Fresh Produce Discussion Blog

Created by The Packer's National Editor Tom Karst

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

(Another) food safety summit

TK: From this link, news of a coming meeting between regulators and industry. As the story is set up, industry wants to forestall regulation and government regulators want industry to be forthcoming - but fear they won't be. Not a great formula for success. I see Western Growers action-oriented drive for a federal food safety marketing order for leafy greens as the type of response consumers want to see. Waiting for government regulators to agree on the distance between a dairy farm and lettuce field could result in a long wait.


Newswise — Approximately one year after a foodborne illness outbreak caused by bacteria on fresh spinach sickened hundreds across the country, fresh produce growers and processors will meet once again with U.S. regulatory agencies to determine how best to reduce the chances of such an outbreak happening again.

This was announced here during the opening day of the Institute of Food Technologists Annual Meeting & Food Expo, the world’s largest annual food science forum and exposition.

In less than two months, officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the University of California-Davis, Dole Food Co., Fresh Express, a subsidiary of Chiquita Brands, and others involved in growing and processing fresh produce will help to identify where USDA research dollars are spent to determine the specific causes of outbreaks like these.

At the same time, they want to pre-empt potentially onerous federal regulations that may come in the wake of the recent outbreaks.

No conclusive cause was ever found in last year’s outbreak of E.coli O157:H7 in spinach originating from California’s central valley. However, there have been 22 outbreaks of the pathogen in leafy green vegetables since 1995.

Recent federal studies in the Salinas Valley, where as much as 80 percent of the country’s leafy green vegetables are grown, have found a link between the E.coli found in the vegetables and nearby cattle ranches. Yet government officials haven’t been able to determine how close a farm can be to a ranch before it poses a risk.

“How far is far enough from a dairy operation?” asked David Gombas, senior vice president at the United Fresh Produce Association. “Is it 20 feet? 200 feet? What will the minimum distance be? What we’re lacking right now is the research to determine what the right number is.”

“We know on a general basis what the (regulations) need to be. But what we need are specifics,” he said.

Robert Mandrell, of the USDA’s produce safety and microbiology research unit, was involved in the E.coli outbreak study, and agrees that more research needs to be done. He sees value in having regulators and researchers meet with members of the industry to share information about food safety.

But he’s skeptical about how forthcoming growers and processors will be, often viewing their growing and handling processes as proprietary.

“They don’t necessarily want to tell us what they’re doing,” Mandrell said. “But the industry should want to share. If one of them makes a major error, they all suffer.”

Now in its 67th year, the IFT Annual Meeting + Food Expo is the world’s largest annual scientific forum and exposition on food. Ranked among the largest U.S. conventions, the meeting delivers comprehensive, cutting-edge research and opinion from food science-, technology-, marketing- and business-leaders; online at IFT.org/amfe. Meetings run through Wednesday.

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From left field...

Guest blogger Lance Jungmeyer chiming in ...

At the risk of offending readers of this family friendly produce blog, may I direct your attention to the strangest headline of the day: "Carnivore sex off the menu."

Evidently, some particularly stringent vegans in New Zealand are shunning carnal relations with meat eaters. These so-called "vegansexuals" are yet another menace of the do-gooder vegetarians, in my book.

To wit, vegan Nichola Kriek put her words where her mouth is: "When you are vegan or vegetarian, you are very aware that when people eat a meaty diet, they are kind of a graveyard for animals," she said.

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A navel by any other name

South American citrus imports 5/26 to 7/14 - http://sheet.zoho.com


I was strolling through Wal-Mart in suburban Kansas City yesterday and noted they continue to promote watermelons extensively as you walk in the door, with bins of both standard seedless and Bambino miniseedless melons featured.

As you walk into the produce department, Frey Farms homegrown cantaloupes were featured at 2 for $4, while orange flesh and juan canary melons were 2 for $6.

California valencia oranges were featured at 58 cents each; unfortunately they were merchandised under the navel sign - again. Correctly signing varieties - not to mention country of origin designations - is an ongoing challenge for big box retailers.

Red and green seedless grapes were both featured at $1.48 per pound. A three-pound mesh bag of of Peru clementines were featured at $3.57.

Speaking of Peru citrus, I noticed that Peru's citrus exporters made a colorful splash in The Packer this week with their ad touting minneolas. Check out their Web site at www.procitrus.org.

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What's right with this picture?


Everywhere around the offices of The Packer and Produce Merchandising editorial staff, and in some field offices (Pamela, am I right?) , writers and editors have sponge fruit and vegetables of various origin. Go to any produce convention and you may see a slew of sponge produce; even The Packer offered a stress-relieving tomato sponge at one show.
In the past year, however, the desks and window ledges of many of our staff (Chris Crawford, above) are filled with all the sponge produce from the Idaho Potato Commission's "What's wrong with this picture?" trade advertising campaign.
Reinforcing the association of the Idaho logo and potatoes, the Idaho Potato Commission trade advertising for the 2006-07 season featured oranges, peppers, coconuts, limes, watermelon, pears, cantaloupe, eggplant, banana, and a couple of other items. The promotion -- accompanied by the tagline "What's wrong with this picture?" -- sought to illuminate one of the best-known commodity brands in the produce industry. The commission sent sponge produce to retailers, reinforced by a print advertising campaign. The campaign started in September and culminates this August.
So I'm picturing that many a produce buyer's window ledge or desk is likewise populated with these colorful produce sponges.
Just today we received the last item in the series. Of course, instead of saying, "What's wrong with this picture?", the picture perfect spud bearing the Idaho logo asks, "What's right with this picture?"
Well done, IPC. You have captured our imagination and our desk space.

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Discussion board roundup 7/31

Our discussion board regulars continue to provide great links and insight. These and others can be found at the Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group.

Hundreds of thousands of tiny, bright red creatures Big Apple notes Mite problem plagues palms

70 percent of those surveyed said they don't trust the environmental and health claims of branded food products Big Apple links to story that reports: Fears over food safety on the rise. A recent survey indicates that 50 percent of U.S. consumers are more concerned about food safety than they were two years ago. In the survey, conducted online by Harris Interactive on behalf of IBM's Institute for Business Value, two of every five who answered said that they buy brands based on safety. And 70 percent of those surveyed said they don't trust the environmental and health claims of branded food products

California farmers cashing in on China's growing hunger for high-quality fruits, nuts Luis posts this link that reports that worries about Chinese low price fruit exports are balanced by the country growing import demand for high quality fruits and nuts. From the story: But some California growers are cashing in on China's increasing wealth and growing hunger for table grapes, almonds and other high- quality fruits and nuts that don't grow as well in the Asian nation. Such pricey commodities helped drive the value of U.S. agricultural exports to China from less than $1.9 billion in 2001 to nearly $6.7 billion last year.
"There's a big enough group of people there that don't want just the cheapest; they want high-quality stuff, and they're willing to pay more for it," said Daniel Sumner, who directs the University of California Agricultural Issues Center.


Ag competition bill introduced Luis posts that a bill has been introduced that would create government oversight over agribusiness mergers. From the link: The bill would create an Ag Competition Task Force to assist DOJ and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in drafting antitrust guidelines for agriculture, examine problems in competition, and coordinate activities to address anti-competitive practices.

Trade Deficit in Food Safety Luis links to Public Citizen report that shows: Report notes that USDA regulates less than 20% of the foods we eat but has the authority to approve or disapprove countries (i.e. food safety protocols) and inspect plants abroad, while on the other hand, FDA has jurisdiction over 80% of the foods but does not have the same authority to regulate foreign food safety protocols and food plant.

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Monday, July 30, 2007

Big Apple: New York apple estimate

New York apple production 2002-2007 - http://sheet.zoho.com



TK: This just slid across the inbox not long ago. From the New York Apple Association.



STRONG NEW YORK APPLE CROP EXPECTED THIS FALL
New York Apple Growers Predict a 29.5 Million
Bushel Harvest for 2007

FISHERS, N.Y. -- The New York Apple Association today announced its annual crop prediction is 29.5 million bushels for the fall harvest.

"We're looking at an outstanding quality crop this fall," said Jim Allen, president of the New York Apple Association. "New York's crop this year will be one to savor and enjoy."

