FDA PROPOSES RULE TO PREVENT FOOD SAFETY RISKS DURING TRANSPORTATION

Proposed Regulation Marks Seventh And Final Major Rule Under FDA Food Safety Modernization Act

 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration TODAY proposed a rule that would require certain shippers, receivers, and carriers who transport food by motor or rail vehicles to take steps to prevent the contamination of human and animal food during transportation.

 

 

Part of the implementation of the Sanitary Food Transportation Act of 2005, the proposal marks the seventh and final major rule in the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act’s (FSMA) central framework aimed at systematically building preventive measures across the food system. The proposed rule is open for public comment through May 31, 2014.

 

 

“This proposed rule will help reduce the likelihood of conditions during transportation that can lead to human or animal illness or injury,” said Michael R. Taylor, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine. “We are now one step closer to fully implementing the comprehensive regulatory framework for prevention that will strengthen the FDA’s inspection and compliance tools, modernize oversight of the nation’s food safety system, and prevent foodborne illnesses before they happen.”

 

 

The proposed regulation would establish criteria for sanitary transportation practices, such as properly refrigerating food, adequately cleaning vehicles between loads, and properly protecting food during transportation.

 

 

The proposed rule would apply to shippers, carriers, and receivers who transport food that will be consumed or distributed in the United States and is intended to ensure that persons engaged in the transportation of food that is at the greatest risk for contamination during transportation follow appropriate sanitary transportation practices. For example, the proposed rule would require that shippers inspect a vehicle for cleanliness prior to loading food that is not completely enclosed by its container, e.g., fresh produce in vented boxes, onto the vehicle.

 

 

The proposed rule would also apply to international shippers who transport food for U.S. consumption or distribution in an international freight container by air or by oceangoing vessel and arrange for the transfer of the intact container onto a motor vehicle or rail vehicle in the United States.

 

 

The proposed rule would not cover shippers, receivers, or carriers engaged in food transportation operations that have less than $500,000 in total annual sales. In addition, the requirements in the proposed rule would not apply to the transportation of fully packaged shelf-stable foods, live food animals, and raw agricultural commodities when transported by farms.

 

 

The requirements would also not apply to shippers, receivers, or carriers who are engaged in transportation operations of food that is transshipped through the United States to another country, nor to food that is imported for future export and that is neither consumed nor distributed in the United States.

 

 

The FDA is proposing staggered implementation dates for the proposed rule based on business size, ranging from one to two years after publication of the final rule.

 

 

The FDA will discuss the proposed rule at three upcoming public meetings: Feb. 27, 2014 in Chicago; March 13, 2014 in Anaheim, Calif.; and March 20, 2014 in College Park, Md.

 

 

For more information:

 

Federal Register Notice for the Proposed Rule “Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food”

Fact Sheet

FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)

 

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

 

2016-05-31T19:41:08-07:00January 31st, 2014|

EPA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT ON EVALUATING PESTICIDE SPRAY DRIFT GUIDANCE DOCUMENT

Submit Your Comments on EPA Spray Drift Guide TODAY

 

EPA announced TODAY the availability of two draft guidance documents for public comment. These documents describe how off-site spray drift will be evaluated for ecological and human health risk assessments for pesticides.

 

EPA is seeking to strengthen its protections for people and the environment from exposure to pesticides that drift from fields to nearby areas, including homes, schools and playgrounds.

 

The Agency, according to their statement, has a long-standing history of robust, routine assessments on every chemical to protect consumers from pesticide risks from treated food, workers who apply pesticides, and consumers who use pesticides in and around homes. These new approaches add to these routine assessments and will allow the Agency to estimate off-site drift, another step to protect communities living near fields where crops are grown from these exposures.

 

The January 29, 2014, Federal Register Notice specifically seeks public input on these approaches that include:

 

  • a policy for conducting human health risk assessments associated with the potential for exposure from off-site drift during pesticide applications
  • an updated method for estimating environmental exposures associated with spray drift

 

 

The 60-day public comment period will close on March 31, 2014. Following the public comment period, EPA will analyze the comments, make appropriate modifications to these policies and finalize them. The policies will then be used in pesticide risk assessment.

