The Produce Marketing Association and the United Fresh Produce Association have announced that the organizations are ending any further discussion of potential merger at this time, but will continue to cooperate in areas of mutual interest to each association's members.

Tony Bishop, who recently retired as an account manager from Yakima, WA- based Domex Superfresh Growers, said it's not often that people are able to do what they love and love what they do. But Mr. Bishop said that he has been one of the lucky ones, having invested the work of a lifetime in the field of agriculture.

Domex Superfresh Growers threw a retirement bash for Mr. Bishop on Aug. 10, and it was one he will never forget. "They threw an unbelievable party for me," he said. The company even brought in some of Mr. Bishop's clients for a final farewell.

The California Department of Food & Agriculture has established a 114- square-mile quarantine zone in California's Solano County in the Dixon area following the detection of a Mediterranean fruit fly infestation.

As of Sept. 19, 13 wild Medflies and larvae had been detected in the area. This is the first Medfly infestation in the Central Valley since the early 1980s.

Herb Breen, whose nearly 30-year career in the produce industry has included senior management positions at such companies as AmeriFresh, Food Services of America and Del Monte Fresh, has joined West Pac Avocado Inc. in Temecula, CA, where he will be charged with directing all sales for the company, according to Vice President Galen Newhouse.

Mr. Breen was scheduled to start the new job on Monday, Sept. 24, Mr. Newhouse told The Produce News.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently issued a proclamation backing Salute to Agriculture 2007, the three-day series of events that draws attention to the Salinas Valley's agriculture industry.

The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce coordinated the series, which ran from Sept. 12 through Sept. 14.

FRESNO, CA -- SB 180, a bill recently passed by the California Senate and Assembly, has been sent to the governor's desk and is awaiting either his signature or his veto. The bill would strip farmworkers of their right to secret-ballot elections when deciding whether to unionize, according to Barry Bedwell, president of the California Grape & Tree Fruit League, here.

The league, along with several other farm groups, is urging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to veto the bill, Mr. Bedwell said.