National Agricultural Law Center and PACA

Bruce Summers of USDA AMS passed on a nice resource to look at when considering the issue of PACA trust rights and relevant court decisions over the years. This link highlights the American Banana case from several years ago that resulted in a produce seller losing rights to statutory trust due to a post-default agreement. Also find this helpful commentary here. More coverage coming on that in The Packer...

Here are some headlines snatched from the Web this morning.

Obama's first day After 10 inaugural balls the day before, Obama active on war in Iraq, bailout

Possible FDA head: more staff needed to inspect food From Newsday

Dr. Steven Nissen, chairman of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic - and reported to be on President Barack Obama's short list to become FDA chief - said food inspection is swamped by the FDA's other responsibilities: the approval of medications and medical devices.

"Here's one of the problems: Foods have two major inspection agencies, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the FDA. I think all of it needs to be under one roof," Nissen said yesterday.

Immigrant activists call for end to raids

European pesticide battle rumbles on Grower groups want negative impact measured before new rules are implemented next year

State auditors question avocado commission's payouts Coverage from The Packer

World running out of water Pacific Institute and Water Footprint Network produces scary numbers and has ag in its sights:

A significant part of the problem is the huge, and often deeply inefficient, use of water by industry and agriculture. UN calculations suggest that more than one third of the world's population is suffering from water shortages: by 2020 water use is expected to increase by 40 per cent from current levels, and by 2025, according to another UN estimate, two out of three people could be living under conditions of “water stress”.

Florida growers work to save crops from freeze

Rio Queen citrus founder dies Coverage from The Packer

CDC warns of program cuts The now familiar theme: how will state budget cuts affect services to consumers and industry?

Supply, weather factors lift lettuce prices Coverage from The Packer

Colder winter actually proof of global warming Could it be any other way?

Greek farmers maintain highway blockades

Potato shippers avoid national oversupply Coverage from The Packer

South Korea's economy shrinks Fourth quarter results show GDP contracted 5.6%, more than double what was predicted

Foreclosures spread from sub prime to prime

Changes to credit limits influence consumer behavior
A report on website Internet Retailer suggests that falling credit limits could impact the average person's spending behavior.
While many people reported they planned to voluntarily cut back on purchases over the holiday season, others may have found their hands tied due to credit concerns.

Deeper housing woes this year, say economists

Hotels trim amenities Fewer cookies and hand lotion