Resource Pointer #74
March 28, 1996
For copies of the following resources, please contact
the appropriate publishers or organizations directly.
***
*The Economists Who Cried Wolf: How CDFA Exaggerated the
Costs of a Methyl Bromide Ban, 1996.* Pesticide Action
Network North America (PANNA). Examines the January 1996
study by California Department of Food and Agriculture
(CDFA), "Methyl Bromide: An Impact Assessment", which
purported to document that banning methyl bromide would
significantly harm California's economy. Indentifies
flaws in CDFA investigation, including that CDFA did not
consider economic benefits of methyl bromide ban, such
as savings in medical costs; that relatively few farmers
actually use methyl bromide; and that CDFA used
misleading statements about effects of ban on trade and
employment. The PANNA report points out that viable
alternatives to methyl bromide exist, and that for all
crops other than strawberries yield losses would be no
higher than 0 to 3%. 9 pp. US$5. Contact PANNA (see
below). Also available on Internet
<http://www.panna.org/panna/>.
*A Critique of the Report, "Economic Impact of Methyl
Bromide Cancellation," 1996.* Charles Moore and Don
Villarejo. Examines January 1996 study by California
Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) (discussed
above). Finds that CDFA relied on "bad science,"
including use of anecdotal evidence, failure to cite or
document assumptions and reliance on an economic model
that did not consider externalities of methyl bromide
use, including injuries to farmworkers and depletion of
stratospheric ozone. 13 pp. US$7.50. California
Institute for Rural Studies, Inc., P.O. Box 2143, Davis,
CA 95617; phone (916) 756-6665; fax (916) 756-7429.
*Methyl Bromide: An Impact Assessment, 1996.* California
Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). Examines
economic impact of methyl bromide ban on California
economy. States that short term impacts would be between
US$287.7 million and US$346.3 million in direct revenue
losses to agricultural sector and that full-time job
losses would be approximately 8,220 to 9,894. Includes
impact assessments of methyl bromide ban for major
methyl bromide using commodities in each California
county. 44 pp. No charge. CDFA, 1220 N Street, Room 452,
Sacramento, CA 95814; phone (916) 654-1765; fax (916)
657-5017.
*Agroecology: Creating the Synergism for a Sustainable
Agriculture, 1995.* (English and Spanish). U.N.
Development Programme (UNDP). Introduction to and
overview of agroecology, emphasizing beneficial role of
agroecology in combatting rural poverty and improving
food security, health, land and water quality. Describes
important components of agroecological projects,
including coordination with local non governmental
organizations (NGOs), involvement of farmers in project
design and implementation, and use of indigenous
knowledge. Points out failures of Green Revolution and
need for alternative development models. 87 pp. No
charge. UNDP, Sustainable Energy and Environment
Division, Bureau for Programme Policy Support, One
United Nations Plaza, FF-1034, New York, NY 10017; phone
(212) 906-5032; fax (212) 906-6973.
*Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): Making the
Connection, 1995.* Bill Blake et. al. Handbook for
farmers describes many aspects of forming and running
CSA programs. CSA is a model of agricultural production
and distribution in which consumers (often called
"shareholders") purchase products directly from a farm
and pay for them in advance. This handbook includes
information about getting started, designing CSAs,
recruiting members, creating production and harvest
plans, setting share prices and legal issues.
Incorporates ideas and strategies of many successful
CSAs. US$31.81 (make check payable to UC Regents). UC
Cooperative Extension, Attn: CSA Handbook, 11477 E
Avenue, Auburn, CA 95603; phone (916) 889-7385.
*Multinational Exchange for Sustainable Agriculture
(MESA).* Non profit exchange and skills-training program
seeks organic farms and CSAs to participate as host
farms for international farmers. Young farmers from
Russia, Lithuania, Honduras and Guatemala seek placement
for one-year terms. Participating farms must provide
full-time work, room and board, and monthly fees (which
are exempt from payroll taxes). MESA provides farmers,
stipends, medical coverage, domestic transportation and
administrative support. Contact Lauren Augusta,
Executive Director, MESA, 5337 College Avenue, Suite
508, Oakland, CA 94618; phone (510) 654-8858; fax (510)
845-0861; email mesa@hooked.net.
We encourage those interested in having resources listed
in the Online Resource Pointer to send review copies of
publications, videos or other sources to our office
(address listed below) or to contact Information Program
Associates Adam Kirshner or Gina Schilling for further
information.
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| Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA) |
| |
| Phone:(415) 541-9140 Fax:(415) 541-9253 |
| Email: panna@panna.org http://www.panna.org/panna/|
| PANNA, 116 New Montgomery, #810, San Francisco, CA 94105 |
| |
|*To subscribe to PANUPS send email to MAJORDOMO@igc.apc.org|
| with the following text on one line: subscribe panups |
| To unsubscribe send the following: unsubscribe panups |
| |
|*For basic information about PANNA, send an email message |
| to panna-info@igc.apc.org |
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