Very good news

Sharon Hughes of the NCAE said the the compromise comprehensive immigration deal is indeed very good news. The language is bring written this weekend and Ag Jobs is not being grafted in completely but being interwoven in the act. She said Sens. Chambliss, Feinstein and Craig got together and ironed out a few remaining points of contention related to AgJobs. The fact that Chambliss is on board may mean he can bring other Southern GOP senators with him.
While there may be some resistance in the House, she said the fact that so many people have wanted this agreement for so long - and the fact industry is on board - should mean the bill should reach the President's desk by July.

Adding clementines

There has been interesting back and forth discussion on the H.R. 2209 in the Fresh Produce Discussion group(link on the side of the blog). The bill that would add clementines to the list of fruits and vegetables subject to minimum quality import requirements issued by the Secretary of Agriculture.

Here is the bill:


CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2209
To amend the Agricultural Adjustment Act to add clementines to the list of fruits and vegetables subject to minimum quality import requirements issued by the Secretary of Agriculture.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 8, 2007
Mr. CARDOZA (for himself, Mr. NUNES, Mr. MCCARTHY of California, and Mr. COSTA) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To amend the Agricultural Adjustment Act to add clementines to the list of fruits and vegetables subject to minimum quality import requirements issued by the Secretary of Agriculture.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. QUALITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CLEMENTINES.
Section 8e(a) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (7 U.S.C. 608e-1(a)), reenacted with amendments by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, is amended in the first sentence by inserting after `nectarines,' the following: `clementines,'.


TK: Do buyers and receivers feel the added cost of mandatory inspections is necessary? Has the market been diminished because of poor quality imports, or is this proposed legislation a trade barrier? Join the discussion here on in the Fresh Produce Discussion Group.

F&V Advisory committee meeting

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will hold a Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (Committee) meeting June 4-5 at the Holiday Inn Central in D.C.

The Federal Register notice said discussion topics will include: updates on state audit requirements and marketing agreements,food safety initiatives, the Food Stamp program, and invasive pest and disease safety precautions. The issue of USDA AMS involvement in food safety may come into sharper focus. The Center for Science in the Public Interest has expressed concern about AMS involvement with food safety audits because the agency also serves to promote agriculture.