Outstanding summer growing conditions, as well as ideal pollination conditions this spring, have led to one of the best looking crops ever in New York, growers are reporting.

Statewide, the three primary growing regions are all reporting good quality. The strongest fruiting area is the eastern part of the state, with some orchards predicting a crop size 110 percent of normal.

The Lake Champlain region has rebounded from last year's smaller-than-normal crop with potentially an excellent crop this year, according to growers in that area. In the western part of the state, along Lake Ontario, the recent rains have improved fruit size and growers there are predicting outstanding quality as well.

While growing condition are favorable, many growers have concerns about higher input costs, particularly for energy and labor.

"We are experiencing record high production costs this year based on fuel and cost increases on other materials," Allen said.

A huge looming concern this fall will be having enough labor to harvest this crop.

Harvest timing is expected to normal, with early varieties like Ginger Gold and Paula Red to be harvested beginning in two to three weeks.

This is expected to be an "on year" for the extremely popular Honeycrisp variety. Although New York apple growers will harvest more Honeycrisp, they are doubtful they will be able to meet the ever-increasing high consumer demand for that apple.

The harvest will begin in earnest in September when McIntosh ripens, New York's biggest variety. Empire apples, the state's second biggest variety will be picked later in September. The harvest runs through November with more than 20 different commercial varieties to be picked, ranking New York's crop as the most diverse in the nation.

Fruit size on all varieties looks good to excellent, growers and crop consultants are reporting.

The annual NYAA crop prediction was determined by a consensus of growers representing six apple growing districts throughout the state, crop advisors, processing apple buyers and Cornell Cooperative Extension agents.

The consensus number was reached during a conference call held on July 24.

It is the fifth year in a row that growers will pick a quality crop in New York.

Official crop sizes in New York for the last six years, according to USDA are:

25 million
16.1 million
23.7
30.4
24.7
29.7

New York ranks second in apple production nationwide.

The state's most popular varieties are McIntosh with 19 percent of the state's total production and Empire with 11 percent of the state's total. Other major varieties in descending order are Red Delicious, Rome, Crispin, Cortland and Idared.

Breakdown of crop utilization is roughly 52 percent for fresh apples sold at retail; the other 48 percent of the crop is used for processing products such as apple sauce, apple slices, cider and juice.

Apple consumption is on the rise due to continued university research proving that apples can help fight cancer, lower cholesterol and help dieters lose weight. Apples are the third most popular fruit item in grocery store produce sections behind bananas and grapes.

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Blueberry boost

Hen House in our KC market featured blueberries in its food ad this week. Inexplicably, the ad was labeled as showing prices good from Aug. 8 through Aug. 14. Typo? By rights, it should have read Aug. 1-7.
Anyway, blueberries got major run: From the ad, which advertised Michigan blueberries at $4.99 for an 18-ounce package.

"Blueberries improve vision, clear arteries, strengthen blood vessels, enhance memory, promote weight control."
"Consumption of blueberries may reverse some of the properties of aging because of their antioxidant properties."
"Blueberries may help prevent urinary track infections."

TK: That about covers all the worries involved with getting old. Hook me up to a blueberry IV, please.

Also featured at Hen House:
Andy's Candy Corn: 8 pack, $3
Kingsburg Raspberry Jewell Pluotts: $2.49/lb
California grown sweet galia melons: 2 for $4
Dole Just Lettuce, Greener Select or Classic Romaine: 2 for $4
Sweet watermelon chunks: $1.29/lb (Grown in Rich Hill, Mo. by Twin County Family Farms;the lycopene leader, ready to eat) Logos for Food Routes, Bridging the Gap, and Buy Fresh, Buy Local
New crop Australian oranges: 99 cents each
Dole Premium organic bananas: 59 cents/lb
California grown kiwi: 4 for $1


Hy Vee (ad for Aug. 1 through Aug. 14)
Columbine red seedless grapes: 99 cents/lb
Kandy Label cantaloupe: 3 for $5 (Kandy logo)
New Zealand braeburn, Granny Smith, or Pacific Rose apples: $1.28/lb (Healthy Bites logo)
Midnight Beauty black seedless grapes $1.88/lbl (Grapes from California logo, Healthy Bites logo)
California Bartlett pears: 97 cents/lb (California Pears logo, Healthy Bites logo)
Dole special blends salad: $1.88 for selected varieties : 5 to 12 ounce packages (Fruits and Veggies More Matters logo, Healthy Bites logo)
Dole broccoli bunch: 99 cents (Dole logo, Healthy Bites logo)
Michigan green beans : 99 cents/lb
Zucchini or yellow squash: 97 cents/lb
Fresh eggplant: 97 cents/each
Michigan roma tomatoes: 99 cents/lb
Fresh cilantro: 2 bunches for $1
Popeye spinach: $1.99 for 10-ounce package
Grimmway Farms carrot chips: 16 ounce package: 99 cents
Grimmway Farms microwavable petitie carrots: $1.28
Ripe N Ready peaches: $1.28/lb
Flavor Ssfari dapple dandy plumcots: $1.88/lb
Ripe N Ready peaches; $1.48/lb
Artisan Natural Washington peaches: $1.48/lb
Artisan Natural Washington apricots: $1.88/lb
Hy Vee russet potatoes: $1.38/5-pound bag
Monterey white or stuffable mushrooms: 14 ounce or 16 ounce $2.69

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Bill Coon checking in

Bill Coon called earlier this morning, and it was great to hear from the retired publisher director of The Packer. Bill retired in 1996 from his post as vice president and publishing director of Vance Publishing Corp.'s produce division, including The Packer.

Bill was reading this week's Packer and observed my column's topic was the Fruits and Veggies - More Matters campaign. Particularly, he noted discussion of the Web site for Fruits and Veggies - More Matters. He had never heard of the site before, and wondered if retail promotion of the site could pay dividends for the industry. I think his idea has much merit; if retail could help drive traffic to the www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org site, it would have the potential to create an identity for the brand and message. Bill said he would be sending in a letter to the editor on the subject,and we look forward to it.

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Ready to Rumble: Wild Oats and Whole Foods

Howdy from Pamela R. in Austin!

The media push leading up tomorrow's hearing to decide whether Whole Foods will be able to buy Wild Oats has been pretty strong here in Austin.

The American-Statesman seems to be quite a cheerleader for hometown hero John Mackey and his fortress of specialty grocery down at 6th and Lamar.

The A1 centerpiece on Sunday (here) and its corresponding Web video (here) play like a lifetime achievement award nomination, but do give the rest of us a little insight into Mackey's character. It sounds like, if the people cited in these stories have any pull, Whole Foods would stand by its man, if the SEC doesn't kick him out itself.

Not everyone would be happy about it.

According to a Wall Street Journal article, a major shareholder in Whole Foods would like to see Mackey out to (organic, I'm sure) pasture.

I pulled a little exerpt from the article:

CtW Investment Group, a branch of Change to Win, a coalition of labor unions, wrote a letter Wednesday to John B. Elstrott Jr., the lead independent director at Whole Foods, urging the board to immediately name an independent chairman "who can quickly establish credibility with regulatory authorities and shareholders."
Union pension funds affiliated with CtW own some 900,000 shares of Whole Foods, according to the letter. That's less than 1% of the Austin, Texas-based company's outstanding shares.
I also thought it was interesting that, on the same day the American-Statesman ran the Mackey profile, the centerpiece story on its Business Section front was this:
In the story, it mentions a petition to bring Trader Joe's to Austin -- it has more than 2,000 signatures already.
We'll see what happens. The District Court hearing to decide whether or not the FTC will get its permanent injunction starts tomorrow and is scheduled to finish on Wednesday.
Hey Tom -- How about a "Do you think the Whole Foods deal will go through?" poll?
We'll see, but at this point, who knows?

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Meijer in Chicagoland

Guest blogger Lance Jungmeyer chiming in ...

Meijer is renewing its push into the greater Chicago area.

This article from the Detroit News shows how the retailer has added 14 locations in Chicago and its suburbs since 2000. That's not a huge amount, but it speaks volumes about Meijer's confidence to push so aggressively into a very competitive market.

