.
A department of health spokesman said that there was no evidence CJD
could be transmitted by blood or blood products but the product was
withdrawn as "a precautionary measure."
"This is an injectable agent used by radiology departments in lung
scans. The department understands that approximately 270 people were
involved," the spokesman added.
The product -- three batches of Amerscam Pulmonate II agent, which is
used to diagnose lung disease -- was withdrawn following confirmation
that "one of the blood donors in the U.K. whose plasma was used to
manufacture the product subsequently developed new variant CJD."
"This product is manufactured in the U.K. and is purchased by hospitals
(in Ireland) through an Irish distributor of the U.K. company."
In its statement, the department of health said it would make
arrangements for those who had been given the blood to be informed "in
the most sensitive, prudent and sympathetic way possible."
Earlier this month, a British daily reported that Britain might have
exported the blood of a CJD victim to 46 countries.
The new form of CJD, the human form of bovine spongiform encephalopathy
(BSE, or mad cow disease), has killed 22 people in Britain.
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 13:38:38 +0800
From: bunny
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (Aust)CSIRO concern on rabbit virus
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19971215133156.268f5100@wantree.com.au>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
CSIRO concern on rabbit virus
The Canberra Times - Saaturday December 6th 1997
By Cheryl Jones,
Science Reporter
The Commonwealth Scientific
and lndustrial Research
Organisation believes that a
virus closely related to the
rabbit calicivirus disease
could be giving some rabbits
immunlty to the biological
weapon trained on them.
Dr Tony Robinson, of
CSIRO's Division of Wildlife
and Ecology, believes that a
"benign" virus similar to
RCD could be protecting
some rabbits in the way that
cow pox protected l8th cen-
tury dairymaids against
smallpox. If he is right, this
"benign" virus could explain
why RCD has failed to gain
a foothold in some parts of
Australia.
Dr Robinson has been testing
blood samples collected
from rabbits around Cooma
in 1994 and 1995. The sam-
ples were taken before the
accidental release of RCD
from its island quarantine
testing station off the South
Australian coast in October
1995.
To his suprise, he found
that 11 of the 40 samples
tested positive to RCD. How-
ever, he said the test could
not distinguish between RCD
and close relatives of it.
Since no Australian
rabbits had shown any clinical
signs of RCD before the
1995 release, the Cooma
rabbits probably had been
carrying a non-lethal relative
of the disease. "There's
definitely no suggestion that
RCD was present in Australia
prior to the accidental
release," he said.
He said Italian researchers ,
had isolated a non-lethal virus
similar to RCD from samples
collected there and
that virus could have infected
Australian rabbits. There
was evidence also of a non-
lethal virus circulating in
other parts of Europe.
Dr Robinson is conducting
further research in collaboration
with NSW Agriculture
to determine how widespread
the pre-existing benign infection
was before 1995.
He said the non-lethal infection
could explain RCD's mixed
results. RCD is estimated to have
wiped out about half the rabbit population,
which previously stood at 300 million.
Its kill rate in the arid zone has been
astronomical but it has been less
effective in wetter areas.
End
========================================================
Rabbit Information Service,
P.O.Box 30,
Riverton,
Western Australia 6148
email> rabbit@wantree.com.au
http://www.wantree.com.au/~rabbit/rabbit.htm
(Rabbit Information Service website updated frequently)
/`\ /`\
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jgs \_/^\_/
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 17:29:42 +0800
From: bunny
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (Aust)Rabbits fighting off virus
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19971215172259.21e751b4@wantree.com.au>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Rabbits fighting off virus
The Advertiser (Adelaide)
Thurs 11 December 1997
by Paul Starick
The rabbit calicivirus "escaped" from Wardang Island, off Yorke Peninsula,
in October 1995. Scientists had been
testing the disease - released officially a year later - as a new biological
control. The disease, which only affects
rabbits, was first reported in China in 1984 and soon after in other Asian
and European countries. Within a few
months it had killed 64 million rabbits in Italy alone. Calicivirus now has
affected rabbits in more than 40 countries
on four continents. In Australia, it has reduced numbers by up to 95 per
cent, allowing vegetation to regenerate.
Rabbits are building up an immunity to the deadly calicivirus and could
reach plague proportions unless farmers
carry out eradication programs. Scientists have warned the disease - hailed
as the spearhead to win the war
against rabbits when released officially in October 1996 - is about to lose
its sting. They say numbers could rise
unless a campaign starts soon to destroy burrows and poison rabbits missed
by the virus. Already, rabbit numbers
are at 20 per cent of pre-virus levels in areas of the Northern Territory
where burrows have not been destroyed.
In Queensland, 67 per cent of 110 rabbits tested at one virus-release site
have resistance to the disease. The
Anti-Rabbit Research Foundation of Australia's chairman, Dr Rob Morrison,
said yesterday a rare chance to
control numbers with rabbit calicivirus (RCD) could be wasted. He said
viruses tended to have a devastating initial
impact, which slowly waned as animals became immune. "We can see there's a
very real danger of it happening
with RCD and it looks as if it's already beginning," he said. "Obviously,
populations will spring up again and we'll
lose the initiative."
The calicivirus has killed millions of rabbits nationally, wiping out up to
95 per cent in some areas. Rabbits cost
Australia an estimated $600 million annually in damage to crops and the
environment.
A virus released in the 1950's to control rabbits, Myxomatosis, started to
lose its virulence within 18 months.
Emeritus Professor Frank Fenner, who pioneered the introduction of
myxomatosis, said there was a risk rabbits
would return to plague proportions. He said nobody was certain when
calicivirus would start losing its killing
power. "We can't be sure whether it will happen this year but its likely
that, in time, we'll lose the tremendous
gains we've made," he said.
The SA calicivirus release coordinator, Dr Ron Sinclair, said farmers had
become complacent about rabbit control
because they mistakenly believed the calicivirus alone was adequate.
"There's an ingrained belief among farmers
that calicivirus is their saviour. I don't think that's the case," he said.
End
========================================================
Rabbit Information Service,
P.O.Box 30,
Riverton,
Western Australia 6148
email> rabbit@wantree.com.au
http://www.wantree.com.au/~rabbit/rabbit.htm
(Rabbit Information Service website updated frequently)
/`\ /`\
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>{= Y =}<
/'-^-'\
(_) (_)
| . |
| |}
jgs \_/^\_/
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 17:30:57 +0800
From: bunny
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (NZ)Company seeks to sell RCD[deadly virus]as a Pesticide
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19971215172413.21e750fc@wantree.com.au>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Evening Standard (New Zealand)15/12/97
Company seeks to sell RCD as a Pesticide
Dunedin- A medical research company is applying to have
rabbit calicivirus registered as a pesticide so it can be sold
on the open market.
Dunedin-based Zenith Technology has applied to the Pesticides
Board to have a calicivirus product, RCD-ZEN, registered.
It hopes to have the product available for sale to farmers in the
late summer or early autumn.
The virus has to be registered as a pesticide before it can be sold
and used by contractors.
A purified strain of the virus will be imported from Australia by
the Ministry of Agriculture, which Zenith Technology will process
and make available for use as a biological control.
Managing director Max Shepherd said the virus would be sold
in 100ml bottles with instructions on how to use it as a biological
control, based on experience from Australia.
"By doing this we will provide farmers with a product of known
potency and free from contaminating agents"
Farmers have been using their own bush chemistry to brew up
calicivirus from internal organs taken from infected rabbits. This
has mostly been spread on carrots and oat baits as a biocide,
similar to the way 1080 poison has been used.
Dr Shepard said the virus should not be used as a biocide as
it could lose its virulence, spread unkown biological contaminants,
and introduce immunity through sub-lethal doses or ingestion
of inactive virus.
The biggest threat was rabbits developing immunity from the farmers
brews, which would make use of purified virus ineffective.
"There are a lot of dangers with the way it has been used," he said.
Dr Shepherd said Zenith had been approached by a number of farmers
and vets concerned RCD was losing its potency in the feild and
looking for a solution.
The company had expertise and the facilities in preparing live
vaccines for medical use.
Pesticides Board register John Reeve said calicivirus needed
to be registered as a pesticide for it to be used on properties other
than the one owned by the RCD operator.
He said the board would asses the product's make-up and
ramifications of its use then decide if it should be registered.
NZPA.
