Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/178281
Snellman said the agency understands that many growers in the Northwest receive their supplies from irrigation districts. "We understand that's your only option in many cases," he said, adding that the agency is not advocating wholesale treatment of water from irrigation districts. Some alternative to imposing a numerical standard for water contamination might be needed for that region, he added. "We've got that message." Research Growers suggested that research needs to be done to find out, for example, how quickly microorganisms die off in Washington's dry climate when water is applied to apples for overhead cooling. An irrigation district representative asked if the FDA was taking into account the Northwest's long history of producing safe food. "You're offering a solution to a problem that's not as large as in other parts of the country," he said. "It doesn't give us a lot of confidence that once the rule's set there will be workability after that." "We're very committed to coming up with a rule at the www.goodfruit.com end of the day that does take into account the conditions here, and different degrees of risk, and that does work in a way that —Mike Taylor fulfils the statutory mandate that we have under FSMA but is workable," Taylor responded. "I can't today tell you in writing what the solution is, but we're committed to working with you." Assar said that after the regulations go into effect, growers will have two years to comply with the water standards in addition to the two to four years that will be allowed for the regulations in general. That means it could be 2019 before large growers need to be in compliance and even later for small growers. Dr. Ines Hanrahan, project manager with the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, asked if resources would be available to fund research on alternative practices or whether the industry would have to absorb the cost. Taylor said the FDA has very little funding to support research, but it has developed a framework for conducting studies on alternatives that should help those doing the research. More funding is needed to support implementation of the regulations in the interest of both food safety and agricultural producers, he added. • AG water requirements T he U.S. Food and Drug Administration's proposed produce-safety rule would require that all agricultural water be safe and of adequate sanitary quality for its intended use. "Agricultural water" is defined as water that contacts the food directly or surfaces that come into contact with food. The standards would require that the farmer inspect the water system at the start of the growing season to look for conditions that are "reasonably likely" to introduce pathogens to the produce or food-contact surfaces. In addition, water quality must be tested at least every seven days during the growing season. If the water does not meet the FDA's standard, it can no longer be used. Unsafe water must be treated, but the rule does not specify how. Records must be kept to document inspection findings, water testing results, treatment methods, and treatment results. —G. Warner Good Fruit Grower OCTOBER 2013 photo by Joanne danielS photo by geraldine warner "We're very committed to coming up with a rule at the end of the day that does take into account the conditions here." 11