VISALIA, CA -- In the wake of a prolonged and widespread freeze in January that devastated an estimated 70 percent of the remaining California winter citrus crop still on the trees, the California citrus industry has done an admirable job of protecting its reputation for quality by keeping freeze- damaged fruit off the market, according to several speakers and panelists at California Citrus Mutual's California Citrus Showcase held here on Thursday, March 8.

At a board meeting Thursday, March 15, the California Avocado Commission "voted unanimously to take aggressive action against the importation of Mexican avocados with dangerous scale pests coming into California," according to a March 16 commission memo to the industry.

BASILICATA, ITALY -- Produce professionals from around the world kept busy at the workshop and mission in Basilicata, Italy, in mid-January (see The Produce News, Feb. 5). If the nearly non-stop wave of Italian food and wine weren't enough to keep their minds on what the region has to offer, the extensive field, packing and distribution facility, and greenhouse tours were filling their days full of details on which to concentrate.

Fred L. Williamson, a well-known tomato industry leader and co-founder of Andrew Williamson Fresh Produce in San Diego, died March 20, at the age of 70.

Company spokesperson Mark Munger said Mr. Williamson had been sicker than he let on and that pneumonia was the official cause of death.

The Dispute Resolution Corp. recently lost two of the founding members of its 12-person board of directors with the departure of Alain Par? of Metro Richelieu Inc. and Reggie Brown of the Florida Tomato Committee.

Mr. Par? told The Produce News about his resignation on March 15 after finishing a conference call with other DRC board members and its president and chief executive officer, Stephen Whitney.

"I was part of the task force to build the DRC 10 years ago and I am sad to leave," Mr. Par? said.

WASHINGTON -- House lawmakers have introduced a bill the specialty crop industry hopes will become the blueprint for Congress to follow in helping producers in the 2007 farm bill.

The Equitable Agriculture Today for a Healthy America Act, or EAT Healthy America Act, includes a lengthy list of programs for the specialty crop industry that would increase market access and place a renewed focus on nutrition, research and conservation.