Transcript Issues Facing the Produce Industry 2010 Western Region SLR

Issues Facing the Produce Industry
2010 Western Region SLR/CLC Meeting, Yuma, AZ
Presented by Hank Giclas – Western Growers – March 17, 2010
To be presented - - 
The WG perspective on agriculture!
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Legislative
Food Safety Science & Technology
Water
Trade Practices/Transportation
International Trade
Labor
Agriculture is ….
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… 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
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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
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Monitoring over 30 bills
Actively working over 20 bills
Topics – Water, Labor, Environment, Transportation, Taxes,
Food Safety, Budget, Government
Key Issues
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Fund Sweeps
Fairness in Fees
Labor
Legislation – California
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Monitoring over 40 bills
Actively working over 20 bills
Topics – Water, Pesticides, Taxes, ESA, Land Use,
Environment, Budget, Labor
Key Issues
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Heat Illness
State Card Check
Economic Impact Analysis
RUP prohibitions
Fees
Food Safety, Science & Technology
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Food Safety
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Sustainability
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ANSI
SISC
Pesticides
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Federal Legislation,
Federal Regulation
Marketplace Initiatives (Traceability, MA/MO, Harmonization)
ESA Consultation – BiOp Implementation
Kerb, Phosphine, MRLs
Water Quality
Research (CPS, WIFSS, FDA Center)
Water
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Federal Policy Proposals
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Jobs Bill (Feinstein)
Water Transfer Facilitation (Cardoza)
California Water Package (2009)
Colorado River Quantification Settlement
Trade Practices/Transportation
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CARB Rules for On Road Trucks and Busses
WG Transportation Program
Az Phytosanitary Certificates
Iceberg Lettuce Weights
International Trade
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Punitive Tariffs for Cross Border Truck Ban
FDA Border Inspections
Labor
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DOL Enforcement
Immigration Audits
E- Verify
Conclusion
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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.
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