Issues Facing the Produce Industry 2010 Western Region SLR/CLC Meeting, Yuma, AZ

Issues Facing the Produce Industry2010 Western Region SLR/CLC Meeting, Yuma, AZ

Presented by Hank Giclas – Western Growers – March 17, 2010

To be presented - - - The WG perspective on agriculture!

Legislative Food Safety Science & Technology Water Trade Practices/Transportation International Trade Labor

Agriculture is …. … a business and Western Growers unlike

many agricultural entities engages in issues that affect the business environment and health of our member companies as opposed to focusing exclusively on the “ag” issues.

Example – WG led the way for agricultural involvement in “card check”, health insurance, climate change and other issues not considered core ag issues yet having considerable impact on our members

Legislative – Federal Employee Free Choice Act (binding arbitration,

ambush elections, elimination of secret ballots) driven by unions – opposed by ADW led by WG and CDW

Ag JOBS (revises H2A and provides for “earned legalization)

Health Care Reform (Plan Requirements, Individual Mandate, Employer Mandate, Tax Credit, Insurance Exchanges, Funding)

Climate Change (cap and trade legislation regulation of greenhouse gasses by USEPA)

Legislation – Arizona Monitoring over 30 bills Actively working over 20 bills Topics – Water, Labor, Environment,

Transportation, Taxes, Food Safety, Budget, Government

Key Issues Fund Sweeps Fairness in Fees Labor

Legislation – California Monitoring over 40 bills Actively working over 20 bills Topics – Water, Pesticides, Taxes, ESA, Land

Use, Environment, Budget, Labor Key Issues

Heat Illness State Card Check Economic Impact Analysis RUP prohibitions Fees

Food Safety, Science & Technology Food Safety

Federal Legislation, Federal Regulation Marketplace Initiatives (Traceability, MA/MO,

Harmonization) Sustainability

ANSI SISC

Pesticides ESA Consultation – BiOp Implementation Kerb, Phosphine, MRLs

Water Quality Research (CPS, WIFSS, FDA Center)

Water Federal Policy Proposals

Jobs Bill (Feinstein) Water Transfer Facilitation (Cardoza)

California Water Package (2009) Colorado River Quantification Settlement

Trade Practices/Transportation CARB Rules for On Road Trucks and Busses WG Transportation Program Az Phytosanitary Certificates Iceberg Lettuce Weights

International Trade Punitive Tariffs for Cross Border Truck Ban FDA Border Inspections

Labor DOL Enforcement Immigration Audits E- Verify

Conclusion Water Labor Food Safety Environment Taxes and Fees

These issues consistently rank in the Top 10 concerns identified by our members during an annual issues survey.

They impact the bottom line of every agricultural business in California and Arizona.

Hgiclas@wga.com