Beyond Pesticides WASHINGTON -- Links to pesticide exposure are being found in a growing number of studies that evaluate the causes of preventable diseases -- including asthma, autism and learning disabilities, birth defects and reproductive dysfunction, diabetes, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, and several types of cancer. A new database tracks published epidemiologic and real world exposure studies. The studies challenge the effectiveness of risk-assessment-based regulation which is intended to manage adverse disease outcomes, but is criticized for allowing the uses of chemicals that can be replaced by green technologies and practices. To capture the range of diseases linked to pesticides through epidemiologic studies, the national environmental and public health group Beyond Pesticides launched in the summer issue of its newsletter, Pesticides and You, the Pesticide-Induced Diseases Database to track the studies. "A read through the scientific literature on pesticides and major preventable diseases afflicting us in the 21st century suggests that one of the first responses called for is an all out effort to stop using toxic pesticides," said Jay Feldman, executive director of Beyond Pesticides.

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Farmers can have just a few animals killed, then sell the meat nearby Chicago Tribune By Steve Mills, Tribune reporter BONFIELD, Ill.-- Kim Snyder built her farm in this small community west of Kankakee on the principles of organic farming and local food. But bringing her livestock to slaughter in a way that helps her maintain her passion for those principles has always been difficult. Now, the former American Express operations manager hopes to develop a mobile slaughterhouse that would travel the state and help farmers get their livestock slaughtered, while also bringing consumers closer to the food they eat. "I think every farmer like myself will see value in it. It will be so much easier if they can have the butcher come to them," Snyder said. "It's good for people too. They're more connected with their food, more interested in what they're putting in their mouth. This gets the farm and the processor closer to their customers."

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Bloomberg Businessweek WASHINGTON -- Monsanto Co. spent $2.18 million in the second quarter to lobby the federal government on a proposed changes to U.S. patent law and other issues that could affect the world's largest seed company, according to a disclosure report. The company lobbied the U.S. Department of Justice and Congress on antitrust and consolidation issues in agriculture. Monsanto's use of patents is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. At issue is whether Monsanto has violated antitrust laws though its tight control of patented genes.

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[The Cornucopia Institute is helping coordinate the legal strategy for the almond growers challenging the raw almond pasteurization mandate. But the farmers need your financial help to continue this expensive fight. Please consider making a donation to our raw almond legal defense fund. You can earmark your donation using the note field.] Associated Press By Trevor Hunnicutt FRESNO, Calif. — Glenn Anderson decided to make a change when he followed in his father's footsteps by growing almonds near the Central Valley town of Hilmar — he stopped using pesticides and pasteurizing the nuts. He said it's paid off in happy customers and sold-out harvests, but Anderson, 76, said he fears federal regulations could ruin his business selling raw, organic almonds. He's hopeful an effort by a dozen California almond growers and retailers to challenge the U.S. Department of Agriculture over its rules will succeed. The USDA adopted the regulations requiring that nuts be steamed or treated with a chemical in response to salmonella outbreaks in 2001 and 2004 blamed on raw almonds that left some sickened. Anderson, who isn't among the plaintiffs, called the USDA rules misguided. "We are as clean as or cleaner than a pasteurized product," said Anderson. "My customers are willing to take that risk."

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Seattle Post Intelligencer The Seattle City Council on Monday passed legislation designed to encourage urban farmers. People would be allowed to keep up to eight chickens per house; roosters would be prohibited. The Council allowed a grandfather clause that lets existing roosters remain in the city. The ordinance, which passed unanimously, also paves the way for urban farms and taller greenhouses. Specifically, it would allow:

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