MAITLAND, Fla. (August 1, 2008) – Mike Aerts has been named director of the Marketing and Membership Division of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association effective Aug.1. Since 1999, Aerts has served as assistant director of FFVA’s Environmental and Pest Management Division. In his new position, Mike will assist growers and shippers with the marketing of their crops as well …
Bronson Details Impacts of Salmonella Outbreak on Florida
WASHINGTON — Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson appeared before a congressional subcommittee here today to discuss the federal government’s handling of the ongoing salmonella outbreak and its impact on Florida’s tomato industry. A text of the Commissioner’s testimony before the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee follows.
Bronson to Address Congressional Panel re Salmonella Outbreak
Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner will have a busy week shuttling between testimony before Congress and his Farm to Fuel Summit in Orlando…This in late Wednesday from the Florida Dept of Agriculture: Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson will testify before a congressional subcommittee at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 31, in Room 2123, Rayburn House Office Building, in Washington, …
Recall on Jalapenos
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspectors found Salmonella Saintpaul in a Mexican-grown jalapeno from a Texas plant. A recall has been issued for all jalapeno peppers distributed by Agricola Zaragoza of McAllen, Texas. Listen to report here: FDA official talks about the investigation.
Tomatoes Safe to Eat Again
It’s safe to go back to the salad bar again. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Thursday that they are lifting consumer warnings for tomatoes available in the U.S. market, regardless of their origin. They are continuing to focus on jalapeno and serrano peppers in their investigation of the Salmonella Saintpaul …
USDA Funds CCD Research
USDA has awarded more than $4 million to the University of Georgia to study the causes of Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) and other diseases affecting bee populations. Read more from USDA here. Listen to report here:
Weed Technology Focus on Specialty Herbicides
Four articles in the latest issue of Weed Technology, published by the Weed Science Society of America, address the topic of higher costs and liability risks limiting the number of herbicides in development for specialty crops such as lettuce and strawberries. Listen to report here:
Tomato Prices Up
The good news in the tomato business these days is that prices are higher. Listen to report here:
Tomato Shipments Down, Costs Up
Since tomatoes were prematurely indicted as the salmonella cause in early June, shipments are down, as growers continue to be squeezed by higher input costs. Report(1:00 mp3)
USDA: $28.4 MILLION FOR SPECIALTY CROP RESEARCH
WASHINGTON, July 11, 2008 -Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced today that USDA is making available $28.4 million for research and extension projects in fiscal year 2008 to address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by developing and disseminating science-based tools to address needs of specific crops. “This is a substantial investment in scientific research and technology for production …