News Update

News Update
April 24, 2007

Japan to Conduct More Audits

Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns yesterday announced two agreements that he said will expand U.S. beef trade in Japan.

“I have approved Japan’s request to conduct additional audits of U.S. beef processing plants,” Johanns said. “I have invited Japan to begin the audits as soon as arrangements can be made.”

According to a statement issued by Johanns, the procedure is part of Japan’s verification of U.S. beef safety. Once the verification process is complete, Japan will discontinue its requirement of inspecting 100% of the boxes of beef shipped from U.S. plants.

“The United States expects Japan, as well as all of our trading partners, to implement import requirements for U.S. beef and beef products as soon as possible that are based on science and consistent with international guidelines, including those of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE),” Johanns stated.

Value-Added Ag Grants Available

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns has announced the availability of $19.5 million to help independent agricultural producers enter into value-added activities. Potential uses include a wide range of products that enhance the revenue stream generated from crops and other production. Examples include conversion to organic production, processing of raw commodities to a finished product, and the conversion of farm crops to create renewable energy sources.

“These grants are a vital tool to help support rural businesses, create new markets for agricultural products and help the United States become more energy independent,” Johanns said. “They represent the exciting new direction we’re proposing for the energy and rural development titles of a new farm bill this year.”

The deadline for applications is May 16. An application guide and other materials may be obtained at www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm or by contacting the applicant’s U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Office.

Further information on rural programs is available at a local USDA Rural Development office or by visiting USDA’s web site at www.rurdev.usda.gov.

USDA Identifies 38,700 Individuals Whose Data Was Exposed

The USDA has narrowed to approximately 38,700 the number of people whose private identification information was accessible to the public on a government-wide web site.

In a statement released April 23, USDA stated “it takes seriously its responsibility to protect private information and after learning of the potential exposure, immediately took action to remove the information from the web site.”

The agency is offering credit monitoring services to protect the personal accounts of affected individuals, due to the potential that information was downloaded prior to removal. There is no evidence that this information has been misused.

Initially, USDA estimated that as many as 150,000 individuals might be affected. That number included all individuals whose identification number could possibly contain private information. On Friday, April 20, USDA narrowed the number of individuals who might be affected to 63,000. USDA staff continued analysis of the identification numbers throughout the weekend and determined that approximately 38,700 actually contain private information. This completes the review of records posted on the government-wide website in question.

The 38,700 people affected were awarded funds through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) or USDA Rural Development (RD). The FSA programs involve approximately 35,000 of the individuals and are limited to; Conservation Security Program, Emergency Loan for Seed Producers, Emergency Loans, Farm Labor Housing Loans and Grants, Farm Ownership Loans, Special Apple Program, and the Wetlands Reserve Program.

The Rural Development programs involve approximately 3,700 individuals and are limited to; Business and Industry Loans, Community Facilities Loans and Grants, Direct Housing Natural Disaster, Direct Housing Natural Disaster Loans and Grants, Emergency Loans, Lower Income Housing Assistance Program Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation, Physical Disaster Loans, Rural Rental Assistance Payments, Rural Rental Housing Loans, Very Low to Moderate Income Housing Loans, and Very Low-Income Housing Repair Loans and Grants.

USDA funding recipients whose personal information was exposed are being notified via mail and will be provided with instructions on how to register for credit monitoring. Any USDA funding recipient with questions may call 1-800-FED-INFO (1-800-333-4636) or visit www.usa.gov. The call center operates from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EDT), Monday-Friday.

Visit www.usa.gov/usdaexposure.shtml for more information.

— compiled by Crystal Albers, associate editor, Angus Productions Inc.