Thursday, 27 May 2004

Onward Gristian Soldiers

USDA Rescinds Controversial Changes to Organic Standards

The USDA announced yesterday that it will rescind changes to organic food standards made last month that would have cleared the way for use of antibiotics on organic dairy farms, toxic pesticides on organic fields, and more. The changes -- first reported in Grist (ahem) -- prompted a wave of protest from many organic farmers, though not from some agribusiness conglomerates that want to rake in a bigger share of the booming $11 billion-a-year organic-food market. Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman announced the reversal, citing "a tremendous amount of interest" and public concern in recent days in the wake of media reports on the issue (ahem). The news was met with an outpouring of praise from enviros, legislators who support the standards, and smaller-scale organic farmers. "We were really stunned," said Nancy Hirshberg of Stonyfield Farm, an organic producer. "It really doesn't happen often that democracy prevails and voices are heard."

Tax On, Tax Off

A Gas Tax Might Make Good Sense, But Dems Don't Want to Touch It

Many environmentalists and energy economists agree that a gas tax is an important step toward encouraging energy efficiency, expanding the market for renewable energy, and curbing America's reliance on foreign oil, with all the geopolitical entanglements that accompany it. John Kerry and a number of other Democrats used to publicly agree, but now they're loudly pushing President Bush to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve and twist OPEC's arm to bring down prices at the pump. Has political pragmatism won out over conservation-minded, long-term energy planning? Read about the ins and outs of gas taxation in Muckraker -- today on the Grist Magazine website.

Gas Trick Distress

Bush May Ease Environmental Restrictions on Gasoline

The Bush administration is responding to higher gas prices by considering a loosening of environmental requirements for a variety of gasoline blends. Commerce Secretary Donald Evans suggested yesterday that such a move could lower gas prices, noting that refineries in some parts of the U.S. are required to produce more than a dozen different varieties of gasoline to help combat specific pollution problems. He said the administration is worried about the impact gas prices are having on the economy and argued that if people are driving less they might be spending less at the grocery store. Evans also announced that the administration might consider streamlining the permit system for oil refineries, which could pave the way for construction of a new refinery in the U.S. for the first time in 25 years. Enviros said that rolling back requirements for the use of cleaner-burning fuels could lead to exacerbated pollution problems in major cities.

First, Do No Farm

A New Book Argues That Agriculture Is a Disaster

Enviros are familiar with critiques of large-scale, chemical-dependent agriculture, but Richard Manning has bigger fish to fry: In his new book "Against the Grain," Manning argues that agriculture itself -- the whole shebang -- is a disaster, a "dangerous and consuming beast of a social system." Hunter-gatherers not only had more fun, he says, but they were demonstrably healthier. Agriculture led to a small, rich upper class and a large, unhealthy laborer class, not to mention endless cycles of famine. Michelle Nijhuis reviews Manning's provocative new book -- today on the Grist Magazine website.

Worse Living Through Chemistry

Louisiana Governor Recognizes Multiple Chemical Sensitivities

A mysterious and controversial disease linked to chemical exposure is a step closer to official recognition and treatment. Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco (D) recently signed a proclamation designating May "Chemical Sensitivity Awareness Month," a move that heartened those who suffer from Multiple Chemical Sensitivities. MCS, also called environmental illness, is a poorly catalogued and understood ailment, with symptoms that vary widely from person to person. It's reportedly due to exposure to the chemicals that are ubiquitous in modern life: pesticides, petroleum products, even household cleaners and perfumes. The medical community is divided over the causes and even the existence of MCS. Whatever the cause, sufferers find themselves in effect poisoned by contemporary society. A growing number of people are lobbying Congress and public-health agencies to recognize the disease; one key goal is to have the disease officially recognized by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.