========================================================
Rabbit Information Service,
P.O.Box 30,
Riverton,
Western Australia 6148
email> rabbit@wantree.com.au
http://www.wantree.com.au/~rabbit/rabbit.htm
(Rabbit Information Service website updated frequently)
/`\ /`\
(/\ \-/ /\)
)6 6(
>{= Y =}<
/'-^-'\
(_) (_)
| . |
| |}
jgs \_/^\_/
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 01:52:13
From: David J Knowles
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [UK] Minister threatens to block EU beef
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19971215015213.09b70b08@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
>From The Electronic Telegraph - Monday, 15th December, 1997
Minister threatens to block EU beef
By Robert Shrimsley, Chief Political Correspondent
BRITAIN last night threatened to ban imports of European beef from January
1 unless the EU imposes the same "stringent" safety conditions on its
cattle that are already applied in the UK.
Jack Cunningham, the Agriculture Minister, will travel to Brussels today
for a meeting with his European counterparts. He has said he is not
prepared to tolerate any further delays to the EU's agreement in July to
remove from European beef all material that can transmit BSE. Mr
Cunningham said yesterday that if he did not get the pledge on removal of
"specified risk material" that he wanted, he would "have no hesitation in
taking unilateral action in implementing it in respect of all beef coming
into Britain".
He said: "That would mean that any beef imported into Britain from January
1 would have to be subject to the same stringent safeguards as are applied
to beef produced in this country."
Mr Cunningham said there were indications that some in Brussels were trying
to withdraw from the July agreement. While he said he would not be able to
ban all European beef from Britain, Mr Cunningham could lay orders in
Parliament preventing the import of all meat which did not conform to the
standards imposed by the Government on domestic beef.
"Farmers would get the level playing field they're calling for," he said.
Mr Cunningham is also expected to discuss the calls last week by EU
scientists for a ban on sales of lamb on the bone. The Agriculture Minister
said he was hopeful the EU would soon begin lifting the blanket ban on
British beef by allowing the export of meat from certified
BSE-free herds, notably in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Meanwhile, butchers will lobby Parliament today in a last attempt to stop
the Government banning sales of beef on the bone. The ban, which will
affect T-bone steaks, roast ribs and oxtail, is due to come into effect
from midnight.
⌐ Copyright Telegraph Group Limited 1997.
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 01:57:57
From: David J Knowles
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [UK] Europe 'at risk of missing chance to save the cod'
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19971215015757.09b71ac8@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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>From The Electronic Telegraph - Monday, 15th December, 1997
Europe 'at risk of missing chance to save the cod'
By David Brown, Fisheries Editor
A EUROPEAN Union decision to allow more cod to be caught in the North Sea
next year would destroy an opportunity to allow stocks to recover to
permanently safe levels, conservationists said yesterday.
EU fisheries, who meet in Brussels on Thursday, are expected to approve a
decision to allow a 22 per cent increase in cod catches after scientists
reported a remarkable recovery in stocks after years of decline - allegedly
due to over-fishing. It means that fishermen from Britain and other EU
countries can catch 140,000 tons next year, compared with 115,000 this
year.
Fishermen have reported that the North Sea is currently "teeming" with cod.
Many amateur anglers are catching them off British beaches and Dutch
fishermen have been exhausting their own catch quotas so fast that they
have been dumping thousands of dead prime fish back in the sea to avoid
heavy EU fines for landing them. But Euan Dunn, marine policy
officer of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds which is worried
about the impact of dwindling fish stocks on wildlife, said: "We are in
danger of squandering a great opportunity to safeguard stocks of cod in the
North Sea."
It was not clear, he said, whether the "exceptional concentrations" of
young cod were a sign that existing EU curbs on fishing - including the
decommissioning of surplus vessels - were starting to show signs of
success. He said: "We would have been happier if this increase in the catch
levels next year had been accompanied by measures to set up fishing
exclusion areas in the North Sea to protect vital breeding areas. We are
disappointed that ministers will not be discussing this on Thursday."
Fishermen have also reported an abundance of haddock and other fish in the
North Sea. Millions of the cod are only about a year old, after one of the
best breeding seasons in living memory. Fishermen have taken the unusual
step of urging ministers to take care because they want these young fish to
grow bigger and breed next year to create an even greater
abundance of fish.
Britain, following pressure from the National Federation of Fishermen's
Organisations, led efforts to save as many as possible of these young fish.
As a result, in joint negotiations with Norway, which enjoys a special
relationship with the EU on North Sea fishing, the original catch proposals
for North Sea cod in 1998 were reduced by 11,000 tons to 140,000 tons.
Elliot Morley, Fisheries Minister, said last night "We have an excellent
opportunity to rebuild the cod stocks in the North Sea to safe levels.
Fishermen are to be congratulated on being content to hold back this year.
The Government will continue to press for closed areas for fishing."
⌐ Copyright Telegraph Group Limited 1997.
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 10:40:15 GMT
From: Chris Wright
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (UK) Activists clash with hunters in Hampshire
Message-ID: <34a2087a.6659575@post.demon.co.uk>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>From BBC News online (December 13th):
More than 30 arrests were made and three people were
taken to hospital after a gang of masked men attacked
hunt supporters.
A group called the Hunt Retribution Squad said it
targeted the Hursley and Hambledon Hunt at Warnford
near Bishops Waltham, Hampshire.
Spokesman Tim Goodings said it followed a series of
incidents where saboteours were beaten up while legally
protesting against hunting.
Trouble flared when seven van loads of saboteurs arrived
to disrupt the hunt.
The masked saboteurs, some wielding baseball bats,
attacked cars belonging to hunters, smashing windows
and damaging bodywork.
Three hunt supporters were taken to hospital after they
were injured trying to protect their vehicles.
Witness Jeffrey Mansfield, 51, said saboteurs attacked
indiscriminately.
"About seven or eight vans containing as many as 100
people turned up and the thugs spilled out of them," he
said.
"They started shouting and smashing up the cars which
were parked on the verges.
"They were using clubs staves and iron bars and they
attacked anybody who offered any resistance or who
tried to defend themselves or their vehicle. It was very
violent and very frightening."
Mr Mansfield said the attack was obviously carefully
planned. All the saboteurs were wearing combat-style
clothing and masks.
But Mr Goodings added: "Our members have just about
had enough of being beaten up and put in hospital.
"If they make a complaint about an assault to the police
they just get told they have caused a breach of the
peace themselves."
Police reinforcements were drafted in to help bring the
situation under control and about 40 officers were
believed to be at the scene.
Police were alerted by a member of the public and
tracked the vehicles using a spotter plane.
Additional units were called from Portsmouth where they
had been on standby for the farmers' dispute.
------
Chris Wright
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 06:51:44 EST
From: Marisul
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Cc: animals@goodnet.com
Subject: Re: Rock Doves maimed or killed in explosions for movie scene
Message-ID: <46a16ce4.349519d2@aol.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit
>From Daily News (NY), 12-14-97, p. 14
RUSH & MOLLOY
by George Rush and Joanna Molloy
"...Charlie Sheen stands to be the next target of animal rights activists.
Special effects explosions on the Sheen produced "No Code of Conduct" killed
about 50 pigeons this week in Phoenix. Sheen's Toddler Pictures said that it
will care for any birds that survived the scene. Still, Sheen rep Jeff
Ballard tells us, 'What's the big deal? They're really just rats with
wings....'"
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 08:55:10 -0500
From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) Animal Cruelty Funds Cut
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971215085507.006f295c@pop3.clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
from CNN custom news http://www.cnn.com
----------------------------------------
Tennessee State News
Reuters
15-DEC-97
Animal Cruelty Funds Cut
(NASHVILLE) -- He's been investigating animal cruelty cases in middle
Tennessee for nine and a half years. But next year James Jernigan may be
out of a job. Jernigan investigates at least 900 new cases of animal
cruelty a year and up to two-thousand follow ups. The Humane Association
says it needs 50-thousand dollars to keep an animal cruelty investigator on
staff. Nashville gives about 12-and-a-half thousand dollars a year to the
association... but more funds may not be available next year. Mayor Phil
Bredesen says he will review the amount given to the-non profit
organization to see if more can be found.
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 09:06:00 -0800 (PST)
From: Michael Markarian
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Cc: djschubert@aol.com, alococo@wyoming.com
Subject: Online Poll about Buffalo Slaughter in Yellowstone--Vote
today!!
