Farmers and ranchers are being encouraged to enhance their protocols related to safety standards as California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CalOSHA) steps up its enforcement. AgSafe President and …
Accident Spurs Lone Worker Protocol Thoughts
An unfortunate accident on a well-known winemaker’s property should have operations talking about one aspect of worker safety. Jackson Family Wines experienced a tragic event last week as one of their long-time employees died …
Still Developing Hemp Regulation Also Depends on Location
The process to start producing industrial hemp right now is unclear, and it’s different on where you plan to grow. The California Department of Food and Agriculture has greenlighted hemp …
Indoor Heat Standard Critical Language Changes
California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CalOSHA) has updated the indoor heat standard proposal, refining some of the language used from the proposal initially announced earlier in the year. …
Hemp Registration Opens, Process Remains Complicated
Producers can now register to grow hemp, but it’s still a fuzzy process. As AgNet West reported last week, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced that County …
USDA Inspection Rates to Increase 10%
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced it will be increasing inspection fees for fresh produce quality and condition, along with audit verification services. The rate for audit verification …
Groups React to Chlorpyrifos Ban
Source: Western Growers Association In response to the announcement that the California Department of Pesticide Residue (DPR) is acting to ban the use of the insecticide chlorpyrifos, Western Growers President …
Chlorpyrifos Ban in California Officially Underway
The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) recently announced that the process to ban chlorpyrifos in California is now officially underway. Chlorpyrifos had …
Bumblebee Species Possible Listings Further Threatens California Ag
The Fish and Game Commission (Commission) is considering four bumblebee species to be listed as endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). The Xerces Society, Defenders of Wildlife, and …
LGMA Adopts New Water Rules for Leafy Greens
New requirements have recently been adopted pertaining to watering rules for California leafy greens, as a means to further increase produce safety. The new rules call for more stringent overview …
CFBF: New Nighttime Lighting Requirements ‘Unrealistic’
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) Standards Board recently held a public hearing on the proposed nighttime lighting requirements for agricultural operations. Several ag industry groups expressed concern …
Ag Employers Urged to Weigh in on Nighttime Labor Regulations
The opportunity for public comment on the proposed changes to nighttime labor regulations for the agricultural industry is nearing its end. The Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) is …
FDA Announces Enforcement Discretion of the Produce Safety Rule
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced an enforcement discretion policy for certain crops under the requirements of the Produce Safety Rule portion of the Food Safety Modernization Act …
Emergency Process Pushing New Air Quality Standard for Wildfire Smoke
A new air quality standard that addresses wildfire smoke which contains high levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is moving quickly. A petition that was filed at the end of …