IMPORT LABOR OR IMPORT FOOD-WHO WILL DECIDE?
POSTED - August 4, 2008
By Lynne Finnerty
Real leaders don’t run from the responsibility of making tough choices. They make those decisions based on the best information available and a genuine desire to do what’s right.
America has before it such a choice when it comes to the future of American agriculture. Global markets, the loss of domestic agricultural labor, the shrinking of the farm family, economic factors driving farm consolidation — all these are working together to change how we grow our crops, manage our orchards, harvest our fruits and vegetables and maintain our dairies. The fact is, either more workers will come to our country to help us with these tasks or we will have to import the food we will no longer be able to grow.
Unfortunately, many in Congress — influenced by voices like cable commentator Lou Dobbs — have neglected the responsibility to lead on the issue of immigration and farm labor reform. As a result, America is left with a choice by default: as our labor shortage worsens, we will depend on other countries for more of our food while our own agricultural economy shrinks by billions of dollars a year.
This is not a good choice in terms of food security or safety. Agricultural methods in the United States are among the best in the world. Pesticide and food safety rules guarantee Americans the highest-quality food available. Our ability to produce food in the U.S. ensures that we don’t have to depend on others. Are we willing to give that up?
Unless Congress acts, we may have no choice. If American farmers cannot hire enough workers to plant, tend and harvest their crops, many will shutter their operations or move them south of the border.
It’s already happening. According to Agriculture Department data, 13,280 farms went out of business from 2006 to 2007, and 84,155 acres of agricultural production have moved from the U.S. to Mexico.
One of the nation’s most productive tomato growers, Keith Eckel of Pennsylvania, closed down this year because he couldn’t get enough workers.
“If we went ahead and planted this season, we would have $1.5 million to $2 million worth of tomatoes in the field that we’re not positive we can harvest. That’s too big a risk,” Eckel said.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein sponsored a bill this year to allow 1.35 million foreign agricultural workers to secure permits to remain in the country for five years if they work a certain number of days in agriculture. Feinstein’s bill — a good start at providing at least short-term relief from the agricultural labor shortage — did not pass.
“No one wants to see the dissolution of the family farm, and I believe that’s where we’re going” if farmers can’t get the workers they need, Feinstein says.
So, what happens next?
What you can do is talk to your neighbors, newspapers and elected leaders about this problem. If you or someone you know is facing a critical labor squeeze, tell your story.
What Congress should do is deal with this important economic issue. Not dealing with it won’t make it go away, and it’s an abdication of Congress’ responsibility to make the tough choices and lead.
--------------------------------------------------
Lynne Finnerty is the editor of FBNews, a publication of the American Farm Bureau Federation.
CDFA ANNOUNCES NEW STRATEGY TO ERADICATE DESTRUCTIVE LBAM
POSTED - July 10, 2008
Issue Date: June 25, 2008
By Christine Souza
Assistant Editor
In an effort to eliminate the light brown apple moth (LBAM), the California Department of Food and Agriculture announced last week a new development in its strategy to combat the pest, which, if left unchecked, could adversely impact more than 2,000 plants including native tree species, horticultural crops and food crops.
"Since we discovered the light brown apple moth in California in early 2007, we have invested in the development of alternatives that would improve our eradication efforts. That work is bearing fruit earlier than expected," said CDFA Secretary A.G. Kawamura. "We are fast-tracking an approach known as the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), in which large quantities of sterilized, infertile insects are released so that the wild population cannot reproduce."
U.S. Department of Agriculture researchers recently informed CDFA that sufficient numbers and generations of lab-raised LBAM have completed the rearing process, opening the door for a new sterile release program as an eradication tool. As a result, CDFA anticipates it will move up a delivery date for sterile moths to two years, a time line that would enable the state to utilize the SIT program on the Central Coast, where the USDA confirmed an infestation of LBAM in 2007. Scientists had expected to need five to seven years to adapt SIT to the moth, but their work has progressed much more rapidly than expected. Last Thursday, government officials announced that it could begin limited releases of the sterile moths in 2009, with a full-scale program up and running in 2011.
The California Farm Bureau Federation, a member of the Invasive Pest Coalition, an organization comprised of a broad range of organizations committed to preventing the introduction of invasive pests into California, is hopeful that this strategy will yield positive results. "While this is a shift in strategy, especially for the urban areas, it holds great promise to continue us on the path of LBAM eradication," said Cynthia Cory, CFBF director of environmental affairs. "Using proven ground-based pest prevention treatments in combination with sterile moths will enable us to combat this threat to our state." SIT has been successful for more than 30 years in California and around the globe against a variety of insects including the Mexican fruit fly, pink bollworm moth and, most notably, the Mediterranean fruit fly, Kawamura added.
During a conference call held last Thursday regarding CDFA's changes to control and eradicate LBAM, CDFA Director of Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services John Connell emphasized that other treatments will continue as part of the agency's eradication tools.
