What happened? In the annual State of American Business speech this week, U.S. Chamber of Commerce CEO Thomas J. Donohue outlined the path for a widespread economic recovery through a bold agenda of infrastructure investments, workforce reskilling, immigration reforms, and reinvigorating America’s global competitiveness. Additionally, he warned that excessive regulations and anti-competitive taxes would undermine the recovery.
To complement the speech, the U.S. Chamber developed three State of American Business Policy Power Hours highlighting common-sense policy solutions for strengthening the recovery on the international, national, and state/local levels.
In the second of three Policy Power Hours, Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer at the U.S. Chamber and Marty Durbin, president of the U.S. Chamber’s Global Energy Institute, led discussions on how broad-based support for infrastructure, workforce development, and immigration reform could work
Cyclospora: What We Know and Don’t Know
Four specimens of Cyclospora
A new parasite, Cyclospora, is affecting leafy green crops said Dr. Jennifer McEntire, Vice President of Food Safety and Technology at United Fresh Produce Association (UFPA), at her virtual lecture at the Southeast Regional Fruit & Vegetable Conference. Here is what she had to say about what we know and don’t know about the parasite.
Know: Cyclospora is a Parasite
Unlike salmonella and
E. coli, Cyclospora is a parasite not a bacterium. This means things like antibacterial control cannot kill the parasite.
Advertisement
“Parasites, like Cyclospora, are hardier and more evolved than bacteria,” Dr. McEntire said. “They also require a host in order to reproduce successfully.”
United Fresh announces class two of produce safety immersion program
United Fresh Produce Association announced the class two fellows of the Produce Safety Immersion Program, sponsored by Renaissance Food Group at the gold level, and Ecolab as a silver sponsor. The 12 fellows will begin their journey virtually during a kickoff meeting later this month.
“We’re thrilled to welcome class two of the Produce Safety Immersion Program as they begin their journey as produce safety professionals,” said Dr. Jennifer McEntire, vice-president, food safety at United Fresh. “We successfully adapted class one’s program and are excited to take what we learned to effectively build the technical capacity, critical thinking skills and leadership attributes of this next class through a virtual format.”
Food and ag groups also seek partnership in vaccinations for essential workers.
In the recently passed COVID-19 assistance package, Congress provided no less than $1.5 billion to fund purchases of food for distribution to those in need, and to provide worker protection measures, and retooling support for farmers, farmers markets and food processors, with the flexibility to spend additional funds to address COVID-19-related needs in the food supply chain. While another round of $1.5 billion has been promised for the food box program, USDA has yet to commit additional funds to protect workers and ensure the continuity of the food supply chain, causing those on Capitol Hill to ask for immediate prioritization.
EPA Administrator-designate Michael Regan shares his grandfather was a small diversified farmer.
EPA Administrator-designate Michael Regan hosted a virtual roundtable Jan. 5 with more than 16 members of the Ag CEO Council and staff, composed of leaders of some of the largest agriculture and farm organizations in the U.S. The leaders were briefed on the next administration’s plans to work with agricultural leaders to promote healthy and secure food supplies, clean air and clean water.
The Ag CEO Council discussed the need for a strong ag liaison at the EPA and reiterated that U.S. agriculture needs to be part of the global climate solution, committed to ongoing work in conservation and sustainable practices. Members also emphasized the importance of adequate EPA staff and funding to meet deadlines for pesticide registration decisions, among other critical EPA functions.