Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/110873
challenges we face,��� he said. ���We need science-based data if we are to push back on any of the proposed food safety regulations that have potential to be very costly and disruptive for the industry. That���s why research has been a key focus of the Food Safety Committee.��� Since early on, the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission has been involved in funding targeted food safety research and coordinating research efforts with Washington State University and others. Morgan said that it���s been a strong and solid partnership between Washington State University and the Tree Fruit Research Commission. The committee is working with agricultural departments of Idaho, Washington, and Oregon to develop a regional tree fruit food safety research initiative, Deborah Carter of the Hort Council said. ���By taking a regional approach to food safety, the three states can maximize state specialty crop block grants and industry efforts, leveraging funds from government and industry.��� ���Our goal has been that research would lead us to reduced regulations, not more.��� ���Chris Schlect Since its inception, the center has coordinated research projects totaling $10.6 million, representing 69 projects from 22 institutions. ���The center���s technical committee of experts across the United States helps review research proposals to ensure they have both scientific and industry rigor and the proper resources to complete the project,��� she said. Fernandez-Fenaroli said that the Northwest Food Safety Committee has been extremely proactive in the food safety science arena. ���I often use the committee and the Northwest Hort Council as an example of a proactive industry when I���m talking to other commodity groups. Marchant spoke during the annual meeting of the Washington State Horticultural Association. ��� SPRING WILL BE HERE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT ! 0% INTEREST for 48 MONTHS Beginnings When the Food Safety Committee was organized more than five years ago, outbreaks of food-borne illnesses were making headlines, though none were related to tree fruit like apples, pears, and cherries. ���Industry saw that federal and retail food safety standards were coming,��� said Christian Schlect, president of the Hort Council. Industry also recognized that food safety scientific data for the production and packing of tree fruit was lacking. ���We knew we had to have sciencebased data to either reduce the concern for our crops, or if there was a problem, to be able to deal with it. Our goal has been that research would lead us to reduced regulations, not more,��� he said, adding that FDA is looking to industry to provide scientific assurance that production practices will minimize risk. ���We���re hoping that through sciencebased data, we can convince the agency to back away from its draconian proposal and go to a crop-specific approach for our commodities,��� Schlect concluded. Research Much of the Food Safety Committee's research effort has been coordinated with the Center for Produce Safety, a program of the University of California, Davis, and led by Executive Director Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli. The center began as a result of a 2006 outbreak of Escherchia coli linked to spinach.���It was designed to fill in the knowledge gaps identified by industries and to best utilize research information that already had been conducted,��� Fernandez-Fenaroli said. The center does not fund research outright, but coordinates research funding by sending out industry research priorities and requests for funding proposals to scientists throughout the nation. Research funding sources come from private industry, state block grants, and government. www.goodfruit.com OR CHOOSE CASH BACK! BAC On T4000 Series in stock T TD4040F 400 Gallon Starting at . . . Sprayers $16,900 Check Out Our Large Selection Of Used Tractors On Our Website The Pre-Season Savings Event is in full swing, and that means you can get 0% financing for 48 months or cash back on select T4040V with Low Profile Saf-T Cab Pr f New Holland tractors: T4000V and T4000F Series Tractors (62 to 92 PTO hp) Get Ready to Roll now with outstanding deals! Program ends March 31, 2013. Stop by today, or visit www.newholland.com/na for complete details. T4050F with Cab QUINCY OTHELLO MOSES LAKE PASCO WALLA WALLA HERMISTON LA GRANDE LAKEVIEW CHRISTMAS VALLEY HINES www.sseqinc.com * For agricultural use. Offer subject to CNH Capital America LLC credit approval. See your New Holland dealer for details and eligibility requirements. Depending on model, a down payment may be required. Offer good through March 31, 2013, at participating New Holland dealers in United States. Offer subject to change. Taxes, freight, set-up, delivery, additional options or attachments not included in price. ��2013 CNH America LLC rights reserved. New Holland and CNH Capital are registered trademarks of CNH America LLC. GOOD FRUIT GROWER MARCH 1, 2013 11