Reporting Deadline for 1095-B and 1095-C Extended to March 2

December 1st, 2016

The IRS recently issued a notice granting an extension of the 1095-B and 1095-C reporting. Specifically, the notice extends the due date for furnishing the 2016 Form 1095-B, Health Coverage, and the 2016 Form 1095-C, Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage, from January 31, 2017, to March 2, 2017.

Following consultation with stakeholders, the Department of the Treasury and the IRS have determined that a substantial number of employers, insurers and other providers of minimum essential coverage need additional time beyond the January 31, 2017, due date to gather and analyze the information and prepare the 2016 Forms 1095-B and 1095-C to be furnished to individuals.

The extension applies to insurers, self-insuring employers, and certain other providers of minimum essential coverage under section 6055 of the Internal Revenue Code and to applicable large employers under section 6056 of the Code. This notice also extends good faith transition relief from section 6721 and 6722 penalties to the 2016 information reporting requirements under sections 6055 and 6056.

This extension does not apply to the filing of information returns to the IRS and the deadline for filing paper returns remains February 28, 2017, while the electronic filing deadline is March 31, 2017.

Looking to simplify your Tax Year 2016 reporting? Learn more about the Pinnacle ACA Dashboard here.

For more information, please contact Jonathan Alexander at (949) 885-2330. 

Three New Startups Join WG Center for Innovation & Technology

December 1st, 2016

The Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology® (WGCIT) welcomes three new agtech start-up companies: Aeroptic LLC, AgTech Industries and Tailwater Systems, Inc.

These three new startups join 22 other innovation companies who are all developing technologies to help solve agriculture’s most pressing challenges such as labor availability, water quality, food security and water supply.

Aeroptic LLC: From enhancing precision agriculture efforts to improving crop yields, Aeroptic is focused on helping unlock the power of aerial imagery in geospatial information systems. The company uses state-of-the-art aerial remote sensing technology to improve crop yields and identify production trends.

AgTech Industries: AgTech Industries products include infield telemetry, designed to collect sensor data, and operations software, which allows growers to transform in-field data into better informed growing decisions, such as controlling and monitoring irrigation with real time information. AgTech Industries offers the first growing operations platform that allows utilization by all of the growers’ employees.

Tailwater Systems, Inc.: Tailwater Systems specializes in a low cost, high performance process for reducing nitrates in surface and subsurface drainage. The company designs, builds, installs and operates compact bioreactors for removing nutrients and other regulated substances from an operation’s drainage.

To learn more about the Center, please visit the WGCIT website or read the WGCIT News Blog

PBS NewsHour Features WG Center for Innovation & Technology, Resident Startups

December 1st, 2016

Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology® (WGCIT) was featured in yesterday’s edition of PBS NewsHour, highlighting Western Growers’ efforts in accelerating the development of agricultural technologies.

PBS’ Special Correspondent Cat Wise travelled to Salinas, Calif. to take a look at some high-tech innovations being used to improve production. In the segment, Wise spoke to Patrick Zelaya, Jessica Gonzalez and Rivka Garcia of HeavyConnect and Kevin France of SWIIM System—who are all innovators working out of the WGCIT—about how their technologies will play a role in the sustainability of the agriculture industry.

Wise had the opportunity to visit the WGCIT and sit in on a Tech Talk (a monthly event that introduces the community and WG members to WGCIT resident start-up companies and their technologies) where she spoke to WG Executive Vice President Dave Puglia about the importance of agtech and the Center.

“Farmers have been innovative from the dawn of time, but our own members recognized that the collision of forces that are impacting their ability to stay in business, the regulatory pressures, resource pressures — we have less water available. We have less of a work force available to us,” said Puglia to PBS NewsHour. “This center is designed to bring the best of Silicon Valley, the best minds in technology and innovation, closer to the best farmers in the world, and speed the innovation that can solve those problems.”

Click here to watch the PBS NewsHour segment: “California’s ‘Salad Bowl’ is cultivating more than crops”

WG Offers FSMA Training in Arizona and Colorado

December 6th, 2016

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rules and provisions are already in effect, and Western Growers is providing additional training to help members stay in compliance. Training will be offered January 4-6 in Yuma, Arizona, and February 1-3 in Brighton, Colorado.

Last October, WG offered training in Salinas, California for the new FDA Preventive Controls for Human Food rule, which is intended to ensure safe manufacturing/processing, packing and holding of food products for human consumption in the United States. Now, WG is officially opening registration for two additional courses that will take place in Arizona and Colorado.