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19971215131948.24ef4ab0@pop.igc.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
from private e-mail:
>Internet Connect Services (The Wild Rockies InfoNet's Internet Provider) is
>conducting an online poll about whether or not people think bison should be
>"harvested" when they leave Yellowstone National Park. The other two
>choices are "haze first then harvest" or "bison are not a threat to
>cattle". While the general nature of the poll shows a serious
>misunderstanding of the problem, I encourage everybody to go to this page:
>
>http://www.montana.com/ics/poll/
>
>and speak your piece. There also is a place to make comments.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Jim Coefield
>webmaster@wildrockies.org
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 11:13:01 -0600 (CST)
From: Leah D Wise
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: info request
Message-ID:
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Hello-
Concerned citizens of our county have recently revitalized our local
humane society. However, we are having difficulties with local officials
in our dealings with the city-run animal shelter. City officials have
currently limited all volunteer hours to 2 hours per week, 2 days per week
citing concern over liability issues.
If anyone has any information about group insurance for volunteer
organizations and/or the issue of limiting volunteer access to the
shelter, please reply to me privately.
Thanks,
Leah
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 14:39:46 -0500
From: Amy Bricker
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: FYI on Organic Standards
Message-ID: <34958782.4EB3@icta.org>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
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For Immediate Release: December 12, 1997
THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO RELEASE PROPOSED
NATIONAL
ORGANIC FOODS STANDARDS ON DECEMBER 16
"ORGANIC WATCH," A BROAD COALITION REPRESENTING MILLIONS OF
AMERICANS,
IS FORMED TO PROVIDE PUBLIC INTEREST ASSESSMENT AND OVERSIGHT OF
PROPOSED STANDARDS
"ORGANIC WATCH" ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE UNPRECEDENTED NATIONWIDE
OUTREACH
TO ORGANIC FOOD PROVIDERS AND CONSUMERS
WATCHDOG GROUP ESTABLISHES "TOP TEN" ISSUE LIST FOR IMMEDIATE
REVIEW OF
PROPOSED STANDARDS
Washington D.C. On Tuesday December 16, 1997 the United States
Department of Agriculture will release its proposed national organic
food standards. In response to the long-awaited publication of the
rules, a wide-ranging coalition has announced the formation of "Organic
Watch." Organic Watch, working closely with other national coalitions,
including the National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture, will devote
itself to providing public interest assessment and oversight of the
proposed organic standards and other regulation of the organic industry.
Organic Watch includes scientists, agricultural experts, lawyers,
activists and many others in the public interest community who have
dedicated themselves to the organic standards effort for the last
decade. Its grass roots network outreach includes over 250 cooperating
public interest organizations, hundreds of organic farmers, and over
2,500 natural food stores, co-ops, farmer's markets, and community
restaurants and CSA's.
Members of Organic Watch applauded the publication of the proposed rule
after months of deliberation at the USDA and Office of Management and
Budget (OMB). They noted that a standardized certification standard
would represent a major boost for the organics industry. However, the
coalition cautioned that the organics industry had been built on very
high consumer expectation and confidence and that careful review of the
rule would be necessary to assess its adequacy in maintaining the
integrity of organic food production.
As stated by Roger Blobaum, who was co-chair of the Organic Working
Group that helped formulate organics legislation, "A broad coalition of
consumer, environmental, animal protection and other organizations
helped shape the 1990 Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) and push it
through Congress. I hope the proposed rule will be true to the letter
and spirit of that law. Clearly, it is essential that these standards
fully reflect the principles of organic agriculture and guarantee the
integrity of organically grown food." A key element in the review will
be how well the proposed rule corresponds to the recommendations of the
National Organic Standards Board. As noted by Organic Watch member
Michael Sligh, "As a founding Chair of the NOSB, we have worked hard to
create an open consensus process in formulating the recommendations. Any
major departure from the NOSB recommendations could trigger a loss of
consumer confidence and be a potentially devastating blow to the
organics market."
Organic Watch has created a preliminary "Top Ten" list of the major
issues which will require immediate assessment and review. They are: (1)
Biotechnology; (2) Livestock standards that include access to outdoors;
(3) Socio-economic impacts on family size organic operations; (4)
On-going role of the NOSB; (5) Impacts on private sector
infrastructure-including appropriate roles for private certifiers and
meaningful peer review; (6) Costs and red tape; (7) Meaningful and
clear enforceable standards, including a strong workable farm plan and
careful resolution of the enhanced standards question; (8) Full and
accurate labeling; (9) Consumer right to know; (10) Materials list
development, including which synthetics are allowed and why.
Commenting on the Biotechnology issue, Organic Watch member Andrew
Kimbrell stated, "After lengthy deliberations the NOSB prohibited
genetically engineered ingredients or materials from organic
certification. The allowance of biotechnology into organics in any
manner by the proposed rule would be a major deal breaker, and would
lead to industry and consumer rejection of the rule and potential
litigation."
On the Livestock Standards, Melanie Adcock, DVM cautioned, "For the
first time, consumers will be able to purchase meat and dairy products
that are produced under a national standard for organic production. It
is critical that this standard follow the NOSB recommendation and
provide consumers the opportunity to choose products that come from
animals allowed outdoor access and raised without the routine use of
antibiotics."
* * *
On December 16, Organic Watch will initiate several activities to
ensure that the public, the media and the organics industry receive
detailed and accurate scientific and legal assessments of the proposed
rule. Actions will include:
-- Assessment Report: Scientists, lawyers and agricultural experts who
are associated with Organics Watch members will undertake a detailed
review of the proposed rule and compare it with the National Organic
Standards Board Recommendations and international standards for the
organic industry. Emphasis will be put on the "top ten" list. The
coalition will then issue this assessment in report form.
-- Media and Public Outreach: Organic Watch will release the Report at
a press briefing and will provide for large-scale dissemination of the
Report including website availability.
After issuing its Report, Organic Watch will launch a national effort
to ensure that organic providers, farmers and the millions of organics
consumers participate in the comment process on the proposed standards.
Actions will include:
--Activation of Organics Watch Members: Organic Watch will activate the
constituencies of its over 250 public interest organization network,
representing millions of Americans, so that they provide the USDA with
informed comments on the proposed standards.
--Activation of Organic Food consumers and industry -- Organic Watch
will sponsor informational displays in thousands of organic food stores,
restaurants and coops to ensure that the nation's over 2 million
consumers of organics understand the importance of the proposed
standards and contribute to the notice and comment process.
OOO
For Information Contact:
Steering Committee:
Melanie Adcock
Humane Society
of the United States
2100 L Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20037
(301) 258-3111
Andrew Kimbrell
Int'l. Center for
Technology Assessment
310 D Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
(202) 547-9359
Michael Sligh
Rural Advancement
Foundation Int'l.
21 Hillboro Street
P.O. Box 640
Pittsboro, NC 27312
(919) 929-7099
Roger Blobaum
Blobaum & Associates
3124 Patterson Pl., NW
Washington, DC 20015
(202) 537-0191
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 03:09:01 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (TW) Top Agricultural Officials Removed
Message-ID: <199712151909.DAA08154@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
This is the third time I am posting this batch of posts (2 previous
unsuccessful attempts) so if you receive them 3 times, I am really sorry.
>>CNA Daily English News Wire
TOP AGRICULTURAL OFFICIALS REMOVED
Taipei, Dec. 6 (CNA) A group former and currently serving senior-level
agricultural officials havebeen removed from office on charges of negligence
stemming from the disastrous outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease that struck
Taiwan hog farms in March this year.
The Judicial Yuan's Committee on the Discipline of Public Functionaries
handed down the penalties on Friday, marking the harshest punishment meted
out to public officeholders in recent decades.
Chiu Mau-ying, former chairman of the Council of Agriculture (COA), Taiwan's
top agency in charge of agriculture, fisheries, forestry, husbandry and
related affairs, was dismissed from his current post as board chairman of
the Central Trust of China. He also had his right to hold public
office suspended for one year.
Chiu is currently in Los Angeles attending the joint conference of the
ROC-USA and USA-ROC Economic Councils. He expressed dismay upon hearing the
news by telephone and said he will cut short his US trip and return to
Taipei in order to learn more details surrounding the surprise development.
Liu Pei-bo, director of the Taiwan Research Institute for Animal Health, was
also dismissed from his current position and had his public functionary
accreditation suspended for one year.
