— WebWireID176150 —

WASHINGTON,– Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today kicked off National Small Business Week by highlighting USDA's actions to help rural small businesses create jobs, get access to capital and spur economic growth. He also announced the selection of recipients for USDA's Rural Business Enterprise Grants. USDA remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty.

"Small businesses are the backbone of the economy in small towns and rural communities, just as they are in our biggest cities," Vilsack said. "USDA supports small businesses by providing job training, business development opportunities, strategic community planning and other resources. We're focused on making sure that Main Street businesses have the tools they need to grow."

Secretary Vilsack announced 54 awards under the Rural Business Enterprise Grants program in 21 states – Alaska, Arizona, California, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. Please click here (http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/SupportDocuments/RD_Small_BusinessWeekGrantRecipients2013.pdf) for a complete list of Rural Business Enterprise Grants awarded today.

USDA has several initiatives underway to support small businesses and the communities they serve. Altogether, USDA business and cooperative development programs have had a significant impact on rural communities – achieving record results under President Obama. Since 2009, USDA has provided more than 15,000 loans and grants through its business programs, helping more than 60,000 rural small businesses. For more information on USDA's business and cooperative development programs, visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/Business.html.

This assistance has also been directed toward historically underserved communities. For example, USDA Rural Development is working closely with the Appalachian Regional Commission on a public/private partnership to help economies prosper. This partnership is intended to create a stronger and more diversified Appalachian economy. It compliments several other initiatives USDA has in place. Additionally, USDA is working in persistent poverty areas in 16 states to leverage local partnerships and grow the economy through its StrikeForce for Rural Growth and Opportunity.

Rural small businesses are encouraged to contact their nearest USDA Rural Development office for information about available assistance. A list of these offices is available at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/StateOfficeAddresses.html.

The funding announced today under the Rural Business Enterprise Grants program will help support the Obama Administration's vision by providing rural communities with resources to support small businesses, improve public facilities, and create new, sustainable jobs. Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions for the grant.

The Rural Business Enterprise Grant program also supports the development of local food systems. For example, in 2010, the Dutchess County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., received a $35,000 Rural Business Enterprise Grant to support the county's Farm Fresh program. It is designed to enhance agri-tourisim. As a result, EDC provides transportation for more than 2,300 visitors from metropolitan areas to small farms and vineyards throughout rural New York. The funding has increased tourism in rural New York and expanded markets for several small businesses.

Rural Business Enterprise Grants and other USDA programs help rural small businesses manufacture new products, expand local food systems and create jobs. Secretary Vilsack continued a call this week for Congress to pass a comprehensive, multiyear Food, Farm and Jobs Bill as soon as possible. Leaders from both parties have signaled a willingness to come together and get this critically important legislation passed. On June 10, 2013, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan version of a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill. Secretary Vilsack noted that he is encouraged by signs that the House of Representatives will consider a bill this week.

President Obama's plan to revitalize the rural economy has brought about historic investment over the past four years – including in America's small towns and rural communities. USDA, through its Rural Development mission area, has a portfolio of programs designed to improve the economic stability of rural communities, businesses, residents, farmers and ranchers and improve the quality of life in rural America.

USDA has made a concerted effort to deliver results for the American people, even as USDA implements sequestration – the across-the-board budget reductions mandated under terms of the Budget Control Act. USDA has already undertaken historic efforts since 2009 to save more than $828 million in taxpayer funds through targeted, common-sense budget reductions. These reductions have put USDA in a better position to carry out its mission, while implementing sequester budget reductions in a fair manner that causes as little disruption as possible.

#

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users)

— WebWireID176125 —

Rome - FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva today has called on FAO's Conference to approve a Programme of Work and Budget that sharpens the focus of the Organization's actions to improve the assistance it gives to Member Countries in reaching their food security and agriculture goals.

'Since I took up office, brick by brick we have laid the foundation we need to improve the assistance we offer our Members,' Graziano da Silva told the Conference.

'This is the missing piece that will transform into concrete action the results of the Reviewed Strategic Framework that we have built together,' he added.

To implement the programme, the Organization is asking for a one percent real budget increase for the next two years, plus less than 4 percent needed to cover inflation and mandatory increases of costs.

'It is in times like these, when the challenges are greater, that we need most to show our collective commitment to the Organization and its goals,' Graziano da Silva told the Conference. After successive budget reductions, FAO's budget had lost 27 percent of its real value in the last 20 years, he noted.

Graziano da Silva also stressed the need to find a consensus on a budget that would allow the Organization to implement the proposed programme of work for 2014-2015, his first as Director-General of FAO.

Transforming FAO

Addressing the FAO Conference, Graziano da Silva highlighted the work done in his first 18 months in office, focusing FAO's work around five new strategic objectives and a sixth technical objective, approving strategies for engagement with the private sector and civil society, as well as strengthening partnerships with scientific and research institutions, and concluding the FAO reform.

Recalling the McDougall lecture with which Professor Amartya Sen opened the Conference on Saturday, the Director-General pointed out one important change in the work of the Organization.