The FDA’s Preventive Controls for Human Food rule requires that certain activities must be completed or overseen by a “preventive controls qualified individual.” One way to meet the requirements for a “preventive controls qualified individual” is to complete the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA) Preventive Controls for Human Food Course. This course, developed by the FSPCA, is the “standardized curriculum” recognized by FDA. In addition, it will feature examples relevant to produce packinghouses covered by this rule; however, fresh-cut produce operations and other food facilities will benefit from this course, as well.

This training, which is geared for members of the produce industry, is hosted by Western Growers in collaboration with UC Davis and the Produce Marketing Association (PMA). Dr. Trevor Suslow with UC Davis, the main FSPCA lead instructor of this class, will be joined by lead FSPC instructors Dr. Jim Gorny with PMA and Sonia Salas with WG.

Don’t forget to check WG’s FSMA Resources Portal as it contains valuable resources for the implementation of different FSMA rules

EVENT DETAILS

Arizona Course

Date: January 4-6, 2017

Location: Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA)

6425 W. 8th Street (between Somerton Ave and S Avenue E)

Yuma, AZ  85364

Register by December 28th to secure a spot, as the class size is limited.

REGISTER HERE

 

Colorado Course

Date: February 1-3, 2017

Location: Adams County Extension Office

9755 Henderson Rd.

Rendezvous Room

Brighton, CO 80601

Register by January 25th to secure a spot, as the class size is limited.

REGISTER HERE

 

Registration Details:

Registration includes training materials and certificate, light breakfast, snacks and lunch. Members of the Produce Marketing Association and Western Growers will get a discounted price and have registration priority.

 

Registration Fees & Cancellation Policy:

PMA & WG members: $700.00

Others: $1,050.00

A fee of $35 will be charged if a cancellation request is received by the registration deadline. Refunds will not be issued after this date.

 

For registration questions contact WG Marketing at [email protected]. For additional information about the class content or the FSMA Resources Portal, contact Sonia Salas by email at [email protected] or by phone at (949) 885-2251.

Tech Talk with HeavyConnect — Thursday

December 7th, 2016

Join Western Growers this Thursday (December 8, 2016) for the HeavyConnect Tech Talk® centering on paperless time and attendance in the field.

HeavyConnect, one of the Western Grower’s Center for Innovation & Technology’s inaugural residents, builds simple and efficient apps that save time. HeavyConnect simplifies the workday by removing paperwork from the field operation and allows you to comply with time and attendance regulations. HeavyConnect’s TimeKeeper app allows harvesting operations to comply with AB1513 by accurately documenting break-times and non-productive time with common mobile devices (iOS & Android).

During the Tech Talk, HeavyConnect will discuss and answer questions about their innovative solution to farm management operations. For more information about HeavyConnect, join us for the Tech Talk in-person or online and read the “HeavyConnect Builds Technology Out of Farming” story featured in the WG&S Magazine.

EVENT INFORMATION

HeavyConnect Tech Talk®

Date: Thursday, December 8, 2016

Location: Online or in-person.

Online: you will be emailed a link when you register.

In-person: Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (150 Main Street, Suite 130, Salinas, CA 93901)

Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM PST

RSVP: To attend in-person, please RSVP to Emily Lyons at [email protected].
To attend online, please register here.

Tech Talks, which are offered at no cost, are hosted by the Center to introduce WG members and the community to the latest innovations. For more information about the Tech Talk Series or the Center, contact Hank Giclas at (949) 885-2205.

Reminder: Worker Protection Standard Goes into Effect January 2

December 8th, 2016

Revisions to the federal worker protection regulations for pesticides, the Worker Protection Standard (WPS), will go into effect on Jan. 2, 2017.

Many employers already implement record keeping and training, similar to what is required by the new standard. However, as previously reported in Spotlight, there are a number of new obligations resulting from the rule.

Recently, EPA released a “How to Comply” manual available here. Western Growers encourages members to carefully review the manual. Agricultural employers and handler employers must comply with most of the requirements of the final rule by January 2, 2017, while others go into effect on January 2, 2018.

Changes required by January 2, 2017 include:

  • Annual training for workers and handlers
  • Recordkeeping of training information
  • Recordkeeping of pesticide application information and hazard information
  • Minimum age requirements
  • Instructors must attend an EPA approved “Train the Trainer” course
  • Provide specific amounts of water for decontamination
  • No-entry application exclusion zones.