The Grand Rapids, Mich., chain has had to fend off Wal-Mart in its core markets, and now it is looking to expand on its own terms. The retailer added a 200,000 square foot store in Plainfield, Ill., last year. That was the firm's largest location yet.

To tackle growth in Chicago and the vicinity, Meijer tapped Don Fitzgerald, former vice president of marketing operations at Dominick's, to head up regional merchandising.

A Detroit-area retail analyst, quoted in the story, had this to say:

"The produce is extremely fresh, the quality is phenomenal," said Ed Nakfoor, a Birmingham-based retail consultant. "They're trying to become a more relevant retailer. They're looking pretty sophisticated."

Meijer has 179 stores and plans to add two more this year, according to the article.

Produce dealers in Chicago, no doubt, are watching with bated breath.

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The religion of farmers markets

TK: Selling out of the back of a truck from unrefrigerated displays and well- worn bushel baskets. No packaging to speak of , not to mention PMA-approved traceability code. Embraced by government and bathed in goodwill by the public, the farmers' markets get more hallowed press treatment than nearly any other institution.

My wife was at the Overland Park farmers market last week and gushed about it. I enjoy walking around the farmers market and visiting with vendors, too.

During the middle of summer, you can search the Web and find dozens of feel- good stories about local food and farmers markets. That's why I noted with interest when Doug Powell of the K-State's Food Safety Network had a few asides in a recent Food Safety Network report.
From the Food Safety Network report:

MARYLAND: As food safety concerns grow, experts say buy local, be vigilant
26.jul.07
Community Times
Susan C. Ingram
With what seems like an ever-increasing amount of food safety scares and recalls in recent months, experts say, according to this story, the best way to avoid food-borne illnesses is to buy local (what experts? -- dp) and be vigilant when handling edibles.Mary Concannon, a nutrition educator for the Maryland Cooperative Extension service, was cited as saying that getting to know who is growing your food and where and how it’s grown goes a long way to buying safe food (it does? Where's the data -- dp)Also reducing the distance, time and number of people handling food before it gets to your table can help lower the chances of food contamination. “Fifty percent of food safety problems are related to personal hygiene,” Concannon said.The story goes on to say that shoppers can do a lot to help assure that what they bring home won’t make them sick. The Be Food Safe campaign (befoodsafe.gov), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture distills home food safety to four easily remembered words: clean, separate, cook and chill.Before handling food, especially raw meat, poultry, seafood and eggs wash hands, utensils and cutting boards and separate raw meat and poultry from foods that won’t be cooked for the meal. Use a food thermometer and don’t leave food sitting out. Chill foods within two hours and keep refrigerators at or below 40 degrees.“A food thermometer is the only way to tell if food is cooked properly,” Concannon said.Recommended internal cooking temperatures for meat and poultry vary, but a sampling includes 145 degrees Fahrenheit for cuts of beef, veal, lamb, roasts and fish. Pork should reach an internal temperature of 160 F, as should ground meats.Egg dishes, such as quiche also need to be heated to at least 160 F. New guidelines for poultry say whole, ground or pieces of turkey, chicken and duck need to be heated to 165 F.For more information on cooking temperatures go to www.isitdoneyet.gov.

TK: Doug is a sometimes reader of the blog and it would be interesting to expand the conversation about farmers' markets and food safety. What are the number of cases of foodborne illness cases related to farmers markets? Does direct marketing by farmers get a pass on food safety issues? Is local food safer? What should be the threshold of regulation for small truck farmers if more stringent national food safety guidelines are enacted?


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Retail roundup 7/30

Tre
Circle K stores will get new fresh look From the story:
Circle K stores are making it possible for time-crunched customers to gas up their cars and eat a meal in one stop. The Phoenix-based company is in the midst of overhauling most of its 550 Arizona stores.
Changes include architectural improvements, interior renovations and a wider product selection, which will include ready-to-eat food such as sandwiches, fruit cups and salads.

TK: The arrival of Tesco is cited as one major catalyst for the trend, but consumers may resist notion of fresh food from the "gas station."


Quality or price: both of course! Justin King of Sainsbury

Whole Foods and country of origin labeling

Bring produce to South LA

The importance of Hispanics to Wal Mart From Hispanic Trending Web site:
Hispanics are among Wal-Mart’s most loyal customers and account for about 14 percent of the 127 million people who shop at the retailer’s stores in the United States every week, said Lee Scott, the company’s CEO, during a speech Tuesday at the National Council of La Raza convention in Miami Beach, Fla.

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Peterson's victory

Here is the link to the audio file of Chairman Peterson's remarks and a Q and A in a teleconference with reporters on Friday. He is a tired but victorious chairman. I offer the complete hour long plus session on the blog with the advice that only farm bill junkies should download.Peterson is asked about if anything could have been done to prevent the squabble with Republicans over the tax issue. He is also asked about the WTO cotton case, the case for the transfer of border inspectors from the DHS to the USDA and a myriad of other issues. He was commended for his accessibility throughout the farm bill process, and in that respect I heartily concur. From the speedy manner that Peterson deal with markup to his availability for a weekly teleconference, Peterson has set the bar high for the Senate Agriculture Committee. He was asked during the press conference if the House bill could serve as the standard for the Senate's consideration. "Far be it from me to tell the U.S. Senate what to do.".... and then he proceeded to say that yes, the House farm bill has broad support from farm organizations and has found a way to satisfy a broad array of interests. Particularly on the issue of COOL, Peterson said there is not much more that the Senate could do to address the issue than what the House has done.

Some other coverage of Peterson this weekend:

Peterson on Farm Bill Passage

Harkin thinks Senate can improve on House farm bill

House passes new farm bill

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Pelosi : Before I leave that point

TK: Here is a link to the Congressional Record report of Friday's farm bill debate: Below is an excerpt from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi of California and her strong and very detailed support of the f/v provisions. It is interesting to observe her mention of food safety in relation to specialty crops seems to indicate that Democratic leaderships links Congressional action on fruit and vegetable priorities with legislative movement on food safety issues. Look for more news from DeLauro's office this coming week.


Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman, the distinguished chairman of the Agriculture Committee for yielding, and I want to congratulate him for this achievement for bringing this important bill to the floor.
As a Californian, I take special interest also that the bill makes a historic investment in specialty crops, providing $1.7 billion in new mandatory spending. This investment was made possible by the leadership of Congressman Dennis Cardoza. And many provisions in his bill, the EAT Healthy America Act, which is a very important bill for us, EAT Healthy America Act, were incorporated in this bill that is before us today. This legislation supports specialty crops, that is, fruits and vegetables, by increasing market access, encouraging and facilitating consumption of nutritious agricultural products, funding research initiatives and increasing opportunities for family farmers in conservation initiatives. Specifically, just so you know what falls under this, the bill invests $365 million for Specialty Crop Block Grants; $350 million to expand the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable School Snack Program to all 50 States, and I repeat that, $350 million to expand the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable School Snack Program to all 50 States; $215 million to create a new dedicated research initiative for specialty crops; $200 million to create a new initiative for early detection, prevention, and eradication of emerging pests and disease; $55 million for organic agriculture. What is important about all of this is many of these resources will be invested in the Northeast, in the Middle Atlantic States, in the Northwest and California, where agriculture is a very important part of the economy but where not very much attention had been paid in the past in the farm bills. This is a big change and signals a new direction in this farm bill. Specialty crop producers, our fruit and vegetable growers, account for nearly half of all cash crop receipts in America and are a part of the farm economy in all 50 States, as I mentioned, especially important, California, the Northeast, Northwest, and Florida. I mentioned that I was a Californian. I was also born in Maryland; so I know the importance of the Chesapeake Bay, and I salute the chairman for the initiative in here in support of the Chesapeake Bay. I see my colleague Majority Leader Hoyer nodding his head in agreement. But I want to acknowledge Chairman Chris Van Hollen, for whom this has been a priority since he came[[Page H8765]]to Congress, and now he has been joined by John Sarbanes in support of this. And I know it has bipartisan support because Congressman Gilchrest supports these initiatives as well. From Monterey Bay across the country to the Chesapeake Bay, this bill represents a new direction. Let me just say that is why this bill is supported by the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, a national coalition of more than 120 specialty crop organizations. Before I leave that point, I want to talk about food safety. One of the reasons that many of us are in politics, and I know many moms come to politics, is for our having a safer, clean environment for our children. Clean air, clean water, food safety, these are things we can't do for them, but we depend on public policy to do; and the initiatives in this legislation for food safety are important. They will be greatly enhanced by the legislation put forth next week by the Appropriations subcommittee Chair, Congresswoman DeLauro, in her appropriations bill.

