[Pollinator] Recent Report on conflicting demands on CA growers, food safety-wildlife [incl pollinator] habitat. Farm Bill PS.

[R. Thomas Van Arsdall]

FYI, this report from the University of California Division of Agriculture
and Natural Resources describes the current conflict between food
safety-motivated objectives and growers' efforts to establish and maintain
pollinator/wildlife habitat.
 http://californiaagriculture.ucop.edu/0802AMJ/pdfs/ca6202p68.pdf

"Growers of fresh produce on the Central Coast of California currently face
conflicting demands regarding measures to protect food safety and those to
protect environmental quality."

PS-As you have probably heard, Farm Bill conference agreement has been
reached.  Copy of the 1,500 page bill and conference report will be posted
on ag committee web site early next week.  Pollinator-beneficial provisions
are included in the research, conservation and specialty crops titles.  The
conference report is scheduled to be voted on by the full House and Senate
next Wednesday-Thursday.  The President has announced he intends to veto the
bill.  Congress is then expected to try to override the veto, no assurance
the House in particular will be able to garner the 2/3 needed to override
[though additional concessions could evolve].  We will evaluate the
conference report when available and try to keep you posted.


R. Thomas (Tom) Van Arsdall, Director, Public Affairs, Pollinator
Partnership
tva at pollinator.org
For More Information, http://www.pollinator.org 

Van Arsdall & Associates
P.O. Box 8512
Fredericksburg, VA  22404-8512
PH:  (540) 785-0949
Cell:  (703) 509-4746
tom at vanarsdall.com