Upon being informed of the penalty, Chen Wu-hsiung, agriculture and forestry
commissioner of the Taiwan Provincial Government, who himself was on
reprimand list, said the punishment dealt to Liu was "shocking and
unacceptable."
Chen said that when confronted with the devastating outbreak of the
foot-and-mouth epidemic, all relevant agencies, none of which had experience
in handling such a crisis, had tried to prevent the spread of the disease as
quickly as possible. If the officials don't deserve commendations, Chen
argued, they should by no means be punished for their efforts.
Sun Ming-hsien, former COA chairman and Chiu Mau-ying's predecessor, was
also reprimanded.
Shieh Kuai-lo, former director of the COA Animal Industry Department, was
demoted and had his civil servant accreditation suspended for six months.
Shieh, who resigned in the wake of the epidemic and returned to his academic
career, asserted that he had done his best during the outbreak which caught
the entire island unprepared. He said the penalty is unfair. (By Deborah Kuo)
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 03:29:05 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Japan's first criminal complaint involving CJD
Message-ID: <199712151929.DAA17858@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>Japan Times
15 Dec 97
Family of woman with CJD to file criminal complaint
KYOTO -- The family of a woman with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease will file
a criminal complaint today with the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor's
Office against two medical goods' suppliers.
The family says that dried brain tissues imported and sold by the two
Tokyo-based firms based were not adequately sterilized and passed the
lethal disease on to the patient, who is now in a vegetative state.
The planned criminal complaint will be the first involving CJD in
Japan. Sanichi Tani, who runs a ranch in Kosei, Shiga Prefecture, and
other family members claim that his wife contracted CJD when she
received a transplant of the dried dura mater. The operation was carried
out on the patient, who has a spinal cord disease, at a public hospital
in 1989.
The family asserts that a former president of Nippon BBM and the
president of Nippon BSS should face charges of attempted murder. A
German pharmaceutical company selling dura mater started sterilizing the
grafts in 1987, but the two firms that imported dura mater from the
company neglected to recall unsterilized dura mater, according to Tani's
lawyer, Akira Nakajima.
Tani's wife started showing symptoms of CJD such as fatigue, dementia
and weak eyesight, in March 1996 and fell into a coma within three months.
CJD, which has no known cure, causes patients to develop dementia,
leading to death in one or two years.
Date: Tue, 16 Dec 1997 03:30:21 +0800 (SST)
From: Vadivu Govind
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (MY) Quail rearing promoted
Message-ID: <199712151930.DAA29769@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>The Star Online
Monday, December 15, 1997
Fama promotes quail rearing
KANGAR: The Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority
(Fama) is
planning to export quail meat to Saudi Arabia and other
Asian countries to help boost the country's foreign
exchange earnings.
Its chairman Datuk Badruddin Amiruldin said quail meat
fetched good prices and was in high demand overseas,
especially in Saudi Arabia.
He said Fama was now working with the various state
governments to encourage more people to rear quails.
Fama has embarked on a campaign to promote quail meat and
set a target of rearing 110,000 birds a month.
Earlier, when launching the state-level quail eating
campaign, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said it
was timely for quail-rearing to be promoted to increase
the country's food exports.
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 15:11:36 -0500
From: Mesia Quartano
To: "ar-news@envirolink.org"
Subject: English fox hunt fans allegedly beaten
Message-ID: <34958EF7.768E7496@usa.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
(UPI; 12/14/97)
LONDON, Dec. 14 (UPI) Police have arrested more than 40 people in
Hampshire, England, following an ambush that sent three supporters of a
fox hunt to the hospital.
One person suffered head injuries after the group allegedly descended on
the trio Saturday, wielding baseball bats in the most violent clash
between huntsmen and opponents since the fox hunt season began last
month.
The Sunday Times of London reports that the three injured supporters of
the Hursley and Hambledon Hunt have been treated and released from a
local hospital.
David Owington, attending his first meet, suffered head injuries. A
witness told The Times there was no warning before the attack. Philip
Mansbridge said, "He was hit four times across the head with a bat. He
fell to the ground after trying to get out of the car."
Police arrested 44 people following the attack, which started when seven
vans transporting more than 100 masked protesters rushed some 60
huntsmen and their supporters. Up to 20 cars suffered smashed windows
and other damage.
Paul Gammon, a spokesman for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, condemned
the attack, calling it "a joint hit on that hunt by agreement of local
groups in the south of England."
An organization calling itself the Hunt Retribution Squad has claimed
responsibility for the attack.
In November, the lower house of Parliament voted overwhelmingly to ban
fox hunting but the measure still has to be read during the current
parliamentary session.
Some ministers are predicting fox hunting will be banned by the year
2000.
Copyright 1997 by United Press International.
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 15:12:14 -0500
From: Mesia Quartano
To: "ar-news@envirolink.org"
Subject: Defenders of Wildlife to contest wolf ruling
Message-ID: <34958F1E.4C20F3D5@usa.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Monday, December 15, 1997
A federal judge's ruling Friday that the wolf reintroduction program in
the Rocky Mountain region was illegal drew an immediate reaction from
Defenders of Wildlife, which says it will challenge the decision.
U.S. District Court Judge William Downes said that, under the U.S.
Endangered Species Act, the government was wrong to have experimentally
introduced the wolves to an area where the animal was already found
three years ago.
Before the release of the wolves, imported from Canada in early 1995,
several suits were filed against the Interior Department in an attempt
to block the reintroduction. Deffenders of Wildlife, the National
Wildlife Federation and others intervened on behalf of the department.
Rodger Schlickeisen, president of the group, said, "Defenders of
Wildlife will go to court to challenge this decision. It is a tragedy
even to discuss dismantling the greatest wildlife restoration effort in
our nation's history. The idea of removing the wolves defies common
sense. Can you imagine trying to remove dozens of wolves spread out over
millions of acres? The idea is ludricous and the American public won't
stand for it."
The judge's ruling was based on a technical interpretation of
definitions of species. Defenders of Wildlife northern Rockies
representative Hank Fischer pointed out, "The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service based its definitions of wolf populations on information
provided by leading scientists. The reintroduction was the culmination
of two decades of
work and extensive public hearings. This is one of nation's greatest
conservation achievements and we won't see it undone."
Since 1987, Defenders of Wildlife has compensated ranchers for every
verified livestock loss caused by wolves. During that time it has paid
nearly $50,000 to more than 50 livestock producers.
Copyright 1997, Environmental News Network, All Rights Reserved
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 15:56:41 -0500
From: Mesia Quartano
To: "ar-news@envirolink.org"
Subject: (US) Rodeo Abuse story on TV
Message-ID: <34959989.5EA8C86D@usa.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
The CBS show Hard Copy will be airing a story on Rodeo Abuse tonight at
7 pm eastern time.
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 16:31:21 -0500
From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Chicken embryo hearts and heart attack victims
Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.19971215163121.006a0864@envirolink.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
posted for Vadivu Govind
----------------------------------------------
CNA Daily English News Wire
CHICKEN EMBRYO HEARTS MAY PROVIDE HOPE FOR HEART ATTACK
VICTIMS
Canberra, Dec. 5 (CNA) Chicken embryo hearts are likely to prove
instrumental in enabling heart attack victims to avoid the need for
transplants if pioneering Australian research is successful, according to
mass-circulation newspaper The Australian on Friday.
The daily reported that, following a heart attack, human cells are destroyed
and do not regenerate. But researchers at the Griffith University in
Brisbane say they are hoping their work can eventually trigger a process
whereby heart cells are reproduced.
They are looking at cell formations in the hearts of chicken embryos and
seeking to isolate a gene which could help produce more cells.
They said the technique has far-reaching ramifications for heart attack
victims who either require heart transplants, or in less serious cases, have
to carry on with the permanent damage.
Dr. Wayne Murrell, the head of the research team, was quoted as saying that
the genes in question will be located in the hearts of chicken embryos and
mouse embryos before tests are performed on humans.
He said once the genes involved in the development of a chicken's heart have
been isolated, they will be tested for their ability to direct other chicken
cells to become heart cells.
"We have developed a molecular biology technique for identifying genes that
are turned on when cells in the chicken embryo become heart cells," Murrell
said.
