It won't be easy

Wrapping up a day at the WPPC today, I'm hearing there even more complications with the farm bill process in the Senate than I thought. Sen. Tom Harkin will struggle to put his version of the farm bill through the Agriculture Committee, and Sen. Kent Conrad's version has given paltry attention to fruit and vegetable priorities like specialty crop block grants. It should be an interesting few weeks as the committee tries to come together around a farm bill that everyone can support. It appears the Senate leadership may tend to support Conrad over Harkin.

Meanwhile, it appears the produce safety bill that Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa has been readying for introduction could be dropped within the next couple of weeks. The industry is far from doing handsprings over this legislation, which while apparently calling for a "risk-based approach," may also call for inspections and product testing. More coverage on a WPPC food safety seminar later.

Talking to citrus sources, the USDA's final rule on Florida's citrus shipments from canker regions is expected sometime by mid-October. That will be too late to account for the start of Florida's season, but the industry is hoping to make it work. If the final rule is published that allows fruit from canker regions to be shipped, the California citrus industry is expected to stage an all-out legal challenge to the final rule.

WPPC 2007 slideshow

No news from Johanns

Coming in the wake of news that Nebraska Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel is not seeking reelection in 2008, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns didn't tip his hand today if he would be seeking Hagel's seat next year. In an impromptu press gaggle after his speech, Johanns declined comment.
Johanns is visiting Nebraska this weekend to attend the USC-Nebraska game, and his press spokesman Keith Williams says Johanns is also looking forward to seeing a new grandchild. So I wouldn't read too much into his visit to Nebraska on the heels of the Hagel announcement.
Johanns didn't have a lot of news for the WPPC crowd this morning, touching on the farm bill, bi-lateral trade agreements and food safety.
Johanns has certainly had a taste of Washington life, so he knows what he would be getting in to. Being one of 100 senators probably has appeal for anyone in a position to run, so I look to Johanns to eventually throw his hat in the ring.

Discussion board roundup 9/13

Our Fresh Produce Industry Discussion Group has these topics lined up this morning:

Farm runoff feeds deadzone Big Apple posts link that warns increasing corn production has resulted in higher fertilizer runoff problems in the Mississippi and a widening Dead Zone in the Gulf.
Wheat at $9 per bushel, permanent ag disaster relief fund and subsidy cuts Big Apple posts links to news about record wheat prices and the push for permanent disaster relief program in farm bill
Almond marketing order rule Big Apple posts FR rule that requires handlers who transfer almonds to other handlers to report to the Board whether or not the almonds were treated to achieve a 4-log reduction in Salmonella bacteria (Salmonella). This action will help the Board track treated and untreated almonds and facilitate administration of its mandatory Salmonella treatment program.
First International Lettuce and Leafy Greens Food Safety Symposium Luis posts news of the symposium. The First International Food Safety Research Symposium on lettuce and leafy greens will be held Sept. 20-21, 2007 in Washington, DC.
Outstandng in the field Luis comments on a post by Rick Bella and notes another group trying to connect consumers and farmers. From Luis: Another twist is to take the people to the farm. These folk at outstanding in the field have a bus like a Chez Panisse on wheels. Have "local food" culinary tours featuring local food celebrities and dinner in farms and community gardens. Booked solid until December.
Interestingly, a prominent local farm promotes activities like cycling ("Le Tour de Farm") a seasonal corn maze and are now planning to open a restaurant.
http://www.outstandinginthefield.com/home.html