Fresh Produce Discussion Blog

Created by The Packer's National Editor Tom Karst

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Fw: Press Release: Peterson Introduces Bill to Protect Producers fromBurdensome EPA Regulation

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-----Original Message-----
From: AgPress <agpress@mail.house.gov>
Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2010 13:10:23
To: News Distribution<news@aglist.house.gov>
Reply-To: "news-request@aglist.house.gov" <news-request@aglist.house.gov>
Subject: Press Release: Peterson Introduces Bill to Protect Producers from
Burdensome EPA Regulation

News from the House Agriculture Committee

http://agriculture.house.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, September 30, 2010

Media Contact:
Liz Friedlander (202) 225-1564
liz.friedlander@mail.house.gov

Peterson Introduces Bill to Protect Producers from Burdensome EPA Regulation

WASHINGTON - House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., yesterday introduced H.R. 6273 which amends the
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Clean Water Act (CWA) to prohibit additional permits for
pesticide application when pesticides are applied consistent with FIFRA.

"This legislation provides farmers and ranchers with the safe harbor they deserve in the application of pesticides. The bill
relieves producers from a potentially costly regulatory burden that does little if anything to protect the environment," Peterson
said.

In the decades since Congress enacted the CWA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has never issued a National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the application of a pesticide. Instead, EPA has regulated these types of
applications through FIFRA, enacted by Congress to control all aspects of pesticide registration, sales and use. The FIFRA
registration process includes stringent requirements for a wide range of environmental, health and safety studies to establish the
circumstances under which pesticides can be legally used in the United States.

In January 2009, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a 2006 EPA rule which specifically exempted permitting of certain
pesticide applications from the CWA. In National Cotton Council of America, et al., v. United States Environmental Protection Agency
the court ruled EPA did not have the authority under the CWA to exempt application of pesticides. The Court's decision marks a
pre-emption of FIFRA by the CWA for the first time in the history of either statute.

Chairman Peterson's bill would make clear that producers who are in compliance with the requirements of FIFRA are not subject to
Clean Water Act permits.

"The 6th Circuit decision overturned decades of policy and practice with regard to the sufficiency of FIFRA regulation," Peterson
said. "This legislation will make clear that Congress never intended for farmers and ranchers to meet additional permit requirements
for pesticide applications under FIFRA."

Twelve members of the House of Representatives joined Peterson as original co-sponsors of the bill.

###

The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture web site http://agriculture.house.gov has additional information on this and other subjects.

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Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Fw: Release: Forum Examines Impact of Job-Killing EPA Regulations onRural America

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From: House Republican Agriculture Committee <agrepublicanpress@politicalmediagroup.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Sep 2010 16:16:12 -0500
To: Tom Karst<TKarst@vancepublishing.com>
ReplyTo: "tamara.hinton@mail.house.gov" <tamara.hinton@mail.house.gov>
Subject: Release: Forum Examines Impact of Job-Killing EPA Regulations on Rural America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 29, 2010
CONTACT:   Lucas - Tamara Hinton (202) 225-0184
Graves - Alexandra Haynes (202) 225-5821
Hastings - Jill Strait (202) 225-2311

Forum Examines Impact of Job-Killing EPA Regulations
on Rural America


WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Frank Lucas (R-OK), Sam Graves (R-MO), and Doc Hastings (R-WA), Co-Chairs of the Rural America Solutions Group, hosted a forum today entitled, "The EPA's Assault on Rural America: How New Regulations and Proposed Legislation are Stifling Job Creation and Economic Growth."

Experts from across the country traveled to Washington, D.C. to discuss Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations and provide real-life examples of how these regulations and related legislation have affected their work, families, and communities. Representatives from the Idaho Water Users Association, the Center for Energy Economics and Public Policy at the University of Wyoming's College of Business, the National Sorghum Producers, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the U.S. Coal Corporation, Lincoln Paper and Tissue, and the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation offered testimony and answered questions during the forum.

Click here to watch the video footage from today's forum.

"Every day the EPA seems to demonstrate how vastly disconnected it is to the folks who feed us," said Representative Lucas, Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee.  "With little oversight from the Democratic leadership that controls both the House and the Senate, the EPA has become an agency gone wild, creating regulations and policies that are burdensome, overreaching, and that negatively affect jobs and rural economies.  If the EPA is allowed to continue down this path, the only choice for many farmers and ranchers will be to stop farming altogether."

"Small businesses are the engines of job creation in America, creating seven out of every ten private sector jobs in recent years. Now more than ever, the American people need the kinds of jobs that are created by our small businesses," said Representative Graves, Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee.  "Unfortunately, more government regulations could devastate small businesses nationwide by raising the cost of doing business and forcing employers to cut salaries and slash hiring.  In the rural communities, where double-digit unemployment has become the norm and the fight for employment is already fierce, more job-killing regulations would be nothing short of catastrophic. Today's forum provided us the opportunity to explore the very real impact current and proposed regulations have on our families and businesses.  I hope the Administration is listening."

"Federal EPA bureaucrats are on the verge of killing thousands of rural jobs and communities through an arcane maze of rules and regulations that can only make sense to a lawyer in Washington, D.C.," said Representative Hastings, Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee. "At a time when Republicans are focused on stabilizing the economy, these top-down policies will only kill long-term jobs and future economic development.   Many rural communities are not asking for massive spending and handouts in times of a $13 trillion debt; they are simply asking for the government to exercise some common sense and abandon its pursuit of higher taxes and more red tape." 

The Rural America Solutions Group was established by House Republicans to develop solutions to the unique issues facing rural America.  To learn more about the Rural America Solutions Group, click here.

