- Driving Value through Innovation
- New Year, New Opportunities
- Why Sustainability? ABC's Sustainability Self-Assessment Program Discussed
- Reinvestment in Almonds and Heart Health Research
- What Does Greenhouse Gas Regulation Mean for California Almonds?
- Government Affairs: EU Pesticide Regulatory Reform
- Colony Collapse Disorder: Still No "Smoking Gun"
- EQIP Deadline for Priority 2010 Funding Is Jan. 15
- Thinking Out of the Shell: Innovation in New Products
- Increasingly Complex Legislative, Regulatory Landscape Forecast
- Needed: Enhanced Infrastructure
- Drought Management in Almonds around the World
January
12 Food Quality & Safety Committee 9:30AM 20 Environmental Committee 9:30AM
February
4 International Committee 9:30AM 18 ABC Election Ballots Due 24 PR & Advertising Committee 10:00AM
Government Affairs
EU Pesticide Regulatory Reform
In 2008, the EU consolidated individual member state Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) into a single list. While this simplified the standards, many of the new MRLs were more restrictive than in the U.S. because of several factors: differences in assessing the dietary risk of residues, different lists of approved compounds, etc. ABC has worked closely with USDA, EPA, and pesticide registrants to comment on the EU's proposed MRL changes.
ABC is also working with registrants to identify additional opportunities for establishing almond import tolerances. Last November, the EU adopted sweeping reforms for registering pesticides for use in Europe. This may eliminate approvals for a number of registered pesticides, but it is unclear how many will be affected since the criteria for determining whether a pesticide can be registered in the EU is still unknown. The immediate impact will be felt by growers within the EU; however, it is possible that these changes could have international implications—including for California Almonds. ABC will continue to monitor this situation closely and inform industry of any updates.
For more information on food safety issues, visit almondboard.com/foodsafety.
- New Mule Driver
- Watch for Your Ballot
- Industry Development Program Participants Recognized
- Retired Researcher Recognized
Winter sanitation is necessary to reduce NOW presence and control aflatoxin contamination. UC IPM guidelines state:
- Remove mummies before Feb. 1 by shaking and/or poling until there is an average of less than two per tree.
- Destroy mummies by Mar. 15 by disking or flail-mowing to prevent overwintering.
A new tool is being developed to help growers assess expected NOW damage in specific regions; the current model is for the southern San Joaquin Valley.
For more information on food safety issues, visit almondboard.com/foodsafety.
