A petition from the Xerces Society and the Defenders of Wildlife is calling for the consideration of four bumblebee species to be classified for protection under the California Endangered Species …
FDA Settles FSMA Lawsuit Related to High Risk Foods
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will now be designating certain items as high-risk foods after being sued by the Center for Food Safety (CFS) and the Center for …
Industry Concerned with FDA Oversight of Animal Genomics
Industry members are pushing for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assume regulatory oversight from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when it comes to animal genomics. In …
Stringent, Discretionary Enforcement of CalOSHA Safety Standards
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 …