Changes required by January 2, 2018 include:

  • Expanded training content for workers and handlers (January 2, 2018 or within 6 months of EPA making training materials available but not before January 2, 2018)
  • Expanded content for safety information display
  • Requirements for suspension of application if unauthorized persons enter an “exclusion zone”

The rule also includes a controversial “designated representative” provision, which requires employers to make pesticide application and hazard information available to a person designated in writing by a worker or handler. Western Growers has concerns about the limits and intentions of this provision, though it is an improvement over the proposed rule that allowed written or oral designation of a representative.

In addition to the EPA “How to Comply” manual, states have services and training available to assist with compliance:

  • UC IPM and AgSafe are offering instructor training workshops co-sponsored by CDPR.  More information is available here.
  • Arizona Department of Agriculture has resources to help employers and handlers comply with the new standard available here.
  • Colorado Department of Agriculture and Colorado State University will be providing webinars and presentations. More information is available on their website.

Previously, Western Growers released a fact sheet with information comparing the new standard to the old standard. EPA also made available a review and comparison of changes.

For more information, contact Ben Sacher at (202) 296-0191 ext 7301.

Deadline to Voice Opinion on Pesticide Use Near Schools Regulation is Tomorrow

December 8th, 2016

Tomorrow will be the last day last day the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) will be accepting public comments on the recently proposed regulation on agricultural pesticide use near schools.

Western Growers’ members are highly encouraged to voice their concerns about how this regulation would affect their operations, as DPR will use this input to develop the new regulation. Please call or email DPR today. Pre-scripted messages are available on Western Growers Voter Voice Campaign website here.

The proposed regulation, which is slated to take effect in September 2017, prohibits certain pesticide applications within ¼ mile of a school and requires notification of other pesticide applications within ¼ mile of a school. Full details about the proposed regulation can be found on the DPR website.

Western Growers believes this newly-proposed regulation is not based on sound science and may cause unforeseen consequences for both growers and schools. We will continue to voice our concerns to DPR, and we need our members to express theirs, as well.

RESOURCES ON PROPOSED REGULATION

For more information, please contact Matthew Allen at (916) 446-1435.

Innovation Arena Winner, Trace Genomics, to Collaborate with WG on Soil Biology Management Efforts

December 13th, 2016

Western Growers is pleased to announce a collaborative effort with Trace Genomics to help members gain insights into how soil biology management can help suppress diseases and increase productivity.

Trace Genomics is a pioneering startup that is integrating deep expertise in genomics, molecular biology, plant pathology, and data science to unleash the potential of genomics technology for transforming soil management practices. They are offering a groundbreaking genetic test that enables the agriculture sector to evaluate soils for disease pressures, microbial diversity indices that are associated with productivity and resiliency, and efficacy of various cultural practices and soil amendment products.

Trace Genomics is a member of the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology. They have been featured at the Thrive Accelerator and won the Innovation Award at the Forbes Ag Tech Summit 2016. They also recently won the Audience Choice Award at Western Growers’ Innovation Arena last month during our Annual Meeting.

“We are pleased to help advance Trace Genomics Soil Microbial Health Initiative,” said Western Growers’ Hank Giclas. “We hope it will help growers and landowners gain a deeper understanding of their soil, agricultural practices, and plant diseases to ensure the long-term success of their operations.”

Soil biology is a key factor in both short- and long-term crop productivity, disease susceptibility and crop quality.  This Soil Microbial Health Initiative is intended to be a community-wide effort to advance scientific and practical knowledge about soil biology through a greater understanding of the millions of microbes in the soil. This knowledge will help us identify tools and strategies to protect and enhance the health of soils, towards the goal of preserving and enhancing crop productivity and quality.

Trace Genomics will work closely with growers to collect samples of soils from fields with varying levels of productivity. The Trace Genomics test provides insights on the microbial composition of those soils to growers through personalized reports. Samples from soils that have been subject to different agricultural practices will help provide insight into the impact of those practices on microbial diversity and composition. While sample reports are confidential and the property of individual collaborators, a write-up at the conclusion of this initiative will provide industry-wide insights from anonymized and aggregated data and will be made available exclusively to participants in this initiative.

Enrollment in this initiative is free, but requires involvement in at least one of three projects to study soil microbial diversity and potential for plant disease, the influence of farming practices and/or the effects of various treatment technologies.