*If you would like to listen to a radio actuality from each co-chair click on their names to follow: Rep. Lucas, Rep Graves, Rep. Hastings.




# # #

Rural America Solutions Group
http://agriculture.house.gov/republicans



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Fw: Lincoln Urges White House to Remove Cuba Trade Barriers

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From: "Becker, Ben (Agriculture)" <Ben_Becker@agriculture.senate.gov>
Date: Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:33:30 -0500
Subject: Lincoln Urges White House to Remove Cuba Trade Barriers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 29, 2010

Contact: Courtney Rowe, Ben Becker (202)224-2035

 

Lincoln Urges White House to Remove Cuba Trade Barriers

 

Washington — U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, this week urged the White House to remove regulatory obstacles that are obstructing trade with Cuba. The move, already under consideration by President Barack Obama, would bolster U.S. agricultural exports to Cuba.  

 

"Agriculture is a sector of our economy where we are proving that we can successfully meet the export demands that will help rebuild the U.S. economy," Lincoln said. "Lifting the travel ban and readjusting the payment terms for exports to Cuba would increase U.S. agricultural exports by more than $360 million annually, generating 6,000 domestic jobs and a $1 billion boost to the U.S. economy. This would be a tremendous help to Arkansas's agricultural producers that will grow our state's economy and create jobs in our rural communities."

 

As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Lincoln has repeatedly called for increased access to the Cuban trade market, noting that Cuba was once a major export destination for U.S. rice, wheat and other agricultural products, and should be so again. Lincoln has introduced legislation that would facilitate the export of U.S. agricultural commodities, establish an agricultural export promotion program with Cuba, and relax travel and trade restrictions for U.S. citizens.

 

The letter urges the president to direct the Treasury Department to repeal a 2005 rule that requires U.S. exporters to receive cash payment before goods are shipped, which effectively ended all food and medicine-based sales. It also urges the Treasury Department to lift a requirement that cash payment for U.S. goods be routed through a third-country bank, which has resulted in delays and increased transaction costs.

 

The full text of the letter can be found below. 

 

 

September 28, 2010

 

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20500

 

Dear Mr. President,

 

We write to express our support for the regulatory changes that your administration is considering to increase people-to-people exchanges between the United States and Cuba.  These exchanges could have a profound impact on both of our nations, building relationships and goodwill between our societies.  But we also encourage you to implement further reforms to strengthen ties between the American and Cuban people and improve their economic well-being.

 

Specifically, we urge you to direct the Treasury Department to use its regulatory authority to remove two serious obstacles to food and medicine sales to Cuba.  Congress enacted legislation in 2000 authorizing the sale of food and medicine to Cuba by payment of cash in advance or third-country bank letters of credit.  For several years, U.S. exporters were able to make such cash-based sales, receiving payment after the goods shipped from U.S. ports and before transferring title and control to the Cuban buyers.  In 2005, however, the Treasury Department adopted a new and more restrictive rule that required U.S. exporters to receive cash payment before the goods were shipped from the United States, which effectively ended all cash-based food sales to the island.  We strongly urge repeal of this rule and reinstatement of a rule that is consistent with the cash-in-advance requirement and the intent of Congress to expand food sales. 

We also urge you to direct the Treasury Department to lift the requirement that cash payment for U.S. food and medicine sold to Cuba be routed through third-country banks.  This requirement, which is not mandated by the legislation, delays and increases the cost of these transactions.  Moreover, the Treasury Department does not impose this requirement on licensed U.S. telecommunications and travel service providers, which may transact business directly.  The Treasury Department should allow licensed U.S. agricultural exporters to do the same.

 

We recognize that other steps to increase food sales to Cuba require legislative action.  Most importantly, lifting the travel ban would boost demand for U.S. foodstuffs in Cuba and, as the Cubans' incomes grow, would help recapture and increase the cash-based trade that we have lost to foreign competitors who offer the Cubans credit.  In fact, a Texas A&M University study estimates that lifting the travel ban and addressing payment terms for U.S. exports to Cuba – without extending credit – would increase U.S. agriculture exports by more than $360 million annually, generating 6,000 jobs and a $1 billion boost to the U.S. economy.


There is broad support in Congress for taking these measures to reduce barriers on trade and travel with Cuba.  We would welcome your support for these efforts.  If we work together to increase U.S. food exports, and allow our citizens to travel freely to Cuba, we can establish and strengthen ties that benefit the American and the Cuban people.

 

-30-

 

 

 

Fw: Senator LeMieux: Hasty EPA Rule Will Harm Florida's Families andEconomy

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From: "Cronin, Meaghan (LeMieux)" <Meaghan_Cronin@LeMieux.senate.gov>
Date: Wed, 29 Sep 2010 12:50:29 -0500
Subject: Senator LeMieux: Hasty EPA Rule Will Harm Florida's Families and Economy

 

 

For Immediate Release:
Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Contact:
Ken Lundberg 202-228-5957
Jessica Garcia 202-228-5113

 

Senator LeMieux: Hasty EPA Rule Will Harm Florida's Families and Economy

Senator LeMieux proposes amendment to block harmful rule from going into effect

 

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator George LeMieux (R-FL) today will offer an amendment to pending Senate legislation to block a controversial and non-science based water regulation the EPA is forcing on Florida.

 

"This rule will hurt Florida's families. It will cost our state billions of dollars, thousands of jobs, and drive up water bills. This is lawsuit-driven regulation without a sound scientific basis and the result will be unnecessarily catastrophic for Florida," said LeMieux. "The EPA's actions threaten Florida's economy and is unlikely to provide little, if any biological benefit."

