TIFTON — The Produce Safety Project held a conference Thursday at the Rural Development Center in order to get feedback from farmers abroad on new safety standards. The Food and Drug Administration will propose the new standards later this year.
The conference was held to discuss four main categories: Composting issues, irrigation and water, worker health and hygiene and wildlife and environmental concerns.
“It is a very robust conversation,” Jim O’Hara, director of the Produce Safety Project, said. “We are learning a lot about farmers concerns and how to make it work for everyone. We want to make sure that we set a standard that works for everybody.”
Key speakers included Mike Doyle from the University of Georgia, Trevor Suslow from the University of California, Davis, Marvin Pritts from Cornell University and Karen Lowell from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Beth Bland, from the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Association, said she was pleased with the way the conference was handled.
“I am pleased for the FDA to come to our kitchen table to talk about these issues,” Bland said. “Often the perception is that the government in Washington develops the rules and hands them down with an almighty fist. It is nice to see them coming to the producers that it will affect and ask their opinions.”
The conference will have a drastic effect on Americans as it is estimated that there are slightly more than one million hired farm workers employed in the United States. The decisions that the FDA makes will affect farmers from across the country.
Peter Germishuisen, Food Safety Controller for the local business Lewis Taylor Farms, was pleased with the way that the FDA made changes and talked to the farmers that will be affected.
“It’s a tremendous change that they have come here to ask us for our opinions,” Germishuisen said. “You need a standard for all, whether it be a big farmer or a small one. You must find out not only what is reasonable, but what is practical for the farmer.”
The goals were for the FDA to have a better understanding of the farmers' needs while still keeping the operation at a smooth and safe pace for consumers.
To contact reporter Steven Stubbs, call 382-4321.
Local News
'A very robust conversation': Farmers, FDA discuss new food safety standards
- Local News
-
-
Eighth Street Middle mixes science with Disney
A grant from Lowe's home improvement stores and a Disney corporation science project competition could put Tift County’s Eighth Street Middle School on the map and in the money.
-
Restrictions on political signs lifted
As of now, Tifton citizens are no longer restricted from putting up campaign signs on their property within a specified time frame, says Tifton Mayor Jamie Cater.
According to the city ordinance on political signs, “Unless specifically allowed pursuant to state law, the sign shall not be displayed earlier than 30 days prior to the commencement of the qualifying period immediately prior to the election it concerns nor shall the sign be displayed earlier than 30 days prior to the call for election immediately prior to the referendum it concerns.” - Big yellow school bus stolen in Columbus
-
Ga. House approves revised $18.6B budget
Metro Atlanta would get hundreds of millions dollars in transportation funding while Georgia farmers would get help finding workers they say were driven away by a crackdown on illegal immigrants under an $18.6 billion budget adopted Friday by House lawmakers.
- Rabid 900-pound cow attacks Georgia farmer
-
A lifelong memory: annual Father- Daughter Dance set for Feb. 9
Fathers who are looking to take their daughters out for a night of fun and a memory that will last a lifetime are invited to attend the Tiftarea YMCA’s 10th annual Father-Daughter Dance.
-
Rural communities balk at public broadband bill
Representatives of rural cities and counties across Georgia told a panel of state senators on Thursday that they had to create the broadband networks private providers refused to bring to their communities.
-
Area author releases new inspirational book
A local author, who now resides in Barney, is inviting the community to attend her book signing event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Lion Chasers Christian Bookstore, located at 118 Second St. East, for the release of her religious and inspirational novel, “Lady in Waiting: For the Promises of God.”
- House expects vote on $18.6B state budget
- Georgia's groundhog predicts early spring
- More Local News Headlines
-
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
NC Police: Mom Injects Chemical Into Baby's IV
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Komen Reverses Planned Parenthood Cuts
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Hiring Burst Pushes Jobless Rate Down to 8.3%
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Past Complaint About LA Teacher Comes to Light
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
Reaction Heated on Planned Parenthood-Komen Rift
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Madonna Nervous About Super Bowl Halftime Show
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
