The countdown is on… just three days remain until the “world ends” due to sequestration.  Who knows what will really happen on Friday, March 1?  There have been so many threats made about the Federal budget; half-truths and mistruths abound.

Reading the White House fact sheet on how the sequester would impact the middle class, jobs and economic security could make a person question whether anyone will be able to survive.  The last news release I read talks about cuts to education, small business, food safety, mental health, and the list goes on – and on!

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, in an article posted Feb. 21 on agweb, said the USDA might be forced to make big cuts to its budgets that will disrupt service to farmers and consumers including:

1. Food safety;
2. The Farm Bill; and
3. Small businesses, which could have a negative impact especially on rural communities.

What troubles me the most is that all of the areas on the chopping block are vital to some American or some U.S. industry.  Meantime, expenditures like aid to foreign countries and less vital programs, are never mentioned.

There are claims that we will have food shortages and many problems with food safety due to a lack of Federal workers.  A potential furlough requiring every meat and poultry inspector nationwide to stay home for two weeks could effectively shut down the meat industry.  These particular claims concern me since my livelihood is based on producing pork.

Consumers must be able to purchase food from the meat counter with confidence, so that we’ll continue to have strong markets for our products.  But wait… Some have said that Americans would be healthier with less meat in their diets.

“A meat industry shutdown would actually give consumers — and their bodies — a much-needed break from the foods that are causing our nation’s worst health problems,” writes Susan Levin on thecalifornian.com.

Talk about misleading!  It’s clear from reading Levin curse “factory farms” that she’s never visited with a family farmer like myself.

Why can’t we just agree that eating healthy can include meat as a very good source of protein and vitamins?  Eating fruits and vegetables play an important role in a healthy, and getting enough exercise should always be one’s goal.  “Balance” and “moderation” are often overlooked in favor of self-interest and special interests groups.

This whole process of “working on the federal budget” has turned into a publicity stunt.  There will be disruption and hardships for many people as a result, but it’s doubtful that we’ll starve.  Food is still being produced by farmers like me.  Grocery stores will remain open. This country will eventually move ahead.  But, the next few days will be telling as to whom and what floats to the top!

There are so many political issues that impact not only the seed industry, but agriculture in general, that it’s important to engage in the political process.  We must let legislators and rule makers know how proposed laws and rules could and do impact our business.  Sometimes they have good intentions, but their laws or rules have unintended consequences.

We can become so involved with the day-to-day tasks involved with running our businesses and farms that it can be difficult to follow issues and anticipate how they might impact our livelihoods.  However, we must make time!  We can’t just rely on paid lobbyists to represent our best interests.  While lobbyists play an important role, they can’t entirely replace a constituent’s voice – or vote.

Remember these famous, wise words of Margaret Mead:

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.

During the Iowa Seed Association’s (ISA) annual meeting last Wednesday in Des Moines, John Latham spoke about several issues of interest to seed professionals in attendance.  Three issues that could have the largest and/or most immediate impact on the seed industry are: (1) the Accord; (2) food labeling; and (3) seed treatment stewardship.

Today I’ll focus on the Accord, which will allow access to seed technologies after a patent on technology expires.  The Accord went into effect on Nov. 15, 2012.  A news release announcing this landmark agreement opens by stating:

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) and the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) announced today that the Generic Event Marketability and Access Agreement (GEMAA) is now effective. Following its launch on October 31, five BIO and ASTA member companies and agriculture biotech providers – BASF Plant Science, Bayer Crop Science, Dow Agro Sciences, DuPont Pioneer and Monsanto Company – have all signed on as signatories.

Why does this matter?  Here’s my personal take…Roundup Ready® soybeans, the world’s most widely adopted biotech trait, is set to go off patent soon in the United States.  Monsanto, which first development this technology, in 2009 introduced second-generation Roundup Ready soybean technology.  This means Monsanto is developing new soybean products based off the Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® technology platform, and Monsanto is licensing this next-generation technology to companies like Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds.  Companies like Pioneer and several universities have breeding programs based off the original Roundup Ready platform, so the Accord allows them to continue offering soybean brands containing the original Roundup Ready trait.

The Accord creates a process based on binding contractual relationships, so regulatory and stewardship obligations are maintained.  It encourages innovation among biotech providers as they invest in product development.  It provides technology choices to seed companies like Latham.  And, it means farmers will be able to purchase soybeans with some form of the Roundup Ready trait even after the patent expires.  Win, win, win!