September 24, 2007

ISSUE 1185

NATIONAL FOOD SAFETY LEGISLATION INTRODUCED

Sens. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) introduced legislation Sept. 20 to establish an effective national food safety framework for all fresh produce. The Fresh Produce Safety Act of 2007gives FDA the authority to make current voluntary guidelines mandatory and establish national standards tailored to specific commodities. It also would require stepped-up inspections of operations that grow and process fresh produce.

Other provisions of the bill include a surveillence system to identify sources of contamination and research to better identify, mitigate and prevent contamination. It also would require rulemaking to ensure that imported produce has been grown and processed using the same standards as those imposed on U.S. producers.

SENATORS REQUESTS FUNDING FOR SPECIALTY CROPS

AG SECRETARY JOHANNS RESIGNS

NATIONAL FOOD SAFETY LEGISLATION INTRODUCED

BENEFIT AUCTION RAISES $43,000 FOR RCMA

GOV. CRIST PROPOSES RAISING CITRUS SERVICE CHARGE

CITRUS GREENING CONFIRMED IN POLK COUNTY

UF/IFAS TO HOLD AG WORKSHOPS