 

In an August 2, 2010 letter to the EPA, signed by Senator LeMieux and 20 other Florida members of the House of Representatives, the delegation asked for the agency to delay their rule until a peer review of the science and an independent economic analysis can be conducted. The EPA responded, six weeks later, indicating no further review was necessary and the rule would proceed, despite the protestations of local, state and federal officials.

 

"We all support clean water.  Florida is a nationally recognized leader in promoting water quality. But at a time when our state is suffering from high unemployment, budget deficits and depressed real-estate values, we must be cautious about forcing unwise, unaffordable and unproven federal water mandates on our communities," said LeMieux. "It is estimated that under this new mandate, the average Florida family will pay an additional $700 dollars a year in water bills."

 

The Senate is expected to consider the LeMieux amendment this afternoon.

 

BACKGROUND: The EPA has issued a proposed rule establishing federal numeric nutrient criteria for Florida water bodies. The EPA views the mandate as being in accordance with a consent decree the agency entered into with several litigants. The first rule is set to go into effect in October of this year.

 

###

 

Editors: Please note attachments.

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Fw: MEDIA ADVISORY: RURAL AMERICA SOLUTIONS GROUP CO-CHAIRS TO HOSTFORUM ON JOB-KILLING EPA REGULATIONS

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From: House Republican Agriculture Committee <agrepublicanpress@politicalmediagroup.com>
Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2010 12:56:11 -0500
To: Tom Karst<TKarst@vancepublishing.com>
ReplyTo: "tamara.hinton@mail.house.gov" <tamara.hinton@mail.house.gov>
Subject: MEDIA ADVISORY: RURAL AMERICA SOLUTIONS GROUP CO-CHAIRS TO HOST FORUM ON JOB-KILLING EPA REGULATIONS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 28, 2010
CONTACT:   Lucas - Tamara Hinton (202) 225-0184
Graves - Alexandra Haynes (202) 225-5821
Hastings - Jill Strait (202) 225-2311

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

RURAL AMERICA SOLUTIONS GROUP CO-CHAIRS TO HOST FORUM ON JOB-KILLING EPA REGULATIONS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), and Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA), co-chairs of the Rural America Solutions Group, will host a forum to discuss Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations and initiatives that are hindering job creation and economic expansion in America's rural communities. The forum, entitled "The EPA's Assault on Rural America: How New Regulations and Proposed Legislation are Stifling Job Creation and Economic Growth," will take place on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 in room 201 of the House Visitor Center at 2:00 p.m.

The Co-Chairs will lead a panel discussion on a range of EPA proposals and related legislation, including carbon dioxide restrictions, the Clean Water Act, farm dust regulations, hydraulic fracturing and more. Experts from across the country have been invited to Washington, D.C. to discuss how these EPA regulations are impacting the livelihoods of farmers, ranchers and small businesses throughout rural America.

  • WHO: Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), Agriculture Committee Ranking Member
    Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), Small Business Committee Ranking Member
    Rep. Doc Hastings (R-WA), Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Additional Members of the Rural America Solutions Group

  • WHAT: Rural America Solutions Group Forum - "The EPA's Assault on Rural America: How New Regulations and Proposed Legislation are Stifling Job Creation and Economic Growth"

  • WHEN: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. EDT

  • WHERE: House Visitor Center, Room 201. The forum will also be broadcast live on the web at http://www.gop.gov/live.

# # #

Rural America Solutions Group
http://agriculture.house.gov/republicans



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Monday, September 27, 2010

Fw: Release: Lucas & House Members Tell Obama's EPA: No MoreBurdensome Regulations

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From: House Republican Agriculture Committee <agrepublicanpress@politicalmediagroup.com>
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:30:52 -0500
To: Tom Karst<TKarst@vancepublishing.com>
ReplyTo: "tamara.hinton@mail.house.gov" <tamara.hinton@mail.house.gov>
Subject: Release: Lucas & House Members Tell Obama's EPA: No More Burdensome Regulations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 27, 2010
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tamara Hinton, 202.225.0184
tamara.hinton@mail.house.gov

Lucas & House Members Tell Obama's EPA:
No More Burdensome Regulations
Say imposing a new farm dust standard would cripple our farmers' livelihoods

WASHINGTON – Today, Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) along with his House Agriculture Committee colleague Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging it to refrain from imposing burdensome farm dust regulations on America's farmers and ranchers. Rep. Lummis spearheaded the effort and the letter was sent with the support of 74 other U.S. Representatives.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reviewing the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM). The Second Draft Policy Assessment (PA) for PM released on July 8, 2010 in the Federal Register lays the foundation for establishing the most stringent and unparalleled regulation of dust in our nation's history.  Presently, scientific studies do not support the need for revising the dust standard.  In fact, according to the PA, the science would justify leaving it as is. Yet, the Obama administration is signaling its intent to proceed with the new standard.

"Dust is a daily factor of farm life and it's been around since before the first plow was ever created.  To try to regulate it out of existence as the Obama administration is trying to do lacks any kind of good sense there is.  This would be laughable if it weren't so serious, if it didn't put the livelihoods of our farmers and ranchers in economic jeopardy.  The threat that the EPA will impose what amounts to a zero-tolerance on farm dust is a great concern and I urge the EPA to reconsider this policy path," Ranking Member Frank Lucas.

 "The Obama EPA's unprecedented attempts to regulate dust on farms and ranches is just another example of how out-of-touch this Administration is. Clear evidence acknowledges that the dust standard revision is unnecessary. Yet despite results from scientific studies, the EPA is continuing its attempts to control the day-to-day operations on ranches and farms. It's time the EPA rethink the consequences the farm dust regulation will have on the people who feed us," Rep. Cynthia Lummis.