 

For more information, see Docket EPA-HQ-OPP-2013-0676-0001 at www.regulations.gov

2016-05-31T19:41:08-07:00January 31st, 2014|

NASSIF STATEMENT ON RELEASE OF GOP IMMIGRATION REFORM STANDARDS

Efforts for Long-term Immigration Solutions Praised

 

Western Growers president and CEO Tom Nassifissued this statement TODAY on the release of the GOP Immigration Reform Standards:

 

“I applaud Speaker Boehner, Majority Leader Cantor, and Whip Kevin McCarthy for their efforts to move immigration forward in the House. The standards leadership have drafted represent a commitment to reforming our immigration system in a manner that respects the rule of law while strengthening the ability for agriculture to remain competitive in the world market. We especially applaud the specific acknowledgement of agriculture’s unique needs and look forward to working towards crafting a long term solution.

 

The commitment to dealing with our existing workforce in a humane and sensible manner, and making visa programs more market-based and workable are not only key priorities for our industry, they are consistent with Republican values. We appreciate the House leadership for their courage to lead on this critical issue. We look forward to working with all members of the House to move legislation forward that can finally fix our broken immigration system.”

 

Since 1926, Western Growers have represented local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in Arizona and California. Our members provide half the nation’s fresh fruits and vegetables including a third of America’s fresh organic produce. Some also farm throughout the U.S. and in other countries so people have year-round access to nutritious food. For generations we have provided variety and healthy choices as the first line of defense against obesity and disease. We grow the best medicine in the world.™

2016-05-31T19:41:08-07:00January 31st, 2014|

FEDS AGREE TO PRESERVE CARRYOVER WATER FOR GROWERS

Breaking News: 

Feinstein, Boxer: Reclamation Correct to Preserve Rescheduled Water

 

Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer(both D-Calif.) today praised the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for its decision to preserve rescheduled water supplies that Central Valley Project farmers have banked as a hedge against dry conditions.

 

 

“I commend Reclamation Commissioner Michael Connor for his decision to preserve rescheduled water for CVP contractors who invested in additional supplies,”Senator Feinstein said. “With farmers already suffering from extraordinary drought conditions, it would be unfair to take away water they set aside at great expense and upon which they are depending to get through this year. I fully support Reclamation’s decision to stand with these farmers.”

 

 

“I am so pleased that the Bureau of Reclamation has heeded our call and honored its commitment to Central Valley Project contractors,” Senator Boxer said. “These contractors prudently saved water during wetter years and today’s announcement will ensure that they are able to use those resources as promised during this unprecedented drought.”

 

 

Central Valley Project contractors have spent approximately $150 million on water transfers to secure approximately 340,000 acre feet of water in San Luis Reservoir with the expectation that this water would be carried over for use in dry years. Redirecting this water to other CVP contractors could lead to devastating consequences for the contractors who invested in these reserve supplies.

 

2016-05-31T19:41:08-07:00January 30th, 2014|

TALK IS CHEAP; WATER IS NOT. SO, LET’S WORK: TWO UPCOMING WATER MEETINGS

*DeltaOutflows andRelated Stressors – Feb. 10-11

*A Conference on WATER – Feb. 20

 

 

Delta Outflows and Related Stressors

The Delta Science Program is conducting the workshop,  “DeltaOutflows andRelated Stressors”, to help the State Water Board with its review of the Water Quality Control Plan for the San Francisco/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary (Bay-Delta Plan).

 

The State Water Board is in the process of conducting a phased review and update of the 2006 Bay-Delta Plan which identifies beneficial uses of water, water quality objectives for the reasonable protection of those beneficial uses, and a program of implementation for achieving the water quality objectives.

 

Theworkshopwill consistofamoderateddiscussionbetweenthepanel and invited presenters.Public commentwill betakenonlyduringthepublic commentperiods shown ontheagenda.For moreinformationaboutthis workshopincludingthechargetothe panel see:

 

This workshop will assist in informing the Phase 2 review.

February10,2014–9:00a.m.–4:30 p.m.

February11,2014–9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

 

The meeting will be held in JoeSernaJr.–Cal/EPAHeadquarters Building, Byron Sher Auditorium, 1001IStreet, SecondFloor, Sacramento,CA95814

 

WebcastURL: http://www.calepa.ca.gov/broadcast/

 

 

A Conference on WATER

 

Water: Farmers need it, environmentalists protect it, Southern California wants it and Northern California has it. With a population of nearly 39 million, the demand for water is unprecedented in a state that has experienced disputes over water virtually since its inception.

 

The year 2014 will prove pivotal in the history of California’s water development. Voters in November will decide whether to spend some $6.5 billion on water infrastructure across California. And the state is expected to make a final decision to go forward with a plan to drill a pair of huge tunnels through the Delta to carry excess north state water to the south, plus put in place new environmental safeguards. The $25 billion proposal would be the largest public works project in the country, more than four times the cost of the new San Francisco Bay Bridge project.

