Fresh Produce Discussion Blog

Created by The Packer's National Editor Tom Karst

Thursday, December 6, 2007

New poll - Was NAFTA good or bad for U.S. produce industry?

I'm still scratching my head over the exclusion of white potatoes from the WIC rule. It only makes implementation of the rule harder for WIC participants and retailers. Like John Keeling of the National Potato Council, I wonder how do you define "white potatoes'? What about red-skinned, white flesh potatoes? Or white-skinned, yellow-flesh? Perhaps common sense will prevail in the final rule.

Note there is a new Fresh Talk poll about NAFTA. Perhaps more than that, it may be a poll about how the trade feels about "free trade agreements." One trade analyst with the CATO Institute said that NAFTA is often brought up for abuse in political campaigns, but in fact the agreement was very good for the U.S. and Mexico. In terms of the produce industry, was NAFTA good or bad, foul or fair?

The previous Fresh Talk poll indicated that those participating in the poll were evenly split on the course of action for the Produce Traceability Initiative.

What's the best way for the Produce Traceability Initiative to increase implementation of full chain traceability?

Set an industry wide deadline for implementation
4 (44%)
Recommend that FDA provide guidance/mandate
4 (44%)
No action required: All market forces to influence traceability
1 (11%)
Begin outreach to trade on turnkey solutions
1 (11%)




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