Roberts on farm bill committee<br>
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Pat Roberts is named to the panel that will resolve differences over farm bills passed in the House and Senate.<br>
A spokeswoman said the Kansas Republican will focus on protecting the system of direct payments to farmers and the crop insurance program.<br>
Each congressional chamber passed a version of the five-year farm bill last year, but a final version has been stalled over a veto threat from the White House. The Bush administration opposes tax provisions intended to boost revenues for farm programs.<br>
The White House also wants a final bill to ban subsidies to farmers whose gross income averages more than $200,000 a year.<br>
France suspends GMO corn use<br>
PARIS, France (AP) — The French government on Saturday suspended the use of genetically modified corn crops in France while it awaits EU approval for a full ban.<br>
The order formalized France’s announcement Jan. 11 that it would suspend cultivation of Monsanto’s MON810, the seed for the only type of genetically modified corn now allowed in the country. <br>Environmental groups and anti-globalization activists had long pushed for an order suspending use of genetically modified corn, but some farmers’ group and agricultural companies opposed the push.<br>
On Friday, the French Senate approved a law curbing the involvement of non-governmental organizations in a state agency that manages the genetically modified crop issue, a blow to environmental groups. The law also makes it a misdemeanor, punishable by up to two years in prison and up to $109,000 in fines, to destroy farms that grow genetically modified crops.
The European Food Safety Authority says genetically modified products do not constitute a risk to human health or the environment, but some European Union (EU) governments – including Austria, France, Greece and Hungary – are wary of biotechnology.<br>
Under EU rules, the Brussels-based European Commission has final say on whether member nations can ban genetically modified products that the bloc has authorized.<br>
Feds suspend ops at meat co.<br>
CHINO, Calif. (AP) — Federal officials said Feb. 5 they had suspended operations at a California meat company accused of mistreating cattle.<br>
The USDA said the suspension will remain in effect for the Westland Meat Co. until “written corrective actions” are submitted that verify animals have been treated humanely. The agency took action after a video surfaced two weeks ago that showed workers brutalizing sick and crippled cows at the Chino facility.<br>
The video prompted Westland Meat to voluntarily stop operations on Feb. 1, while two major hamburger chains and dozens of school districts around the nation banned its meat.<br>
Westland president Steve Mendell said in a letter posted on the company’s website that he was “shocked and horrified” about what was on the video and the company is cooperating with federal authorities.<br>
“We are dedicating our full efforts and resources to fully cooperate with the USDA investigative team that has been assigned to our plant,” Mendell said.<br>
County spends $133K on horses<br>

GRASS LAKE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Jackson County authorities say they spent about $130,000 tending to dozens of horses seized in an animal cruelty investigation.<br>
Animal control officials in March confiscated the herd from the Turn-3 Ranch in Grass Lake Township, about 65 miles west of Detroit. Authorities say conditions were filthy and dangerous. About 15 foals were born afterward.<br>
Farm owner James Henderson Jr. and manager Matthew Mercier are charged with torturing three horses. Defense lawyers say the facts don’t support torture charges.<br>
The Jackson Citizen Patriot says authorities got about $50,000 from auctioning most of the horses. Authorities euthanized one injured horse and sold or gave away about 80 that remained.<br>
Missouri proposes odor regs<br>

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri pollution regulators want to expand the state’s oversight of agricultural odors to more farms.
The Missouri Air Conservation Commission is proposing that concentrated animal feeding operations with more than 3,000 pigs, chickens, turkeys, cattle and dairy cows face odor standards. The current rules only apply to livestock operations with more than 7,000 animals.<br>
The commission also wants to require odor control plans as part of the construction permit process for large animal farms, wastewater treatment plants and other facilities that could generate foul smells.<br>
The proposed changes emerged from a series of recommendations made last year by a panel of livestock industry members, environmental activists and state regulators. The commission plans to publish a draft rule and seek additional public comment.<br>