'If we keep looking at hunger simply in terms of food production, we will not solve this problem, as Professor Amartya Sen reminded us…The world already produces enough food. The main cause of hunger nowadays is the lack of access,' said Graziano da Silva.

'Nowadays, to guarantee food security, it is essential to incorporate the access dimension into our responses, alongside our continued support to sustainably increasing food production,' he explained.

The Director-General also highlighted the increased efficiency of the Organization, which has led to savings of nearly 45 million dollars since his election. This, in turn, has made it possible to strengthen FAO's technical presence in the field and implement six regional initiatives responding to the needs identified by Members at the FAO Regional Conferences held in 2012.

'All this will help translate our work into better results where it really matters: at the country level, transforming FAO into a true knowledge Organization with its feet on the ground,' he stressed.

Commitment to eradicating hunger

The Director-General pointed out that the Conference will also be asked to approve a change in the first global goal of the Organization, aiming for the eradication, rather than the reduction of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition.

'It is just a word, but it makes a great difference,' he said.

'The eradication of hunger and malnutrition will pay a large dividend in terms of peace and prosperity, from which all countries stand to benefit. And it is a crucial part of the sustainable future we want.'

The Conference opened on Saturday with the annual McDougall Lecture delivered by Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen, who focused on the need for a broader approach to fight hunger, and the delivery of FAO awards, among them to the Self Employed Women's Association of India and the European Commission, represented by its President José Manuel Barroso, for their contribution to food security.

On Sunday, countries that have already met the Millennium Development and World Food Summit hunger targets had their achievements recognized at FAO.

— WebWireID176119 —

IHN, IPN and ISA are reportable diseases in Canada. These diseases are contagious and can cause disease and mortality in salmon. IHN is known to exist in certain species and populations of wild finfish in B.C. IPN and ISA have not been confirmed in the province.

In 2012, 4175 wild salmon samples were collected directly from B.C. waters, processing plants and enhancement hatcheries as part of a surveillance initiative in B.C. All of these samples were tested for the ISA virus. The samples were also tested for either IHN or IPN depending on the age of the fish. A variety of salmon species were tested, including those that could carry infection without showing signs of disease. In 2013, this surveillance program is expected to test approximately 5,000 samples.

Executive Summary: Status Update on the Surveillance of Wild Anadromous Salmonids in British Columbia (http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/aquatic-animals/diseases/reportable/isa/wild-anadromous-salmonids/eng/1370960326837/1370960742286)

This surveillance initiative is led by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in partnership with many organizations, including the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Province of British Columbia, First Nations groups, the aquaculture industry and the fishing and processing industry.

All sampling, testing and response activities associated with this surveillance initiative are based on internationally recognized science. They are also consistent with international guidelines and national aquatic animal health requirements.

The CFIA is also finalizing an evaluation of on-going farmed salmon testing activities in B.C. Next steps for on-farm surveillance will be communicated in the fall of 2013.

For more information on this surveillance initiative and CFIA National Aquatic Animal Health Program, visit www.inspection.gc.ca/aquatic, or sign up for the aquatic and terrestrial monthly reportable disease reports.

— WebWireID175943 —

Rome - Thirty-eight countries have met internationally-established targets in the fight against hunger, chalking up successes ahead of a deadline set for 2015, FAO confirmed today.

'These countries are leading the way to a better future. They are proof that with strong political will, coordination and cooperation, it is possible to achieve rapid and lasting reductions in hunger,' FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva said.

Graziano da Silva urged all countries to keep up the momentum, aiming for the complete eradication of hunger, in keeping with the Zero Hunger Challenge launched in 2012 by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

'Globally, hunger has declined over the past decade, but 870 million people are still undernourished, and millions of others suffer the consequences of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, including child stunting,' the FAO chief said.

'We need to keep up our efforts, until everyone can live healthy, productive lives.'

Success stories

Twenty countries have satisfied Millennium Development Goal (MDG) number one, to halve the proportion of hungry people. Their progress was measured between 1990-92 and 2010-2012, against benchmarks established by the international community at the UN General Assembly in 2000.

An additional 18 countries were congratulated for reaching both MDG 1 and the more stringent World Food Summit (WFS) goal, having reduced by half the absolute number of undernourished people between 1990-92 and 2010-2012.

The WFS goal was set in 1996, when 180 nations met at FAO headquarters to discuss ways to end hunger.

The countries achieving MDG 1 alone were identified as: Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chile, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Honduras, Indonesia, Jordan, Malawi, Maldives, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Togo and Uruguay.

The countries achieving both MDG 1 and the WFS are: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cuba, Djibouti, Georgia, Ghana, Guyana, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Nicaragua, Peru, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Thailand, Turkmenistan, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) and Viet Nam.

The countries will be honored in a high-level ceremony at FAO headquarters on 16 June, during the week-long meeting of the FAO Conference, the organization's highest governing body.

Millions still hungry

According to the State of Food Insecurity in the World 2012, the vast majority of the hungry, 852 million, live in developing countries -- around 15 percent of their population -- while 16 million people are undernourished in developed countries.

Also, despite the overall downward trend and national successes, hunger has been on the rise in Africa, in recent years.