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Saturday, July 28, 2007

Headline roundup 7/28

Still no answers on contamination of local firm's onions Passed on by the Food Safety Networkd at K-State..From the Ventura County Star:
No one seems to know what happened at an Oxnard onion processing plant last month to cause a recall of 30,000 pounds of diced yellow onions.
The company, Gills Onions LLC, doesn't know: "We don't have a smoking gun to say where it came from," said Nelia Alamo, the company's vice president of marketing and customer relations.
The California Department of Public Health conducted an inspection with the federal Food and Drug Administration, but did not determine a cause.
"We don't know the exact source of this specific contamination," said spokeswoman Norma Arceo. The state's investigation, she said, was inconclusive.


Restoring confidence in food TK: FDA is having media outreach on food safety topic, proposing a breakfast chat next week. Meanwhile, this is past on by K-State's Food Safety Network: From Dallas Morning News:

Dozens of bulbous heads of iceberg lettuce glided along a conveyor belt at a Dallas processing plant Friday, headed for a chlorinated water bath, a plastic bag and eventually the plate of a diner in Texas or beyond.
But on this day, in addition to the watchful eyes of the hair-netted inspectors at Taylor Farms Texas Inc., the trek of the leafy greens was monitored by two top Bush administration officials – U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt and FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach.
Presidential mission
They were here on a mission from President Bush, seeking both to improve the safety of imported products and to assure consumers that produce in the U.S. is safe. It was the first stop in a multicity fact-finding tour.
"I feel better about the salad I'll eat tonight," Mr. Leavitt said after listening to a discussion of field inspections and grower specifications at the operation on Cockrell Hill Road. "I find it very satisfying to see this."
Last week, Mr. Bush asked the secretary to chair a working group focused on promoting the safety of imported products – everything from food and pottery to medical devices – from a variety of countries. The task force is expected to survey the import scene over the next 60 days and help develop "an agenda for improvement," Mr. Leavitt said.
The move comes after consumer confidence was shaken by missteps such as last September's tainted spinach from California and the more recent poisoned pet food from China.
Food industry experts said they do not know how many incidents of food-borne illness are linked to imported products vs. domestic. But they stressed that nearly all produce imported into the U.S. by major shippers and processors is grown to strict U.S. standards.
"They don't just take any old lettuce from Mexico," said Tom Stenzel, president of the United Fresh Produce Association. "For the most part, imported produce comes from the major production regions of [for example] Mexico or Chile. It's being grown to a standard that's far above just what you would find in the wholesale markets there."
John McClung, president of the Texas Produce Association, noted that Texas – once a major agricultural producer – is now a major importer. Just over half of the produce sold by Texas-based processors and shippers is imported, and up to 97 percent of it comes from Mexico, he said.
But that does not mean Texans consume more produce imported from Mexico, just because of its proximity, he added.
"Distance comes into play on the cost," he explained, adding that lettuce imported from Mexico to say, Minnesota, might cost more. But it does not dictate where the produce winds up.
Taylor Farms gets about 80 percent of its produce from within the United States, company officials said. About 80 percent of the product is then sold to food service operators, including major restaurants.
"We approve that supply prior to shipping [into the U.S.]," said Drew McDonald, vice president of national quality systems for the parent company, Salinas, Calif.-based Taylor Fresh Foods Inc. "In the normal situation, it wouldn't get harvested if it didn't meet the specifications."
Quick processing
In the company's 64,000-square-foot Dallas plant, built in 2003 and one of nine operated by the company, millions of pounds of lettuce, cabbage, carrots and other vegetables are processed each week within hours of their arrival.
On Friday, in a production room chilled to a nippy 34 degrees, hair-netted, gloved and smocked workers chopped heads of romaine and iceberg lettuce as Mr. Leavitt and Dr. von Eschenbach looked on.
The FDA is responsible for ensuring the safety of all fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables consumed in the United States. It shares inspection duties at the border with the Customs and Border Protection Unit of the Department of Homeland Security.
On the water-slick production floor at Taylor Farms, spotters looked for discolored leaves and other imperfections. Other workers relieved the lettuce heads of their tips and cores. The lettuce was triple-washed and deposited into drum-sized porous "spin dry" baskets that hold up to 400 pounds of the leafy greens.
The Dallas plant produces 26,000 cases of produce a night.
The FDA picked the Taylor Farms location to kick off the fact-finding tour after inspectors were impressed with results from a routine audit last month, according to an HHS spokesman and company officials.
After the tour, Mr. Leavitt nodded, called the operation impressive, and dispensed with his bright yellow galoshes and hard hat.
Then, after vowing before TV cameras to have salad for dinner, he was off to a cargo facility in El Paso to focus on spices and pottery (a potential lead paint hazard).
He is expected to report back to the president by Sept. 17.

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Taxpayers for Common Sense: New farm bill, same as old

TK; Not much traction for sweeping farm bill reform in the House, but the fresh produce industry appreciates the substantial changes in mandatory funding for their priorities. It's not so much if it is $1 billion or $3 billion, but a baseline is there. Taxpayers for Common Sense disagree:


Washington, D.C. – The following is a statement from Ms. Ryan Alexander, President, Taxpayers for Common Sense, on passage of H.R. 2419, The Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007.
Meet the new Farm Bill, same as the old Farm Bill. Today, the House forced through a Farm Bill that retains a hefty safety net for millionaire farmers.

Corporate agribusiness special interests will be celebrating the bill’s passage, which guarantees buckets of money to farmers who don’t need it, while taxpayers across the country get the slop bucket once again.

What Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) refers to as “a landmark achievement” is a carbon copy of the 2002 DeLay-Combest corporate farm bill that suckered taxpayers to the tune of tens of billions of dollars a year. Multi-millionaire “farmers” living in the heart of San Francisco, New York City, and Washington, D.C. will continue to receive government handouts and insurance companies will continue to get hundreds of millions of dollars in profits directly from Uncle Sam courtesy of this legislation.

Chairman Collin Peterson’s (D-MN) “landmark farm bill” continues to promote protectionism, over-production, and market interference.

It’s a shame that the new Congress sent to reform Washington couldn’t even pass legislation to cut off the subsidy spigot for millionaires.

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Friday, July 27, 2007

It's a wrap

TK: The final post of the day comes courtesy of House Republicans. House Ag Committee Chairman Peterson said today in his teleconference that he feels he will work with Bob Goodlatte with no problem going forward. Clearly, the tax provision was inserted outside the control of the committee to fund nutrition priorities. Once this is in the rearview mirrow, the bipartisan spirit should persist - one hopes.
From the Republicans:


House Republicans Say "Yes" to Farm Bill; "No" to Tax Increase

WASHINGTON - Today, House Republicans opposed the Democrat leadership's move to attach tax increases to the traditionally popular farm bill. In a largely partisan vote, Democrats passed the farm legislation by a vote of 231 to 191.

Leader of the agriculture committee Republicans, Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte said, "Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats threw away an opportunity to produce a farm bill with broad bipartisan support in pursuit of their obsession to tax and spend. It is a real shame that the traditional bipartisan spirit of farm policymaking has been damaged like this."

On Tuesday, Republicans of the House Agriculture Committee stood arm-in-arm with Democrat committee members, declaring their support for the new 5-year farm bill that they were about to take to the full House for passage. Within 24 hours, that unity had been shattered by overnight maneuvering by the Democrat leadership to inject major tax increases into the farm legislation, without consideration of either the Agriculture Committee or the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee.