 

On February 20, 2014, Capitol Weekly & UC Center will host A Conference on Water, a daylong program looking at the future of water in California. It marks the 10th conference since 2010 on critical state issues jointly sponsored by Capitol Weekly and the UC Center. 

 

The Conference on Water will feature two dozen water experts and decision makers; four panel discussions will cover Fiscal Impacts, The Delta, North vs. South, and Stakeholders.

 

Phil Isenberg, chair of the Delta Stewardship Council, will deliver the keynote luncheon address. Other participants include:

 

Tom Berryhill, Senator, Fourteenth District, R – Modesto; Lois Wolk, Senator, Third District, D – Davis; Connie Conway, Assembly GOP Leader, R- Tulare, Felicia Marcus, State Water Control Board, Roger Patterson, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California; Thad Bettner, Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District; Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, Restore the Delta; Timothy Quinn, Association of California Water Agencies, Jim Earp, California Alliance for Jobs; Jason Peltier, Westlands Water District; Ron Stork, Friends of the River; Jeff Volberg, California Waterfowl Association; Jerry  Meral, Natural Heritage Institute (invited); Chris Austin, creator of Aquafornia, Amy Quinton, Capital Public Radio, Anthony York, Los Angeles Times; Greg Lucas, California’s Capitol. A Representative of the California Farm Bureau Federation is expected to participate.

 

The Conference on Water will be held at 1123 J Street, three blocks from the state capitol. The California Channel will film this event for broadcast.

 

Space is limited. Registrations are $199.

 

For Sponsorship information, contact:

Tim Foster at 916 444 7665 or tim.foster@capitolweekly.net or 

Michelle Matheson at 916 669 9372 or michelle@aim-point.com

 

For Registration information contact: 

Kathy Brown at 916 444 7665 or kathy.brown@capitolweekly.net.

 

 

For questions about content, please contact: 

John Howard at 916 444-7665 or john.howard@capitolweekly.net.

 

Sponsors include The California Endowment, the Tribal Alliance of Sovereign Indian Nations, The California Channel, Capital Public Radio, California Resource Strategies and the California Center for Civic Participation.

2016-05-31T19:41:09-07:00January 30th, 2014|

Mitigating Food Terrorism

FSMA Public Meeting: Proposed Rule on Focused Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration – Anaheim

March 13, 2014 
8:30 am – 2:30 pm

Sheraton Park Hotel
1855 South Harbor Boulevard 

Anaheim, CA 92802

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the proposed rule to require domestic and foreign food facilities that are required to register under the Federal Food Drug, and Cosmetic Act (the FD&C Act) to address hazards that may be intentionally introduced by acts of terrorism. FDA is proposing these requirements as part of the implementation of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). 

The meeting is also designed to solicit oral stakeholder and other public comments on the proposed rule, inform the public about the rulemaking process (including how to submit comments, data and other information to the rulemaking docket), and respond to questions about the proposed rule.

Public Meeting attendees are encouraged to register on-line or contact: Nick Cane, Nakamoto Group, Inc., 11820 Parklawn Drive, Suite 240, Rockville, MD 20852, telephone: 240-357-1176, FAX: 301-468-6536, e-mail: nick.cane@nakamotogroup.com. Early registration is recommended because seating is limited. In addition, the meeting will also be webcasted.

For general questions about the meeting, to request an opportunity to make an oral presentation, and/or to request special accommodations due to a disability, contact: Juanita Yates, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740, telephone: 240-402-1731, e-mail: juanita.yates@fda.hhs.gov.

2016-05-31T19:41:09-07:00January 30th, 2014|

PRESIDENT REASSURES GOV. BROWN OF FEDERAL DROUGHT SUPPORT

Readout of the President’s Call to Governor Brown

President Obama called Governor Jerry Brown yesterday to receive an update on the situation in California and express his concern for the citizens impacted by the historic drought conditions facing the state – conditions that are likely to have significant impacts on the state’s communities, economy and environment in the coming months.

The President reinforced his commitment to providing the necessary federal support to the state and local efforts.

The agencies are working together to target resources to help California and other impacted states prepare for and lessen the impacts of the drought. 

USDA is also working with farmers and ranchers to increase their irrigation water efficiency, protect vulnerable soils from erosion, and improve the health of pasture and range lands. 

