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News/Press Releases
Conveyor Currents
Below is the link to archieve copies of CGFA's Conveyor Currents, the Association Newsletters.
http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs075/1102179965151/archive/1102257351135.html
Government Affairs Report
December 2011
As 2011 winds to a close we look back on the legislative year and prepare for 2012. While this was the first budget enacted before July 1, it was littered with gimmicks and far too optimistic revenue projections. In order to allow for the budget to be financed and revenue warrants to be issued to the state (essential for cash flow purposes) the budget had to include automatic spending cuts enacted by a trigger. The trigger is “pulled” if the revenue projections fall below expectations. The Legislative Analyst Office has already stated that revenues are running over $3 billion below projections and the Director of Finance will release her findings on December 15th. All indications are that the “triggers” will be pulled, requiring mid-year budget cuts of $3.7 billion – 40% from education, the rest from a cross section of programs.
Impacts on agricultural interests from the current budget are significant including $19 million in general fund cuts to the Department of Food and Agriculture from a cross section of programs from pest inspection and prevention, increased fees for phytosanitary certificates, elimination of the $32 million for the state’s fair system and fee increases in many agencies that impact business and agriculture most notably $24 million increase in fees at the Water Resources Control Board. The association is actively meeting with the Department and our industry allies assessing what additional potential negative impacts from the triggers.
The Governor completed his first bill signing of his third term on Sunday October 9th. His overall veto percentage was low, 14.36 percent. Number of bills considered by the Governor was 870. Typical with Governor Brown, there was not a clear pattern with bills, but he was clearly more friendly to unions and public employees.
For agriculture it was a mixed bag. After vetoing the “card check for ag bill” in the summer, the Governor signed SB 126 (Steinberg) which retains the secret ballot but upon a finding by the ALRB of an unfair labor practice during the election that rises to a level where a fair election cannot be held, the ALRB can certify a union as the sole representative for that workplace.
Read more...
Agricultural Energy Consumers Association Management Report Available |
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Agricultural Energy Consumers Association
Management Report
A Month in Review - February 2011
Removal of Quarantine Areas in California
SUBJECT: Tilletia indica (Mitra) Mundkur(Karnal Bunt) - Removal of Quarantine Areas in California
TO: STATE AND TERRITORY AGRICULTURAL REGULATORY OFFICIALS
Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is removing the remaining Karnal bunt quarantine areas in California.
Based on results of the 2010 Karnal Bunt National Survey, APHIS determined that the remaining 17,827 acres of Riverside County in California meet all requirements of the APHIS Karnal bunt eradication program. Accordingly, restrictions on the interstate movement of Karnal bunt regulated articles from these areas are no longer required. Following this action, there will be no remaining Karnal bunt quarantine areas in California.
The specific changes to the quarantine areas are described in the attached Federal Order and documented on the following website:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/kb/index.shtml
In April 2010, APHIS issued a Federal Order adding and removing areas from the Karnal bunt quarantine area, which included removing a portion of Riverside County, California. It is important to note that the interim rule codifying those changes was published in the November 10 Federal Register, but will not reflect the changes described in today’s Federal Order. APHIS plans to publish another interim rule codifying the changes detailed in the attached Federal Order.
For additional information you may contact Lynn Evans-Goldner, National Program Manager, at (301) 734-7228.
/s/David Kaplan for
Rebecca A. Bech
Deputy Administrator
Plant Protection and Quarantine
CLICK HERE FOR .pdf Karnal Bunt Release CA 2010
Industry Update on Canola Meal being treated with Formaldehyde
On August 23rd the CGFA Feed Manufacturing Study Group and the Environmental & Safety Study Group met to discuss and address concerns about Canola Meal being treated with Formaldehyde to satisfy the FDA’s current zero tolerance policy for Salmonella.
As follow up to this meeting we have collected useful pieces of information that assist in answering questions about the use of formaldehyde in feed.