After being rebuffed repeatedly in the period leading up to House consideration, Republicans sought the ability to ask for a separate vote on the tax issue. Democrats rejected this request and brought the bill to the House under rules that prevented amendments on the tax increase. Finally, Ranking Member Goodlatte offered a motion to send the farm bill back to committee and bring it forward as the bipartisan legislation the committee had passed out. Democrats rejected the motion on a party-line vote.

"Everyone in rural America should be saddened and outraged by what happened here today. The Agriculture Committee produced a farm bill that could have passed with a hundred more votes, a clearly veto-proof bill. Instead, the farm bill is limping out of the House with one of the smallest majorities that anyone can remember, encumbered by a tax increase that wasn't necessary. It didn't have to be this way," Ranking Member Goodlatte said.

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Rhubarb rising

Rhubarb 6/4 to 7/26 - http://sheet.zoho.com

Here is a Web site that promises everything you wanted to know about rhubarb and more. You're welcome. I must say there is nothing better than a strawberry/rhubarb pie, fresh out of the oven and with an generous scoop of ice cream on top.

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Border inspectors: closer scrutiny

I asked Chairman Collin Peterson about the issue of border inspectors and the amendment by Rep. Dennis Cardoza to transfer them back to USDA from DHS. Although objections were raised by DHS and the amendment was withdrawn, Peterson's supports Cardoza in this and said he has done some investigative work on the issue. Expect hearings and perhaps release of some of the investigative findings in the not too distant future, Peterson said.

Peterson comes off as the ultimate pragmatist. Speaking about both the Administration's version of the farm bill, Peterson noted it probably was full of good ideas....but without a constituency to support your ideas, your plan fails.

Peterson likeways made the point about Sen. Harkin's focus on CSP, or the Conservation Security Program. While Harkin loves the program, it hasn't built up a constituency and Harkin is having a hard time rallying support within his own committee.

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WTO Cotton case : a fly in the ointment?

The first question asked of House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson today in a teleconference was not about the farm bill, but the news of the WTO case on U.S. cotton subsidies.

From the AP:

The World Trade Organization largely ruled against the United States in an interim decision that it has failed to scrap a series of illegal subsidies paid out to American cotton growers, U.S. and Brazilian trade officials said Friday.WTO panels rarely change their findings between preliminary and final rulings, and the apparent result is a major victory for Brazil's cotton industry and West African countries that have claimed to have been harmed by the American payments.The interim ruling was handed out confidentially to the parties late Friday. A final verdict, expected in September, could open the door for billions of dollars (euros) worth of Brazilian trade sanctions against the United States.

TK: Peterson was not phased by this report when raised by Chuck Abbott of Reuters. He said an appeal will take three to six months, and seemed to indicate the USTR has not been as aggressive as they need to be in defending U.S. farm programs.

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Western Growers release

Here is the Western Growers news release about the farm bill:


WESTERN GROWERS APPLAUDS THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR PASSING ITS VERSION OF THE 2007 FARM BILL

IRVINE, CA (July 27, 2007) – Western Growers applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing its version of the 2007 Farm Bill today. Western Growers, with other specialty crop allies, has worked tirelessly for more than two years to ensure the specialty crop industry’s priorities are included in the Farm Bill, and today’s passage by the House is a major step toward achieving that goal.
“We applaud the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of the Farm Bill. For the first time, the Farm Bill recognizes the priorities of an industry that accounts for more than half of all crop value in the country,” said Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif. “Our Representatives in Congress have shown tremendous leadership by investing in a 21st Century Farm Bill, which addresses the needs of all of agriculture.”
The House version of the Farm Bill, which would provide more than $1.7 billion in mandatory funding for key specialty crop programs over the next five years, would expand the USDA Fruit & Vegetable Snack Program to all 50 states, enhance critical trade assistance and market promotion tools that will grow international markets for specialty crops, expand detection and mitigation efforts to combat invasive pests and diseases; which costs the economy millions of dollars per year; provide a greater investment in research and development and expand the “State Specialty Crop Competitiveness” projects in all 50 states to enhance the competitiveness of fruits, vegetables and nuts.
“This is truly an historic moment for our country and industry,” Nassif said. “We especially want to recognize and commend Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-CA), who has worked diligently on our industry’s behalf to secure our representation in the Farm Bill for more than two years. We also strongly applaud House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) and ranking Republican Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Representatives Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Sam Farr (D-CA), Devin Nunes (R-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) for their leadership and courage in shaping our federal farm policy based on competition and geared toward the 21st Century marketplace.
“We recognize, however, that there is still a lot of work to be done on this issue,” Nassif said. “It’s now time for the Senate to build on the efforts of House. The current Farm Bill is set to expire this year and the status quo is not acceptable.”
Western Growers; which is a co-chair of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, a national coalition of 120 specialty crop organizations who have banded together to support priorities that provide an avenue for more competition into federal farm policy with a focus on producing a safer, healthier and more nutritious food supply; is an agricultural trade association whose nearly 3,000 members grow, pack and ship ninety percent of the fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables grown in California and seventy five percent of those commodities in Arizona. This totals about half of the nation’s fresh produce.

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House Agriculture Committee release

Here is the roll call vote for HR 2419.
Meanwhile, here is the House Agriculture Committee

U.S. House of Representatives Passes Historic Farm Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a new Farm Bill that makes historic investments in fruit and vegetable production, conservation, nutrition and renewable energy while maintaining a strong safety net for America's farmers and ranchers.
"This Farm Bill is about much more than farms. It is about the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and increasingly the fuel we will use. It assures that we will have a safe, strong food supply now and for years to come," Chairman Peterson said.
"I am proud of the balanced and forward-looking Farm Bill that we have passed supporting conservation, nutrition, rural, renewable energy, labor, and farm country."
Important highlights of the Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) include:
. Investing more than $1.6 billion in priorities to strengthen and support the fruit and vegetable industry in the United States. A new section for Horticulture and Organic Agriculture includes nutrition, research, pest management and trade promotion programs.
. Implementing Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling for fruit, vegetables and meat after years of delay.
. Expanding the USDA Snack Program, which helps schools provide healthy snacks to students during after-school activities to all 50 states and continuing the DOD Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, which provides a variety of fresh produce to schools.
. Strengthening and enhancing the food stamp program by reforming benefit rules to improve coverage of food costs and expand access to the program with additional funding support.
. Including key provisions that invest in rural communities nationwide, including economic development programs and access to broadband telecommunication services.
. Providing farmers participating in commodity programs with a choice between traditional price protection and new market-oriented revenue coverage payments.
. Strengthening payment limits to ensure that people making more than $1 million a year (adjusted gross income) can't collect conservation and farm program payments and closing loopholes that allow people to avoid payment limits by receiving money through multiple business units.
. Extending and making significant new investments in popular conservation programs, including the Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve Program, Environmental Quality Incentive Program, Farm and Ranchland Protection Program, and many others.
. Making important new investments in renewable energy research, development and production in rural America.
. Rebalancing loan rates and target prices among commodities, achieving greater regional equity.
. Establishing a new National Agriculture Research Program Office to coordinate the programs and activities of USDA's research agencies to minimize duplication and maximize coordination at all levels and creates a competitive grants program.
. Protecting and sustaining our nation's forest resources.
The House of Representatives passed the 2007 Farm Bill (H.R. 2419) by a vote of 231-191. The Senate must now consider the Farm Bill.
The 2002 Farm Bill expires on September 30, 2007.

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Farm Bureau statement

Farm Bureau's upbeat statement about the House-passed farm bill. The Administration isn't winning the PR battle in farm country:

Farm Bureau Praises House Farm Bill Reform

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 27, 2007 -- The House-passed farm bill establishes a new benchmark for reform while retaining a viable economic safety net for America’s farmers and ranchers. The skillfully crafted bill addresses the concerns of taxpayers, increases support for agricultural environmental programs and balances the diverse needs of America’s family-based food and fiber production system, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

“The farm bill passed by the House 231-191 strikes a reasonable balance in allocating benefits among our nation’s farming and ranching families who grow a safe and secure supply of food and fiber for America and the world,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “Rep. Collin Peterson walked a tightrope in developing this legislation in the House Agriculture Committee. He did an outstanding job of shepherding it through the House for approval.”

