Annual MRL Harmonization Workshop May 31 to June 1

The California Specialty Crops Council will hold its twelfth annual 2017 MRL Harmonization Workshop May 31-June 1 in San Francisco. The interactive seminar based on maximum residue limits (MRLs) will address critically important issues for stakeholders with interests in exporting agricultural products.

Registrants, growers, packers, shippers, PCAs, regulators, trade experts, and other stakeholders in international trade are strongly encouraged to attend. Presentation topics include: international trade trends, global registrations, pesticide residue monitoring, MRL strategies for growers, updates for international residue standards, global MRL challenges, and research reports regarding the impacts of residues.

Ed Ruckert, Partner at McDermott Will & Emery LLP, will kick off the Workshop discussing “Pesticide Regulatory Trends in the New Administration.” Julia Doherty from the US Trade Representative will discuss “Recent Work in the WTO SPS Committee on Pesticide MRLs.” The agenda also includes international speakers from the EU, Korea, Australia and Taiwan.

A copy of this year’s speaker lineup can be found at the link below. The Workshop will be held at the Hyatt-Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco. On-line pre-registration is required by May 22. For all meeting, hotel information and an updated agenda go to http://specialtycrops.org. The registration fee is $425 by March 31 and $475 after that date.

The California Specialty Crops Council (CSCC), a 501(c) 5 non-profit organization, is a trusted source of field-based information spanning horticultural crop production, pest management, food safety and stewardship activities in fruit, root, vegetable, vine and berry crops (fresh, dried, and processed). Its diverse partnership of ag organizations also includes the CA State Beekeepers Association. Combined, CSCC growers generate almost $4.1 billion annually on approximately 522,000 acres of California farmland.