Ag
community frets over farm bill delays [Bakersfield Californian]
Buttonwillow
farmer Mike Young doesn't receive direct subsidies for his almonds, and he's
not on food stamps. But that doesn't stop him from taking a keen interest in
this year's federal farm bill. That's because he, like most or all local
growers, have a lot to gain from the bill. Versions of the legislation passed
by the U.S. Senate and the House Committee on Agriculture would provide
millions of dollars for local pest control, crop research and overseas
marketing help.…There's also little doubt that some form of the bill will
eventually become law. The real question is when -- and that worries Kern's
agricultural community…. McCarthy, the House Whip and one of the most powerful
Republicans in Washington, has staked out a position somewhere in the middle. In
an interview Thursday, he said he would prefer to see a bill pass before the
Sept. 30 expiration. He said anything short of that signals failure on the part
of Congress and forces uncertainty on local farmers. McCarthy said he and other
members of Congress shared such concerns with Boehner. On the other hand,
McCarthy said, delaying passage of a bill until next year might not be so bad.
Taking up the debate in early 2013 would allow incoming members of Congress to
weigh in.
No
consensus from state panel on farmers market enforcement [Los Angeles Times]
More
than two years after reports of widespread cheating at farmers markets, the
latest state group designated to solve the problem has ended its sessions
without reaching a decision about crucial enforcement issues, though it may
have made enough progress to help spark legislative interest. California
Department of Food and Agriculture officials and farmers market subcommittee
members, who invested much effort in the process, were clearly frustrated by
the lack of consensus regarding farmers market enforcement. "It's been
discussed to death," said Steve Patton CDFA branch chief for inspection
and compliance. "Now it's up to the industry to make a decision as to the
source and level of funding."
Central
Coast farmers get break on runoff rules [Santa Maria Times]
With
an Oct. 1 deadline looming, Central Coast farmers have won a little breathing
room before implementing some provisions of the controversial agricultural
order issued March 15 by the Central Coast Region Water Quality Control Board.
The State Water Resources Control Board on Wednesday approved temporary delays,
with some modifications, on certain provisions of the regional board’s ag order
that is designed to protect water quality in aquifers, lakes, ponds, streams
and rivers by controlling pollutants in agricultural irrigation runoff.
Agricultural operators objected to the new rules in the ag order — officially
known as the Conditional Waiver of Waste Discharge Requirements for Discharges
from Irrigated Lands — as onerous, confusing, and too complex and expensive.
Legislators
propose limits on arsenic in rice [Los Angeles Times]
In
response to a recent investigation that found “substantial” levels of arsenic
in rice and many rice-based products, a group of Democrats plans to introduce
legislation Friday that would impose federal limits on the dangerous element.
Reps. Rosa De Lauro of Connecticut, Frank Pallone of New Jersey and Nita Lowey
of New York said in a joint statement that their bill would require the Food
and Drug Administration to set a maximum for the amount of arsenic permissible
in foods containing rice. The move is based on a Consumer Reports finding
earlier this week urging consumers to cut back on rice ingestion after
researchers said they discovered “worrisome” traces of inorganic arsenic in
products including brown and white rice and rice-based infant cereals, pastas,
drinks and crackers.
Strawberry
workers say no to UFW bid: Secret ballot held at Watsonville and Salinas
ranches [Santa Cruz Sentinel]
Strawberry
workers at Corralitos Farms have rejected a bid for representation by the
United Farm Workers. The results of the secret ballot election, held Wednesday
at Wilder Ranch in Watsonville and Salinas Airport Ranch in Monterey County,
were announced Friday by the state Agricultural Labor Relations Board. The
tally was 187 against and 154 in favor, with 99 percent of workers employed
during the week of Sept. 3-9 casting ballots, according to the board. Nineteen
ballots were challenged, and three were voided. The union can file an objection
to the vote within five days of the election.
Glassy-winged
sharpshooter, grape industry pest, found in Lemoore [Fresno Bee]
A
glassy-winged sharpshooter, one of the grape industry's most feared pests, has
been found in Kings County. The single insect was recently caught in a trap at
a home in the northeast Lemoore area. This week, a state lab confirmed it was a
glassy-winged sharpshooter -- a bug capable of carrying the vine-killing
Pierce's disease. "This could be a high concern for us, if it turns out
more than an isolated find," said Steve Schweizer, Kings County Deputy
Agricultural Commissioner.
http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/09/21/3001468/glassy-winged-sharpshooter-grape.html#storylink=misearch
Ag
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