Globally, food insecurity today is largely a problem of access to the resources or services needed by families to produce, purchase, or otherwise obtain enough nutritious food.

Agriculture plays a pivotal role in providing access to food. More than 70 percent of the poor live in rural areas and most of them depend directly or indirectly on agriculture for their livelihoods. Raising agricultural productivity is therefore an important element in improving access to food.

The FAO Director-General said he was encouraged by signs of increased commitment in many countries to ending hunger and malnutrition through sustainable agriculture and development, including participation in regional programs inspired by the Zero Hunger Challenge.

— WebWireID175896 —

'The upgrade process went well and CHAMPS was there to ensure our success,' says Dave Erich, IT Manager at Appvion.  'They provided the initial guidance and framework we needed to get the project started, then remained available as we progressively migrated from site to site.  In doing so, we leaned on them for administrative and user training.'

The upgrade is giving Appvion enhanced functionality that provides a smoother flow and better match for their work processes.  Overall, approximately 150 users across the three sites access the maintenance system routinely to initiate work requests, generate work orders, capture completed work, perform preventive maintenance, and track spare parts usage.

'CHAMPS provides everything we need in a maintenance system,' Erich further stated.  'As a company, CHAMPS is very customer focused and they are fully supportive of our needs.  We value the relationship we have with them and are confident this recent upgrade will keep us current on the latest functionality available.'

Appvion creates product solutions through its development and use of coating formulations, coating applications and Encapsys® microencapsulation technology.  The 106-year-old company produces thermal, carbonless and security papers and Encapsys products, and is 100 percent employee owned.

About CHAMPS Software, Inc.

For more than four decades, CHAMPS Software, Inc. has been developing and delivering Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software solutions that enable enterprises of varying size, sophistication, and industry to optimize the life cycles of their capital assets.  CHAMPS CMMS/EAM continuously improves operations by incorporating industry best practices with the flexibility inherent in component based web architected solutions. Regardless of organizational size or geographical layout, CHAMPS CMMS/EAM is purposely scalable to manage business processes for asset optimization across the enterprise.  Efficient acquisition, maintenance, repairs, replacement or salvaging of these critical assets result in operational excellence, leading to decreased cost and increased profits.  For more information, visit www.CHAMPSInc.com.
 
#      #      # 

— WebWireID175829 —

Using 100 per cent segregated palm oil allows customers to use the claim on their end product: 'this product contains RSPO certified palm oil'. As a key member of the RSPO, ADM has played an active role in the 'trade and traceability' and 'greenhouse gas emissions' working groups. In addition, Olenex (a Joint Venture between ADM and Wilmar) now offers all of its palm oil and palm kernel oil blends under the mass balance method. This allows customers to claim that their products 'contribute to the production of RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil'.

The certification strengthens ADM Cocoa's position in sustainability, broadening its scope beyond cocoa to integrate sustainability activities across ADM. The company's flagship cocoa sustainability programme – Socially and Environmentally Responsible Agricultural Practices (S.E.R.A.P.) has provided more than $15.3 million in financial incentives to cooperatives and individual farms in Côte d'Ivoire alone. By providing incentives at the producer-group level, S.E.R.A.P. encourages collaboration among growers as they work to responsibly address economic, social and environmental issues and improve the cocoa crop quality. The programme has now expanded into Nigeria and Indonesia, with the support of facilitating partners.

Dr Kai-Uwe Ostheim, ADM's General Manager – Global Sustainability Cocoa, commented: 'Committing to fully segregated RSPO certified palm oil at our facility in Liverpool marks an important step in our quest to offer the broadest range of sustainable products. We have made great strides in cocoa sustainability and continue to do more to achieve our ambitious sustainability goals. Incorporating other ingredients that are included in our products in our sustainability ambitions demonstrates our long-term commitment to offering responsibly-sourced products.'

As part of an ongoing commitment to sustainability across the organisation, ADM has also initiated a sustainable palm oil production and processing venture in Pará, Brazil – an investment developed in cooperation with local farmers and the Brazilian government. The operation will encompass approximately 12,000 hectares of oil palm plantation land, 6,000 of which will be owned and operated by about 600 smallholder family farmers. ADM will provide these farmers with technical assistance focused on sustainable agricultural practices. The processing facility is due to commence operations in 2016.

About ADM

For more than a century, the people of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) have transformed crops into products that serve vital needs. Today, 30,000 ADM employees around the globe convert oilseeds, corn, wheat and cocoa into products for food, animal feed, chemical and energy uses. With more than 265 processing plants, 460 crop procurement facilities, and the world's premier crop transportation network, ADM helps connect the harvest to the home in more than 140 countries. For more information about ADM and its products, visit www.adm.com.

— WebWireID175798 —

Santa Barbara, U.S.A. - -Four Seasons Resort The Biltmore Santa Barbara introduces a new 'Farm to Straw' juice program at Fins, its organic juice bar located at the Coral Casino Beach and Cabana Club. Since February, the outlet – which adopted the juice bar concept in June 2012 and offers several made-to-order organic juice blends and smoothies – has been supplied solely by local Carpinteria, Santa Barbara and Goleta farms. In addition, all of the farms are either certified organic or practicing sustainable standards and working toward organic certification.

