FDA Produce Safety Listening Session
Nila Cogan, a produce grower and PA Farm Bureau Board member, offered comments on produce handling regulations being developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration during a listening session this week in Harrisburg. "Pennsylvania has vibrant programs for promoting production and demand of locally-grown products," Cogan told officials from FDA and the state Departments of Health and Agriculture. "There is a real fear among producers of fresh fruits and vegetables that excessive and unnecessary regulations will adversely affect such programs and activities." FDA is preparing to issue the first-ever federal safety regulations for growing, harvesting and packing produce. PFB recommends the new program include, as much as possible, incentives for good agricultural practices rather than regulatory mandates. FDA is accepting public comments through May 24. You can comment online by going to www.regulations.gov. Choose "Submit a Comment" from the top task bar. Enter the docket number FDA-2010-N-0085 in the "Keyword" space then select "Search." Comments by mail can be sent to: The Division of Dockets Management, HFA-305, Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Include the docket number on each page of your written comments.

New Climate Change Bill Introduced
American Farm Bureau Federation is evaluating the American Power Act, the new climate change bill introduced in Congress this week, for its effect on agriculture. "As with other climate change bills, we have concerns about the economic impact on farmers and ranchers because of potentially higher fertilizer and energy costs," said AFBF President Bob Stallman. Farm Bureau is also concerned because agriculture could be forced to shrink due to land moving out of production into trees to sequester carbon. "We also believe it is imperative that any energy legislation must assure a greater supply of nuclear energy, renewable fuels and natural gas for American consumers," said Stallman.