House debate of the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007 (H.R. 2419) included consideration of more than 30 amendments. A key amendment vote occurred when a Farm Bureau-opposed measure that would have gutted the “three-legged” economic safety net was defeated by a resounding 309-117 vote. The vote signaled that support for stripping funding from commodity-based programs, as proposed by Rep. Ron Kind (D-Wis.), has eroded considerably since a similar measure garnered 200 votes during debate of the 2002 farm bill.

Stallman said that vote was indicative of the level of strong support for continuing a basic level of public investment to ensure a secure and reliable domestic food supply for American consumers.

“This farm bill benefits all sectors of agriculture, including new support for fruit and vegetable producers, and it provides real policy reforms,” Stallman said. “For the first time in recent history, no additional funding is provided for commodity programs. At the same time, the bill meets the needs of more of America’s farmers by providing $1.6 billion in new funding for specialty crop research, conservation, pest and disease programs, and nutrition.

“Overall, this bill directly benefits America’s taxpayers because it is fiscally responsible, spending $20 billion less than the prior farm bill. That is real reform. There was greater emphasis, however, in directing additional support toward nutrition, energy security and supporting rural communities. There also is more funding to help farmers take better care of our nation’s natural resources.”

Stallman said the House farm bill more effectively balances support programs among all types of crops and gives farmers the opportunity to enroll in a “revenue-based counter-cyclical program,” which could prove more responsive to addressing their economic challenges, according to AFBF.

“These reforms encourage individual farmers to produce crops demanded by the marketplace while at the same time delivering better economic protection against the many uncertainties they face, such as volatile crop prices and extreme weather conditions,” Stallman said. “The bill is designed to help smooth out the valleys of uncertainty most individual farmers would otherwise be unable to weather alone. In doing so, the bill supports the production of our nation’s food and fiber staples and it preserves a way of life that benefits all of American society.”

Stallman said the new bill also is important because it includes assistance to address the needs of young and beginning farmers, and it includes provisions to help farmers grow crops for the production of home-grown renewable fuels.

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Cardoza statement after farm bill passage

Here is statement from Rep. Dennis Cardoza, mere moments after sliding acorss my inbox.


WASHINGTON, DC – Today Congressman Dennis Cardoza (D-CA-18) heralded the passage of landmark reforms in the 2007 Farm Bill that will finally allow California farmers and producers to benefit equally from government farm programs. Mr. Cardoza helped to include historic investments in specialty crops, conservation, and nutrition programs in the 2007 Farm Bill, as well as commonsense improvements to the subsidy programs.

“California agriculture is finally getting the respect and treatment it deserves. This is a huge win for California and the right policy for America,” said Cardoza. He continued, “Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Peterson deserve credit for producing a farm bill for the 21st century that will support America’s farmers and comply with House pay-go rules.”

The 2007 Farm Bill contains $1.6 billion for programs that are priorities to specialty farmers, conservationists, and nutrition advocates. This funding includes resources for research and pest detection, block grants, organic farming, farmer’s market promotion, the Environmental Quality Improvement Program (EQIP), and the National School Lunch Program, which helps provide fresh fruits and vegetables to school children.

Within the EQIP program the bill contains $150 million for air quality mitigation, which will help farmers comply with federal and local air pollution laws. These funds are critical for farmers in California’s San Joaquin Valley which has some of the worst air in the nation and the toughest air quality laws. The bill also contains important technical changes that will allow more California farmers to be eligible for authorized farming programs.

The 2007 Farm Bill makes significant and timely reforms to many farm programs that were no longer functioning efficiently. The bill stops all payments to wealthy farmers with income over $1 million per year, fights waste, fraud, and abuse in the crop insurance program, and closes the “three-entity” rule. Savings from these programs are shifted to sectors of growing importance, like organic agriculture, and nutrition programs to get healthy farm products to school children.

Mr. Cardoza and other members of the Agriculture Committee, many of whom are Blue Dog Democrats, were dedicated to complying with pay-go rules in the 2007 Farm Bill. Compliance with pay-go and competing funding priorities, required lawmakers to take a hard look at all farm programs and discontinue or de-fund those that were not operating effectively.

“This bill threads the needle,” said Cardoza. “There is something for everyone to dislike, but everyone got what they needed. For the first time in the history of the farm bill lawmakers, conservationists, nutrition advocates, and farmers from all regions of the country support the overall bill.”

The 2007 Farm Bill passed on the House floor by a vote of 231 – 191. Farm Bill legislation will next be considered by the Senate.

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United Member alert

Here is the United Fresh Produce Association member alert concerning passage of the farm bill.


House of Representatives Passes Historic Farm Bill for Fruits and Vegetables
The U.S. House of Representatives has just passed its 2007 Farm Bill, containing an unprecedented $2 billion in mandatory funding and major policy priorities for the fruit and vegetable industry. "This is an historic day for the fruit and vegetable industry, and one we've worked toward for many years," said United Fresh Chairman Emanuel Lazopoulos. "We didn't ask for subsidies; we asked for investment in research, technical assistance and grants to improve industry competitiveness, and major new programs to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to school children across the country. As member after member of Congress stepped to the podium over the past 24 hours to support these goals, we knew that a new day had arrived that would help grow our entire produce industry for many years to come," he said.
The House-passed Farm Bill will significantly expand the USDA Fruit and Vegetable School Snack Program, expand state block grants to increase industry competitiveness, purchase more fruits and vegetables for school lunch, expand the DOD Fresh Program for schools, provide technical assistance to address international market access issues, invest in specialty crop research including produce food safety, enhance programs to prevent invasive plant pests and disease, and target funding to address conservation priorities.
"We're proud of the effort and support by many Congressional leaders that has brought us this far," said United Fresh President Tom Stenzel. "The investments in this Farm Bill will help growers, shippers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and restaurants deliver the highest quality, safest and most affordable fresh produce to consumers in the United States and around the world. But, the battle is not over. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) plans to begin consideration of its Farm Bill in September, the same week as United Fresh's
Washington Public Policy Conference. "Our work is cut out for us to shape the Senate bill and drive home a final law signed by President Bush. Every member of our industry that wants to grow fresh produce sales and consumption, and investment in key industry priorities, should come to Washington September 12-14 to make your voices heard," he said.


TK: As I've said before, the WPPC should be a celebration this September. It will also be good timing with the start of Senate Ag Committee consideration of their farm bill provisions. Congratulations to United and other industry lobbyists in the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance for bringing a produce friendly farm bill halfway home.


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Democratic lean

Within an hour or so, the House of Representatives will finish a "votarama" on amendments and then pass the 2007 farm bill. It will be a big day of celebration for the fresh produce industry, with nearly $2 billion in mandatory funding for specialty crop priorities over five years.

While the farm bill is traditionally a bipartisan effort, this year's voting will be dominated in the "yea" column by Democrats. Republicans, including Rep. Bob Goodlatte, have said they can't vote for the bill because of a tax provision on foreign companies doing business in the U.S. One lobbyist said perhaps 10 to 12 Republicans - that is all - may peel off and vote for the farm bill. The final vote will be deceiving, since many more Republicans would have voted for the farm bill if the tax provision had been excluded. The House Agriculture Committee developed their farm bill in a bipartisan manner, they just couldn't close the deal.

Still, the confluence of big gains for the specialty crop industry in the farm bill and Democratic control of both chambers of Congress may signal a shift in industry loyalties. Democratic receptiveness to nutrition issues and their willingness to provide mandatory funding for specialty crop block grants buys them considerable goodwill.

Besides the giant contribution from Rep. Dennis Cardoza, the work of Chairman Peterson, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Ag appropriations subcommittee chair Rosa DeLauro all figured positively in the farm bill.

Industry lobbyists - so valuable to the trade in this farm bill debate - will continue to have much work ahead. Working the Senate for similar or better treatment in that chamber's version of the farm bill is obviously front and center.

How Congress deals with food safety issues in the weeks ahead also will be worth watching. Some of the Democrats who played the most helpful roles in securing industry priorities in the farm bill also will advance some of the most aggressive food safety remedies.

