Resource Pointer #235
May 22, 2000

For copies of the following resources, please contact the appropriate publishers or organizations directly.

*Taking Back Our Food, Farms and Playgrounds* October 6-8, 2000, Redwood City, CA. Conference sponsored by Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA), Pesticide Watch (PW), Organic Consumers Association (OCA) and Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR). Addresses interlocking issues of pesticide reform, environmental health, genetic engineering and corporate influence on agriculture. Workshop topics include pesticide drift, working with the medical community, how to organize for local policy reform, and genetic engineering for pesticide activists, among others. Features keynote speaker Lois Gibbs of the Center for Health, Environment & Justice. US$200 (includes registration, materials, accommodations, meals, membership in OCA, PANNA and PW). Scholarships available. Contact Conference Coordinator, Pesticide Action Network, 49 Powell St., Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94102; phone (415) 981-6205, ext. 382, in CA (888) 277-4880; fax (415) 981-2727; Web site http://www.panna.org/octConf.html; email ctlee4@panna.org.

*Environmental Working Group BanDursban.org Web site* http://www.BanDursban.org. Provides basic information about Dursban (chlorpyrifos), the most widely-used insecticide in the United States. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scientists have found that nearly every home use of the chemical is unsafe for adults and children when used as directed. Also furnishes resources and links to information on non-toxic pest control, and an opportunity to e-mail EPA Administrator Carol Browner and Vice President Al Gore to urge them to take action. Contact Environmental Working Group, 1718 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20009; phone (202) 667-6982; fax (202) 232-2592; email info@bandursban.org.

*Cropchoice.com Web site* http://www.cropchoice.com. Independent news service devoted to providing farmers with latest news on genetically modified (GM) crops. Offers non-commercial coverage of GM crops, farm markets and crop profitability. Sponsored by various NGOs including Pesticide Action Network, Greenpeace USA and Food First, as well as farm groups, including American Corn Growers Association and National Family Farm Coalition and others. Contact Cropchoice.com, News & Editorial Office, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N, Suite 328, Seattle, WA 98103; phone (206) 632-6122; email editor@cropchoice.com.

*U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Issues Center–U.S. Organic Agriculture Web site* http://www.ers.usda.gov/whatsnew/issues/organic/. Presents basic information on organic agriculture in the United States. Includes data tables on certified organic livestock, crops and acreage as well as on organic certification programs and active U.S., State and private organic certifiers. Provides links for more information. Contact Cathy Greene, Economic Research Service-USDA, Rm. 4051, 1800 M Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036-5831; phone (202) 694-5541; fax (202) 694-5541; email cgreene@ers.usda.gov or cgreene@econ.ag.gov.

*Whirled Bank Web site* http://www.whirledbank.org. Sharp, witty satire on World Bank. Provides humor as well as in-depth information and commentary about international finance system and its impact on the developing world, including discussion of agriculture, health, structural adjustment and other topics. Facts, stories and other information found on site are real data and news gathered from World Bank, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency and United Nations Development Programme, among others. Contact info@whirledbank.org.

We encourage those interested in having resources listed in the PANUPS Resource Pointer to send review copies of publications, videos or other resources to our office.

PANUPS is a weekly email news service providing resource guides and reporting on pesticide issues that don’t always get coverage by the mainstream media. It’s produced by Pesticide Action Network North America, a non-profit and non-governmental organization working to advance sustainable alternatives to pesticides worldwide.

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