From paninfopubs@igc.apc.orgThu Mar 28 21:33:18 1996 Date: Thu, 28 Mar 1996 12:10:25 -0800 (PST) From: PANNA InfoPubs To: Recipients of conference Subject: PANUPS: Resource Pointer #74 ===================================== P A N U P S *** Pesticide Action Network North America Updates Service http://www.panna.org/panna/ ===================================== 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 . *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. =========================================================== | 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 | ===========================================================