STATE BOARD OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE TO DISCUSS CALIFORNIA PORT CONGESTION AT UPCOMING MEETING ON MAY 4, 2021

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SACRAMENTO, April 30, 2021 – The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will discuss challenges and opportunities related to overall port congestion, with a special emphasis on agricultural exports, at its upcoming meeting. The Board will hear from port officials and agricultural stakeholders as well as trucking, maritime and retail industry representatives. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. –  1:30 p.m. via GoToWebinar.
 
Meeting Link:              https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7993203657840310030
 
Webinar ID:                 142-628-931  
 
“As we continue to experience congestion and delays at California ports, we need to look at collaborative solutions, ” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “All parties, including agriculture, port authorities, shipping lines, trucking companies and others share a commitment to expand trade by moving products efficiently and effectively through a robust goods movement infrastructure. Collectively, I believe that we can find short and long term opportunities to improve freight transportation.”
 
Invited speakers include: Eugene Seroka, California Association of Port Authorities and the Port of Los Angeles;  Weston LaBar, Harbor Trucking Association; Mike Jacob, Pacific Merchant Shipping Association; Peter Friedmann, Agricultural Transportation Coalition; Rayne Thompson, Sunkist Growers; John Larrea, California League of Food Producers; Steve McCarthy, California Retailers Association; Frank Ramirez, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development; Erick Fredericks, California Department of Transportation and other invited speakers.
 
“As the nation’s largest agricultural exporter, California’s farmers, ranchers and food processors rely significantly on our freight infrastructure,” said President Don Cameron, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “Port congestion is not a new issue, but our current situation is amplified by the pandemic and its ripple effect within the overall marketplace.”
 
The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The Board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials; agricultural representatives; and citizens to discuss current issues and concerns to California agriculture.
 
This meeting will have simultaneous audio translation in Spanish and can be accessed at (844) 460-0074 at the start of the meeting.
 
Follow the board on twitter at: www.twitter.com/Cafood_agboard

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