Growers await word on food safety bill

YAKIMA, Wash. -- Individual farmers likely will face a greater regulatory burden under a federal food safety bill that could be passed by the U.S. House of Representatives as early as today, industry officials said.

The Senate would also need to pass its own bill, and specific requirements would have to be developed. But were it to become law, the measure would mark the first time federal oversight is extended into the fields.

"The present bill that emerged from the committee will pose some problems for fruit and vegetable growers," said Chris Schlect, president of the Northwest Horticultural Council of Yakima. "Overall, there is a lot of good in the bill. We need to get consumer confidence in our food supply system re-established after the shocks that have occurred in the tomato, lettuce and spinach industries."

Illnesses that originated in those commodities have sickened thousands of people and led to recalls.

The House bill imposes fees that will increase costs for the industry and consumers to finance inspections throughout the food-supply network.

The horticultural council, which represents Northwest fruit growers on trade and regulatory issues, hasn't taken a position on the measure since a final version hasn't emerged even as a vote looms.

Neither has the potato industry, said Chris Voigt, executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission.

Voigt agreed the major impacts will be at the grower level in the form of rules the Food and Drug Administration will adopt over the next three years.

Schlect and Voigt said they hope the final regulations will take into account the low-risk nature of their commodities. Tree fruits are grown off the ground and away from the primary avenue for pathogens.

Voigt said the vast majority of potatoes are processed and eliminate sources of foodborne illness.

Agriculture intends to work with FDA as regulations are developed on food safety plans.

Voigt said some requirements could include existing pesticide application records, possible water tests and sanitation in the fields.

He said small farmers may have to hire a staff person to track the records or employ a consultant to take care of those duties.

The House bill would impose a $500 fee on packers and processors to help pay costs of the measure, estimated at $3.5 billion over the next five years.

Schlect said the industry is concerned about paying the fee and other provisions, one of which would allow the FDA to impose a geographical quarantine if a food safety issue emerges.

Fruit packers already have food safety programs in place as a requirement of private food-safety audits imposed by large retail chains here and abroad. Schlect said the hope is a federal safety program eventually may reduce the frequency of private audits. Washington fruit packers are subjected to as many as five such audits annually.

Schlect said the fruit industry will argue the specific rules need to be based on science.

"If there is something that can be done to prevent E. coli or salmonella, our growers want to do that," he said. "We don't want to do unnecessary record-keeping or things that are done for show instead of efficacy."

* David Lester can be reached at 509-577-7674 or dlester@yakimaherald.com.