The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its June citrus crop estimate June 10, and other than future crop reports for bookkeeping purposes, the June estimate is considered the final report for the 2004-05 season.

While the Florida crop in all citrus commodities is down radically from normal years due to the four hurricanes that swept through the state last fall, the current report is only slightly different from the one issued by the USDA a month earlier.

WASHINGTON  The Senate Finance Committee has approved the Central American Free Trade Agreement, but the future of the accord is far from clear.

By an 11-9 vote, the Senate committee recommended that the White House send to Congress the treaty that would lower tariffs in the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The United States signed the agreement in August, but Congress has yet to ratify it.

Two new officers were elected to the board of directors June 14 at an annual meeting of the New York Hunts Point Terminal Produce Cooperative Association Inc. in New York City.

Myra Gordon, executive administrative director of the market, told The Produce News that Cary Rubin of Rubin Bros. Produce Corp. and Ira Nathel of Nathel & Nathel Inc. have joined the board as first vice presidents.

WASHINGTON  The House of Representatives voted June 8 to delay country-of-origin labeling for meat products another year, and now the debate moves to the Senate, which is scheduled to consider the U.S. Department of Agriculture spending bill later this month.

With Congress focused on delaying COOL for meat products, many are asking whether produce can be far behind.

The embattled labeling program is slated to go into effect for meat products and produce next fall, but opponents say it is too costly.

Produce Marketing Association President Bryan Silbermann and PMA Vice President of Global Business Development Nancy Tucker presented vital information on global trends June 9 to industry leaders in Mexico and Peru.

As an invited panelist, Mr. Silbermann addressed retailers, producers in the food and agriculture industry, federal and state officials, legislators, investigators, students and consultants related to the industry at the Mexican National Agriculture Council's Global Agrifood Forum 2005 New Opportunities & Challenges in Agrifood Markets in Mexico City.

MOSES LAKE, WA  Following its annual meeting June 21, the Washington State Potato Commission will begin to look for a replacement for Pat Boss, who left the organization May 27.

The search will be conducted on a national level, according to Karen Bonaudi, the interim executive director.

Ms. Bonaudi indicated that while minor adjustments are being made to the job description, the position will still be responsible for the overall operation of the commission and regulatory and environmental issues work in Olympia, WA, and Washington, DC.