 To view the letter click here. The text of the letter is below:

 September 27, 2010

The Honorable Lisa Jackson
Administrator
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20460

Dear Administrator Jackson:

We write to convey our continued concerns regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) latest actions in its review of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM).  The Second Draft Policy Assessment (PA) for PM released on July 8, 2010 in the Federal Register lays the foundation for establishing the most stringent and unparalleled regulation of dust in our nation's history.  We urge the EPA to refrain from going down this path.

Scientific studies are at best ambiguous in support of tightening the existing coarse PM standard.  According to the PA, the science would justify leaving the standard as it is, in terms of public health.  It is also critical to maintain the current standard for economic sustainability.   A coarse PM NAAQS of 65-85 µg/m3 would be approximately twice as stringent as the current standard and would require the designation of many more non-attainment areas than currently exist, particularly in rural areas.  The current standards have been very difficult and expensive for industries in the Western part of the country to attain, including agricultural and other resource-based industries.  The possibility of those same industries having to meet a standard that is twice as stringent causes us great concern, especially when a revision is not required by science.

In addition, contrary to EPA's assertion, a dust standard in the range of 65-85 µg/m³ with a 98th percentile form is not equal to the current standard of 150 µg/m³ with a 99th percentile form in arid rural areas of the United States.  In fact, it appears that such a standard would target rural areas.  Considering the Administration's claim that it is focusing on revitalizing rural America and rural economic development, a proposal such as this would have a significant negative impact on those very goals.

While we respect efforts for a clean and healthy environment, scientific studies do not support the need for revising the dust standard.  We are hopeful that common sense will prevail and the EPA will refrain from causing extreme hardship to farmers, livestock producers, and other resource-based industries throughout rural America. Whether it is livestock kicking up dust, corn being combined, or a pickup driving down a gravel road, dust is a naturally-occurring event in rural areas. Common sense requires the EPA to acknowledge that the wind blows dust around in these areas, and that is a fact of life.

 Sincerely,

Rep. Cynthia Lummis
Rep. Frank Lucas, et al.

###

Agriculture Committee Republican Press Office
http://agriculture.house.gov/republicans



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Friday, September 24, 2010

Fw: [BITES-L] bites Sep. 24/10

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From: Doug Powell <dpowell@KSU.EDU>
Sender: Bites <BITES-L@LISTSERV.KSU.EDU>
Date: Fri, 24 Sep 2010 06:43:27 -0500
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ReplyTo: Doug Powell <dpowell@KSU.EDU>
Subject: [BITES-L] bites Sep. 24/10


bites Sep. 24/10

Food safety auditors can suck: Salmonella-in-egg producer got A-OK from same auditor that OKed salmonella in peanut paste

US: GOP senator blocks food safety bill

Stephen Colbert to testify at House hearing on farm labor this morning

AUSTRALIA: Court to crack 'free-range' egg case

CANADA: Health hazard alert – Certain raw oysters may contain foodborne pathogens