Key Points:
Formaldehyde in most applications is completed dissipated within 24 hours after treatment (see Formaldehyde release from treated canola)
Feed that containing ingredients that were treated with formaldehyde would not need to be labeled with the caution statement nor would formaldehyde need to be listed separately in the ingredient statement. (See FDA Letter labeling complete feed)
At this time it is our understanding there is no Prop 65 labeling requirement
There are studies that show that feed treated with formaldehyde can increase milk production (See studies on formaldehyde in oil seed for cattle)
Formaldehyde in oil seed for cattle - Hamilton 1992
Formaldehyde in oil seed for cattle - Burgess and Nicolson
Formaldehyde in oil seed for cattle - Sharma 1972
Formaldehyde in oil seed for cattle - Tymuck 1998
Antitox product fact sheet for Termin-8 (see Termin 8 domestic tech sheet)
Changes made to Federal Quarantine Regulations for Karnal Bunt
Changes to Section 218.1 Karnal Bunt in the California Department of Food and Agriculture Plant Quarantine Manual.were recently announced.
Karnal Bunt is under a Federal Domestic Quarantine. The changes to the manual include the addition of La Paz County, Arizona to the designated list of quarantined areasand the Texas counties formerly on the list have been removed. If you handle or produce any of the regulated articles the designated quarantine areas please read the attached excerpt from the PQM to ensure that you are in compliance with this quarantine regulation.
301.89 KARNAL BUNT
Federal Domestic Quarantine
A. Pest. Karnal bunt, a plant disease caused by the fungus Tilletia indica (Mitra) Mundkur.
B. Regulated Articles.
1. Conveyances, including trucks, railroad cars, and other containers used to move wheat, durum wheat, or triticale;
2. Grain elevators/equipment/structures used for storing and handling wheat, durum wheat, and triticale;
3. Milling products or byproducts, except flour;
4. Plants, or plant parts, including grain, seed, or straw of all varieties of the following species: wheat (Triticum aestivum), durum wheat (Triticum durum), and triticale (Triticum aestivum x Secale cereale;
5. Root crops with soil;
6. Soil from areas where field crops are produced;
7. Manure from animals that have fed on wheat, durum wheat, or triticale;
8. Used bags, sacks and containers;
9. Used farm tools;
10. Used mechanized cultivating equipment;
11. Mechanized harvesting equipment (i.e., mechanized harvesting equipment used in the production of wheat, durum wheat, and triticale that test positive from Karnal bunt);
12. Used seed conditioning equipment (i.e., equipment that has been used in the production of wheat, durum wheat, and triticale);
13. Used mechanized soil-moving equipment; and
14. Any other product, article or means of conveyance when:
a. An inspector determines that it presents a risk of spreading Karnal bunt due to its proximity to an infestation of Karnal bunt; and
b. The person in possession of the product, article, or means of conveyance has been notified that it is regulated.
C. Quarantined Areas.
The following areas are designated as quarantined areas:
Arizona
La Paz Portions of the county.
Maricopa County Portions of the county.
Pinal County Portions of the county.
California Riverside County Portions of county in the Palo Verde Valley.
Click below for .pdf
301.89 Karnal Bunt Federal Domestic Quarantine
Manager's Guide To Safe Trucking During Agricultural Planting and Harvest Season
Guide Promotes Safe Trucking in Agriculture
With springtime comes warmer weather and blooming flowers. In many parts of the country fertilizer is being applied to fields and tractors are rolling through to plant crops. This is the start of another busy growing season for many in agriculture. At this time the Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference (AFTC) of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) is rolling out an effort to educate the agricultural industry about the importance of safe operation on rural roads and highways during planting and harvest seasons.
The purpose of the “Manager’s Guide to Safe Trucking During Agricultural Planting and Harvest Season” is to educate truck drivers and their managers in the agricultural industry about the importance of safe operation during agriculture’s busy seasons and give them active strategies that they can apply. Much of the information was taken from a comprehensive textbook, “Safety for the Long Haul,” recently released by ATA.
Timing is often critical and flexibility is needed in the agricultural industry to get the job done during the busy seasons. While government regulations limit truck drivers’ working hours, agricultural haulers are allowed an exemption from these hours of service regulations. Agricultural operations are accustomed to difficult working conditions and familiar with the importance of operating machinery in a safe manner on the farm and in agricultural processing operations. Safety is especially critical in the case of truck driving since accidents on the road can affect not only the company but others in the public who share the road.