And the Bureau of Reclamation is working closely with federal and California state authorities to facilitate water transfers and provide operational flexibility to convey and store available water, and facilitate additional actions that can conserve and move water to critical areas.

The National Drought Resilience Partnership (NDRP) will help coordinate the federal response, working closely with state, local government, agriculture and other partners. The NDRP is already helping to enhance existing efforts that federal agencies are working on with communities, businesses, farmers and ranchers to build resilience where drought is currently an issue across the country.

The President made clear that our federal partners, including FEMA, will continue to work with California to support the state and local response, and expressed his support during this challenging time.

www.whitehouse.gov

2016-05-31T19:41:09-07:00January 30th, 2014|

FARMERS IRATE OVER POSSIBLE LOSS OF BANKED WATER

Westside Issue Turns Up Heat On Federal Agency


By Seth Nidever, Hanford Sentinel


The explosive issue of water is on the verge of sparking a major battle between Westside growers and the federal Bureau of Reclamation.

The issue involves Central Valley Project “rescheduled” water that growers banked in San Luis Reservoir during wet years for use during dry years.

 

Water flows through the California aqueduct near Kettleman City.
(Sentinel file photo)

Severe drought is prompting farmers to ask the Bureau to release the water from what’s left in the shrunken pool of San Luis Reservoir. Farmers built up the reserve by adopting conservation techniques such as drip irrigation systems.

The Bureau’s response is that it is discussing the possibility that farmers might not get it due to competing demands from a variety of other sources, including homes, businesses and the environment.

“If we don’t receive any [additional] precipitation, the water in the system is what we have to work with,” said Bureau spokesman Louis Moore. “We’re concerned with managing the system to meet all the demands that would be required of us.”

Moore declined to specify exactly where else the precious wet stuff might end up.

Irate Westside farmers say they have already paid for the water, were counting on it and were basing financial decisions on the assumption that they’d be able to access it.

“This would be the greatest heist of personal property ever perpetrated,” said grower Ted Sheely, who has 10,000 acres of cropland. “That is water I paid for. I’m really upset they’re even thinking about taking that water.”

Sheely said that the loss of the water would force him to fallow an additional 500 acres on top of the 2,000 he was planning to leave unfarmed.

Westlands Water District officials were tight-lipped, citing ongoing negotiations with the Bureau over the controversy.

“Currently, we’re in discussions with the [Bureau] and other interested parties with this important issue,” said Westlands spokeswoman Gayle Holman. “At this point, it’s our hope that this issue will be resolved in a couple of days.”

The angry reaction is getting the attention of elected officials across the board. Five lawmakers, including Sen. Dianne Feinstein and congressmen David Valadao, Devin Nunes, Jim Costaand Kevin McCarthy, fired off a letter Sunday asking for more clarity on the Bureau’s policy.

“While we recognize the incredibly dry conditions facing many CVP contractors, we strongly oppose the reallocation of any rescheduled water for any use other than its originally intended purpose as a reserve supply secured by contractors in anticipation of ongoing drought conditions,” the letter states. “We respectfully request that the Bureau provide clear guidance … within the next week which provides assurances to those contractors due rescheduled water that those supplies will be fully available to them.”

A separate, Republican-only letter from Valadao, Nunes and McCarthythreatened a congressional investigation.

The bipartisan letter said growers “have spent approximately $150 million on water transfers in order to preserve an estimated 340,000 acre-feet of project water in San Luis Reservoir” as a drought reserve.

If every one of those growers called in their banked water, it would more than empty the 334,000 acre-feet that sit in the reservoir now.

A similar issue cropped up in the last major drought of 2007-2009, but the situation was less dire. The last 13 months have been the driest in recorded California history.

San Luis Reservoir is at 31 percent capacity — less than half of what it was at this time last year. Growers are expecting a 0 percent allocation from the CVP when the Bureau announces its allocation in late February.

The decision the Bureau makes on rescheduled water is threatening to toss a Molotov cocktail into an already dicey situation.

“It’s going to be a big battle,” said Kings County Supervisor Joe Neves.
2016-05-31T19:41:09-07:00January 30th, 2014|

WE NEED GRIDLOCK IN HANFORD FRIDAY JAN 31!!

Legislative Committee Wants YOU to Comment on Water Bond, Jan. 31

As the Governor’s recent declaration of a drought state of emergency demonstrates, urgent investments are needed to better enable Californians to prepare for future water scarcity. 