Food poisoning, mussels – ITALY: (Turin) Request for information

UK: Warning against consumption of Miracle Mineral Solution

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Food safety auditors can suck: Salmonella-in-egg producer got A-OK from same auditor that OKed salmonella in peanut paste
23.sep.10
barfblog
Doug Powell
http://www.barfblog.com/blog/144252/10/09/23/food-safety-auditors-can-suck-salmonella-egg-producer-got-ok-same-auditor-oked-
The same third-party auditor that approved salmonella-tainted peanut paste that killed nine and sickened 600 also gave DeCoster egg operations a "superior" rating and "recognition of achievement" in June 2010, just as thousands of Americans began barfing from salmonella in DeCoster eggs.
Beyond the theatre of yesterday's House hearing about the salmonella-in-eggs outbreak that has sickened well over 1,600 was the revelation that DeCoster's Iowa egg operations had been audited by the American Institute of Baking based in Manhattan (Kansas).
The N.Y. Times reports that documents released by the committee showed that Wright County Egg achieved a "superior" rating and "recognition of achievement" from AIB International, a private inspection company based in Manhattan, Kan., after a June inspection of its processing facility. That came just as the company was causing thousands of illnesses from contaminated eggs.
In 2008, AIB gave a "superior" rating to a Peanut Corporation of America plant in Blakely, Ga., that was later found to be riddled with salmonella that caused a nationwide outbreak and the largest food recall in American history. A spokesman for AIB could not be reached.
Elizabeth Weise of USA Today reported today that Wright County Egg, one of the Iowa farms at the center of this summer's recall of 550 million eggs, earned "superior" ratings for its facilities from a third-party auditor the past three years.
But the auditor was the same one that gave a superior rating to the Peanut Corp. of America, whose shipments were linked to a salmonella outbreak that sickened hundreds a few years ago.
AIB International, of Manhattan, Kan., audited Wright's egg-packing plant twice in 2008, four times in 2009 and at least once in 2010, and every time found it to be "superior," Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., said during the hearing. … Calls to AIB were not returned Wednesday.
AIB International also gave the Peanut Corp. of America's Plainview, Texas, plant a "superior" rating. An outbreak of salmonella linked to some peanut products shipped from that plant and another PCA plant in 2007 and 2008 sickened as many as 600 people and may have contributed to nine deaths.
This is beyond embarrassing. It's criminal.
A Kansas State student wrote in 2009 that after a March 6, 2009 article in the N.Y. Times sorta shattered the myth of third-party food safety audits, he couldn't get anyone at AIB to talk.
Since the release of the Times article, AIB now requires a minimum of two days or longer to complete an inspection at a food processing facility. AIB has also announced it will change the name of its Good Manufacturing Practices inspection certificates from "Certificate of Achievement" to "Recognition of Achievement."
Is that like Homer Simpson winning the First Annual Montgomery Burns Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence?
Apparently, the answer is yes, given the salmonella-in-eggs poopfest.
Third-party food audits, like restaurant inspection, are a snapshot in time. Given the international sourcing of ingredients, audits are a requirement, but so is internal food safety intelligence to make sense of audits that are useful and audits that are chicken poop.
The third-party food safety audit scheme that processors and retailers insisted upon is no better than a financial Ponzi scheme. The vast number of facilities and suppliers means audits are required, but people have been replaced by paper.
Audits, inspections, training and systems are no substitute for developing a strong food safety culture, farm-to-fork, and marketing food safety directly to consumers rather than the local/natural/organic hucksterism is a way to further reinforce the food safety culture.
After the salmonella-in-peanut paste crap, Costco, a retail store, which previously limited AIB's inspections to its bakery vendors, has now instructed suppliers to not use AIB at all.
"The American Institute of Baking is bakery experts," said R. Craig Wilson, the top safety official at Costco. "But you stick them in a peanut butter plant or in a beef plant, they are stuffed."
Or as Mansour Samadpour of Seattle said at the time,
"The contributions of third-party audits to food safety is the same as the contribution of mail-order diploma mills to education."
Who were the buyers of DeCoster eggs who used AIB audits to justify putting salmonella on grocery store shelves? Any retailers want to step forward?
Coincidentally, Enreco Inc., a maker of flaxseed flours, bragged in a press release yesterday they had earned a "superior" rating from a recent AIB inspection at its Wisconsin production facility.
Enreco president Sean Moriarty said, "We are absolutely pleased to have achieved AIB's highest rating for four consecutive years now, even while incidents of food product recalls in the last two years have caused AIB to toughen their inspections considerably."
Sean, you may want to rethink that PR.
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/blog/138487/09/02/05/finally-focus-fallacy-food-safety-audits
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/23/business/23eggs.html?_r=1
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/2010-09-22-egg-companies-apology_N.htm
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2009/04/articles/food-safety-communication/audits-do-not-enhance-food-safety-culture/
http://www.kstatecollegian.com/aib-responds-to-accusations-of-potential-link-to-salmonella-outbreak-1.1713506
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2009/04/articles/food-safety-communication/thirdparty-audits-are-no-replacement-for-skilled-staff-food-safety-culture-bite-me-09/
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2009/03/articles/food-safety-communication/outstanding-achievement-in-the-leafy-greens-field-of-excellence/
http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/2009/03/articles/food-safety-communication/third-party-food-safety-audits-are-like-mailorder-diplomas/
http://www.foodproductdesign.com/news/2010/09/enreco-earns-superior-aib-rating.aspx




US: GOP senator blocks food safety bill
23.sep.10
Associated Press
Mary Clare Jalonick
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ifI1woByWAcO_IIqfsv4o1i-PPPAD9IDRM9O0
WASHINGTON -- Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn has blocked consideration of a food safety bill that would give the Food and Drug Administration more power to prevent foodborne illness.
The legislation would give the agency more power to recall tainted products, increase inspections of food processors and require producers to follow stricter standards for keeping food safe. Coburn, a Republican, says he is objecting because the bill is not paid for.




Stephen Colbert to testify at House hearing on farm labor this morning
24.sep.10
barfblog
Doug Powell
http://www.barfblog.com/blog/144262/10/09/24/stephen-colbert-testify-house-hearing-farm-labor-morning
Real farming is not like Facebook's Farmville. It requires work – and a lot of it. Then nerds like me come along and say – hey, while you're doing that minimum-wage piece work that Americans won't do, make sure you stay healthy and be aware of all the food safety risks associated with fresh produce.
The Packer reports Stephen Colbert, star of The Colbert Report on Comedy Central, is scheduled to testify at the "Protecting America's Harvest," House Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security and International Law.
Part II of Colbert's stint as a farm worker is below.
http://thepacker.com/Comedy-Central-star-testifies-on-farm-labor/Article.aspx?oid=1245032&tid=&fid=PACKER-TOP-STORIES




AUSTRALIA: Court to crack 'free-range' egg case
24.sep.10
Courier Mail
AAP
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/court-to-crack-free-range-egg-case/story-e6freonx-1225929034224
A West Australian egg company that for more than four years allegedly falsely advertised their eggs as free-range will face charges in the Perth Federal Court.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has begun proceedings against the company C I & Co and its owners Antonio and Anna Pisano for allegedly contravening the Trade Practices Act.
The ACCC alleges that for two years between 2006 and 2008 the company labelled and marketed cartons of eggs using the words "free-range eggs" when the contents were not actually free-range.




