Foes Of Proposed Bottling Plant Hand In Petitions

CASCADE LOCKS, Ore. (AP) — Foes of a proposed Nestle Waters North America bottling plant in Cascade Locks, Ore., on Monday handed state wildlife officials petitions bearing 3,700 signatures of people against the project. Nestle's plan is to tap a nearby spring that supplies an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife hatchery.

Sanderson Farms Planning Expansion

LAUREL, Miss. (AP) — Sanderson Farms Inc. says it plans to possibly locate a new $94 million poultry complex near Goldsboro, N.C. that would employ about 1,100 people. The Laurel, Miss.-based company said Monday the plan is contingent on state and local economic incentives, obtaining property and permits and approval of Sanderson Farm lenders of a change to its revolving credit agreement.

FDA Halts Sale Of Animals Treated With Unauthorized Drugs

Moth Forces Wine Country's Secret Into The Open

FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — One of the dirty secrets of California's wine country is now on everyone's lips. Somehow a voracious grape-eating moth has found its way nonstop from Europe to the heart of the Napa Valley, the land of three-figure cabernet. With valuable fruit at risk, the region's fast and loose play with federal agriculture quarantine laws is getting new scrutiny from investigators and researchers.

Salmon Farmers Respond To Criticism

Campbell River, BC (BCFSA) — Sometimes complex issues get further confused when only partial information is shared and the full picture is left unclear. Such is the case with Mr. Baker’s story about BC’s salmon farming industry. The story takes quotations out of press releases from both the BC Salmon Farmers Association and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans which focus on economic news pertaining to the industry, and pits them against comments from critics about environmental and regulatory issues.

China Becomes Last Nation To Lift Ban On U.S. Pork

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Nearly a year after nations banned U.S. pork over fears about swine flu, China has become the last one to lift its embargo and is expected to accept shipments by early next month. It's a move welcomed by an industry that has suffered several years of losses, but some experts caution farmers shouldn't expect to see a surge in exports.

Threat Letter Part Of Snack Food Heir's Suicide Plan

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Days after Major Bashinsky disappeared from his law office earlier this month, a letter turned up in his abandoned car that angrily accused his prosperous family of mistreating workers at the snack food company it founded. When his body was later found in a Birmingham golf course pond, it had all the markings of a sinister slaying: The 63-year-old father and husband had been shot in the head and bound loosely with a rope.

Rice Trial Opens In Arkansas

LONOKE, Ark. (AP) — Bayer CropScience knew that if an experimental strain of its genetically modified rice got into the commercial market it would be disastrous, a lawyer for a dozen Arkansas rice farmers said Wednesday as a civil trial on the issue got under way. "Bayer knew that, if this stuff got out, it would be catastrophic" in its effect on prices paid to farmers, lawyer Scott Powell told the jury in Lonoke County Circuit Court.

Idaho Revamps Swine, Poultry Regulations

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho state senate approved revamping laws governing big swine and poultry farms, a bill prompted by concern more chicken and egg producers will relocate to Idaho as states like California pass tougher animal-cruelty restrictions. Tuesday's vote was 24-11. The measure moves to the House.