"By developing an understanding of this molecular process, we could then use
genes involved in the original process to manipulate other cells in a
patient to form new heart cells," he added. (By Peter Chen)
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 16:32:02 -0500
From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: U.S. suggests standards to define organic foods
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971215163153.0070f220@pop3.clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
from CNN http://www.cnn.com
----------------------------------------------
U.S. suggests standards to define organic foods
December 15, 1997
Web posted at: 3:25 p.m. EST (2025 GMT)
In this story:
* The rules, in brief
* Irradiated, genetically altered foods not
included
* Organic: growing share of food market
* States may use stricter standards
* Related stories and sites
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The federal government on
Monday took first steps toward regulating organic,
or so-called natural, foods. Americans who want to
learn more about the proposed guidelines or
comment on them can do so on the Internet.
The long-awaited rules, intended to end a
patchwork of more than three dozen state and
private sector organic certifying standards, will
implement the Organic Foods Production Act of
1990.
The guidelines won't become final until next year
and will be open for public comment for 90 days.
Full details are available at the Agriculture
Department's Agricultural Marketing Service Web
site. Visit http://ams.usda.gov/nop/
The rules, in brief
To gain a government seal that a product truly is
organic or natural, the proposed regulations
require that:
* Raw products be 100 percent organic.
* Processed foods contain 95 percent organic
ingredients.
* Processed foods with 50 percent to 95 percent
organic content could be labeled as "made
with certain organic ingredients."
* Processed foods with less than 50 percent
organic content must specify the organic
ingredients.
* Imported items sold as "organic" must meet
the same standards as domestically produced
foods.
Fines of up to $10,000 could be imposed on anyone
who sells or labels products that do not meet the
standards.
The rules also set standards for producing and
handling the foods, including use of pesticides
and a prohibition on antibiotics or hormones to
stimulate growth in livestock.
"When we certify organic, we are certifying not
just a product, but the farming and handling
practices that yield that product," Agriculture
Secretary Dan Glickman told reporters.
Irradiated, genetically altered foods not included
In making the announcement, the government
sidestepped controversial issues such as use of
irradiation and crops that have been genetically
altered.
Glickman said more public hearings
would be held before a decision is
Glickman made on those issues, which many
farmers and environmental groups
contend would violate the all-natural spirit of
organic food.
"I have intentionally left open some of the more
divisive questions," Glickman said. "I think it's
important to have a full national and
international discussion of this issue."
Supporters of organic farming welcomed the plan
but said using irradiation, genetically altered
crops and sewage sludge as fertilizer would
undermine organic farming.
"The industry has a long history of operating
within certain guidelines that are acceptable,"
said Ken Cook, president of the Environmental
Working Group. "These questions need to be
answered very clearly."
The National Organics Standards Board created by
Congress to help develop the proposed rules
recommended against including the controversial
practices.
Organic: growing share of food market
Although organic products account for only about 1
percent of food sales nationwide, sales have grown
by more than 20 percent annually since 1990 and
account for $3.5 billion in annual sales.
Agriculture Department officials forecast a
fourfold increase in sales the next decade.
Glickman said the lack of a national standard
makes it impossible for consumers -- many of whom
pay more for organic products -- to be sure of
what they're getting.
The proposals should also make it easier for U.S.
organic food companies to increase exports to the
European Union, a major consumer of organic foods,
he said.
States may use stricter standards
About half the states now have their own [Crops]
organic-food regulations, and they would
be permitted to issue stricter standards than the
ones enforced by USDA, subject to approval by the
agriculture secretary.
The Organic Trade Association estimates there are
up to 12,000 organic farmers in the United States
out of roughly 2 million farms nationwide. They
tend to be smaller operations, usually selling
vegetables and other specialty crops at local
farmers' markets to small groceries and through
cooperatives.
Organic farmers face higher costs because their
natural fertilizers and pest control efforts tend
to be more expensive and they must hire more
workers to replace the mechanization common in
conventional farming. Thus, their produce costs
more.
The Grocery Manufacturers of America, representing
the makers of name-brand foods and packaged goods,
called the new uniform standards "a great service
to America's consumers and the food-producing
industry."
But it added that the nutrition, health and safety
levels of organic and "traditionally produced
products" were the same and the conventional food
industry was using new techniques to reduce use of
crop-protection chemicals.
Correspondent Carolyn O'Neil contributed to this
report.
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 16:32:10 -0500
From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: Pig liver cells and liver patients
Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.19971215163210.006955b4@envirolink.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
posted for Vadivu Govind
----------------------------------------------
CNA Daily English News Wire
PIG LIVER CELLS CAN CLEAN BLOOD FOR LIVER PATIENTS
Singapore, Dec. 6 (CNA) Dialysis may prove to be a viable alternative to
liver transplants for liver patients in the future, a Japanese professor
said in Singapore on Friday.
Professor Yoshito Ikada from Kyoto University's Research Center for
Biomedical Engineering said that his studies have shown that pig liver cells
can completely clean the blood of toxins and could possibly be used to help
liver patients.
Speaking at the Ninth International Conference on Biomedical Engineering, he
said that charcoal is currently used to get rid of toxins but is not so
effective because it can only remove very small amounts of toxins.
It cannot get rid of substances like ammonia, he said, adding that this does
not help patients with acute liver failure.
The blood of liver patients could be drawn out and cleaned in a machine
using the pig liver cells, he said, adding that the process would be similar
to the haemodialysis system that kidney patients use to clean their blood
while they are awaiting a kidney transplant.
Ikada said that although the procedure has only been tested on dogs so far,
the University of Kyoto is applying for approval to use the machine on
terminally-ill liver patients next year.
If successful, liver dialysis could be a real help to liver patients, as
there is a shortage of liver donors worldwide.
However, he pointed out that cleaning the blood of toxins is only one of the
liver's functions. There is still no way of duplicating the liver's other
functions, such as bile secretion, he added. (By Conrad Lu)
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 16:33:14 -0500
From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (TW) FMD-free pigs to be tagged
Message-ID: <3.0.1.32.19971215163314.00697e6c@envirolink.org>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
posted for Vadivu Govind
----------------------------------------------
CNA Daily English News Wire
FMD-FREE PIGS TO BE MARKED WITH EAR-TAGS: COA
Taipei, Dec. 11 (CNA) Starting in mid-December, all healthy pigs raised in
Taiwan will be marked with ear-tags to prove that they have been vaccinated
against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), the Council of Agriculture (COA)
announced on Thursday.
The cabinet-level council made the announcement after discussing new
anti-FMD measures with major local hog industry associations in the wake of
the discovery of new FMD infections at three local pig ranches earlier this
month.
Chen Pao-chi, director of the COA's Animal Industry Department, said the
ear-tag measure is aimed at encouraging local pig farmers to properly and
regularly vaccinate their swine in order to fend off the recurrence of an
FMD epidemic on the island.
"Those who fail to abide by the regulations will be fined from NT$10,000 to
NT$50,000 and will not be compensated if their pigs die of the illness,"
Chen stressed.
He said all 211 of the swine verified to have contracted the deadly disease
in Chupei, Taichung and Kaohsiung, have already been slaughtered, adding
that the areas surrounding the pig ranches have been thoroughly sterilized
to contain the infection.
All the infected pigs were discovered either at wholesale markets or
pig-pens, Chen said, which means none of them had been distributed to retail
markets. "Local consumers need not panic over the reports of new FMD cases,"
he noted.
Chen said his department has directed local animal disease control offices
to intensify monitoring of the 20 wholesale pig markets around the island to
prevent any sick swine from entering retail markets.
The COA has also banned the movement of any swine raised within three
kilometersof the three affected hog ranches, he added.
He pointed out that Taiwan has now entered a high-risk period, when an FMD
epidemic is most likely to re-occur, firstly because the FMD virus usually
thrives in low temperatures, and secondly because the FMD vaccine is
effective for only six months. "By now, many pigs which were vaccinated
between March and May need to be inoculated again," he added.
Under a massive vaccination program, a total of 21 million doses of the
vaccine have been administered to local swine since an FMD epidemic, the
island's first in many decades, broke out in Taiwan in mid-March this year.
To curb the spread of the disease, nearly four million pigs were slaughtered
from March to July.
Chen said the COA has continued to monitor FMD-control measures since July
15 when the last case of FMD infection was uncovered. Up until Dec. 6, no
new cases had been reported.
All three farms where FMD-infected swine were found over the past week are
small-sized ranches and usually use spoiled food to feed their pigs, Chen
said, adding that this might be the source of the new infections.
