GMO farm animals under review
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP) — Super Chicken strutted a step closer to the U.S. dinner table Thursday.

The government said it will start considering proposals to sell genetically engineered animals as food, a move that could lead to faster growing fish, cattle that can resist “Mad Cow” disease or perhaps heart-healthier eggs laid by a new breed of chicken.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a proposed legal framework for how it would resolve such questions as whether the altered animals are safe for human consumption and pose no serious environmental risks. FDA officials said they are focusing on animals that will be used as food, or to produce medications that would then be consumed by people or other animals.

Reaction from consumer groups was mixed. On one hand, they welcomed the government’s decision to regulate genetically altered animals.

But they cautioned that many crucial details remain to be spelled out. For example, the FDA does not plan to require in all cases that genetically engineered meat, poultry and fish be labeled as such for consumers.

“They are talking about pigs that are going to have mouse genes in them, and this is not going to be labeled?” said Jean Halloran, director of food policy for Consumers Union. “We are close to speechless on this.”

Nonetheless, Gregory Jaffe, who heads the biotechnology project at the Center for Science in the Public Interest called the FDA action a “good first step.”

Genetically engineered animals are created when scientists insert a gene from one species of animal into the DNA of another animal to reprogam some of its characteristics. For example, fish could be made to grow faster, or pigs might be reengineered to produce less waste.

Animals can also be engineered to produce substances in their milk and blood that can later be used for human drugs.

Indiana extends FSA deadline

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Farmers and ranchers in the counties listed below who were attempting to meet the Sept. 16 deadline for certain disaster assistance programs but couldn’t due to hurricane-related temporary Farm Service Agency (FSA) office closures now have an extension.

The counties are: Lake, Porter, Newton, Pike, Jasper, St. Joseph, La Porte, Starke, Jefferson, Harrison, Spencer, Perry, Ripley and Jennings. The following counties were announced earlier: Clark, Dearborn, Ohio, Switzerland, Warrick and Washington.

Those eligible for disaster assistance under certain new Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance programs for losses caused by natural disasters in calendar year 2008, but who are not fully covered by crop insurance or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), now have until 10 business days after their local county office reopens to pay the “buy-in” fee for 2008 crop coverage, including grazing lands.

This extension applies only for those producers who intended to complete the application and pay the “buy-in” fee by Sept. 16, and were unable to complete their business in a timely manner due to the office closures.

The extension only applies for the above listed counties.
More information on NAP and other farm programs is available at local FSA service centers and online at www .fsa.usda.gov

Farm responds to abuse video

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The operators of an Iowa farm where an animal rights group captured video of workers abusing pigs said last week they are taking steps to ensure they stop mistreating animals.

MowMar LLP of Fairmont, Minn., said in a statement that it’s “surprised and outraged” by the actions captured this summer in undercover video by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

MowMar purchased the Greene County, Iowa, farm last month from an Iowa company.

“As a family-owned farm operation with over 30 years in the swine business, MowMar farms does not and will not tolerate the mistreatment of any animals under our husbandry and we take these PETA allegations very seriously,” the company said.

MowMar officials said they met early Sept. 18 with PETA officials to talk about what actions are being taken to correct the situation. The company promised that any policies and procedures not consistent with generally accepted standards for the treatment of farm animals would be revised and strengthened.

“Current and future employees of MowMar and the farm management company will receive extensive training on our policies and the proper treatment of animals on our farms,” the company said.

PETA is seeking prosecution of 18 people on animal cruelty violations. The group also wants to raise awareness about animal cruelty at factory farms.