Food & Farm News
» May 22, 2008 «
Congress moves to override farm bill veto
Farm groups say they're encouraged by quick action in Congress, to override the president's veto of a new, five-year farm bill. On Wednesday, President Bush made good on his threat to veto the bill. But the House voted to override the veto a few hours later, with the Senate expected to follow by today (Thursday). The California Farm Bureau says the bill creates new market opportunities and improves competitiveness for California farms and ranches.
Family farmers say Prop 98 protects property 
Family farmers and ranchers held news conferences near Stockton and in Modesto yesterday (Wednesday), to support a property-protection measure on the June ballot. Proposition 98 would reform government property seizures through eminent domain. The measure stops government from taking property from one private owner to give it to another. Farmers say Proposition 98 also assures property owners of earning fair market value when government does take property for public use.
USDA foresees increase in beef exports
The reopening of sales to Korea will be a key factor in boosting U.S. beef exports. U.S. Agriculture Department forecasters say beef exports should increase about 15 percent this year, and another 14 percent next year. The analysis says Korean demand for American beef is expected to be strong. Korea had been a top foreign market for California beef, before it suspended imports after discovery of the cattle disease BSE in the United States.
Tests look at new way to sanitize beehives
There's a lot of work being done in research labs around the country, to try to help honeybees. Bee populations have been falling, and scientists are exploring different avenues to improve bee health. One test involves using ozone to clean beehives. Ozone is already used to sanitize drinking water and swimming pools. Tests indicate it appears successful in cleaning beehives, and may also control some pests that attack bees.
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