Ag Alert. October 5, 2022

Farm Bureau at work California Farm Bureau’s government affairs team is at the Capitol, advocating for farmers, ranchers and agriculture’s future. Here are some key issues Farm Bureau is focused on this week.

Transportation Assembly Bill 2406, supported by the California Farm Bureau, has been signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The bill, by Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar- Curry, D-Winters, prohibits an intermod- al marine equipment provider from im- posing per diem, detention or demurrage charges on an intermodal motor carrier and beneficial cargo owners. Under ordinary circumstances, the fees are designed to encourage the efficient use of containers. However, during the ongoing port congestion cri- sis, late charges have been imposed on California businesses by international ocean carriers even when containers cannot be returned due to circumstanc- es beyond control of the importer, ex- porter or trucker. While detention and demurrage fees have increased across the globe, ocean carriers are charging two to 10 times the fees in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach versus other major ports world- wide. The bill is intended to alleviate the pressure that the fees put on California businesses and address one of the many issues facing state ports. In his signing message, Newsom said, “It is critical that shipping industry stakeholders continue to use all available tools to find efficiencies and encourage the 24/7 movement of goods. This is a fundamental matter of fairness for our California businesses and the consumers who ultimately pay the price.” Pesticides Gov. Newsom vetoed AB 2146, which was strongly opposed by Farm Bureau. The bill, by Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, D-Orinda, would have pro- hibited the nonagricultural use of neon- icotinoid pesticides in the state with mi- nor exemptions if use were determined necessary by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Prohibiting the nonagricultural use of neonicotinoid pesticides would

D-Coachella, and Senate Bill 490, by state Sen. Anna Caballero, D-Merced. AB 778 requires all state institutions purchasing agricultural products to buy at least 60% from California farms and ranches by Jan. 1, 2026. The rule does not apply to schools. The bill re- moves the 5% above-bid preference for California-grown products and

have affected residential pest treat- ment programs, but in a larger context, the bill would have upset the risk-as- sessment system used to regulate pesticides in California. Commodities Gov. Newsom signed Farm Bureau-supported bills AB 778, by Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia,

replaces it with a California purchase mandate for schools, if the in-state bid is the lowest price. SB 490 creates the Buy American Food Act. It requires schools receiving federal food reimbursement to buy do- mestic farm products unless imported products cost at least 25% less than do- mestic ones.

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annual meeting

December 2-7, 2022 • Monterey AND YF&R STATE CONFERENCE

CALIFORNIA MARKETPLACE

Enjoy live cooking demonstrations and booths highlighting the bounty and artisan goods of Farm Bureau members. Taste, talk and shop!

Delve into topics including water, Senate Bill 11, media training, and membership recruitment and retention.

WORKSHOPS

Dr. Amrith Gunasekara, CAFB director of science and research, introduces the exciting new work being done by the California Bountiful Foundation.

PRESENTATIONS

SUNDAY ACTIVITIES

Kick off the meeting with a FarmPAC ® cornhole tournament, farm tours, golfing and whale watching.

• Continuing Education (CE) sessions on pesticide licensing • Annual award banquet recognizing counties and individuals • Receptions and networking • Silent and live auctions • YF&R State Conference workshops, awards and networking PLUS

www.californiabountiful.com

A Farm Bureau Production

KVPT/18 Fresno

Sun. 11:30 a.m. Sat. 7:30 p.m. Sun. 11:30 a.m.

Los Angeles

KCAL/9

KUSI/51 San Diego

RFD-TV: Dish Ch. 231, DirectTV Ch. 345

Sun. 8:00 a.m.*

*Times listed are Pacific Time

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For more information, visit cfbf.com/annual-meeting or call 916-561-5594

@cabountiful

October 5, 2022 Ag Alert 21

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