DRAFT FLOW OBJECTIVES FOR THE LOWER SAN JOAQUIN RIVER AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FOOD SAFETY ACT TO BE DISCUSSED AT THE UPCOMING STATE BOARD OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE MEETING

SACRAMENTO, September 29, 2016 - The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will discuss the draft flow objectives for the lower San Joaquin River recently announced by the State Water Resources Control Board. The Board will also be addressing implementation of the federal Food Safety Modernization Act in California. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.  at the California Department of Food and Agriculture – Main Auditorium, 1220 N Sacramento, CA 95814.

“By proposing updated minimum flow standards for the lower San Joaquin River, the State Water Resources Control Board is moving forward to improve water quality within the Delta,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Governor Brown has directed the Natural Resources Agency to explore the potential for a comprehensive agreement on environmental flows in the San Joaquin and Sacramento River basins. This is an opportunity for water rights holders to develop voluntary agreements that meet water quality objectives and maintain water predictability for farms and the many communities dependent upon a healthy agricultural economy.”
 
Earlier this month, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) released a draft proposal to update water flow objectives in the major tributaries to the San Joaquin River as well as revising salinity objectives for the southern Delta. The draft proposal outlines a 30 to 50 percent unimpaired water flow range to provide for habitat and endangered fish species. A 40 percent unimpaired flow requirement is projected to decrease agricultural economic output by $64 million or 2.5 percent of the baseline average for the region.

In addition to discussing draft flow objectives, the Board will also be addressing the implementation of the federal Food Safety Modernization Act in California. The Board will hear from federal and state officials as well as stakeholder organizations on the issue.

Invited speakers include: Eric Oppenheimer, State Water Resources Control Board; Richard Roos-Collins, Water and Power Law Group PC; Michael Frantz, Turlock Irrigation District/Frantz Wholesale Nursery; David Guy, Northern California Water Association; Jay Ziegler, The Nature Conservancy; Jeff Farrar, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Natalie Krout-Greenberg, California Department of Food and Agriculture; Elisa Odabashian, Consumers Union; Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli, Center for Produce Safety; and David Runsten, Community Alliance with Family Farmers.

“The Food Safety Modernization Act will change how food is produced and processed in the United States for the benefit of all,” said Craig McNamara, president of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “However, how this program is implemented in California from our produce fields to dairy operations is critical for farmers to understand.”

All meetings are open to the public and attendance is welcome.

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The state board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials, agricultural representatives and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.

This meeting will be streamed online at: http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/LiveMediaStream.html

Follow the board on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/Cafood_agboard

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