CANADA: Health hazard alert – Certain raw oysters may contain foodborne pathogens
23.sep.10
CFIA
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/recarapp/2010/20100923be.shtml
OTTAWA -- The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume the raw oysters described below because they may contain foodborne pathogens.
The following Effingham XSM (extra small) raw oysters are affected by this alert:
Processed By Size Code
Albion Fisheries Ltd.,
Vancouver, BC 5 dozen oysters per bag Lot # 172688
Albion Fisheries Ltd.,
Vancouver, BC 5 dozen oysters per bag Lot # 172929
Sea World Fisheries Ltd.,
Vancouver, BC 5 dozen oysters per bag NY-OY-10091401
In addition, these raw oysters may have been sold in smaller quantities at some retail seafood counters. Consumers who are unsure whether they have the affected product are advised to check with their retailer or supplier.
These raw oysters are known to be distributed in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. However, they may have been distributed in other provinces.
There have been reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these raw oysters.
The CFIA is collaborating with its partners, Vancouver Costal Health (VCH), British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BC CDC), Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Health Canada to investigate these illnesses. This investigation is ongoing.
Food contaminated with foodborne pathogens may not look or smell spoiled. Consumption of food contaminated with these organisms may cause foodborne illness, sometimes called food poisoning. Symptoms vary by organism, but can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fever, headache, dizziness and neck stiffness. Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may be more at risk.
The processors of raw oysters are voluntarily recalling the affected products from the marketplace. The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.
For more information consumers and industry can call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).
For information on the Common Causes of Foodborne Illness, visit the Food Facts web page at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/causee.shtml
For information on all food recalls, visit the CFIA's Food Recall Report at: http://active.inspection.gc.ca/eng/corp/recarapp_dbe.asp.
To find out more about receiving recalls by e-mail, and other food safety facts, visit: www.foodsafety.gc.ca. Food and consumer product recalls are also available at http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca.




Food poisoning, mussels – ITALY: (Turin) Request for information
20.sep.10
La Repubblica, ANSA
http://www.promedmail.org/pls/otn/f?p=2400:1001:856712685542586::NO::F2400_P1001_BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,84957
Increasing numbers of cases of people poisoned by spoiled or contaminated mussels are occurring, bought from the Porta Palazzo fish market, in neighborhood stores, and in the large distribution market for Turin and its province. Now the 1st analysis of the mussels is being done which should give more information on the cause or causes of the illnesses.
More than 30 people have experienced symptoms of food poisoning after eating mussels on Thursday and Friday evening [16-17 Sep 2010] and were forced to go to hospitals in the area. Still others have turned to the doctor by phone. Symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever have occurred.
"With only the symptoms and the incubation time is not possible to determine the common pathogen," explained the Gradenigo hospital. "In order to give definite answers, and not generate an alarm, it is necessary to wait for the outcome of the cultures. In theory, and we still do not know whether this the case, it could be bacterial enteritis." Another 6 cases of poisoning from mussels were recorded tonight [19 Sep 2010] in Turin. A report to the San Giovanni Bosco hospital related that gastrointestinal symptoms in recent days have affected dozens of people in Turin and its province, all who had bought the shellfish in supermarkets. None are in serious condition. Meanwhile all the other people in recent days who have gone to hospitals with symptoms of intoxication have been discharged.
[ProMED-mail awaits more information regarding the incubation periods and lengths of the illnesses and whether fever was a prominent symptom.
Since mussels are generally eaten cooked, it is less likely that a true infection was the cause (such as salmonellosis or norovirus illness). Staphylococcal enterotoxin is an example of heat stable enterotoxin which causes an illness of short (less than 6 hours) incubation and a_Bacillus cereus_ enterotoxin is also heat-stable.
Diarrheal shellfish poisoning (DSP), a toxin-associated illness associated with production in dinoflagellates, which can be associated with mussels may well be the diagnosis here. Diarrhea is the most commonly reported symptom (92 percent), closely followed by nausea (80 percent) and vomiting (79 percent), with onset 30 minutes to 12 hours from ingestion. - Mod.LL]




UK: Warning against consumption of Miracle Mineral Solution
24.sep.10
Food Standards Agency
http://www.food.gov.uk/news/newsarchive/2010/sep/mms
The FSA is urgently warning people not to consume Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS). This product is being sold as an oral supplement and is also known as Miracle Mineral Supplement. If you have any of this product you should throw it away. If you have consumed MMS and feel unwell you should consult your doctor.
MMS is a 28% sodium chlorite solution which is equivalent to industrial-strength bleach. When taken as directed it could cause severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea, potentially leading to dehydration and reduced blood pressure.
If the solution is diluted less than instructed, it could cause damage to the gut and red blood cells, potentially resulting in respiratory failure.
MMS is available via the Internet. The FSA is warning local authorities that this product should not be on sale. If you are aware of MMS being sold in retail outlets, you should contact your local authority trading standards department. To find the contact details of your local authority, you can use our online search facility.
The US Food and Drink Administration and Health Canada have taken similar action to warn consumers about this product and their alerts can be found at the links below.


bites is produced by Dr. Douglas Powell and food safety friends at Kansas State University. For further information, please contact dpowell@ksu.edu or check out bites.ksu.edu.

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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Fw: Fresh & Easy Launches Goodness, Opens in San Diego

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile


From: Brendan Wonnacott <Brendan.Wonnacott@freshandeasy.com>
Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:24:24 -0500
To: Brendan Wonnacott<Brendan.Wonnacott@freshandeasy.com>
Subject: Fresh & Easy Launches Goodness, Opens in San Diego

FRESH & EASY OPENS THREE STORES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY; LAUNCHES FRESH&EASY GOODNESS PRODUCTS FOR KIDS

 

New fresh&easy Goodness Offers Parents More Nutritional Options

 

SAN DIEGO, CA – Fresh & Easy CEO Tim Mason was joined today by Region IX Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Herb K. Schultz, San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, and San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative Director Cheryl Moder to celebrate the opening of three Fresh & Easy stores in San Diego County and the launch of fresh&easy Goodness, a range of more nutritious products designed specifically for kids.

 

"We applaud Fresh & Easy's efforts to promote more food options so that all different types of neighborhoods have access to affordable, healthy food," said Herb K. Schultz. "Last week our partnership with the League of California Cities and the First Lady's Let's Move! Campaign resulted in California's cities unanimously approving a resolution in support of ending childhood obesity within a generation. Making sure that neighborhoods have access to better food options are pivotal to this effort."

