Water tops list of concerns in 2016 for California tree fruits
Water tops list of concerns in 2016 for California tree fruits
Members of the California Fresh Fruit Association were surveyed in December about the upcoming year, and the association announced its Top Ten Issues for 2016 based on those responses.
“Again our membership has given us strong direction in identifying their top priorities for 2016,” California Fresh Fruit Association President Barry Bedwell said in a press release. “As in years past, the issues of water, labor and food safety will lead our list of issues. CFFA will continue to serve as a liaison between regulatory and legislative authorities by acting as the unified voice for our members.”
Barry Bedwell
The cumulative effect of four years of drought and an uncertainty with water supply kept that issue at the top of the list. Labor concerns jumped four spots to No. 2, while Food Safety Practices & Implementation, demonstrating the industry’s continued focus on providing a safe food supply, dropped just one spot to No. 3.
The top issues, listed in order of priority, are as follows:
- Water Supply Availability/Drought Impacts (No. 1 in 2015)
- Retroactive Labor Regulation Costs & Related Impacts (No. 6 in 2015)
- Food Safety Practices & Implementation (No. 2 in 2015)
- Immigration Reform (No. 3 in 2015)
- Groundwater Management Requirements (No. 7 in 2015)
- Labor Regulations (No. 5 in 2015)
- Water Quality Regulations (No. 8 in 2015)
- Health Care Mandates/Affordable Care Act (No. 4 in 2015)
- Invasive Pest Issues (No. 9 in 2015)
- Workers’ Compensation Costs (No. 10 in 2015)