Taiwan currently has only 8.5 million pigs and some four million doses of
FMD vaccine in stock. Against this background, Chen said, it's unlikely that
an FMD epidemic will sweep the island again.
Meanwhile, many local governments have stepped up protective measures to
prevent any sick pigs from other cities or counties from entering their
jurisdictions.
According to health experts, the FMD disease is only contagious among
cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals. The symptoms include
necrosis around the animal's mouth, feet and udders. Some afflicted animals
will eventually lose their hooves before finally dying of the illness. (By
Sofia Wu)
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 16:39:43 -0500
From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) REMARKS OF SECRETARY GLICKMAN PROPOSED ORGANIC
STANDARDS
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971215163938.006f8df4@pop3.clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/1997/12/0443
-------------------------------------------
REMARKS OF SECRETARY GLICKMAN PROPOSED ORGANIC STANDARDS
Release No. 0443.97
Remarks
OF
SECRETARY GLICKMAN PROPOSED ORGANIC STANDARDS
USDA -- DECEMBER 15, 1997
Thank you all for coming. Today, we reach a significant milestone in
what I would characterize as a yeoman's effort to bring some unanimity and
consistent integrity to the growing and vibrant field of organic farming --
providing an economic boost to all of U.S. agriculture, but in particular
America's small farmers.
Before I get into details, I want to commend the work of the National
Organic Standards Board, headed by Bob Anderson who's here today. I also want
to thank Senator Leahy who's been our organic leader' on Capitol Hill. And, I
want to recognize the work of USDA's National Organic Program staff who've
been on this issue day in and day out. This has not been an easy task.
This effort has captured a lot of public interest, but if you ask people
to actually sit down and define what organic' means, you get all kinds of
different answers. It's a difficult thing to pin down and get consensus on.
That's why this rulemaking process has been lengthy. We're talking not just
about defining a process that's long eluded uniform distinction, but also
specifying standards -- for inspection and accreditation; for all commodities
-- including meat and poultry; and for processing. And, we want to do it all
responsibly, so we can confidently place the USDA seal on these products with
a label that says and means organic.'
What is organic? Generally, it is agriculture produced through a natural
as opposed to synthetic process. The natural portion of the definition is
fairly obvious, but process is an equally critical distinction. When we
certify organic, we are certifying not just a product but the farming and
handling practices that yield it. When you buy a certified organic tomato, for
instance, you are buying the product of an organic farm.
And, consumers are willing to fork over a little more for that tomato.
They've shown that they will pay a premium for organic food. National
standards are our way of ensuring that consumers get what they pay for.
I should also point out that these standards were requested by the
industry. After all, this is big business. Back in 1980, organic agriculture
earned roughly $78 million. Last year, it was $3.5 billion. This is a very
positive story because of the impact it's had and the potential still out
there to improve small farm profits and viability. This is a top priority of
this Administration. Since organic farming is usually done on a small scale,
we hope these rules will help small farms continue to build a strong niche for
themselves.
Part of the challenge has been that the United States currently has a
patchwork of more than 40 private and state organic certification programs.
Their goal, obviously, is to ensure consumers an authentically organic
product. The downside for producers -- especially organic processors who use
many ingredients from different states -- is that all these varying rules at a
certain point become a tangled web -- inhibiting interstate sales. One,
unified standard could clear the path and unleash even stronger economic
growth in the organic industry.
National standards would clear a similar hurdle on the international
front. Many countries, including those in the European Union, our biggest
organic customer, have their own certification standards. They have little
incentive to negotiate with 40 different U.S. entities to open their markets
to our products. National standards allow us to negotiate greater access
country-to-country. They also allow us to demand that imports meet an
equivalent standard, ensuring our consumers one meaning of organic for
domestic and imported products.
... Greater income for small farmers and ranchers ... stronger exports
... one high, consistent standard for consumers ... clearly we have a lot to
gain from this rule. But I want to make clear: This is a proposal. I want this
document to serve as an informed starting point for a very public debate --
one that engages consumers, agriculture and the scientific community.
You'll find that this document is notable both for the positions it
takes, and those it has yet to take. I want to take a moment to discuss these
positions this proposal has yet to take, but must take before we are through.
I have deliberately left open some of the more divisive questions -- not the
least among them how we handle biotechnology and irradiation. It's a well
known fact that the very best science has proven the products of biotechnology
and the process of irradiation not only safe, but beneficial. I want to make
clear that these rules are not about creating a category of agriculture that
is safer than any other. We have one high standard for food safety in this
country. Period. These rules are about giving consumers choices as to how
their food is produced. I want them to be informed choices, but they are the
consumers' to make.
I should point out that this rulemaking process has really gone above
and beyond the call of duty in terms of soliciting public input. There's been
a series of public meetings. We'll hold 3 or 4 more over the next few months.
We've received letters, phone calls and e-mails, and I expect many more over
the 90-day public comment period that starts tomorrow. All the addresses and
phone numbers are in the press release. I'm also sending a letter to every
Member of Congress asking for their help in getting the perspectives of their
constituents. I want to hear from as many people as possible. We'll be
accepting and publishing comments on the Internet as well.
We are off to a strong start with this proposed rule. But I have no
doubt that together, we can make it an even stronger final rule -- giving a
nice gift to consumers, agriculture, and especially our small farmers. Now,
I'd like to turn things over to a friend of agriculture and of consumers,
someone who's worked closely with me on these issues, Senator Patrick Leahy,
of Vermont.
#
NOTE: USDA news releases and media advisories are available on the Internet.
Access the USDA Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.usda.gov
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 16:40:00 -0500
From: allen schubert
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (US) GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF NATIONAL ORGANIC
PROGRAM PROPOSED RULE
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19971215163956.006f84cc@pop3.clark.net>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
http://www.usda.gov/news/releases/1997/12/0442
------------------------------------
GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM
PROPOSED RULE
Release No. 0442.97
Johna Pierce (202) 720-4623
johna.pierce@usda.gov
Demaris Kogut (202) 720-8998
Demaris_W_Kogut@usda.gov
GLICKMAN ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM
PROPOSED RULE
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 1997--Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman today
announced publication of proposed regulations that would govern USDA's
National Organic Program.
"The National Organic Program will strengthen one of the fastest
growing segments of the agriculture and food economy. Although around for
nearly 40 years, just since 1986, the market for organic' food has
exploded, growing over 40-fold so that by 1996, sales totaled $3.5 billion,"
Glickman noted.
"In spite of this growth and the enormous potential this market
promises, America's farmers, especially our small farmers, still have to
navigate a confusing, sometimes conflicting, patchwork of some 40 state and
private certification programs. These new rules, by setting a uniform
national standard and leveling the playing field, will open the door to this
tremendously exciting new market and new economic opportunities for our
farmers," Glickman said.
"Just as important, the rules are going to clear up the confusion that
sometimes exists in the minds of consumers, processors, and merchandisers
about what is and what is not organic.' The proposed rule requires that
imports meet equivalent standards, so if foreign producers want to sell
their organic' products in the United States, they will have to meet the
same criteria as domestic farmers," Glickman added.
The proposed standards define "organic" as agricultural products
produced through a natural versus synthetic process. They also address the
methods, practice, and substances used in producing and handling crops and
livestock and their processed products, including:
. producing and handling organic agricultural products;
. labeling of organic products;
. certification of organic operations;
. accreditation of state and private certifying agents;
. compliance testing;
. equivalency of foreign organic certification programs;
. approval of state organic programs; and
. user fees.
The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 provides authority for this
proposed rule. The proposed rule was developed from recommendations of the
National Organic Standards Board, an advisory board appointed by Secretary
Glickman, and in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration and the
Environmental Protection Agency.
USDA will hold information sessions on the proposed rule around the
country on dates and at locations that will be announced later.
The proposed rule will be published in the Dec. 16 Federal Register.
Comments must be received by March 16, 1998. Interested persons are invited
to submit written comments to: Eileen S. Stommes, Deputy Administrator,
Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA, Room 4007-S, Ag Stop 0275, P.O. Box
96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456. Comments also may be sent by FAX to (202)
690-4632 or via the Internet through the National Organic Program homepage
at: "http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop". A copy of the proposed rule can be
purchased for $8 from the Federal Register by calling (202) 512-1800.
#
NOTE: USDA news releases and media advisories are available on the Internet.