"One of the points I'd like to emphasize here is this does not mean an abandonment of aerial treatment of pheromones," Connell said. "In those areas that are inaccessible by ground approaches and where we don't have SIT available, such as some of the high mountain tops and ridge tops in the infested zones, would be areas considered for aerial treatment by pheromones until other eradication tools are available."
Eradication of LBAM will also require an integrated systems approach using multiple tools including applications of pheromone for mating disruption, use of insecticide treatments, male moth attractant treatment technology and implementation of biological control and releases of sterile insects.
Since it was first discovered in the San Francisco Bay Area in March 2007, the LBAM has posed an increasing threat to California-grown crops. Just two years earlier, a USDA pest survey found no LBAM in the state. No signs of LBAM have been found over the last 10 years as a result of the pest surveys conducted in 21 other states.
Based on agricultural losses due to LBAM experienced in New Zealand, USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service stated that California could experience $685 million to $2.7 billion in annual crop losses if LBAM were to thrive and flourish. The current infestation has caused Canada and Mexico to enact restrictions on crops and plants grown in the 11 California counties infected with LBAM; however, Cory said the countries have indicated that they are on board with the new strategy for eradicating the pest.
Other members of the Invasive Pest Coalition include Agricultural Council of California, California Association of Winegrape Growers, California Avocado Commission, California Certified Organic Farmers, California Citrus Mutual, California Citrus Research Board, California Dried Plum Board, California Grape & Tree Fruit League, California Pear Advisory Board, California Strawberry Commission, California Table Grape Commission, California Tree Fruit Agreement, Western Pistachio Association, Western Growers and Wine Institute.
(Christine Souza is a reporter for Ag Alert. She may be contacted at csouza@cfbf.com.)
Permission for use is granted, however, credit must be made to the California Farm Bureau Federation when reprinting this item.
POSTED - July 9, 2008
Special to the San Diego Union-Tribune
Word Count: 461words
Contact: Bob Muir, MWD Press Office, (213) 217-6930
"Southern California Needs to Discuss Water Strategy for Agriculture"
By Jeff Kightlinger
A word may no longer play such a major role in Southern California water planning. That word is "surplus." The region has long managed its water supplies as though there was extra to provide in any given year. This so-called surplus has been sold at a discount rate to some (but not all) farming operations under a program overseen by the region's primary water wholesaler, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. But now the region is facing a worsening water shortage and Metropolitan has been forced to reduce agricultural water deliveries. In San Diego County, some avocado farmers have stunted their trees down to the stump to minimize their need for water. This exemplifies how continuing tough choices lie ahead. Our entire region needs to adjust to a new water reality, and that includes agriculture. Since the 1987-92 drought, Metropolitan has increased the region's storage capacity by more than 10-fold. The district constructed Diamond Valley Lake in southwest Riverside County, nearly doubling Southern California's surface storage capacity. It developed underground storage programs of similar capacity in the San Joaquin Valley. The goal has been to store additional supplies when water is available in wet years and minimize the impacts of the inevitable dry years. In 1994, the district created a unique water program for interested farmers. They could purchase water at a discount when extra water was available. But, there was one proviso--if reserves began to dwindle, farmers would be the first to face supply reductions. This year, farmers relying on discounted water from this program are having their supplies reduced by 30 percent. Prior to 2008, Metropolitan had never curtailed water supplies to these farmers. However, the region's two major imported supply sources--from the Colorado River and Northern California's Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta--face unprecedented challenges. The Colorado River is recovering from a historic drought, highlighted by record dry conditions for eight of the last nine years. Deteriorating environmental conditions in the Delta are triggering supply cutbacks to agencies serving more than 25 million Californians statewide and farmers throughout the fertile Sacramento and Central valleys. A comprehensive fix in the Delta will take years, and Metropolitan has been forced to draw on its reserves. Faced with these challenges, Metropolitan's Board of Directors will be reviewing in the coming months the future of its agricultural water program. Regardless of any changes to this program, agriculture will remain a part of Southern California's future. However, all of Southern California's sectors-residential, commercial, industrial and agriculture-must face a future that demands greater water efficiency. Conservation and careful water planning are needed to sustain our economy and lifestyle, and to keep those beautiful, productive orchards alive.
Jeff Kightlinger is the general manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.POSTED - July 5, 2008
GOVERNOR PROCLAIMS DROUGHT, ORDERS IMMEDIATE ACTION TO ADDRESS SITUATION
Read the full article here
Read Executive Order by the Governor of the State of California here
- POSTED - July 5, 2008
POSTED - April 3, 2008
USDA PROPOSES CHANGES TO FRUIT FLY REGULATIONS
USDA has proposed regulatory changes that would remove certain restrictions governing the interstate movement of Hass avocados from areas under domestic quarantine because of Mexican fruit fly or sapote fly and those governing the importation of Hass avocados, in an attempt to achieve consistency in its policies. The basis for the Proposed Rule is scientific research by Dr. Martin Aluja, et al., that was published in the Journal of Economic Entomology in April 2004. USDA’s proposal would eliminate the need for bait spraying by U.S. Hass avocado growers situated in a Mexican fruit fly or sapote fly quarantine area, and remove trapping requirements for Anastrepha spp. fruit flies for Hass avocados imported from Mexico. See attached Federal Register notice for more information.
