USDA Advisory Committee Discusses Food Safety, Specialty Crops, and Nutrition Programs
News Date January 30, 2007
The USDA Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee met in Washington, D.C., last week. Topics covered were new industry-wide food safety measures, labor and immigration legislation, updates on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, and the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA). California Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura participated in the meeting and represents the state departments of agriculture.
USDA Secretary Mike Johanns informed the committee that the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is doing well. The program was appropriated $7 million in fiscal year 2006. Johanns stated that Texas and Mississippi are the first two states to be awarded funds under the program.
Texas was awarded $156,488.66 and Mississippi was awarded $103,626.70. According to its grant application, the Texas Department of Agriculture will use the funds to increase consumption and consumer awareness of Texas-grown produce and plants through retail promotions; to create new opportunities for suppliers of Texas produce and plants through wholesale promotions; and to develop informational materials to promote produce and plants. The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce plans to promote the state's specialty crops through events held at farmers' markets, as well as present educational workshops to new and existing fruit and vegetable growers to increase the number of producers operating for local farmer's markets and other direct marketing outlets. For more information visit http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/scbgp.html.
The committee also heard reports that the PACA has implemented suggestions since the last committee meeting. USDA has raised the audit fee to $1,000 for licensed members and $3,000 for non-licensed companies. Also, PACA has a new hotline number. PACA believes this will improve quality control and the ability to give out consistent and credible information. The new number is 1-800-495-PACA.
In addition, the AgJOBS bill is working its way back through Congress. With a few minor changes, the bulk of the bill remains the same. Responses from Congress so far seem to indicate that it will be included in their agenda for the first 100 days of session.
New food safety measures were a hot issue at the committee meeting. Questions about the scope of new measures, whether imports are included, and which government agency will oversee the measures, were discussed at length. United Fresh Produce Association presented its newly adopted principles to the committee. The committee decided to conceptually agree with the association in food safety measures, knowing there are many issues to consider. As for suggestions to the Secretary of Agriculture, the committee will establish a working group to form recommendations. The group will report back to the full committee in ninety days. The working group will include members from independent companies as well as agriculture associations to address both large and small business issues within the industry. The committee also recommends the USDA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) deal with issues on invasive pests and diseases with the highest order of priority.
For more information and presentations visit http://www.ams.usda.gov/fv/fviac/presentations8.htm. (Contacts: Casey Wong-Buehler and Blake Patton)