This guide is directed towards managers because it is incumbent upon managers to constantly impress on their employees the importance of safety in the workplace. Safety is especially critical in the case of truck driving since accidents on the road can affect not only the company but others in the public who share the road. This guide is directed toward the agricultural industry due to the unique seasonal nature of agricultural planting and harvest season which results in temporary periods of intense activity.
Agricultural and Food Transporters Conference (AFTC) of the American Trucking Associations (ATA)
The guide is available free for anyone to download and print at:
Manager's Guide to Safe Trucking
__________________________________________________________
Summary of California Air Resources Board's Proposed Regulation to Reduce Emissions
Summary of California Air Resources Board's
Proposed Regulation to Reduce Emissions of Diesel Particulate Matter, and Other Pollutants from In-Use Heavy-Duty Diesel-Fueled Vehicals
(click here for Truck Rule Summary)
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Protecting the Food Supply
Safety Articles
Cal/OSHA Injury Summary - Log 300
Simplifying OSHA Forms 300, 300A, and 301 Including Posting Requirement of OSHA's Form 300A: "Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses"
The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act of 1970 requires certain employers to prepare and maintain records of work related injuries and illnesses. In fulfillment of this requirement, OSHA developed a series of specific record keeping forms: OSHA's Form 300, 300A, and 301. The OSHA 300 series forms are written in plain language and are intended to simplify work-related injury and illness record keeping and enhance company safety and health programs. The resulting data collected by these forms will be used to track and compile statistics on work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths so that employers and Cal/OSHA can develop a picture of the extent and severity of work-related incidents. They will also help Cal/OSHA identify the scope of employer-assistance needs.
Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses
During each year, OSHA's Form 300, the "Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses", must be used to classify work-related injuries and illnesses and to note the extend and severity of each case. When an incident occurs, employers must use the Log to record specific details about what happened. On this form, employers must record information about every work-related death and about every work-related injury or illness that involves loss of consciousness, restricted work activity or job transfer, days away from work, or medical treatment beyond first aid. They must also report significant work-related injuries and illnesses diagnosed by a physician or licensed health-care professional. Employers must also record work-related injuries and illnesses that meet any of the specific recording criteria listed in 29 CFR Part 1904.8 through 1904.12.
Injury and Illness Incident Report
OSHA's Form 301, the "Injury and illness Incident Report", is one of the first forms employers must fill out when a recordable work-related injury or illness occurs. This form, or its equivalent, must be filled in within 7 calendar days after receiving information that a recordable work-related injury or illness has occurred. The form must be kept on file for 5 years following the year to which it pertains.
Employees, former employees, and their representatives have the right to review the OSHA Form 300 in its entirety. They also have limited access to the OSHA Form 301 or its equivalent. (See 29 CFR Part 1904.35, in OSHA's recordkeeping rule, for further details on the access provisions for these forms.)
Summary of Work-Relted Injuries and Illnesses
At the end of the year, all establishments covered in 29 CFR Part 1904 must complete OSHA's Form 300A, the "Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses", even if no work-related injuries or illnesses occurred during the year. After careful review of the "Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses" to verify that entries are complete and accurate, the total number of incidents in each category listed on OSHA's Form 300 must be transferred to the Form 300A. California law requires employers to post the "Summary" page from February 1 to April 30 of the year following the year covered by the "Summary". It must be displayed in a conspicuous location where notices to employees are customarily posted. A copy of the "Summary" must also be made available to employees who move from worksite to worksite and employees who do not report to any fixed establishment on a regular basis. At the end of the three-month period, the "Summary" should be taken down and kept on file for a period of five years following the year to which it pertains.
For copies of OSHA's Form 300, 300A, and 301 or further information clarifying mandatory recordkeeping, including which employers are exempt or no longer exempt, visit Cal/OSHA's Web site, or the federal OSHA Web site. For employers without Internet access or for questions not addressed on these Web sites, call your local Cal/OSHA consultation office.
Related Links
Prepared by: State Compensation Insurance Fund
California Grain & Feed Association Outside Contractor Guide
OVERVIEW
At times, our processing members may contract with outside parties to perform repair, maintenance and capital
improvement work on various equipment and facilities. In today's regulatory environment, members should be
concerned about the potential liability exposure created by outside contractors.