Access the USDA Home Page on the World Wide Web at http://www.usda.gov
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 15:03:19 -0800
From: Alison Green
To: ar-views@envirolink.org, ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: HUNTINGDON DROPS LAWSUIT
Message-ID: <3495B737.33E7@cnnw.net>
MIME-Version: 1.0
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Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
December 15, 1997
MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR LAWSUIT AGAINST PETA DROPPED BY ANIMAL TEST
LAB
Norfolk, Va.--Although Huntingdon Life Sciences had hoped to recover
some of the 10 million dollars it estimated it had lost as a result of
PETA's eight-month undercover investigation of its New Jersey animal
testing lab, Huntingdon today called it quits after having spent more
than two million dollars in legal fees and expenses on the suit. The
settlement, in which PETA does not pay Huntingdon any damages or
costs, was signed by federal dstrict court Judge Henry Morgan in
Norfolk, Va. today.
Civil rights attorney Philip Hirschkop, who represented PETA for a
greatly reduced fee, believes Huntingdon's decision to drop the
expensive lawsuit "sends a strong message to the coalition of
laboratory and fur industry groups which had lined up behind
Huntingdon, anxious to see PETA's investigations stopped. It didn't
work."
PETA president Ingrid Newkirk celebrated the victory today at the
group's Norfolk headquarters, saying: "Huntingdon launched an
expensive attack that backfired. We sought to show the world how
laboratories like Huntingdon treat animals behind the scenes and we
succeeded; a number of big pharmaceutical houses saw PETA's evidence
and suspended or canceled their contracts with Huntingdon, and Proctor
& Gamble launched an independent investigation that led to it
denouncement of Huntingdon's animal handling practices. The video is
out there and Huntingdon can't bring it back any more than it can
reclaim the 40 beagles who, as a result of PETA's action, Kim Basinger
saved from having their legs broken and being destroyed in
Huntingdon's lab."
As part of the settlement, Huntingdon agreed to vacate a contempt
finding against Newkirk arising from PETA's efforts to free the
beagles. The company remains under investigation by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture for possible violations of federal law
arising out of a complaint in this case. The company, which has seen
its stock fall 67 percent since it came under scrutiny in the United
Kingdom following the release of undercover videotapes there, has also
taken disciplinary action against several New Jersey employees: Two of
its staff in Britain have been criminally convicted of cruelty to
animals.
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 22:26:19 -0400
From: Ty Savoy
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: (Ca) CSIS Eyes AR Activists
Message-ID: <1.5.4.32.19971216022619.00721cd0@north.nsis.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
As appeared in Canadian Newspapers Dec 15/97:
CSIS EYES ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS
By Jim Bronskill, Southam News
OTTAWA -- Canada's spy agency is keeping a close eye on radical animal
rights activists.
Newly obtained documents reveal the Canadian Security Intelligence
Service sees the potential for "serious violence" by animal rights
extremists as "a threat to the security of Canada."
It is believed to be the first explicit indication from the highly
secretive intelligence service that it considers militant animal activists
to be political terrorists.
The internal assessment effectively paves the way for the service to
pursue clandestine means to investigate groups and individuals prepared to
use bombs or other serious force in the name of animal protection.
David Harris, a former director of strategic planning for CSIS,
believes the service is highly concerned about the threat.
"I'm confident that CSIS has an active animal rights-related program
under way," Harris said in an interview.
"Certainly the service is very interested, to put it mildly."
Heavily edited CSIS documents were released in response to a Southam
News request under the Access to Information Act.
"Canada has a large number of animal welfare groups with long
histories of peaceful protest and activism," says a CSIS brief.
"However, there have been incidents in the past which militant
animal-rights groups have undertaken acts of terrorism and sabotage to make
their point."
The evidence of CSIS's concern about animal-rights extremism comes
in the wake of bombings at BioChem Pharma Inc. in Laval, Que., that might be
linked to the company's use of rodents in drug and vaccine testing.
Food Contamination
In the last five years Canadian Activists have released animals from
farms and labs, made claims of food contamination and sent a bomb to a
genetics lab.
CSIS is responsible for advising the government or police of
security threats, including the possibility of politically motivated
violence, sabotage of vital property, foreign espionage and subversion of
democratic institutions.
The CSIS act, the legislation governing the service, defined
terrorism in paragraph 2 (c) as activities in support of "the threat or use
of acts of serious violence against persons or property for the purpose of
achieving a political objective within Canada or a foreign state."
A July memo prepared by the service addresses the "potential for
serious violence related to animal-rights extremism.
"The activities of this subject of investigation may on reasonable
grounds be suspected of constituting a threat to the security of Canada as
defined in paragraph 2 (c) of the CSIS Act."
CSIS withheld other material under various clauses of the access
law, including one that covers information related to ongoing investigations
by the service or police.
CSIS spokeswoman Marcia Wetherup, bound by secrecy provisions, said
she could not discuss whether the service was actively probing animal-rights
groups.
"If we have reasonable grounds to suspect that an individual or
group represents a threat to Canadian national security. then we do investigate.
"Without exaggerating the significance of increasing militant
activism, the evidence should be regarded seriously."
CSIS interest in animal-rights extremism raises questions about the
appropriate role for the service, particularly since the RCMP has been
investigating crimes related to animal protection.
Intelligence experts say CSIS would use its information-gathering
and analytical resources to warn of brewing violence well in advance.
CSIS has links with foreign intelligence agencies, including the
American CIA and Britain's MI5, that would keep the service apprised of
global animal-rights developments, said Harris, now a private risk-analysis
consultant.
In addition CSIS generally has more extensive information-crunching
abilities than the RCMP -- powers crucial to the service's early warning role.
Shifting Alliances
Harris sees a growing trend toward radicalism in the animal-rights
movement, as well as shifting alliances that defy left- or right-wing labels.
He said the fast-changing nature of the threat would likely prompt
CSIS to infiltrate the movement to stay on top of developments.
"Here is where you tend to need intelligence people whose
stock-in-trade can include penetration of organizations on a long term basis."
Wesley Wark, a security and intelligence expert at the University of
Toronto said he doubts the service would go so far as to use undercover
sources to investigate radical groups.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 19:03:35
From: David J Knowles
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [UK] Freight effects hit home in 1997 as the Crow flies
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19971215190335.2d7fb1de@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
>From The Vancouver Sun website - Monday 15 December 1997
NATIONAL NEWS
Freight effects hit home in 1997 as the Crow flies
BOB WEBER
EDMONTON (CP) û As giant, factory-style barns sprouted across the Prairies,
hogs made headlines like never before in 1997.
But the pig population boom was only the most visible û and controversial û
part of sweeping changes in Canadian farming that began two years ago and
will continue into the next century. They could make agriculture as big a
job-creator as the oilpatch or forestry. First, however, the industry must
confront problems from environmental concerns to a lack of investment cash.
"We're probably in the infancy of one of the largest growth phases in
agriculture," says Ed Stelmach, Alberta's minister of agriculture.
It began with the federal government's 1995 decision to scrap the Crow
rate, a freight rate subsidy that made it cheap to export grain.
Now, faced with paying up to $45 a tonne to ship feed grain to China,
farmers increasingly chose to ship it to the nearest livestock operator for
fraction of that cost.
That availability of feed and growth in Asian markets encouraged all three
Prairie provinces to go hog-wild on herd expansion.
In Saskatchewan, hog barn capacity is expected to triple by 2000 to create
space for 3.1 million hogs. By then, Manitoba's 2.8-million herd will
probably have grown by a third.
Alberta plans to triple its hog numbers by 2005 to about eight million and
double the province's cattle to 2.5 million.
Attracted by the growing supply of hogs, processors announced about $230
million worth of packing plant investment in Alberta, Saskatchewan and
Manitoba in 1997.
"That policy (removing the Crow) did exactly what its proponents said it
would," says Jim Lore, president of the Agricultural Institute of Canada.
This was also the year that policy hit home for grain farmers. One-time
government payouts and near-record wheat prices shielded producers for a
couple years from the impact of paying their own freight. But by 1997,
those payments were gone and the price for No. 1 Canada Red Spring wheat
had fallen to about $205 per tonne from $254.16 per tonne.
As well, another 500 rural elevators are expected to close over the next
three years. That will force farmers to truck grain farther and will
increase costs even more.