The program allows Fins to offer the freshest juices possible, as most of the produce is now harvested to order. A completely seasonal menu means that ingredients – including some more exotic ingredients not typically offered at juice bars – are always at their peak in both flavour and nutrition. Menus rotate approximately every six weeks and feature innovative juices and smoothies with names such as Fiesta (orange, lemon, lime, cilantro, jalapeno, sea salt), Zen Cleanse (apple, zucchini, parsley, kale, double lemon) and the Kalefornia (soy milk, blueberries, banana, kale, bee pollen, local honey).

Fins is part of a larger trend of hotels offering juicing and other health-conscious options to cater to the increasing number of guests who are active or are looking to maintain healthy habits while travelling. In addition to juices, the counter also serves wheatgrass and a sizeable menu of vegan and vegetarian-friendly 'to-go' options such as steel-cut oatmeal with fresh berries and ground flaxseed, Greek yogurt or hard-boiled eggs, gluten-free cookies, protein bars, coconut water and espresso drinks.

— WebWireID175757 —

"Canadian families need to have confidence in our food safety system, which is why our Government initiated this independent review,"said Minister Ritz. 'We accept the panel's recommendations and are taking concrete steps to to ensure that our system continues to provide safe food for Canadian families today and in the future."

In response to the report, Minister Ritz announced that the Harper Government will invest nearly $16 million over the next three years to establish Inspection Verification Teams (IVTs) to oversee the performance of Canada's entire food inspection system. IVTs will conduct unannounced spot checks of plants across the country. The IVTs are meant to ensure that the overall food safety system is effective and that food safety rules and standards are consistently and thoroughly followed and enforced. The IVT concept will address several of the panel's recommendations.

The Safe Food for Canadians Action Plan, introduced on May 17, 2013, aims to further improve the food safety system by strengthening food safety rules, more effective inspection, a renewed commitment to service and more information for consumers.

Additional recommendations have already been addressed through the CFIA's recently announced enhancements to E. coli controls, which includes increased testing and documentation requirements of industry.

"Since this recall, our Government passed legislation to strengthen Canada's food safety system which will improve inspections, strengthen food safety rules, and improve communication with Canadian consumers. Our Government will continue to improve our food safety system to ensure that it continues to provide safe food for all Canadians," said Minister Ritz.

The CFIA, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada will work together to address all remaining recommendations of the expert advisory panel.

— WebWireID175635 —

"We have a unique capability of supporting Kureha beyond the team of maintenance and construction services personnel currently at their site,' says Eric Burnette, Director of Business Development and Marketing for GreenWood, Inc.  'As Kureha continues to ramp up their production, GreenWood will be in a position to support their needs.'  

At this location, Kureha produces a polymer marketed under the trade name Kuredex PGA with properties including high strength, biodegradability and low gas permeability.  By co-locating on the DuPont Belle, West Virginia site, Kureha is able to obtain its primary feedstock, glycolic acid, from this facility – reported to be the world's largest glycolic acid plant.  Kureha PGA LLC is a subsidiary of Kureha America, Inc., the North American subsidiary of Kureha Corporation headquartered in Japan.

About GreenWood, Inc.

GreenWood provides integrated maintenance, operations and construction solutions designed to extend the life of critical assets, influence operational efficiencies and deliver bottom line improvements for plants and facilities throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.  We operate under a 'Customer-Centered' philosophy where safety performance is always first and our flexibility to respond to customer needs is an ongoing priority.  For more information, visit www.GreenWoodInc.com.
 
#             #             #

— WebWireID175582 —

The U.S. Food Waste Challenge urges producer groups, processors, manufacturers, retailers, communities, and other government agencies to reduce food loss and waste, recover wholesome food for human consumption and recycle discards for other uses, such as animal feed, compost, or energy generation.

'General Mills is deeply committed to reducing and eliminating food waste at every opportunity, and we recognize this as a critical challenge for both food manufacturers and consumers,' said Jerry Lynch, chief sustainability officer, General Mills. 'Food waste sent to landfill is the biggest opportunity for our industries to address hunger in America and lessen our environmental footprint.'

Food that can be consumed but is trashed bypasses hungry Americans. Today, one in six Americans struggles with hunger. Moreover, food waste has a dramatic impact on the environment. Food in landfills creates methane gas, a significant source of greenhouse gas that is 20 times more potent than CO2 over a 100-year period, according to the EPA.

Since 2011, General Mills has been at the forefront of the food waste issue as a co-chair of the Food Waste Reduction Alliance. The goals of the Alliance – comprising the Grocery Manufacturers Association, the Food Marketing Institute, the National Restaurant Association and many member companies – are to reduce the amount of food going to landfills and to increase the amount of food going to hungry people.

'Dramatically reducing the amount of wasted food is a critical strategy in the drive for food security in the United States. Nearly 40 million tons of food waste is sent to landfill every year – that's enough to meet the needs of every hungry American,' said Lynch. 'By tackling this issue head on, we're keeping food out of landfills, which saves us money and gets food to hungry people.'

