Harkin Seeks Detailed Account of Plans to Combat Soybean Rust

HARKIN SEEKS DETAILED ACCOUNT OF PLANS TO COMBAT SOYBEAN RUST

Continuing his efforts to mount a defense against soybean rust, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today requested a detailed account of USDA's plans and efforts to combat Asian soybean rust. In a letter to new Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns, Harkin specifically requested information on USDA's educational and surveillance efforts, not only through government agencies such as the Farm Service Agency, but also through private partnerships with organizations such as commodity groups. Harkin is the ranking Democrat on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee.

"We are rapidly approaching the planting season for soybeans across much of the country," Harkin said. "I am asking USDA to provide a detailed accounting of their efforts to fight soybean rust so we can identify and address any holes or shortcomings before the disease has a chance to gain a foothold. I believe that USDA must utilize all tools at its disposal, including partnerships with commodity groups and other private organizations, to minimize damage from the spread of this disease."

Because nine states have already identified the disease, it is very likely the disease will spread to major soybean producing areas this growing season, potentially including fields in Iowa. This very short timeline requires that USDA have a plan up a running by that time. That is why Harkin is asking Secretary Johanns to provide a plan as well as allocate sufficient resources to combat this disease.

"I respectfully request a report detailing what programs USDA has or will have in place to deal with soybean rust by the time the soybean crop is planted this spring, the level of funds being dedicated to soybean rust education, monitoring and other preparations, and the availability of adequate funds to USDA for a full, effective response in case of a soybean rust emergency," Harkin wrote.

Asian soybean rust is a potentially devastating disease, capable of causing yield losses of up to 80 percent in the absence of timely identification and proper treatment. Among Senator Harkin's activities include urging USDA to address this issue, successfully working to fund research into rust-resistant soybean hybrids, and urging EPA to make fungicides available.

A copy of the letter to Secretary Johanns is attached.

# # #

January 26, 2005

The Honorable Mike Johanns

Secretary of Agriculture

United States Department of Agriculture

14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Johanns:

American soybean producers are scrambling to prepare for a potentially devastating attack of soybean rust in the coming growing season, in the wake of the discovery of the fungus in the United States last year. This disease can cause yield losses of up to 80 percent in the absence of timely identification and proper treatment. Because nine states in the southern part of the United States have reported infestations of rust on soybean and kudzu, migration of the disease to the major soybean producing areas of the country is likely to occur this growing season. Once disease symptoms are found in a soybean field, it is often too late to contain losses. In order to prevent severe crop losses, growers need information, advice and a nationwide surveillance system. I would like to request information about the current status of USDA's education and surveillance efforts, as well as the availability of funds to USDA to combat soybean rust and prevent major crop and financial losses.

Two critical steps in fighting this disease involve education and surveillance. Across the country, both private and public organizations are training growers regarding how to identify early symptoms of the disease, how to send samples for laboratory confirmation and how to apply fungicides. County extension agents, county Farm Service Agency employees, commodity groups and crop consultants are all resources USDA can enlist to communicate information about soybean rust to producers. These groups can also help establish a surveillance network to make real-time information on the disease's path available to farmers to allow them to estimate their proximity to the disease. It is clearly the most effective course that USDA work with the private sector in developing and implementing education and surveillance efforts for soybean rust. I would like to know the current status of USDA's participation in and support of these efforts.

In the past, USDA has provided emergency funds to control crop diseases and to assist farmers sustaining losses from crop diseases. For example, in 1996 and 1997, Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds were used to compensate farmers whose wheat crops were destroyed because of karnal bunt infections. USDA is also authorized to use CCC funds for actions to help prevent serious financial losses due to crop diseases such as soybean rust. Because the availability of adequate funds is a crucial component of contingency plans USDA may have for soybean rust, I would like to work with USDA to ensure these funds are available for education and surveillance purposes.

I respectfully request a report detailing what programs USDA has or will have in place to deal with soybean rust by the time the soybean crop is planted this spring, the level of funds being dedicated to soybean rust education, monitoring and other preparations, and the availability of adequate funds to USDA for a full, effective response in case of a soybean rust emergency.

I appreciate your attention to this important issue.

http://harkin.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=231131