Click here to read the proposed rules - POSTED - April 3, 2008
10 SQUARE MILE AREA OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
ADDED TO STATE'S LIGHT BROWN APPLE MOTH QUARANTINE - POSTED - March 26, 2008
VIEW QUARANTINE MAP HERE - POSTED - March 26, 2008
For further information contact the Cooperative Light Brown Apple Moth Project in Santa Barbara at 805-563-9537
In Title 3, Division 4, Chapter 3, amend subsection 3434(b) to read:
Section 3434. Light Brown Apple Moth Interior Quarantine.
- (b) Area Under Quarantine
(7) In the County of Santa Barbara, in the Carpinteria area: Beginning at the intersection of Foothill Road and La Mirada Drive; then, northeasterly along La Mirada Drive to its intersection with Paquita Drive; then, northwesterly along Paquita Drive to its intersection with Arriba Street; then, northeasterly and northerly along Arriba Street to its northern most point; then, northerly along an imaginary line to its intersection with the intersection of N34.433 degrees latitude and W119.550335 degrees longitude; then, easterly along N34.433 degrees latitude to its intersection with Carpinteria Creek; then, southwesterly, southerly, southeasterly, southerly, southeasterly, southeasterly, southwesterly, southeasterly,southerly, southwesterly, northwesterly, southwesterly, westerly, southerly, northwesterly, southwesterly, southeasterly, westerly, southwesterly, northwesterly, southwesterly, westerly, southwesterly, westerly, southwesterly, westerly and southwesterly along Carpinteria Creek to its intersection with the coastline of California; then, northwesterly, westerly and northwesterly along the coastline of California to its intersection with Arroyo Paredon Creek; then, northerly, southeasterly, northeasterly, southeasterly and northeasterly along Arroyo Paredon Creek to its intersection with Foothill Road; then, northwesterly along Foothill Road to the point of beginning.
Note: Authority: Sections 407, 5301, 5302 and 5322, Food and Agricultural Code Reference: Sections 407, 5301, 5302 and 5322, Food and Agricultural Code
03/14/08
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/PDEP/lbam/
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/EXOTIC/
- POSTED - February 21, 2008
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ - POSTED - February 21, 2008
WATER SUPPLY AND RATE OUTLOOK
POSTED - May 8, 2008
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CA DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES UPDATE OF HYDROLOGIC CONDITIONS
Spring 2008 is turning out to be extremely dry. The current 8-Station Index for Water Year 2008 indicates:
- Seasonal total of 33.7 inches is now less than last year's seasonal total of 34.4 inches at this time.
- October through April total of 33.7 inches is the 22nd driest year out of 88 years of record.
- March 2008, with a precipitation total of 1.6 inches (23% of average) was the sixth driest March of 88 years of record.
- April 2008 was also the sixth driest April on record.
- Combined March and April total precipitation is only 2.3 inches, the driest on record (since 1921).
Other points of interest include:
- Large water supply reservoirs received some inflow from Spring storms; however, much of the precipitation fell as snow.
- Because precipitation was significantly below average last year, dry hydrologic conditions still prevail.
- Storage in most of the major water supply reservoirs is still well below average.
- The latest National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center (CPC) long-range weather outlook for May 2008 is forecasting below average precipitation for Northern and Southern California. Average precipitation is forecasted for Central California.
METROPOLITAN 2009 WATER RATE UPDATE - POSTED - March 17, 2008
WATER SUPPLY UPDATE, MAY 2008 - POSTED - June 5, 2008
Agricultural Water Pricing – Voter Survey, January 2008 - POSTED - February 8, 2008
Agriculture’s Response to Frequently Asked Questions about the IAWP - POSTED - January 28, 2008
IAWP Presentation to the Metropolitan Water District, January 2008 - POSTED - January 28, 2008
Click here to view the latest Newsletter from the Southern California Agricultural Water Team:
MAY 2008 AG WATER NEWSLETTER - POSTED - June 5, 2008
RIVERSIDE COUNTY AG WATER OUTLOOK 2008 - POSTED - May 22, 2008
Click on the links below to read the latest information provided by the Commission about California avocado water resources.
Summary of IAWP Reduction Guidelines, August 2007 - POSTED - August 14, 2007---------
Click on the links below to read the latest information on wholesale water rates and supply availability.
The Impact of Agricultural Water Deliveries in Southern California - POSTED - January 23, 2008
Water Supply and Global Warming - POSTED - April 10, 2007
Fact Sheet – Interim Agriculture Water Program - POSTED - March 16, 2007
IMMIGRATION ISSUES
RECENT IMMIGRATION-RELATED DEVELOPMENTS
AFFECTING AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYERS - POSTED - March 6, 2008
NCAE Press Release on H-2A Reforms - POSTED - February 14, 2008
USCIS Update on H-2A Reforms - POSTED - February 14, 2008