Advisory kickoff

Bruce Knight, USDA Under Secretary of USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs, kicked off the June 4 Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee today with a plea for the committee's input on the agency's activities.

"As an advisory committee, what is your expectation of the USDA? Is it regulator, partner or get out the way?," he said. He particularly asked for input on the agency role in food safety activities relating to produce.