All participants will receive a complimentary view into microbial diversity and biomass shifts for their samples. Additionally, participants can request an in-depth analytics report for a fee of $349 per project ($150 for Western Growers members). These custom reports will provide detailed insights on the soil microbiome as well as data and understanding on how soil microbial communities change with the variables of interest in the project (e.g. disease, operations, or treatment).

Samples for the initiative will be accepted until July 2017, but participants can send multiple samples under any or all three projects during the duration of the initiative. To learn more, check out the project description and flyer from Western Growers and Trace Genomics.

 WG-TG Soil Microbial Health Initiative Flyer 

Trace Genomics Flyer

 For more information, contact Hank Giclas at (949) 885-2205.

December 21 Webinar Reviews Seven FSMA Regulations

December 15th, 2016

With seven FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations now in effect, Western Growers will be hosting a webinar on December 21 to provide an overview of the regulations as well as key implementation and compliance considerations.

Enacted in 2011, FSMA regulations will have a tremendous impact on produce companies’ food safety practices. Depending on where your company is on the fresh produce supply chain, one or more regulations may impact you. Do you know which rules may apply to you and which compliance dates are approaching?

This webinar will provide an overview of seven key FSMA rules, touch on who is covered by each rule, briefly explain exemptions, as well as general and modified requirements.

Valuable resources and infographics developed for Western Growers members will be featured during this presentation. Join us for this Lunch & Learn webinar to hear about FSMA as it relates to the produce sector, share your experiences and ask questions.

WEBINAR DETAILS

Lunch & Learn Webinar: Overview of FSMA rules impacting the produce sector

Date: Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PST

Speakers: Susan Leaman, Vice President at iDecisionSciences, LLC. Bio.
Sonia Salas, Director of Science & Technology at Western Growers. Bio.

WG MEMBERS REGISTER HERE

Participation is complimentary and available to WG members only.

Contact Sonia Salas at (949) 885-2251 for questions about this Lunch & Learn webinar. For more information, resources and tools about FSMA, visit the Western Growers’ FSMA Resources Portal.

Webinar TOMORROW Reviews Seven FSMA Regulations

December 21st, 2016

With seven FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations now in effect, Western Growers will be hosting a webinar tomorrow to provide an overview of the regulations as well as key implementation and compliance considerations.

Enacted in 2011, FSMA regulations will have a tremendous impact on produce companies’ food safety practices. Depending on where your company is on the fresh produce supply chain, one or more regulations may impact you. Do you know which rules may apply to you and which compliance dates are approaching?

This webinar will provide an overview of seven key FSMA rules, touch on who is covered by each rule, briefly explain exemptions, as well as general and modified requirements.

Valuable resources and infographics developed for Western Growers members will be featured during this presentation. Join us for this Lunch & Learn webinar to hear about FSMA as it relates to the produce sector, share your experiences and ask questions.

WEBINAR DETAILS

Lunch & Learn Webinar: Overview of FSMA rules impacting the produce sector

Date: Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PST

Speakers: Susan Leaman, Vice President at iDecisionSciences, LLC. Bio.
Sonia Salas, Director of Science & Technology at Western Growers. Bio.

WG MEMBERS REGISTER HERE

Participation is complimentary and available to WG members only.

Contact Sonia Salas at (949) 885-2251 for questions about this Lunch & Learn webinar. For more information, resources and tools about FSMA, visit the Western Growers’ FSMA Resources Portal.

Western Growers Seeking PCA’s and CCA’s To Advance Crop Protection Efforts

December 21st, 2016

Western Growers (WG) is working to assemble a group of pest control and crop advisors to assist in the prioritization, development and implementation of WG activities to advance and defend crop protection chemistries important to fruit, nut and vegetable growers in California, Arizona and Colorado. 

The initiative is being led by the WG Science and Tech and Government Affairs offices.

“Crop protection materials undergo constant review by regulators and are consistently under attack by anti-pesticide activists” says Hank Giclas, WG Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning, Science & Technology. “We need to have access to the industry experts who use these materials in the field so that we can, with real world use and benefits information, bolster our arguments to preserve existing products and bring forward new products for growers.” 

Giclas and Sacher are seeking volunteers to become part of a standing group of subject matter experts that can be contacted by WG during regulatory reviews and other discussions that shape the availability and use of key crop protection tools. Currently, WG is working to defend chlorpyrifos and the pyrethroid class of chemistry. 

