Assembly Ag Committee On Wednesday, the Ag Council joined with other ag groups in opposing AB 835 (Monning) relating to the regulation of volatile organic compounds in pesticide products. It would have required disclosure of active and inert ingredients of all pesticide products registered for use in the state. Claims of confidentiality or proprietary information assertions could not be used to prevent such disclosure. It would have also mandated any regulation relating to pesticide registration that reduces an environmental hazard associated with a pesticide product shall not lead to the registration of, or increased use of, any product that’s more toxic. After lengthy testimony the bill was held in the committee. Several other bills were approved by the committee and will continue through the legislative process:
Apple Pests - AB 443 (Galgiani) Implements the California Apple Pest and Disease Prevention Act of 2009 to ensure that apples produced or handled in the state are pest and disease free. The program would be administered by an appointed 11 person committee acting with the concurrence of the Secretary of Food & Agriculture. The committee is responsible for making recommendations to the secretary of designated pests and diseases not already present or identified in California as of January 1, 2007.
Commercial Feed - AB 547 (Mendoza) Extends until January 1, 2015 the existing licensing fee scale that is set $100-$600. The bill also extends the authority of the Secretary of Food & Agriculture to allocate a portion of inspection tax revenues to funding for research and education regarding the safe manufacture, distribution, and use of commercial feed.
Blueberry Commission - AB 606 (Ma) Authorizes the establishment of a California Blueberry Commission to promote research, marketing and education regarding California's blueberry industry.
Wheat Commission - AB 735 (Committee on Agriculture) reduces the number of producer members on the California Wheat Commission from 15 to 13 and adds two at-large members. There are also changes in the number and boundaries of the voting districts.
Agricultural Commodities - AB 905 (Committee on Agriculture) Removes the 200-pound per lot minimum exception that applies to showing proof of ownership in any transaction relating to the sale, purchase or transportation of any fruit, nut or vegetable. It will also apply to every person who sells or buys the commodity for resale, processing, or further distribution through any commercial or nonprofit enterprise. Additionally, the bill allows enforcement officials to take possession and maintain custody of products seized from individuals believed to be in unlawful passion of an agricultural commodity.
Miscellaneous Ag Provisions - AB 945 (Committee on Agriculture) Deletes alternative certificate options for an individual horse show, competition, or sale thereby having all designated shows, competitions and sales to be under the CDFA. The bill also extends the sunset for fruit and vegetable standardization to January 1, 2015.
State Seed Enforcement - AB 1255 (Tom Berryhill) Extends until January 1, 2015, the authorizations to allocate annual subvention payments to the counties for enforcement of seed identification and quality standards.
Williamson Act - AB 1441 (Committee on Agriculture) Extends until January 1, 2011, existing Williamson Act law that authorizes a city or county and a landowner to agree to rescind a contract and simultaneously enter into a new contract to facilitate lot line adjustments.
California Ag Directory The California Department of Food & Agriculture has released its 2008-2009 California Agricultural Resource Directory. The 181 page directory provides an extensive compilation of general information, crop statistics and contact information. It can be accessed on-line at http://cdfa.ca.gov/statistics.
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