As part of the company's participation in the U.S. Food Waste Challenge, General Mills has made a commitment to focus on enhancing its current process by creating a direct communication link to Feeding America and adding capabilities to donate ingredients and packaging, in addition to finished products, which could save an estimated 30 million pounds of waste.

This commitment aligns with the General Mills 2015 global sustainability goal to reduce solid waste generation by 50 percent from a 2005 baseline. Throughout the General Mills supply chain the company has established new systems to more effectively identify opportunities to capture food for donation, such as surplus ingredients or over-runs of seasonal or promotional packaging. The company's efforts to decrease food waste generation have reduced overall waste generation at its manufacturing facilities by 40 percent since 2005.

From promotional cereal boxes and snack bars to ingredients like flour, General Mills continually seeks opportunities to rescue food from landfill and donate it to food shelves. In 2012, General Mills donated more than 10,800 metric tons of surplus food to U.S. charitable organizations – feeding hundreds of thousands of people rather than recycling the food (such as using it for animal feed) or sending food waste to landfills. Since 1999, General Mills has donated US$250 million in food worldwide.

About General Mills

General Mills is one of the world's leading food companies, operating in more than 100 countries. Its brands include Cheerios, Fiber One, Häagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Yoplait, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, and Wanchai Ferry. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., USA, General Mills had fiscal 2012 worldwide sales of US $16.7 billion.

— WebWireID175564 —

Charlene Wall-Warren, Sustainability Leader for BASF in North America, will participate in the panel session titled 'Industry Discovery: What companies are looking for,' and will discuss how BASF is using chemistry and innovation to address the current and future demands of the world's growing population.

'It is estimated that by 2050 more than nine billion people will live on this planet,' said Warren. 'With this growth comes enormous global challenges. Combining sustainability and innovation, companies such as BASF are well positioned to deliver solutions to meet these challenges and as a result meet the needs of future generations.'

Using BASF's battery materials business as a case study, Warren will discuss the company's investment in lithium ion battery materials as a means of driving progress for sustainable, accessible electro-mobility.

The 2013 Sustainable Chemistry Summit, presented by GreenCentre Canada focuses on finding ways to connect discoveries with the industries that need them. The intensive three-day conference provides a venue for groups to meet, learn and address the global challenges of sustainability and climate change.

BASF - The Chemical Company

BASF Canada, located in Mississauga, Ontario is a subsidiary of BASF SE, and an affiliate of BASF Corporation. BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 16,600 employees in North America, and had sales of $18.5 billion in 2012. For more information about BASF's North American operations, visit www.basf.us. To find out more about BASF's activities in Canada visit www.basf.ca or follow us on twitter: www.twitter.com/basfcanada.

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of €78.7 billion in 2012 and had more than 113,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com .

— WebWireID175557 —

Rome - Denouncing the huge social and economic costs of malnutrition, FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva today called for resolute efforts to eradicate malnutrition as well as hunger from around the world.

In a recorded statement marking the launch of FAO's flagship annual publication The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA), Graziano da Silva said that although the world has registered some progress on hunger, one form of malnutrition, there was still "a long way ahead".

"FAO's message is that we must strive for nothing less than the eradication of hunger and malnutrition", he declared.

The report Food systems for better nutrition notes that although some 870 million people were still hungry in the world in 2010-2012, this is just a fraction of the billions of people whose health, wellbeing and lives are blighted by malnutrition.

Two billion people suffer from one or more micronutrient deficiencies, while 1.4 billion are overweight, of whom 500 million are obese, according to SOFA. Twenty six percent of all children under five are stunted and 31 percent suffer from Vitamin A deficiency.

Unacceptable

The cost of malnutrition to the global economy in lost productivity and health care costs are "unacceptably high" and could account for as much as 5 percent of the global gross domestic product -- $3.5 trillion dollars, or $500 per person. That is almost the entire annual GDP of Germany, Europe's largest economy.

In social terms, child and maternal malnutrition continue to reduce the quality of life and life expectancy of millions of people, while obesity-related health problems, such as heart disease and diabetes, affect millions more.

To combat malnutrition, SOFA makes the case that healthy diets and good nutrition must start with food and agriculture. The way we grow, raise, process, transport and distribute food influences what we eat, the report says, noting that improved food systems can make food more affordable, diverse and nutritious.

Specific recommendations for action include:

• Use appropriate agricultural policies, investment and research to increase productivity, not only of staple grains like maize, rice and wheat, but also of legumes, meat, milk, vegetables and fruit, which are all rich in nutrients.

• Cut food losses and waste, which currently amount to one third of the food produced for human consumption every year. That could help make food more available and affordable as well as reduce pressure on land and other resources.

• Improve the nutritional performance of supply chains, enhancing the availability and accessibility of a wide diversity of foods. Properly organized food systems are key to more diversified and healthy diets.

• Help consumers make good dietary choices for better nutrition through education, information and other actions.

• Improve the nutritional quality of foods through fortification and reformulation.