The industry will want to tread carefully as the food safety debate advance. Industry leaders don't want to alienate some of their biggest allies on the Democratic side of the aisle. Republicans may prove quite helpful to the industry if they provide moderation and caution when their Democratic colleagues offer over-prescriptive solutions to food safety.

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What's happening

Some excerpts from the House floor, courtesy of the House Web site. Rangel amendment on liberalizing trade with Cuba passes with voice vote but further questions on adoption of the amendment put off until later today. Cardoza amendment on transferring border inspectors to USDA was withdrawn.


9:56 A.M. -
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Rangel amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
9:42 A.M. -
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 574, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rangel amendment.
Amendment offered by Mr. Rangel.
An amendment numbered 12 printed in Part B of House Report 110-261 to remove certain banking restrictions related to Cuba's payment for agricultural purchases from U.S. producers. It also authorizes direct transfers between Cuban banks and U.S. banks and allows visas to be issued to conduct activities related to purchasing U.S. agricultural goods.


9:28 A.M. -
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 574, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Boustany amendment.
Amendment offered by Mr. Boustany.
An amendment numbered 6 printed in Part B of House Report 110-261 to state that in the case of sweet potatoes, Risk Management Agency Pilot Program data shall not be considered for purposes of determining production for the 2005-2006 Farm Service Agency Crop Disaster Program.
By unanimous consent, the Cardoza amendment was withdrawn.
9:21 A.M. -
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 574, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cardoza amendment, pending reservation of a point of order.
Amendment offered by Mr. Cardoza.
An amendment numbered 5 printed in Part B of House Report 110-261 to require USDA to transition Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) employees responsible for plant pest inspection duties back to USDA from the Department of Homeland Security in order to better serve the needs of American agriculture.

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Headline roundup 7/27

Multinational credit ratings not impacted by EC objections Standard and Poors says current ratings and outlook remain unchanged remain after reports that the companies have received a Statement of Objections from the European Commission (EC).

Radio waves used for pest control Using radio waves, rather than chemicals, may be the best, post-harvest process for debugging dried fruits and nuts, according to a team of researchers led by a Washington State University professor.

Car made of vegetables hits 240km/h

House set to vote on farm bill

Senate presses border security

Supermarkets tout fresh, local

Mackey out at Whole Foods?

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Discussion group roundup 7/27

You have to get up pretty early to be in front of members of our discussion group. This morning is no different. Here are a few valuable links posted on the discussion group board this morning:

Food stamps go green (market) Big Apple notes a story that notes some farmers markets are taking electronic benefit cards:
Three Bronx-based farmers' markets now can accept food stamps in the form of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards, thanks to a $300,000 windfall approved by the council.
"Making sure New Yorkers have access to food stamps is only half the battle - we also need to make sure they can use those food stamps to purchase nutritious foods," said Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D- Manhattan) in a statement.



Plum pox resistant trees move forward Big Apple notes ARS report on development of plum pox virus resistant trees. From the link:

Plum trees with resistance to plum pox (PPV), a virus that can devastate stone fruit, have moved a step closer to reality, according to the Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

Emergency Food Assistance Program; Availability of Commodities for Fiscal Year 2007 Big Apple links to this notice talking about federal government purchase of surplus commodities, including fruits and vegetables.


In news The Packer will follow up on, Big Apple notes the reopening of the comment period for consideration of USDA's rules on movement of Florida citrus from canker regions. Calif. sources had been seeking extension of the initial comment period, which ended July 23. From the rule:
We are reopening the comment period for our proposed rule that would amend the citrus canker regulations by modifying the conditions under which fruit may be moved interstate from quarantined areas. This action will allow interested persons additional time to prepare and submit comments.
DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before August 7, 2007.


Luis observes an interesting wrinkle in farm bill debate relative to the sale of water rights and the effect of that income on eligibility for farm payments. A recent post in Mulch blog (linked on the right side of this blog) said:

Here's the implication. Under the Pelosi payment limitation reforms, a big-bucks cotton farmer--in, say, the Westlands Water District of California--who pulls down between $500,000 and $1,000,000 in adjusted gross income (AGI, averaged over 3 years), is ineligible for crop subsidies unless he can demonstrate that 66.66 percent of the dough was "income from farming", as defined in the bill. If he sells water rights, it will count as income from farming under the bill, making it easier to continue receiving subsidies.


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Thursday, July 26, 2007

HR 2419 - Unfinished business

Here is the link to the H.R. 2419, the farm bill from the House Agriculture Committee now being considered in the full House. Here is reverse chronology of events tonight on the House floor, from the House Web site. Note that the Kind amendment was defeated soundly.

10:43 P.M. -
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving
H.R. 2419 as unfinished business.
On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Mr. Peterson (MN) moved that the committee rise.
10:41 P.M. -
On agreeing to the Kind amendment Failed by recorded vote: 117 - 309
(Roll no. 747).
10:18 P.M. -
On agreeing to the Frank (MA) amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
10:05 P.M. -
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 574, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Frank (MA) amendment.
Amendment offered by Mr. Frank (MA).
An amendment numbered 2 printed in Part B of House Report 110-261 to strike 5 sections from Title V of the bill which expand the lending authority of the Farm Credit System.
10:04 P.M. -
On agreeing to the Peterson (MN) amendments Agreed to by voice vote.
9:53 P.M. -
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 574, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Peterson(MN) En Bloc amendments.
9:50 P.M. -
Amendments offered by Mr. Peterson (MN).
An amendment comprised of the following amendments offered En Bloc: Amendment Nos. 4, 8, 9, 10, 14, 17, 22, 23 as modified, 24, 26, 28, 30 and 31.
9:49 P.M. -
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Kind amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Kind demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
8:58 P.M. -
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 574, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the Kind amendment.
Amendment offered by Mr. Kind.
An amendment numbered 1 printed in Part B of House Report 110-261 to reform the farmer safety net to work better for small farmers at lower cost, reallocate funding to nutrition, conservation, specialty crops and healthy foods, rural development, and programs that benefit socially disadvantaged farmers.
7:42 P.M. -
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on
H.R. 2419.
7:41 P.M. -
The Speaker designated the Honorable Ellen O. Tauscher to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to
H. Res. 574 and Rule XVIII.
Rule provides for consideration of
H.R. 2419 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. The amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Agriculture now printed in the bill, modified by the amendments printed in part A of the report of the Committee on Rules accompanying this resolution, shall be considered as adopted in the House and in the Committee of the Whole.
Considered under the provisions of rule
H. Res. 574.

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Rule vote up first

House Republicans will come out strongly against the first vote in consideration of the farm bill, which will be the vote on the "rule" for the debate. Link here.

At the Republican conference this morning, members sounded united in their objection to a tax on foreign owned companies that was added to the bill, one source close to the committee said. Republicans are saying it is a tax increase and Democrats are saying they are closing a tax loophole.

There are GOP members who are reluctant to vote against the rule because they favor the farm bill, but look for near unanimous GOP opposition on the first vote. Democrats may well have enough votes to pass the rule, assuming few Democrats peel off and vote with the GOP.

There will be an hour debate on the rule vote. After the vote, assuming the Democrats hold sway, the Kind-Flake amendment will be taken up. That amendment would sharply limit farm subsidies.One Washington lobbyist said the Kind-Flake may get more support than expected. If it somehow is approved, the farm bill would be withdrawn at that point.

Once Republicans had a chance to vote against the rule, those Republican members who were going to vote for the House Committee's farm bill will probably still vote for it.

Another amendment to watch is one from the Ways and Means Committee chairman Rangel that would liberalize sales terms for agriculture exports to Cuba. President Bush has threatened a veto on other bills if this is attached to it. Passage of this amendment may complicate final passage of the farm bill because Floridian House members might vote against the legislation.

Remember the House Agriculture Committee farm bill amendment that would transfer border inspectors back to USDA from DHS? That was stripped out at the last minute because of objections by Homeland Security. If it will be a part of the bill, one lobbyist said it will have to pass on the House floor; Rep. Dennis Cardoza will offer an amendment seeking to accomplish just that. While most U.S. produce association support the move of inspectors from DHS to USDA, Lee Frankel of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas believes DHS has made good progress and worries that U.S. growers will try to manipulate the USDA to their advantage and the detriment of imports if border inspectors move back to the agency.

