In order to facilitate dialogue between different sectors of\nCalifornia agriculture about cooperation to prevent future foodborne illness\noutbreaks, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is\npartnering with the University of California and the U.S. Food and Drug\nAdministration (FDA) to bring the livestock and produce communities together\nfor a series of workshops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The workshops, titled Good\nAg Neighbors<\/em> are designed for fruit and vegetable growers, livestock\nowners, and others interested in learning about how produce safety and\nlivestock management practices can work jointly to promote food safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They will be held in two California locations, with the\nfirst scheduled for June 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Desert Research and\nExtension Center in Holtville. The second workshop is scheduled for June 13\nfrom 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Robert J Cabral Ag Center in Stockton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In announcing<\/a>\nthese workshop, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross noted that agriculture is complex,\nparticularly in California where diverse agricultural operations often exist\nside-by-side with each of them required to comply with a myriad of regulations\ndesigned to protect the public, the environment and the food supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She emphasized that open communication channels between\ndiverse partners is important. This has become more apparent with the CDFA\u2019s\nnewly created Produce Safety Program, which is working on behalf of the U.S.\nFDA to enforce produce safety regulations under the Food Safety Modernization\nAct. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The workshops are being conducted by the UC Davis Western\nInstitute for Food Safety and Security and will include presentations by\nresearchers and industry representatives. The day-long agenda will focus in the\nmorning on reviewing regulations, laws and practices already in place to\nprotect food and environmental safety, while the afternoon will be spent in\nvarious breakout groups examining how these practices can be leveraged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sessions will address lessons learned from recent\ninvestigations of produce-related foodborne illness outbreaks, examine key\nresearch findings, and consider future research needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Participants should come prepared to share their experiences\nas well as their produce safety questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The workshops are offered free of charge. For more\ninformation and to register, please visit http:\/\/www.wifss.ucdavis.edu\/good-ag-neighbors\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In order to facilitate dialogue between different sectors of California agriculture about cooperation to prevent future foodborne illness outbreaks, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is partnering with the University of California and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to bring the livestock and produce communities together for a series of workshops. … Continue reading CDFA TO HOLD ‘GOOD AG NEIGHBOR’ WORKSHOPS FOR PRODUCE AND LIVESTOCK OPERATIONS<\/span>