• Make food systems more responsive to the needs of mothers and young children. Malnutrition during the critical 'first 1000 days' from conception can cause lasting damage to women's health and life-long physical and cognitive impairment in children.

Women's role

Giving women greater control over resources and incomes benefits their and their children's health, the report says. Policies, interventions and investment in labour-saving farming technologies and rural infrastructure, as well as social protection and services can also make important contributions to the health and nutrition of women, infants and young children.

Projects that have proved successful in raising nutrition levels include enhanced production, marketing and consumption of local vegetables and pulses in East Africa; promotion of home gardens in West Africa; encouragement of mixed vegetable and animal farming systems together with income-generating activities in some Asian countries; breeding staple crops such as sweet potatoes to raise their micronutrient content; and public-private partnerships to enrich products like yoghurt or cooking oil with nutrients.

Making food systems enhance nutrition is a complex task requiring strong political commitment and leadership at the highest levels, broad-based partnerships and coordinated approaches with other important sectors such as health and education, according to SOFA.

"A great many actors and institutions must work together across sectors to more effectively reduce undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and overweight and obesity," the report says.

"Food systems governance that is providing leadership, coordinating effectively and fostering collaboration among the many stakeholders, is a first priority," the report adds.

— WebWireID175510 —

The CFIA analyzed a total of 1,546 samples of both domestic and imported origin. Samples tested were those likely to contain non-permitted colours and dyes, including palm oils, red Asian/chili spices, and products that might contain those spices.

The survey found that 990 of the 1,546 samples (64 percent) did not have detectable levels of food colours, while 498 samples contained detectable food colours in compliance with the Food and Drug Regulations, reflecting a compliance rate of over 96 percent.

Fifty-eight (58) samples were found to be in violation of Canadian food colour additive regulations. Based on Health Canada's risk assessment, it was necessary to issue two Class II recalls in May 2011 – one for palm oil and one for curry powder. A Class II recall is initiated for a food product when consuming that product will most likely lead to short-term or non-life threatening health problems. The chance of any serious health symptoms is low in healthy populations. No illnesses were reported.

The CFIA routinely conducts targeted surveys of various food products for specific hazards to determine if they pose a potential health risk to consumers. If a human health risk is determined, a recall is issued immediately.

— WebWireID175333 —

WASHINGTON- Today, Oceana filed a lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for its failure to require adequate observer coverage for the New England groundfish fishery for cod, haddock and flounder. NMFS has a duty to set quotas to prevent overfishing and ensure that those quotas are not exceeded. That process depends upon data NMFS receives from trained and independent scientists, known as observers, who work onboard fishing vessels to monitor how many fish are caught, including fish thrown back overboard, called discards. This information is also used to estimate the amount of catch in the entire fishery. The law requires that enough fishing vessels have observers onboard to make the precise, accurate and timely catch estimates needed to guide fishery management decision-making. In the lawsuit, Oceana alleges the federal government set monitoring at extraordinary low levels, using an unlawful interpretation of the legal minimum requirement for observers.

'In order to restore New England's groundfish populations to healthy levels, we need enough monitoring to enforce scientifically based catch limits,' said Gib Brogan, Northeast representative for Oceana. 'Impartial observers on fishing vessels are crucial in getting accurate data on how many fish are being taken out of the ocean, which helps to make sure fishing stays within limits so populations can rebuild in the future.'

In 2010, the historic New England groundfish fishery transitioned to a new management program that divided the fishery into 'sectors.' In order for the sector program to work properly, more observers are needed on fishing boats to ensure each sector stops fishing when the number of fish landed and discarded reaches its assigned quota, known as the Annual Catch Entitlement.

Oceana challenged some of the methods used to set these monitoring levels in 2010, and again in 2012, when it became clear that discards from the fishery would not be adequately monitored. According to the terms of a January settlement agreement with Oceana, the federal government was required to publish an analysis of the groundfish fishery's monitoring needs for the upcoming fishing year, however Oceana's lawsuit alleges that NMFS did not adequately consider what level of observer coverage was needed.

NMFS' decision to set observer coverage at these low levels comes on the heels of sharp quota reductions for Atlantic cod and other stocks set by the New England Fisheries Management Council earlier this year to prevent overfishing of these extremely depleted and vulnerable fish populations.

'By filing this lawsuit, we hope to compel NMFS to take seriously its task of determining the level of observer coverage needed and to get those observers out on the water, instead of allowing overfishing to further harm New England's fisheries,' said Oceana assistant general counsel Eric Bilsky. 'Without observers reviewing fishing activity, the reduced quotas will be impossible to monitor and enforce, threatening the fishery's overall future.'

----
Oceana is the largest international advocacy group working solely to protect the world's oceans. Oceana wins policy victories for the oceans using science-based campaigns. Since 2001, we have protected over 1.2 million square miles of ocean and innumerable sea turtles, sharks, dolphins and other sea creatures. More than 550,000 supporters have already joined Oceana. Global in scope, Oceana has offices in North, South and Central America and Europe. To learn more, please visit www.oceana.org.

