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I had a conversation with Bob Keeney of AMS earlier today. We talked a little about the farm bill amendment that added food safety to the list of activities for marketing orders. He said that AMS lawyers had already concluded that food safety was in the domain of accepted marketing order activities. The farm bill language, while not necessary, helps clarify and settle the issue.

He also took issue with my characterization that the food safety audits may be an attractive income stream for AMS in these days of deficit budgets for the Fresh Product Branch. Keeney said most of the GAP/GHP audits are performed (the California leafy greens agreement, for example) by state inspectors, and USDA only keeps a small percentage of the cost of each inspection. He resented any inference that USDA would want to become involved in food safety inspections for any reason other than serving the interests of the industry. They are not money-grubbing or opportunistic.

I believe Bob was sincerely miffed about that and I apologize for any perceived inference that the USDA would put the interests of the agency ahead of the industry. Yet at that same time, USDA AMS has a "business" to run. I would expect them to look for ways to cross purpose their f/v grade inspectors and maximize their utility.

I also told Bob I hoped I get to visit the USDA's training center for inspectors during one of the sessions put on for the trade. I put in an earlier inquiry with Amy Philpott at United to attend a day at the training center with an industry class, but USDA oddly okayed only a half a day for this trade reporter.

Australia stalling

Here is a link to coverage of New Zealand's 86-year quest to get apples into Australia. The bottom line. New Zealand apples still can't get in, and industry leaders are blaming foot dragging on the part of Australian plant health officials.

From the report:

The New Zealand apple industry is running out of time to export its fruit to Australia and is accusing our transtasman neighbour of using delay tactics.
The 86-year ban on apples entering Australia, relating to fears of the bacterial disease fireblight, was formally lifted earlier this year but Australia put restrictions in place including the necessity for New Zealand orchards to be inspected.
Quarantine staff were due to visit fruitgrowers in Hawkes Bay two weeks ago to clear the produce for export.
However, the inspections have not yet gone ahead because the New Zealand and Australian governments have not yet completed the paperwork.
Pipfruit New Zealand chairman Ian Palmer says it is about time the issue was sorted out because the negotiations have been going on for months. He is blaming Australia for stalling.
"It can be done very quickly but it seems to be being held up by the Australian bureaucracy at the moment and the only conclusion we can draw from that is that it is being politically interfered with".

TK: At least New Zealand has the U.S. market; season to date shipments of New Zealand apples to the U.S. were 46.2 million pounds through July 21, about even with last year.

Pushback from small farmers

Doug Powell of K-State's Food Safety Network passes along this link about a legal defense group for small farmers. From the press release:


Washington, DC., July 23. 2007 /Natural Newswire/ -- Small farmers – and the consumers who support them – celebrated the Fourth of July with the launch of the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund. The non-profit organization was founded to protect the rights of farmers to provide meat, eggs, raw dairy products, vegetables and other foods directly to consumers.
“We hope to restore family farms to the prominent place they once held in American
society,”says Taaron Meikle, President of the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund and a fifth generation member of a Colorado farming family. “Our Founding Fathers saw family farms as the very backbone of American society. Yet today small farmers are an endangered species because of government laws and regulations that serve big agri-business and make it difficult for small farms to be profitable.”
The opening celebration, held at a Lancaster County Amish farm, was attended by over 500 farmers and consumers who believe in the constitutional right to obtain raw milk and other foods directly from family farms without interference by federal, state and local governments. “Farmers across the land are either being forced into producing factory-quality industrial food and selling it through a corporate channels or just closing down the farm,” says Minneapolis activist Will Winter, DVM. “Some who’ve tried to do it the old- fashioned way have found themselves faced with huge fines and even jail time.”

TK: My sympathies lie with the small grower, but if the old fashioned way is selling tainted milk or produce with pathogens, then small farmers should be prepared for the long and strong arm of the law.

Continuing from the release:

When the rights of farmers and consumers are in question, we’re here to give them professional legal support and advice at any time of the day or night,” says Columbus, Ohio, attorney Gary Cox, legal counsel to the Fund. “Our lawyers have prior experience working for state governments and so are familiar with the many types of administrative and enforcement actions likely to be taken by governments against farmers, private citizens and families. Our educational services will include up-to-date information on legal and regulatory issues as well as model contracts for cow-share, herd-share, farm-share or other contractual agreements that may be needed in order for consumers to obtain raw dairy products and other nutritious foods directly from farmers.”

TK: The consumer will become a part of the farm operation to overcome regulation and control.

More from the release...

The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund will also lobby at the state and federal level toward the passage of laws favorable to raw milk sales, on-farm processing and grass-based, organic and sustainable farming methods. “The Fund was modeled after other highly successful legal defense organizations that have succeeded in creating a supportive, less restrictive and more respectful relationship between local, state and national government agencies. We look forward to similar success for our nation’s small farms,” says Meikle.
“As we celebrate today, we hold a great vision for the future,” says Sally Fallon, president of the Weston A. Price Foundation, which has sponsored the creation of the legal defense fund. “We see small farmers prospering as they provide the raw milk and other nutrient-dense farm foods that people want and need. We see families enjoying radiant good health because they have access to these fine foods and communities thriving because of the commerce in farm-fresh food.”

Tuesday 7/24 headline roundup

Little change expected in House consideration of farm bill Dan Looker from Successful Farming writes: House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-MN) told reporters Friday that he doubts the farm bill his committee approved Thursday will face significant changes when it comes up for a vote in the full House of Representatives this week.


New DHS chemical security rules hit agriculture hard The National Propane Gas Association and 14 other trade associations formed a joint coalition to fight the new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) chemical security regulations.

Avoiding China's organics

Woman accused of dropping mothballs in deli soup Big Apple passes on this stomach turning story

Light brown apple moth spreads in California Report passed on by Big Apple in industry discussion group

Fruit trees under quarantine in Niagara July 19 report flagged by Big Apple says Two areas of western Niagara County, NY, have been placed under agricultural quarantine because of a disease that attacks certain commercial and ornamental fruit trees.

Promise of ID Cards Is Followed by Peril of Arrest for Illegal Immigrants New York Times story noted by Big Apple reports: Those taken from Alan's household were among the 32 immigrants arrested in the New Haven area by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and scattered to jails in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maine, in an operation that began June 6 and ended June 11.
The operation started two days after the city's Board of Aldermen approved the plan to offer municipal identification cards to all residents, including an estimated 15,000 illegal immigrants settled in this city of 125,000.


Wal-Mart cuts prices in bid to boost sales AP reports:Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s largest retailer, set the stage for price wars Monday as it announced it’s cutting prices on more than 16,000 items starting this week in a bid to turn around sales for the critical back-to-school season.

Europe wrestles with GM potato Big Apple notes NYT coverage of GM potato in Europe.