The California Legislature Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife’s launched a hearing series in October 2013 to explore the need for a general obligation bond in 2014 to help fund water-related projects and programs and to hear local perspectives on the potential public benefits to communities throughout the state from such a water bond.

The Informational Hearing Series, “The Need for a 2014 Water Bond – Local Perspectives” travels to Hanford on Friday, January 31, from 5-7 pm at the:

Kings County Government Center

Board of Supervisors Chambers

1400 W. Lacey Boulevard

Hanford, CA

Friday’s hearing will focus on the Tulare Lake Hydrologic Region, one of ten in the State. The Tulare Region relies on surface water, groundwater, and water imported from the federal Central Valley Project (CVP), operated by the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation (Reclamation), and State Water Project (SWP), operated by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).
Some significant local water issues include:

  • Groundwater supply, management, and contamination
  • Clean and safe drinking water, particularly for disadvantaged communities
  • Water storage potential

AB 1331, the Clean and Safe Drinking Water Act of 2014, repeals the existing bond and places a $6.5 billion bond on the November 4, 2014 ballot that is better tailored to current water management challenges. Specifically, the $6.5 Billion Assembly Water Bond proposal includes:
  • $1 Billion for maintaining and improving Drinking Water Quality
  • $1.5 Billion for protecting Rivers & Watersheds
  • $1.5 Billion to fund integrated regional water management that will improve water delivery and help regions reduce the impact of climate change on water supply.
  • $1 Billion to protecting The California Delta that is critical to the state water supply system and a key ecological resource.
  • $1.5 Billion for Water Storage projects that will also reduce the impact of climate change on clean, reliable and affordable water supply. 

Opening Comments will be presented by:

  • Assemblymember Anthony Rendon, Chair, Water, Parks & Wildlife
  • Committee
  • Assemblymember Rudy Salas, Chair, Select Committee on Regional
  • Approaches to Addressing the State’s Water Crisis
  • Assemblymember Mariko Yamada
  • Assemblymember Jim Patterson

Local perspectives will be presented by:
  • Dave Orth, General Manager, Kings River Conservation District
  • Maria Herrera, Director of Community Advocacy, Community Water Center
  • Brent Walthall, Assistant General Manager, Kern County Water Agency
  • Aubrey Bettencourt, Executive Director, California Water Alliance
  • Mario Santoyo, Executive Director, California Latino Water Coalition

Finally, the public is invited to comment.
This is where you come in. . .

Testimony may be subject to time limits.

Related materials may be found on the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee’s website under the Water Bond tab: http://awpw.assembly.ca.gov/waterbond

2016-05-31T19:41:09-07:00January 29th, 2014|

PERSPECTIVES ON PENDING POLICY

Pending Farm Bill Addresses California Ag’s Top Priorities
The California Farm Bureau Federation (CFBF) said top priorities for California farmers and ranchers appear to have been achieved in the bill:

A farm bill amendment that would have harmed California egg producers and other farmers was removed. It would have prevented California and other states from setting customized standards for foods and agricultural products. The amendment was directed specifically at California law that will require imported eggs sold in the state to meet Proposition 2 hen-housing standards.

The amendment also threatened other state-specific standards to prevent pests and diseases that threaten California crops.

With California suffering from severe drought, the bill would also restore programs intended to help farmers and ranchers through such emergencies.

The farm bill includes funding for the National Animal Health Laboratory Network; for specialty crop programs that focus on research, marketing and pest-and-disease prevention for fruit, vegetable, and nut and nursery crops; and for dedicated air-quality funding.

The bill indicates that a dairy gross margin insurance program would be implemented, but without a supply management feature. Instead, each dairy producer would have a base assigned at the highest level of his or her production in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Indemnities would be paid on any production up to base. If a producer increases his or her marketings, only 25 percent of the indemnity would be paid above the base amount. For example, if a dairy producer’s base was 3 million pounds and he produced 3.2 million pounds in 2014, he would receive indemnities on the 3 million pounds and 25 percent of the indemnities on the remainder.

There is also a transition period whereby premiums would be significantly reduced for the first two years for those producing less than 4 million pounds of milk.

In addition, a new “Section 32 type” program would be implemented and the USDA would be required to purchase excess product if the margin falls below $4 for two consecutive months.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, would take a reduction in funding of about $8.6 billion. The cuts were primarily achieved by boosting the minimum threshold for low-income fuel assistance to food stamp households.

Source: California Farm Bureau Federation

2016-05-31T19:41:09-07:00January 29th, 2014|
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