California leafy greens bills die in legislature
California leafy greens bills die in legislature
Three food-safety bills drafted in response to last year's E. coli outbreak that was traced to Salinas Valley-grown leafy greens appear to have died in the California Legislature.
California state Sen. Dean Florez (D-16th) pushed the bills that would have created a new inspection system for leafy green growers and handlers through the Senate but could not drive them by Assembly member Nicole Parra, a critic of Mr. Florez's legislation and chair of the powerful Agriculture Committee.
The three bills would have allowed the state to recall or destroy products that pose a threat, mandate good agricultural practices on the farm and create a traceback system to speed the recall of tainted products.
In a heated exchange between Mr. Florez and Ms. Parra that occurred June 27, the Assembly voted down the traceback measure by a 5-2 vote and never brought the other bills up for a vote.
"We are very pleased with the committee's decision to stop these pieces of legislation and allow our industry an opportunity to show that the Leafy Greens Handler Marketing Agreement is the most effective approach to ensuring the leafy greens grown, harvested, packed and shipped to our dinner tables is as safe as scientifically possible," said Western Growers Association President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Nassif.
WGA has been working with the California Farm Bureau Federation, Grower- Shipper Association of Central California, Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association to develop the marketing agreement. Members of the California committee said it was critical to allow the marketing agreement time to work before passing new legislation.
"Assembly member Parra has shown incredible leadership and resolve in dealing with this issue, and we truly appreciate her and the committee's vote of confidence," said Mr. Nassif.
In the meantime, Mr. Florez, who has announced plans to run for state lieutenant governor, said that he might try to bring the bills up again - especially if there is another E. coli outbreak.
Even if the bills were to pass, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signaled a willingness to allow the industry's state-enforced marketing agreement to go forward.
California state Sen. Dean Florez (D-16th) pushed the bills that would have created a new inspection system for leafy green growers and handlers through the Senate but could not drive them by Assembly member Nicole Parra, a critic of Mr. Florez's legislation and chair of the powerful Agriculture Committee.
The three bills would have allowed the state to recall or destroy products that pose a threat, mandate good agricultural practices on the farm and create a traceback system to speed the recall of tainted products.
In a heated exchange between Mr. Florez and Ms. Parra that occurred June 27, the Assembly voted down the traceback measure by a 5-2 vote and never brought the other bills up for a vote.
"We are very pleased with the committee's decision to stop these pieces of legislation and allow our industry an opportunity to show that the Leafy Greens Handler Marketing Agreement is the most effective approach to ensuring the leafy greens grown, harvested, packed and shipped to our dinner tables is as safe as scientifically possible," said Western Growers Association President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Nassif.
WGA has been working with the California Farm Bureau Federation, Grower- Shipper Association of Central California, Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association to develop the marketing agreement. Members of the California committee said it was critical to allow the marketing agreement time to work before passing new legislation.
"Assembly member Parra has shown incredible leadership and resolve in dealing with this issue, and we truly appreciate her and the committee's vote of confidence," said Mr. Nassif.
In the meantime, Mr. Florez, who has announced plans to run for state lieutenant governor, said that he might try to bring the bills up again - especially if there is another E. coli outbreak.
Even if the bills were to pass, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signaled a willingness to allow the industry's state-enforced marketing agreement to go forward.