We are in urgent need of information on critical uses and benefits for these compounds, and we will need to organize the development of comments from across WG membership if we are to preserve access and flexibility of use of these materials. 

If you would be willing to add your name to a list of experts that WG can call to develop information and help defend and protect the limited crop protection tools available to the specialty crop industry please drop a short note with your contact information to Hank Giclas ([email protected]), Ben Sacher ([email protected]) or Matthew Allen ([email protected]). 

Western Growers Resources Available for Changes in Healthcare Laws

December 21st, 2016

With the pending transition to the Trump administration, there may be changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare. Western Growers Insurance Services is well-positioned to guide you through these possible changes as they unfold and is committed to helping you understand what these changes will mean for your businesses. 

For the past five years, Western Growers Insurance Services has served as your dedicated resource to guide you through the changes brought about by the changes in the law:

  • With the adoption of the ACA five years ago, the full resources of Western Growers went to work to interpret the law, determine its impact on our membership, and communicate that impact to you. We will do the same as the situation unfolds over the next few months or years.
  • Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT) is a viable, robust insurance option for our members, their families and their employees for their medical care. We have a number of available plans within WGAT, and can customize a number of options for you.
  • As your association, we have invested in a number of resources to help with the challenges of employment:
    • A competent Human Resource department available to help with guidance
    • In-house counsel, including ERISA and H-2A guidance
    • In-house health underwriting team, capable of customizing coverage and pricing
    • Claims call center, giving your family and employees access to direct help
  • Alternative funding – we can help determine funding options for you, including Captive and Self Insurance options.
  • Open Market options – we can access all other insurance carriers in California to review options for you.

Western Growers Insurance Services have experts available to help you keep in compliance with current law and guide you through any possible changes in the future. For questions, contact Jeff Gullickson at (949) 885-2351.

WG and Trace Genomics Partner to Bolster Soil Biology Management Efforts

December 22nd, 2016

Western Growers is pleased to announce a collaborative effort with Trace Genomics to help members gain insights into how soil biology management can help suppress diseases and increase productivity.

Trace Genomics is a pioneering startup that is integrating deep expertise in genomics, molecular biology, plant pathology, and data science to unleash the potential of genomics technology for transforming soil management practices. They are offering a groundbreaking genetic test that enables the agriculture sector to evaluate soils for disease pressures, microbial diversity indices that are associated with productivity and resiliency, and efficacy of various cultural practices and soil amendment products.

Trace Genomics is a member of the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology. They have been featured at the Thrive Accelerator and won the Innovation Award at the Forbes Ag Tech Summit 2016. They also recently won the Audience Choice Award at Western Growers’ Innovation Arena last month during our Annual Meeting.

“We are pleased to help advance Trace Genomics Soil Microbial Health Initiative,” said Western Growers’ Hank Giclas. “We hope it will help growers and landowners gain a deeper understanding of their soil, agricultural practices, and plant diseases to ensure the long-term success of their operations.”

Soil biology is a key factor in both short- and long-term crop productivity, disease susceptibility and crop quality.  This Soil Microbial Health Initiative is intended to be a community-wide effort to advance scientific and practical knowledge about soil biology through a greater understanding of the millions of microbes in the soil. This knowledge will help us identify tools and strategies to protect and enhance the health of soils, towards the goal of preserving and enhancing crop productivity and quality.

Trace Genomics will work closely with growers to collect samples of soils from fields with varying levels of productivity. The Trace Genomics test provides insights on the microbial composition of those soils to growers through personalized reports. Samples from soils that have been subject to different agricultural practices will help provide insight into the impact of those practices on microbial diversity and composition. While sample reports are confidential and the property of individual collaborators, a write-up at the conclusion of this initiative will provide industry-wide insights from anonymized and aggregated data and will be made available exclusively to participants in this initiative.

Enrollment in this initiative is free, but requires involvement in at least one of three projects to study soil microbial diversity and potential for plant disease, the influence of farming practices and/or the effects of various treatment technologies.

All participants will receive a complimentary view into microbial diversity and biomass shifts for their samples. Additionally, participants can request an in-depth analytics report for a fee of $349 per project ($150 for Western Growers members). These custom reports will provide detailed insights on the soil microbiome as well as data and understanding on how soil microbial communities change with the variables of interest in the project (e.g. disease, operations, or treatment).

