Schlect: A cold Arctic blast
● USDA announced last Friday its deregulation of a Canadian firm's--Okanagan Specialty Fruits, Inc.--two varieties (Granny Smith and Golden) of
Schlect: State of the Union
● The Foreign Agricultural Service has long been viewed as an elite arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, staffed
Schlect: On the docks
● This fall's disruptions of ocean shipping--that have lacerated our tree fruit exports--beg for some type of long-term remedy. Unionized
Good Point: That unwashed grape
FSMA is another example of how a good idea (here, improved food safety for consumers) is forged into a federal law with little understanding by legislators of the complexities of the actual situation.
Schlect: Cherry Street
● The Produce Marketing Association has hired a new team, Cornerstone Government Affairs, to represent it in Washington, D.C. Hunt Shipman
Schlect: Food Safety — We’re Covered
● Last Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued its anticipated revisions to four proposed rules implementing the Food
Schlect: Mr. Hastings
● Yesterday, Congressman Doc Hastings (R/Washington), who will be retiring at the end of the 113th Congress after two decades
Schlect: From Russia without love
● Russia's economic ban on U.S. agricultural goods will affect the Pacific Northwest's apple and pear export programs this coming
Schlect: Rediscovery of an advisory committee
● Secretary Tom Vilsack announced yesterday his long-awaited appointment of 25 members to the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee,
Schlect: Vetter clears Senate, takes U.S. chief agricultural negotiator job
● Darci Vetter, on July 10, cleared the Senate's confirmation process and now holds the job of "U.S. Chief Agricultural