 

fresh&easy Goodness products, which hit stores this month, are fun, delicious and convenient items kids will love and parents can feel good about feeding their children. Like all fresh&easy products, there are no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, no added trans fats and no high-fructose corn syrup. Fresh & Easy also worked to limit the amount of sugar, sodium, and fat in fresh&easy Goodness products and has made sure the products contain no artificial sweeteners and no added caffeine.

 

"We fundamentally believe every family deserves access to fresh, wholesome food at affordable prices," said Mason. "Everything we do derives from listening to our customers and one thing we've heard consistently from parents is that they are looking for ways to feed their children high-quality, nutritious foods without stretching their budgets. fresh&easy Goodness for kids offers an affordable and convenient solution for busy parents that won't break the bank."

 

fresh&easy Goodness products are made using wholesome, natural foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and other foods that are good sources of vitamins and minerals. Items in the range include classic kid favorites like breakfast cereals and macaroni & cheese, and easy-to-make microwavable meals and on-the-go snacks that are individually packaged and great for lunch boxes. Photos of fresh&easy Goodness products can be found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/freshandeasy/sets/72157624886761059/.

 

Mayor Sanders said, "We are happy to see Fresh & Easy continue to expand and hire in San Diego, bringing more nutritious and affordable food options to our neighborhoods."

 

Fresh & Easy has opened nine stores in California this month, including opening this store in San Diego and two additional stores in Oceanside today. The company has created 180 jobs this month.

 

About Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market

 

Fresh & Easy operates 168 stores in California, Arizona and Nevada and employs more than 4,000 employees. In addition to fresh prepared meals, meats and produce, Fresh & Easy offers everyone's favorite national brand products and household items, all at unbelievably low prices. The grocer's popular fresh&easy brand products contain no artificial colors or flavors, no added trans fats, no high-fructose corn syrup and use preservatives only when absolutely necessary.

 

On average, Fresh & Easy stores use 30% less energy than a typical supermarket – helping save customers money while helping the environment. Fresh & Easy uses LED lighting in external signs and freezer cases, offers customer recycling in every store, and uses advanced refrigeration and freezer units to cut back on energy usage.

 

Entry-level positions start at $10 an hour in California and offer quarterly bonuses of up to 10% as well as a 401(k) with company match. Fresh & Easy provides all employees the opportunity to work at least 20 hours per week, which entitles everyone to vision, prescription drug, dental and medical coverage with Fresh & Easy paying at least 75%.  

 

For more information about Fresh & Easy, visit www.freshandeasy.com. Also follow the company on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/fresh_and_easy and become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/freshandeasy

 

###

 

 

Brendan Wonnacott

Communications Director,

Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market 

Office: 310.341.1356

Cell: 310.872.7613

brendan.wonnacott@freshandeasy.com

 



------------ Disclaimer --------------
This is a confidential email.
Fresh and Easy may monitor and record all emails. The views expressed in
this email are those of the sender and not Fresh and Easy. Fresh & Easy
Neighborhood Market, Inc. 2120 Park Place, El Segundo, CA 90245

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Fw: MEDIA ADVISORY: Lincoln to Hold Hearing Examining Impact of EPARegulation on Agriculture

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile


From: "Becker, Ben (Agriculture)" <Ben_Becker@agriculture.senate.gov>
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2010 11:08:55 -0500
Subject: MEDIA ADVISORY: Lincoln to Hold Hearing Examining Impact of EPA Regulation on Agriculture

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES

September 21, 2010

Contact: Courtney Rowe, Ben Becker, 202-224-2035

 

--Media Advisory--

 

Lincoln to Hold Hearing Examining Impact of EPA Regulation on Agriculture

 

Washington – U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry announced the Committee will hold a hearing on Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in 328 of the Russell Senate Office Building. The hearing will examine the impact of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulation on agriculture. The Hon. Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will testify.

 

"As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I am pleased to hold this hearing to examine the impact of EPA regulation on agriculture and rural America to ensure that we are avoiding unnecessary, duplicative regulation," Lincoln said. "American family farmers and ranchers produce the safest, most affordable, and abundant supply of food and fiber in the world and do so with great respect for our environment. I look forward to exploring how we ensure the continued success of our producers by building a more collaborative relationship between the EPA and American agriculture."

 

 

The hearing will take place Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. in the Senate Agriculture Committee Hearing Room, SR-328A.

 

Witness List

Panel 1

 

Hon. Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC

 

 

Panel 2

 

Mr. Rich Hillman, Vice President, Arkansas Farm Bureau, Carlisle, AR

 

Mr. Jay Vroom, President and Chief Executive Officer, Croplife America, Washington, DC

 

Mr. Jere White, Executive Director, Kansas Corn Growers Association, Barnett, KS

 

 

--30--

 

 

 

 

Fw: PRESS RELEASE: FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011 is a key event for freshproduce companies in Central and Eastern Europe

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile


From: "Schwetasch, Corinna" <Schwetasch@messe-berlin.de>
Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2010 01:54:46 -0500
To: Tom Karst<TKarst@vancepublishing.com>
Subject: PRESS RELEASE: FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011 is a key event for fresh produce companies in Central and Eastern Europe

FRUIT LOGISTICA Berlin – 9-11 February 2011

The World of Fresh Produce

International Trade Fair for Fruit and Vegetable Marketing, Berlin

 

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011 is a key event for fresh produce companies in Central and Eastern Europe

 

Berlin, 21 September 2010 FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011, taking place from the 9-11 February in Berlin, is the leading marketing platform for Central and Eastern European countries interested in presenting their products and services, strengthening business relationships and establishing new contacts. This region has maintained a strong presence at the leading international trade fair for fruit and vegetable marketing over the past few years. More than 100 exhibitors from Central and Eastern Europe, including EU countries Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Hungary as well as non-EU countries Croatia, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine, will present their products and services next year to international experts. The event is expected to attract more than 50,000 trade visitors from 120 countries, including several thousand industry representatives from most Central and Eastern European countries.