Samples for the initiative will be accepted until July 2017, but participants can send multiple samples under any or all three projects during the duration of the initiative. To learn more, check out the project description and flyer from Western Growers and Trace Genomics.

 WG-TG Soil Microbial Health Initiative Flyer 

Trace Genomics Flyer

 For more information, contact Hank Giclas at (949) 885-2205.

New CA Minimum Wage Requirement Takes Effect January 1

December 28th, 2016

The California Department of Industrial Relations released a Frequently Asked Questions guidance document to address specific questions relating to SB 3, the new minimum wage law that takes effect on January 1, 2017.

The FAQs include information about what minimum wage rate applies to your workplace (as it relates to the number of employees), the schedule for the new state minimum wage increases and more. The FAQ guidance can be found here.

The first increase will take effect on January 1, 2017, starting at $10/hour for employers with 25 employees or less and $10.50/hour for employers with 26 employees or more. The last scheduled increase will be on January 1, 2023, at $15/hour for all employers.

For additional inquiries about SB 3, please contact your legal counsel. 

WG Publishes Survey Results of Economic Impact of Minimum Wage, Ag Overtime Laws

December 6th, 2016

Yesterday, Western Growers published its survey indicating that higher minimum wage and agricultural overtime costs will harm the very people that supporters of these measures claimed to be helping: farmworkers.

The findings in this report come from an electronic survey of Western Growers’ regular members conducted by the association between October 31st and November 11th, 2016. 148 Western Growers members responded to the survey. Key findings include:

  • More than 80% of farms will cut back working hours for farmworkers
  • On average, farmworkers will lose 15 hours of work and $180 in income per week
  • Many farmworker jobs will be eliminated as farms will look for ways to reduce the need for labor
  • Fewer than 10% of farms will be able to pass the added costs of minimum wage and agricultural overtime along to buyers
  • Nearly one-third of farms plan to reduce benefits offered to their employees
  • 60% of farms with plans to expand operations in California will now shift their expansion plans to other states and countries

Full survey results are available here. A downloadable infographic of the results is below. 

For questions, contact Cory Lunde at (949) 885-2264.

WG Supports California Drought Language in Water Bill

December 7th, 2016

Drought legislation based on a bipartisan agreement between Senator Feinstein and House Majority Leader McCarthy has been included in the FY17 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). The WRDA is currently on the floor of the House of Representatives and set for a vote as early as tomorrow (December 7), with the Senate potentially poised to pick it up on Thursday (December 8).

We encourage all Western Growers members to contact their congressional representative(s) – in all areas of operations – today or tomorrow morning to encourage support for passage of the WRDA bill.

The drought language is the product of three years of negotiations and includes, among other things, the following provisions:

  • $558 million in long-term funding authorizations to help California develop new water infrastructure, such as storage, desalination and recycling projects
  • Short-term improvements to the operations of the Delta pumping plants, ensuring the system is operated more efficiency using science, not intuition
  • Language is consistent with environmental laws, including the Endangered Species Act and biological opinions

In support of this bipartisan California water deal, Western Growers President & CEO Tom Nassif sent out a statement yesterday noting that “we are pleased that leaders in the House and Senate appear ready to finally move us all forward with the introduction of negotiated drought language in the WRDA legislation…The timing of this agreement is critical. With several early storms already behind us, California is entering its rainy season and we cannot once again allow flawed policies to prevent reasonable diversion of runoff to storage.”

Read Western Growers’ full press statement on the water deal here. For questions, contact Cory Lunde at (949) 885-2264. 

Major Water Bill With Drought Relief Provisions Clears House, Heads To Senate

December 8th, 2016

Earlier today, the House approved a major water bill that includes bipartisan language providing commonsense drought relief to central and southern California.

Passed by a significant margin of 360 to 61, the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (S. 612) now moves to the Senate for approval.

As reported on Tuesday, the drought legislation – the product of three years of negotiations between Senator Feinstein and House Majority Leader McCarthy – includes long-term funding authorizations to help California develop new water infrastructure and short-term improvements to the operations of the Delta pumping plants.

Despite the overwhelming support it received from both Republicans and Democrats in the House, S. 612 faces a much stiffer challenge in the Senate, which will move on the bill tomorrow (Friday, December 9), as well as one final hurdle in the White House should it clear the Senate.

