As the Agriculture Department moves forward with Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation regulations, the department must ensure its new Interim Rule balances the benefits for both farmland and wetland, …
Milk Labeling Comment Deadline is Approaching
The milk labeling comment deadline is approaching on January 25. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initially extended the comment period for labeling standards for plant-based beverages back in …
ELD Exemption Remains in Place During Government Shutdown
One of the many impacts of the current government shutdown is that the ELD exemption for livestock haulers will remain in effect until further notice. Transporters of livestock and insects …
New Overtime Requirements Need Attention
Several regulatory changes will be affecting the cost of labor this year, including new labor laws that pertain to minimum wage, workday and overtime requirements, as well as paid leave …
New WOTUS Rule Proposal Brings Optimism
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers have proposed a new draft of the Waters of the United State rule, known as the WOTUS rule, that seeks …
New Sexual Harassment Training Requirements Beginning in 2019
A new law comes into effect in January and makes significant changes to sexual harassment training requirements. Prior to the new regulations coming into effect, sexual harassment prevention training did …
Indoor Heat Threshold Change and Note Keeping
The new indoor heat standard coming for California recently changed a key requirement. “Originally the standard had spoken to 80 degrees but has since been changed to 82,” AgSafe Assistant …
Fresh Produce Has Some Traceability Challenges
With two major E. coli warnings in romaine lettuce in the last year, the industry must now look at improved traceability. Produce Marketing Association’s Chief Science and Technology Officer Dr. …
CFBF President Outlines Policy Priorities
Describing Farm Bureau as an organization “that wants to go beyond making a statement by being determined to make a difference,” California Farm Bureau Federation (CFBF) President Jamie Johansson outlined …
New Labeling Should Save Future Frustrations From Outbreaks
New labeling to get romaine lettuce back on store shelves should help in the future if outbreaks occur. The Center for Disease Control now recommends that romaine lettuce grown outside …
Nighttime Labor Regulations Quietly Moving Fast
A proposal to implement further nighttime labor regulations for the agricultural industry is continuing to make progress. The Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA, had previously …
Impending Indoor Heat Standard Looks Familiar
The developing indoor heat regulation should look relatively familiar to the industry. Cal/OSHA is putting together the language for new indoor heat prevention standards, and a draft is due by …
Cell-Cultured Meat Products to Be Regulated by Both USDA and FDA
The regulation of cell-cultured meat products will officially be administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The recent announcement of shared …
Proposition 12 Deadline May Be More Ambitious Than Realistic
The Proposition 12 deadline is going to require a significant amount of change in production systems in a seemingly short timeframe. Egg and veal producers will only have until 2020 …