"It's worth staying up for tonight because it will be spirited," one lobbyist said. The debate will likely spillover tomorrow morning and try to finish by noon or 1 p.m, one lobbyist speculated.

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FB amendments

TK: From the office of Rep Dennis Cardoza.The Rules Committee has determined 31 amendments considered today in the farm bill debate. Note Cardoza amendment on moving APHIS staff back to USDA from DHS.

The rule makes in order the following 31 amendments printed in the Rules Committee report.

1. Kind (WI): The Fairness in Farm and Food Policy Amendment will reform the farmer safety net to work better for small farmers at lower cost, reallocate funding to nutrition, conservation, specialty crops and healthy foods, rural development, and programs that benefit socially disadvantaged farmers., (40 minutes)

2. Frank (MA)/Bachus (AL): The amendment strikes five sections from Title V of the bill (Agribusiness loan eligibility, Loan-to-asset value requirements, Population limit for single-family housing loans, Majority farmer control requirement, and Borrower stock requirement), which expand the lending authority of the Farm Credit System., (10 minutes)

3. Goodlatte (VA): The amendment streamlines and adopts one set of terms and conditions of easements for the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP), Grasslands Reserve Program (GRP), Farmland and Ranchland Protection Program (FRPP), and Healthy Forest Reserve Program (HFRP). , (10 minutes)

4. Lucas (OK): The amendment would make livestock producers eligible for livestock assistance programs regardless of whether they had Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance (NAP) coverage., (10 minutes)

5. Cardoza (CA): The amendment requires USDA to transition Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) employees responsible for plant pest inspection duties back to USDA from the Department of Homeland Security in order to better serve the needs of American agriculture., (10 minutes)

6. Boustany (LA)/Alexander (LA): The amendment states that in the case of sweet potatoes, Risk Management Agency Pilot Program data shall not be considered for purposes of determining production for the 2005-2006 Farm Service Agency Crop Disaster Program., (10 minutes)

7. Jackson-Lee (TX): The amendment is intended to express the sense of Congress that the food available to schoolchildren under the school breakfast and lunch program should be selected so as to reduce the incidence of juvenile obesity and to maximize nutritional value., (10 minutes)

8. Hastings (FL): The amendment adds a new section for "Pollinator Protection" that authorizes research funding to reduce North American pollinator decline and understand Colony Collapse Disorder. This amendment also adjusts USDA conservation programs to put a greater emphasis on increasing habitat and establishing cropping and integrated pest management practices to protect native and managed pollinators. , (10 minutes)

9. Arcuri (NY)/Welch (VT)/Gillibrand (NY): The amendment expresses the Sense of Congress that the Secretary of Agriculture should use existing authority when determining the Class I milk price mover to take into account the increased cost of production, including energy and feed. , (10 minutes)

10. Welch (VT): The amendment encourages schools to submit plans for implementation to the Secretary that include locally grown foods, in areas where geographically available. , (10 minutes)

11. Welch (VT)/Arcuri (NY): The amendment adds a provision to the review process for the Federal Milk Marketing Order Review Commission to include an evaluation of cost of production variables, including cost of feed and cost of fuel. Additionally, it encourages the Commission to be regionally diverse, and moves up the date from 24 months to 18 months after the enactment of this bill. , (10 minutes)

12. Rangel (NY): The amendment removes certain banking restrictions related to Cuba’s payment for agricultural purchases from U.S. producers. It also authorizes direct transfers between Cuban banks and U.S. banks and allows visas to be issued to conduct activities related to purchasing U.S. agricultural goods., (10 minutes)

13. Boehner (OH): The amendment would replace the current daily posted county prices (PCPs) used for determining loan deficiency payment rates and repayment rates for marketing assistance loans with a monthly PCP for each crop. It would revise requirements for establishing a producer’s loan deficiency payment (LDP) and loan repayment rate to be based on the month that beneficial interest is lost. The amendment aims to address farmers taking advantage of short-term market events to lock in artificially high loan deficiency payments, while actually selling the commodity later at prices well above the loan rate. , (10 minutes)

14. Johnson, Eddie Bernice (TX): The amendment adds the additional point to Subtitle B of the research title that emphasis should be placed on proposals that examine the efficacy of current agriculture policies in promoting the health and welfare of economically disadvantaged populations (in addition to supporting research/ health promotion to “solve the problems of nutritional inadequacy)., (10 minutes)

15. Manzullo (IL): The amendment exempts the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) from the $60,000 and $125,000 payment limitations, resetting it to the $450,000 limitation that is in the current law., (10 minutes)

16. Blumenauer (OR): The amendment would make conservation easements purchased through a transferable development rights program eligible for grants under the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program. Transferable Development Rights (TDR) programs are a voluntary, market-based tool used by states and cities to protect farmland, private property rights, and taxpayer dollars by allowing the transfer of development rights from one parcel of land to another., (10 minutes)

17. Latham (IA):
, The amendment amends the Household Water Well System Program, which makes grants to non-profit organizations to finance the construction, refurbishing, and servicing of individually owned household water well systems in rural areas for individuals with low or moderate incomes, to allow the use of in-kind contributions to meet the required federal funding match of 10%. The amendment also clarifies that in-kind contributions used to meet the match can be for no purpose other than to administer the water well grant program., (10 minutes)

18. Berry (AR): The amendment will prohibit non-profit organizations with more than $50 million in direct public support from receiving conservation payments., (10 minutes)

19. Davis, Danny (IL)/Kirk (IL): The amendment strikes the sugar sections in the commodity title as well as the feedstock flexibility program for bioenergy producers, extending current programs until 2012., (10 minutes)

20. Terry (NE): The amendment creates a competitive demonstration project designed to provide proof of concept in supplementing corn with sweet sorghum as an ethanol feedstock., (10 minutes)

21. Udall, Mark (CO): The amendment reduces the direct payment rate for cotton by 2/3 of a cent. The resulting savings would be used to fund enrollment of 224,000 additional acres in the Grasslands Reserve Program., (10 minutes)

22. Wu (OR): The amendment broadens the eligible universities by adding that universities that do work in alternative energy related fields, such as agriculture, chemistry, environmental sciences, bioengineering, biochemistry, natural resources and public policy are eligible for the biofuels from biomass internship program., (10 minutes)

23. Clay (MO): The amendment would make grants to eligible entities to assist in purchasing operating organic gardens or greenhouses in urban areas for growing fruits and vegetables., (10 minutes)

24. Israel (NY)/Doyle (PA): The amendment would eliminate the sale of random source animals for research and will prohibit the marketing of medical devices by using live animals in demonstrations to market such devices., (10 minutes)

25. Putnam (FL): The amendment prohibits individuals from receiving farm conservation payments if their income exceeds $1 million, unless 75% of the income comes from farm income. , (10 minutes)

26. Bordallo (GU): The amendment authorizes a grants program to assist the land grant institutions in the U.S. territories in upgrading facilities and equipment in the agricultural and food sciences. It authorizes appropriations for five years in the amount of $8 million per year. It authorizes USDA to vary award amounts and to establish competitive criteria for the program., (10 minutes)

27. Cooper (TN): The amendment will comprehensively reform the federal crop insurance program, including the Administration’s farm bill crop insurance proposals. This amendment saves approximately $4 billion while adding resources to the Grassland Reserve Program., (10 minutes)

28. Emanuel (IL): The amendment directs the USDA to investigate which estates have been receiving payments in the name of dead farmers and recoup payments made in the name of deceased individuals., (10 minutes)

29. Hall, John (NY): The amendment would establish a program to encourage environmentally responsible practices on actively farmed muck soil land., (10 minutes)

30. Hodes (NH)/Arcuri (NY): The amendment authorizes a grant program for state and local communities and governments known as the Community Wood Energy Program to use low-grade wood biomass in community wood energy systems for state and locally owned businesses such as schools, town halls, and courthouses., (10 minutes)

31. Shuler (NC): The amendment allows non-industrial private forest lands to be eligible for emergency restoration funds if the Secretary determines that insect or disease poses an imminent threat of loss or damage to those lands., (10 minutes)

The rule provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

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