— WebWireID175291 —

Sacramento, California, May 28, 2013 - Sams & Associates Inc., the leader in providing quality, consistency and timeliness in independent claims handling, announces the addition of Chris Loving as their new property adjuster in Southern California and surrounding areas.

Chris joined Sams & Associates in 2013.  He started working for Flues Brothers as a Professional Chimney Sweeper.  He was responsible for diagnostics, evaluations, replacements and masonry rebuilds. Chris easily transitioned into adjusting and has worked claims in 14 states from coast to coast for multiple carriers working CAT claims as well as well as handling daily claims.

While working for Farmers Insurance Group he gained a vast knowledge in claims handling.  During this time, Chris, had the opportunity to investigate liability claims, take statements, handle scene investigation and handle multi-million dollar property losses.  He also received the Superior Service Award in 2007 for the top performance level and outstanding service.

'Chris has the professionalism necessary to handle our claims and the personal touch our clients have come to know as Sams & Associates.  We are excited to have Chris on board and looking forward to what he will continue to bring to the table as time goes on.' president, Don Sams, stated.

Chris Loving, can be reached by phone at (816) 916-7680 or by email at chris.loving@sams-assoc.com  

About Sams & Associates:

Sams & Associates is a leading independent insurance adjusting firm serving California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Utah. With claims adjusters throughout the Western United States, Sams & Associates investigates, inspects and adjusts all types of commercial and residential property and liability claims. Sams & Associates has the required licensing and experienced staff for SIU insurance investigations and administration. For more information contact 800-566-7267 or on the web at http://www.sams-assoc.com.

Donald K. Sams
President
(800) 566-7267, 103
don.sams@sams-assoc.com

Corporate Contact:
Bob Lund, C.O.O.
(800) 566-7267, ext. 107
bob.lund@sams-assoc.com

Claims Contact:
Chet Davis, CEO
(800) 566-7267, ext. 104
chet.davis@sams-assoc.com

Sales & Marketing Contact:
Bobby Phillips, Business Development Manager
(800) 566-7267, ext. 101
bobby.phillips@sams-assoc.com   
 

— WebWireID175265 —

Jakarta/Rome - Indonesia and FAO will strengthen cooperation in the field of marine affairs, fisheries and aquaculture under an agreement signed here today.

The three-year Memorandum of Agreement, which sets up a framework for future joint activities in those sectors, was signed by Indonesian Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sharif C. Sutardjo and by FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva, paying a three-day official visit to Indonesia.

Under the agreement, specific arrangements will be made to increase cooperation in a number of areas including sustainable fisheries and aquaculture development, marine conservation and the prevention, deterrence and elimination of Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The agreement also covers capacity building, education and training, research and the exchange of experts - including through South-South cooperation - as well as food safety. Indonesia is a prominent actor in South-South cooperation and a member of the G20.

International meetings

FAO and Indonesia also agreed to consult on matters of mutual interest prior to international fisheries meetings.

In 2011, Indonesia's fishery production totalled some 8.4 million tonnes, of which inland and marine catch accounted for about 5.7 million tonnes and aquaculture 2.7 million tonnes. About 95 percent of the country's fishery production comes from artisanal fishermen.

In 2011, over 6 million people were engaged in inland and marine fishing and fish farming. The marine fishing fleet comprised 581 845 vessels.

About 54 percent of Indonesia's animal protein supply comes from fish and seafood. Per capita annual consumption has almost tripled from an average of 10.2 kg in the 1970s to 27.3 kg in 2010.

In 2012, the total value of Indonesia's fisheries exports was $3.6 billion. The fishing industry accounted for 21 percent of Indonesia's agricultural economy and 3 percent of national GDP.

Indonesia is one of 38 countries who have already met the Millennium Development Goal of halving their percentage of hunger by 2015. Of those, 18 countries have also achieved the 1996 World Food Summit goal of halving their number of hungry, and all 38 countries will be honoured at a special ceremony in Rome on June 16, during the FAO governing Conference.

During his visit, the Director-General will have talks with senior Indonesian Government officials including: Vice-President Boediono; Coordinating Minister of People's Welfare Agung Laksono; Vice Minister of the State Development Agency Lukita Dinarsyah Tuwo; Minister for the Development of the Disadvantaged Regions Helmy Fahisal Zaini; Minister of Agriculture Suswono; Minister for Marine Affairs and Fisheries Sharif Cicip Sutardjo; Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Wardana; the Director General of the Research Centre of the National Nuclear Technology Agency (Batan) Djarot Sulistio Wisnubroto.

— WebWireID175210 —

-Novel innovation against damaging nematodes
-First commercial product from Pasteuria Bioscience acquisition
-Initial launch in USA for use on soybeans; further registrations pending

Basel, Switzerland,- -Syngenta announced today the launch of CLARIVA™, a proprietary seed treatment nematicide based on the Pasteuria technology acquired in 2012.

CLARIVA consists of naturally occurring soil bacteria with a unique, direct mode of action on nematodes: microscopic worm-shaped soil organisms, which cause significant damage to all major agricultural crops.

