New CCM chairman stresses unity in addressing industry issues
New CCM chairman stresses unity in addressing industry issues
"Never in the history of the [California citrus] industry have we been so united," said Philip LoBue, president of LoBue Bros. Inc., a citrus packinghouse in Lindsay, CA, who was elected chairman of the board of directors of California Citrus Mutual at the organization's recent annual meeting.
Speaking at the CCM annual meeting Thursday, Nov. 3, Mr. LoBue emphasized that "the industries we face require that we continue" to be united as an industry. He also stressed the need for the California citrus industry to work together with other commodity organizations because "most of the issues we face" are also issues of concern to fruit and vegetable producers in the country.
Farmers face a "hostile" attitude from legislators who single out "agriculture as the bad guys," Mr. LoBue said. Many of the issues relate to environmental policy. Typical of the hostility of legislators toward agriculture is the attitude that "if it rains on your property, you are considered a contributor to water pollution," he said.
The battle between environmentalists and farmers with regard to water use continues. Citrus growers and other farmers in California's San Joaquin Valley are currently engaged in a legal battle to maintain their water rights. "We are working to protect [the water] from those who would squander it," he said.
Another concern is labor shortage, said Mr. LoBue, who emphasized the need for a viable guest worker program. Inequitable trade policies are an ongoing challenge, he added, noting that the California citrus industry faces unfair competition from imports from several citrus- producing countries.
Food safety and food security are important, but sometimes the required protocols can put a burden on farmers without achieving their intended purposes. "Hopefully we can streamline these concepts," he said.
California Citrus Mutual, both as an organization and in concert with other produce industry organizations, is working with legislators and regulators on the state and federal levels, "trying to steer these issues in the right direction," he said.
Speaking at the CCM annual meeting Thursday, Nov. 3, Mr. LoBue emphasized that "the industries we face require that we continue" to be united as an industry. He also stressed the need for the California citrus industry to work together with other commodity organizations because "most of the issues we face" are also issues of concern to fruit and vegetable producers in the country.
Farmers face a "hostile" attitude from legislators who single out "agriculture as the bad guys," Mr. LoBue said. Many of the issues relate to environmental policy. Typical of the hostility of legislators toward agriculture is the attitude that "if it rains on your property, you are considered a contributor to water pollution," he said.
The battle between environmentalists and farmers with regard to water use continues. Citrus growers and other farmers in California's San Joaquin Valley are currently engaged in a legal battle to maintain their water rights. "We are working to protect [the water] from those who would squander it," he said.
Another concern is labor shortage, said Mr. LoBue, who emphasized the need for a viable guest worker program. Inequitable trade policies are an ongoing challenge, he added, noting that the California citrus industry faces unfair competition from imports from several citrus- producing countries.
Food safety and food security are important, but sometimes the required protocols can put a burden on farmers without achieving their intended purposes. "Hopefully we can streamline these concepts," he said.
California Citrus Mutual, both as an organization and in concert with other produce industry organizations, is working with legislators and regulators on the state and federal levels, "trying to steer these issues in the right direction," he said.