We encourage all Western Growers members to contact your senators and the White House IMMEDIATELY to urge their support for passage of S. 612. Help us generate additional momentum by picking up the phone or sharing your thoughts on Twitter TODAY. Click here for talking points and be sure to tag your senators and use #CAwater!

Barbara Boxer                                                     Dianne Feinstein
@SenatorBoxer                                                  @SenFeinstein
(202) 224-3553                                                   (202) 224-3841

Jeff Flake                                                             John McCain
@JeffFlake                                                         @SenJohnMcCain
(202) 224-4521                                                   (202) 224-2235

Michael Bennet                                                  Cory Gardner
@SenBennetCO                                               @SenCoryGardner
(202) 224-5852                                                  (202) 224-5941

White House
@WhiteHouse, @POTUS
(202) 456-1111

Western Growers’ Statement on Senate Passage of Water Bill

December 10th, 2016

After the Senate passed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act by a vote of 78 to 21, Western Growers President & CEO Tom Nassif released the following statement:

“For the past several years, Californians have looked to Congress to help bring relief to drought-stricken communities up and down the state. We are thankful to Senator Feinstein and Senators from across the country who have remained diligent – in spite of intense political pressures – in their efforts to produce bipartisan legislation that provides temporary improvements to the operations of the Delta pumping plants while maintaining the integrity of the Endangered Species Act, as well as laying the foundation for long-term investments in the state.

“With passage of WIIN today, we commend the Senate for taking this important first step toward restoring the communities and livelihoods that have been devastated by a combination of Mother Nature and broken policies governing California’s water system.

“The focus now shifts to the White House. As President Obama considers the merits of WIIN, we point to the overwhelming support demonstrated by the House vote, including California representatives on both sides of the aisle and in all geographic regions, including the Delta. We urge the President to quickly sign this bill into law as too much time and water has already been wasted. Any further delay will only sentence Californians to another year of hardship if the runoff from upcoming winter rains cannot be judiciously diverted to storage.”

President Signs Water Bill Into Law, Includes Drought Relief Provisions

December 16th, 2016

In response to President Obama’s signature on the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN), Western Growers released the following statement by WG President and CEO Tom Nassif: 

“Even though it has taken us a while to get to this point, we are pleased that Congress has finally passed, and the President has signed into law, legislation that provides a measure of drought relief to rural communities and urban residents throughout California.

“Thanks to three years of hard work and dedication by Senator Feinstein, House Majority Leader McCarthy, and our champions in the House, including Congressmen Calvert, Costa, Denham, Nunes and Valadao, we can now begin bringing aid to the thousands of businesses and millions of lives that have been devastated by a combination of Mother Nature and broken policies governing California’s water system.

“We urge all stakeholders to recognize that the language in this law is the product of bipartisan, bicameral negotiations that provide temporary improvements to the operations of the Delta pumping plants while maintaining the integrity of the Endangered Species Act. With California’s winter rainy season already upon us, it critical that we not prevent the reasonable diversion of all available runoff to storage.

“Finally, we encourage Congress to continue working together – and with the new administration – during the next session to complete negotiations around longer-term, more permanent solutions to California’s water crisis.”

Japan Frustrated with Celery MRL Violations

December 21st, 2016

Western Growers has been advised of another maximum residue level (MRL) violation involving a shipment of celery to Japan. Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare discovered a shipment that produced a 0.02 ppm residue level of Bifenthrin which exceeds Japan’s default MRL of 0.01 ppm. These continued violations have not only caused the Ministry to more closely scrutinize every shipment of fresh celery exported from the United States, but has made Japan question whether Western Growers members are willing to adopt recommended guidelines that follow good agricultural practices.

Japan is now under the perception that violation notices issued to the industry via Western Growers are either being ignored or not being taken seriously. Western Growers previously provided recommended steps for members to follow in preparing a shipment for export. In order to regain the trust of the Ministry, Western Growers is now being forced to develop a more robust program to be disseminated to exporters, and their grower suppliers, as an assurance that we are taking this situation seriously.

Until we develop a more detailed program, please follow the recommended steps previously published in Spotlight. Additionally, we urge you to either consult the MRL Database or contact Western Growers should you have any question about Japan’s pesticide MRL levels. Remember, simply because you meet the U.S. requirement does not mean that you will comply with Japan’s MRL regulations. In most cases you will find that Japan maintains a much lower MRL.

For more information, please contact Ken Gilliland at (949) 885-2267.