Syngenta Chief Operating Officer, John Atkin, said: 'Soybean growers in particular have long been searching for additional tools to manage the widespread cyst nematode problem, which in the USA alone causes more than a billion dollars of annual yield losses. CLARIVA will take nematode control to a new level and reinforce our global leadership in seed treatment innovation.'

Multi-year field trial data demonstrate that CLARIVA delivers immediate and long-lasting protection of plant root systems resulting in significant yield benefits.

CLARIVA will be available in the USA for the 2014 growing season. It will be combined with other leading Syngenta seed care compounds as a complete solution for soybeans. Further registrations across major crops worldwide are planned.

---

Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 27,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life. For more information about us please go to www.syngenta.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefor.

— WebWireID175203 —

PMPs will receive one sweepstakes entry for every home treated with Termidor H∙E High-Efficiency Termiticide . Chances of winning increase with each entry. Five PMP grand prize winners will have the choice between a fly-fishing trip for two in Colorado, or a trip for two to watch The Big Game at MetLife Stadium. Each month, entries also have the chance to win a tablet.

'Termidor H∙E High-Efficiency Termiticide is a more efficient way to get the strength of Termidor® termiticide/insecticide,' said Chad Reese, Termidor Product Manager, BASF. 'Backed by the Termidor 10-Year Pledge, Termidor H∙E High-Efficiency Termiticide enables PMPs to treat more homes more efficiently and with less disruption—all with the same 100 percent efficacy PMPs have come to know and trust.'

Visit PestControl.basf.us for full details, or contact your BASF Pest Control Solutions sales specialist for more information.

Termidor is a registered trademark of BASF.

A Termidor® termiticide/insecticide application can only be performed by a licensed pest control professional.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Ends 9/30/13, subject to 'Entry Periods' and the Official Rules available here: http://pestconttrol.basf.us/campaigns/termidor-high-efficiency-sweepstakes. Open to owners of licensed Pest Control oriented companies, who distribute BASF Pest Control Products, who must also be legal residents of the 50 US and DC, at least 18 years of age at time of entry. Void where prohibited.

About BASF's Crop Protection division

With sales of around €4.7 billion in 2012, BASF's Crop Protection division provides innovative solutions in crop protection, turf and ornamental plants, pest control and public health. Its portfolio also includes technologies for seed treatment and biological control as well as solutions to manage water, nutrients and plant stress. BASF's Crop Protection division is a leading innovator that supports growers to optimize agricultural production, improve their business efficiency and enhance the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com or follow us on our social media channels: http://www.agro.basf.com/agr/AP-Internet/en/content/news_room/social_media/index

BASF - The Chemical Company

BASF Corporation, headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, is the North American affiliate of BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF has more than 16,600 employees in North America, and had sales of $18.5 billion in 2012. For more information about BASF's North American operations, visit www.basf.us.

BASF is the world's leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of €72.1 billion in 2012 and more than 110,000 employees as of the end of the year. Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

Always read and follow label directions.

— WebWireID175158 —

Washington State Governor Jay Inslee today signed into law House Bill (HB) 1200, which begins to tackle seafood fraud in the state. Oceana commends Governor Inslee as our recent seafood fraud testing found not only that 18 percent of fish sampled and sold in Seattle was mislabeled, but that seafood fraud is rampant across the nation.

"Washington state continues to lead the way on seafood consumer protection issues," said Whit Sheard, Pacific Counsel and Senior Advisor with Oceana. "This bill is a win for seafood processors, fishermen, consumers, and, ultimately, healthy and productive oceans."

Seafood fraud occurs when consumers get something different than what they intended to purchase, and is unjust to consumers, the environment, and fishermen who utilize responsible fishing practices. Today, more than 90 percent of the seafood consumed in the U.S. is imported, but less than 1 percent of it is inspected by the government specifically for fraud.

HB 1200 begins to tackle seafood mislabeling in several ways. First, the bill requires that any fresh, frozen, or processed fish and shellfish be labeled by the common name so buyers can make an informed purchasing decision. The common names of fish are defined by the Director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. If a species' common name is not already defined by the Director, then the market name becomes the acceptable common name as provided in the Food and Drug Administration's guidelines.

Second, the bill specifically addresses halibut mislabeling by requiring that only the species Hippoglossus hippoglossus (Atlantic halibut) or Hippoglossus stenolepsis (Pacific halibut) can be labeled as halibut. Many lower value species of flatfish are often labeled as 'halibut,' so while consumers may order 'halibut' at a local restaurant, there is a chance they are being served species such as blueline tilefish.

Finally, the legislation requires that salmon species be labeled by their scientific or accepted common name, which is especially important in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, where consumers face the possibility of farmed Atlantic salmon being substituted for species of wild caught Pacific salmon.

Sheard added that "Americans deserve to know more about the seafood they purchase and HB 1200 will begin to fill the gap in public awareness on this critical economic, environmental, and health issue."

HB 1200 passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously. Seafood fraud testing results conducted by Oceana in Washington State in addition to 20 other states nationwide can be accessed at http://oceana.org/en/news-media/publications/reports/oceana-study-reveals-seafood-fraudnationwide.

— WebWireID174963 —