Role models are so hard to find in today's society that e are pleasantly shocked when one steps forward - as did Carlos Rogers the Toronto Raptors basketball player who wanted to donate a kidney to his dying sister Rene. What made the offer unique, even though his siter was too sick to receive it, is that it was a career threatening decision. Quite a contrast to the greed, spitting and groin kicking that is all too common in sports.
What is hard to admit is that sports is only a reflection of society. Very few step forward for the good of the community or go that extra mile. Yes, there are plenty of opportunities. For example, our article "Beyond zero risk" and a Wake-up call editorial (September 1996) was the first to warn that the new Food Quality Protection Act was not going to be the "great compromise" and relaxation of regulatory pressure on pesticides that many were predicting while challenging the industry to become a role model for change.
Now our warning is hitting home. EPA's Food Safety Advisory Committee has specified that organophosphates, carbamates, triazines, pyrethroids and B-2 carcinogens will be the class of chemicals EPA will examine as a part of its intent to "attack the worst first," as Charles Benbrook suggested in September. What's more the new law appears to be slowing down the tolerance-setting process and has made Section 18 requests for emergency exemptions slower and more restrictive -- a blow to our minor-use crops.
Self-policing
It's a trend. Quality and safety is becoming a new protective, value-added standard from farmer to retail, to international markets. It only takes a wake-up call like the one the California Strawberry industry received last summer to recognize the value in self-policing. That was when Texas officials inaccurately blamed California strawberries for an outbreak of the food-borne illness cyclospora. That wake-up call cost the industry $40 million in damage, the loss of 5,000 jobs and a 10% reduction in strawberry acreage this year.
The California Strawberry Commission responded to the Wake-Up Challenge by launching a 1997 industry-wide (California produces 80% of the nation's strawberries) Quality Assurance Program (QAP). The voluntary QAP will provide verifiable information on soil testing, water testing, product trace-back capabilities, field sanitation compliance and pesticide use documentation.
California laws are already the strictest in the nation regarding field sanitation and pesticide use. "The action taken by California's Strawberry industry once again shows how our growers are setting the standard for others to follow, says Ann M. Veneman, CDFA secretary. "It is important that when there is a public health concern officials from all related agencies work together in the public's best interest. This starts with programs such as the one announced by the strawberry industry, along with efforts to educate consumers and the media about proper food preparation, handling and storage," Veneman adds.
The strawberry QAP will also provide retailers and foodservice operators further assurance of the quality and safety of strawberries. QAP is an extension of a six-year Commission program that educates farmers and shippers about practices and responsibilities governing food production and employment. "The QAP takes it one step further and enhances the industry's commitment to our consumers," Bill Ito, Commission chairman says. The program will be implemented during this growing season with the goal of full implementation in 1998.
And higher quality standards can mean value-added pricing for farmers too. One California dairy recently introduced a fluid milk product certified to be significantly lower than government standards for bacteria and somatic cell count (see Clos' Call, February's Dairy Producer section, DP6). It created its own standard for coliform, dramatically below the industry average. It certified that its product did not contain artificial milk production hormones (rBST) and its producers were committed to transitioning to sustainable agricultural practices. Furthermore, it contracted only with dairies in the surrounding area (freshness) and these dairies meet beautification standars. The payoff: participating dairies are rewarded with an extra 20 cents per cwt.
The food industry is moving toward full, accredited, documented standards that are voluntary but above state and federal requirements for controlling the farming/food system. Such standards capture value-added opportunities while decreasing regulatory interference.
