Significant challenges will confront Florida growers, packers, and shippers in the coming year. Many of them will come from government at the federal, state, and local levels. Several new legislative and regulatory initiatives focusing on everything from food safety to health insurance to climate change have been introduced and are expected to pass in some form. Existing issues such as immigration reform and enforcement, increasing restrictions on key crop protection tools, plant pests and diseases, and water resource management will continue to simmer and occasionally boil over.

The marketplace also will present challenges as customers’ demands increase while profitability continues to be squeezed. Industry traceability initiatives will gain added momentum, as will proposals designed to define and measure sustainability. The tough economic picture can be expected to continue, which will impact both consumer purchasing behavior and industry credit practices. Here are a few of the issues FFVA will be working on in 2010:

Food Safety

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Food Safety Enhancement Act, which would give the FDA new authority to regulate the way food is grown, harvested, and processed. The measure also would give FDA the power to issue recalls and impose quarantines on geographic areas. It calls for the agency to write new regulations and step up inspections of processing plants. Food-handling facilities would be required to keep detailed records to be used in case of a traceback. The Senate planned to take up the bill after summer break. FFVA is working to ensure that any mandatory food safety legislation that emerges from Congress focuses on higher-risk products and practices rather than taking a broad-brush approach to all crops.

Traceability

In the aftermath of several food-borne illness outbreaks during the past year — none linked to Florida produce — numerous calls have been issued for a traceability system that would enhance the speed and efficiency of tracking produce throughout the food-supply chain. FFVA is closely monitoring industry and government efforts proposing a mandatory, standardized traceability system. The association supports a solution that is cost-effective and workable for growers, handlers, and packers.

Agriculture Workforce

A new Administration has brought changes to the labor picture for agricultural employers. President Obama has said he wants to overhaul the nation’s immigration system, but no push for comprehensive legislation is likely to occur before 2010. In the meantime, the current piecemeal approach that includes stepped-up enforcement will be detrimental to growers.

The H-2A guestworker program was the target for change this past year. Shortly after the presidential election, the U.S. Department of Labor announced its intent to suspend changes to the program that were instituted at the end of the Bush Administration and return to previous regulations. FFVA and other groups filed suit, asserting that the department failed to follow the Administrative Procedures Act and didn’t allow a sufficient public comment period. The district court agreed, giving a major victory to growers who use the program, but the plaintiffs have appealed. FFVA will continue to fight suspension of the regulation changes.

Soil Fumigants

This past year, the association represented Florida growers regarding the EPA’s Reregistration Eligibility Decisions and mitigation steps proposed for soil fumigants to prevent bystander and worker exposure to spray drift.

State Regulatory Issues

FFVA will continue to interact with state agencies on water-related issues to ensure the best outcomes for growers. The association is coordinating with water management districts on a number of consumptive use permits. In addition, it is working with the state departments of Agriculture and Environmental Protection on development of total maximum daily loads, basin management action plans, and agricultural water policy best management practices (BMPs) programs. Also at the state level, FFVA is working with the Department of Agriculture and UF/IFAS on a BMP manual for specialty fruit and nuts.

In short, tougher sledding is likely ahead in the coming year on these and other issues. FFVA is up to the task because our association is strong, our members are capable, and our industry is resilient. In the meantime, we will continue to be proactive in our advocacy, responsive to our membership, and true to our mission and core values.