 

FRUIT LOGISTICA is a key event for fresh produce companies in Central and Eastern Europe because, among the many benefits, it offers excellent contact opportunities to the global fruit and vegetable trade. A growing number of potential customers from Western Europe and overseas come to the trade fair to make contact with exhibitors from Central and Eastern Europe and explore the opportunities for business deals and joint ventures. FRUIT LOGISTICA offers Central and Eastern European fruit and vegetable producers an ideal platform for promoting products that are not well known in (western) Europe and establishing contact with trade partners. The primary objective for exhibitors is to strengthen existing business relationships and find new partners.

 

The many different interests pursued by the region's organisations and enterprises at FRUIT LOGISTICA and how the different countries are presented as produce industry partners are illustrated by the following examples from FRUIT LOGISTICA 2010.

 

Systematic development of the Russian market

 

In spring of 2000, the six leading growers' organisations for marketing apples in Germany, which represent nearly 80% of the entire marketing volume from organised production, founded the German Fruit Export Office (DOEK). The aim is to systematically develop the Russian market and provide local support. A cooperative agreement was concluded with Rus Marketing GmbH, which maintains a representative office in Moscow. Along with fruit and vegetables, future plans focus on supplying flowers and plants. At FRUIT LOGISTICA 2010, DOEK GmbH successfully presented its products and services at the BVEO joint stand.

 

 

Hungary advertises lesser-known products

"Hungarian fruit and vegetable production is currently undergoing rapid development", explained Dr Béla Mártonffy, Managing Director of FruitVeB at this year's FRUIT LOGISTICA. He said that the aim was not to promote Hungarian goods as a mass product in Europe, but to emphasise the special quality. "Along with better known Hungarian goods, like chillies, watermelons, mushrooms, apricots, sour cherries and walnuts, we want to expand our export product range". He mentioned examples, including sweet cherries, sour cherries, sugar melons, asparagus, sweet maize and tomatoes. "FRUIT LOGISTICA offers Hungarian fruit and vegetable producers an ideal platform for promoting lesser known goods in other parts of Europe and finding retail partners for these products".

 

This is the 13th time that the Agrármarketing Centrum has supported and organised a trade fair presence for "…the most outstanding Hungarian fruit and vegetable export companies", says project manager Róbert Ivánfalvi. He points out that 16 of the producers represented at FRUIT LOGISTICA represent a total of around 35 Hungarian agri-businesses. Products include apricots, sweet-tasting sour cherries, lettuce, sweet peppers, watermelons and mushrooms. For example, DATÉSZ Zrt. has twelve production sites in the south of Hungary and 2,000 growers in a total area of over 20,000 hectares. The company sells 70,000 to 100,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables each year. This includes over 25 different fruit varieties sold in 80 to 100 different product forms, and 60 different vegetable varieties in 120 different forms.

 

Macedonia and Ukraine with SIPPO

SIPPO is a Swiss import promotion programme for small and medium-sized enterprises based in emerging countries. The programme helps the companies prepare their market entry and supports them for three years in Europe. Two of these countries were represented at the SIPPO stand at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2010: Macedonia with eight companies and Ukraine with four. "All of these countries have tremendous potential for agriculture", explained Project Director Constantin Kostyal. "They have good water, soil, climate and a very sound knowledge of agriculture". The products range from peppers, cherry tomatoes and lettuce from Macedonia, to honeydew melons, seedless watermelons and sweet cherries from Ukraine. "The main objective for us and the exhibitors is to strengthen our existing trade relationships and to find new partners", adds Kostyal.

 

Lithuania: Wild berries and mushrooms of exceptional quality

The Lithaunian company Fudo had an extremely successful start at FRUIT LOGISTICA 2010. Fudo markets wild mushrooms, including chanterelles and porcini, as well as wild berries ranging from lingonberries and blackberries, to blueberries and cranberries all in consistently high quality. "We are very satisfied with our presence at the trade fair. FRUIT LOGISTICA is a dynamic event where we establish more new contacts than at any other exhibition. This is where we conduct in-depth, highly productive sales talks", says Fudo Sales Manager Ausra Armoniene. Along with wild berries and mushrooms, Fudo sells wooden containers in a variety of sizes.

 

Poland with a group stand from Masovia

The Polish region of Masovia is represented at FRUIT LOGISTICA for the first time, with 15 fruit and vegetable growers at a joint stand. "We are very pleased with the response we have had at FRUIT LOGSTICA", says Rafael Rzepkowski. "We want to use the trade fair to attract attention as a producer country". Key business partners have largely been German clients, he said. However, they are now focusing their attention on markets in Russia.

 

All important details for FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011 are available on the Internet: www.fruitlogistica.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press contact:

Messe Berlin GmbH

Michael T. Hofer

Director, Corporate Press and Public Relations

 

Wolfgang Rogall

Press Officer

Messedamm 22

14055 Berlin

Tel.: +4930 3038-2218

Fax: +4930 3038-2287

rogall@messe-berlin.de

 

Executive Board:

Raimund Hosch (CEO),
Dr. Christian Göke

Supervisory Board Chairman:
Hans-Joachim Kamp Commercial Registry:

Charlottenburg Admin. Court, entry no. HRB 5484 B

 

 

Additional information:

www.fruitlogistica.com

www.messe-berlin.com