"Freight is really hitting home for a lot of people this year," says Deanna
Allen of the Canadian Wheat Board.
But unlike the livestock industry, in which it's cheaper to ship processed
goods than live animals, it's less expensive to ship bulk grain than flour
or pasta.
That has so far limited such facilities in the West û although 1997 did see
plans for pasta plants in Edmonton and Swift Current, Sask., and a
large-scale bakery in Calgary that intends to sell bagels as far away as
Singapore.
By 2005 the value-added industry could have created more than 50,000 jobs
and could be worth $20 billion a year, says a recently released report by
Alberta Agriculture.
But there are a few clouds on the horizon.
Residents in all three Prairie provinces have protested against large-scale
hog operations û which can produce as much sewage as a good-sized town,
causing odors and threatening groundwater.
A $13-million development with 8,000 hogs at Kelvington, Sask., was the
subject of a lengthy court fight this year. Protests were also mounted in
Ste. Anne, Man., over a 10,000-hog operation.
Lore believes the urban public no longer trusts farmers.
"Many of them see farmers as people who don't give a damn about their
customers, spraying all those poisons on their land."
The industry's other big challenge will be capital, says Doug Radke,
Alberta deputy minister of agriculture.
Alberta alone will require at least $5 billion in investment to meet its
goals for 2005.
"Some of that will be raised domestically, some from offshore, a fair
amount of it will come from the Unites States.
"But If you look at what investors are already spending in Alberta, it's
do-able."
Copyright The Vancouver Sun/Southam Newspapers 1997
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 20:30:45
From: David J Knowles
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [UK] Ban raises fear of new 'beef war'
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19971215203045.27ef2870@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
>From The Electronic Telegraph - Tuesday, 16th December, 1997
Ban raises fear of new 'beef war'
By Toby Helm, George Jones and David Brown
THE Government risked reopening the "beef war" with Europe last night by
announcing a unilateral ban on any EU meat imports that did not conform to
the stringent hygiene standards applied in this country.
Jack Cunningham, the Agriculture Minister, accused other member states of
deliberately seeking to delay the introduction of strict new health
controls aimed at curbing BSE.
Veterinary experts from all EU governments except Britain voted to postpone
until next April the introduction of rules which would have brought their
abattoirs into line with hygiene safeguards already applied here.
Mr Cunningham said he would impose the ban from Jan 1 after being voted
down 14-1 in Brussels over the early introduction of new rules requiring
the removal of high-risk parts from cattle, sheep and goats.
The ban could leave the Government open to challenge in the European court
and was seen at Westminster as a return to confrontational tactics adopted
by the previous Government towards Brussels over the BSE crisis. European
officials accused Britain of seeking to divert attention from its own
troubles over beef.
Yesterday, angry farmers lobbied Parliament, protesting over the financial
crisis in agriculture and the impact of the ban on the sale of beef on the
bone, which came into force at midnight. A clearly angry Mr Cunningham said
he would table Orders in the Commons later this week to ensure that no beef
would be allowed into Britain after Jan 1 "unless it has been subjected to
the same rigorous safeguards as our own beef".
He claimed that other European countries had "prevaricated and obfuscated"
and now prevented the new rules being implemented. He said: "So I'm going
to implement it [the ban] unilaterally on behalf of the United Kingdom so
we can be sure that beef coming in is as safe as the beef we produce at
home,."
He believed that he was "on pretty safe legal ground", because the decision
mirrored what had been originally proposed by the European Commission. But
the decision to block imports which have not been produced in accordance
with the new rules may yet be challenged by other states.
Around a quarter of beef eaten in Britain is imported, much of it from
Ireland which already applies the controls demanded by Mr Cunningham.
France has also introduced similar restrictions. But other beef exporting
countries, such as Germany, Austria and Spain, all claim to have no BSE,
and therefore argue they have no need to apply the new rules.
In all, 21,714 tons of beef have been imported into Britain from the EU
this year which would have been kept out under the new stipulations. The
minister made clear that there would be "significant" penalties against
anyone found to be putting on sale foreign beef which did not meet British
standards.
In the Commons, Tony Blair, reporting back on the EU summit in Luxembourg,
strongly endorsed Mr Cunningham's move. Since the EU was delaying the new
safeguard, "we will introduce it ourselves". Mr Blair said the rest of
Europe should realise that BSE was not simply a "British problem". It was
in the interests of the whole of Europe that it was resolved
as quickly as possible.
Yesterday, the United States confirmed that it was extending to all EU
countries a ban on imports of beef and sheepmeat, which had previously
applied to only the nine European states which have reported BSE cases.
The Government's tough stand may go some way towards appeasing farmers in
uproar over cheap imports, the cost of meeting BSE controls and the strong
pound which has led to a sharp drop in farm incomes. Mr Cunningham will
make a Commons statement later this week on the latest BSE measures, which
will include a package of support for farmers.
Ministers warned that it would be limited and there was no "magic pot of
gold". The Government was accused of "complacent mismanagement" for failing
to take earlier action to resolve the financial crisis in British agriculture.
Before joining more than 300 farmers marching to Westminster to lobby MPs,
Sir David Naish, president of the National Farmers' Union, attacked the
Government's attitude towards rural affairs. "The Prime Minister has
repeatedly stressed that it is the People's Government, a Government for
the people. Well, farmers are people too - people of the countryside," he
said.
The NFU was angered over the weekend by repeated claims from Mr Cunningham
that farmers' leaders had backed the decision to ban beef on the bone. It
repeated its demand that consumers should be given the facts and left to
make up their own minds.
The Isle of Man government yesterday decided to allow consumers to decide.
Ivan Bratty, senior environmental health inspector for the island, said
that beef on the bone, T-bone steaks and oxtail would now all carry a
warning of the risk but would stay on the shelves.
Farmers waved placards reading "Keep Britain Farming" as they marched to
Westminster. Larry Cooke from Rye, East Sussex, said he had seen his income
drop 10 per cent this year. He accused the Government of "listening to
scaremongering by scientists who are looking at diseases they don't fully
understand and they're coming to the wrong conclusion".
Colleagues blamed the beef-bone ban, coupled with the latest muddle in
Brussels over whether to extend controls to mutton and lamb, for sparking
off a new wave of fear in the United States.
Michael Jack, Tory agriculture spokesman, said consumers wanted to be
allowed to decide for themselves whether to eat beef on the bone.
Environmental health chiefs warned that the new beef curbs might not be
enforcable. As bones from European cattle would still be permitted in stock
and gravy, officials say they will be forced to judge whether stock on sale
contains European or British bones.
⌐ Copyright Telegraph Group Limited 1997.
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 20:37:13
From: David J Knowles
To: ar-news@envirolink.org
Subject: [UK] Magpies cleared of the songbird murders
Message-ID: <3.0.3.16.19971215203713.27ef12e8@dowco.com>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
>From The Electronic Telegraph - Tuesday, 16th December, 1997
Magpies cleared of the songbird murders
By Aisling Irwin, Science Correspondent
THE magpie, long held guilty for the fall in the small songbird population,
has been cleared of the crime.
For 25 years, magpie numbers rose as those of bullfinch, skylark, tree
sparrow and other small birds dropped by between 50 and 90 per cent.
Magpies feed on eggs and chicks.
But now researchers have found that there are no local links between
expanding magpie numbers and falling numbers of other birds. The real
villains are probably herbicides, which have almost eliminated the
seed-bearing weeds that fed small birds.
The "not-guilty" verdict on the magpie, and on another predator, the
sparrowhawk, is announced today at the annual meeting of the British
Ecological Society. The British Trust for Ornithology gathered information
on 23 species at more than 100 sites over 25 years. Researchers used the
data to see whether population changes in small birds correlated with a
rise in predator numbers.
"There were thousands of examples and we could find no relationship between
the increasing predators and the decline in small birds," said Dr David
Thomson, senior author of the report by the trust and the RSPB.
In some places small birds were doing well despite rising magpie numbers.
In others, they were declining while magpie numbers were static. Figures
from the trust show that magpie and sparrowhawk populations tripled in 25
years. Bullfinches fell 76 per cent; linnets, 52; skylarks, 58; song
thrushes, 73; tree sparrows, 89; and reed buntings, 61.
Changes have favoured big birds such as magpies which have beaks big enough
to eat grain and wildlife killed by cars.
⌐ Copyright Telegraph Group Limited 1997.
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