The following checklist is provided to assist you with ensuring that you and your outside contractors
are adequately prepared before commencing a project.
INSURANCE
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Workers' compensation insurance policy on file
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General liability insurance policy on file
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Performance bond(s) on file
COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE REGULATORY AGENCIES
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Building permits (if required)
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Fire department approval (if required)
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Air permits (if required)
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Wastewater permits (if required)
SAFETY FOR CONTRACTOR AND COMPANY EMPLOYEES
General Requirements
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Use or transportation of alcohol, drugs, etc. on company premises prohibited
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Observe facility "no smoking" policies.
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Fire alarms, fire extinguishers, eyewash stations and showers should
be kept clear of any obstructions.
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Horseplay and practical jokes are prohibited.
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No machinery should be operated without proper guards.
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Facility lockout/tagout policies and procedures are to be followed
at all times.
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Wear appropriate personal protective equipment as necessary (review
company policies).
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Follow all safety rules for the areas and operations affected.
Specific Requirements
In order to help protect the host employer and outside contractors
from injury, it is essential that the following requirements be strictly
adhered to:
Before work commences, the contractor's superintendent/foreman must
meet with the plant manager in order to demonstrate how the contractor's
compliance with company safety programs will be accomplished and monitored.
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The company will assign a responsible and qualified person to oversee the
contractor's activities for compliance with company and regulatory safety
requirements.
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Permission must be obtained from facility management prior to commencing
work in any area of company premises.
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Contractor shall supply adequate tools and equipment for the safe performance
of activities.
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All electrical equipment used on-site must be in compliance with local,
state, and federal regulations.
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All scaffolds must have toeboards, midrails, and handrails as indicated
in Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations.
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Compressed gas cylinders must be stored in an upright position and
secured in place away from any source of heat or flame. Keep compressed
gas cylinders outside of operating buildings except by special permission.
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No welding, torching, cutting, or grinding is permitted unless contractor
fully complies with company and regulatory hot work permit requirements.
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Contractor's work area must be roped or taped off when slip, trip,
or fall hazards exist.
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All passageways, operating areas and roadways must be kept clear of obstructions
or trip hazards.
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Containers used for gasoline must have an Underwriters' Laboratories or
Factory Mutual Laboratories label.
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Contractors are expected to keep their work area neat and orderly at all
times. All spilled or scattered materials should be cleaned up as
the job progresses.
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Company employees are not allowed to use contractor's ladders, scaffolds,
tools or other equipment at any time. This condition may be waived
if the contractor's superintendent and company management agree.
Minimum Training Requirements
The following training requirements must be facility and job-specific:
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Company and Contractor's General Safety Rules
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Motorized Equipment Operations (i.e. forklifts, loaders, scissor
lifts, cranes)
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Hazard Communication (Chemical Safety)
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Lockout/Tagout
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Respiratory Protection
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Confined Space Entry and Rescue
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Hot Work Permits
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Fall Protection
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Evacuation Procedures
Disclaimer
The information contained herein ("Guide") was compiled by the California
Grain and Feed Association ("Association") from various sources for use
by Association members. Every effort has been made to provide the
most accurate and current information available. However, the Association
makes no warranties regarding the information contained in the Guide or
the applicability of such information to a particular operation. The Association
specifically disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, including
but not limited to implied warranties or merchantability and fitness for
a particular use. The Association does not warrant that the information
contained in the materials will be error-free or that defects will be corrected.
This Guide is not intended as legal advice and is intended for informational
purposes only. Nothing in this Guide is intended to replace a member's
own technical experts or legal advisors, and the Association encourages
each member to consult such professionals before implementing specific
procedures. This Guide is not intended, nor should it be interpreted,
to create an industry-wide standard against which members will be measured,
regardless of whether they choose to follow any or all of the suggestions
in the Guide. The Association may update the materials in this Guide
from time to time, but the Association does not accept or undertake any
responsibility to update the information provided in this Guide on a regular
basis or at all.
PCRA Presentation 2011
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