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.
Air quality California Farm Bureau is raising con- cerns about legislation that would alter procedures for the state’s current emission reduction credit system. Assembly Bill 985, by Assembly Member Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno, would re- quire the California Air Resources Board to conduct an analysis of each emission
mandates for the use of California native plants. The bill, by Assembly Member Laura Friedman, D-Glendale, would also ban nonfunctional turf in new or renovated commercial and industrial spaces. It would significantly limit local landscaping choices. Farm Bureau continues to work with the Plant California Alliance to ensure this legislation does not pass out of the state Senate. Animal welfare The California Department of Food and Agriculture issued a new warning early this month about an outbreak of vesicular sto- matitis in Southern California. The virus affects horses, cattle and small ruminants. It occasionally affects swine, sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas and people who handle affected animals. As of Aug. 3, California had iden- tified 174 affected equine premises in eight counties, with positive cas- es confirmed in 59 of the locations. Confirmed or suspected infections have been reported in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. On Aug. 15, the state identified 12 new affected locations, including three with confirmed positive cases and nine with suspected cases. One confirmed case, at an equine site, was the first in Fresno County. For updates, visit cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/ Animal_Health/VS.html. Clinical signs of VS include excessive salivation, vesicles (blister-like lesions), erosions or ulcerations around the mouth, tongue, nostrils, teats, feet and coronary bands. There is no effective vaccine for VS. But vector mitigation efforts, specif- ically black fly and sand fly control, are critical in containing a potential VS outbreak. Livestock owners are advised to have fly protective measures in place, such as insecticide use on animals and around facilities, manure management and re- duction of fly breeding areas. Facilities should also maintain proper personal protective equipment and bios- ecurity measures. Because the disease can be transmit- ted via contaminated surfaces, extra pre- cautions should be in place on dairies to avoid transmission of VS to other animals or personnel during milking. Livestock owners are urged to reach out to CDFA district offices for additional information on vector mitigation strate- gies, biosecurity recommendations and movement requirements. Owners are urged to contact CDFA im- mediately if any animals show consistent lesions or if owners suspect any may have vesicular stomatitis. More information is available at: aphis. usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/ animal-disease-information/equine/ vsv/vesicular-stomatitis.
reduction credit identified in the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District’s ledger of available emis- sion reduction credits. The bill seeks to determine if any credits were issued in vi- olation of state, local or district laws, rules, regulations or procedures in place at the time any credits were issued. The analysis must be completed by
2027, and the results will be reported to the Legislature. While the bill was amended to narrow some provisions, Farm Bureau remains opposed. The legislation is due to be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee this week. Native plants California Farm Bureau opposes Assembly Bill 1573, which would impose
December 1–6, 2023 • Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, Reno, NV Save the Date
PLUS • Continuing Education (CE)
California Marketplace Come shop the bounty and artisan goods of our state and local vendors, enjoy food and beverage samples, and visit sponsor/exhibitor booths. Workshops Educational topics covering three paths: Marketing, Branding & Sales, Policy, and Professional Development. Sunday Activities Join us for fun tours, annual cornhole tournament, and more, as well as the many offerings of the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino. Research and Grant Updates Dr. Amrith Gunasekara, CAFB director of science and research, discusses exciting research and grants led by the California Bountiful Foundation.
Sessions for Pesticide Licensing • Awards Banquet Recognizing Counties and Individuals • Receptions and Networking • Silent and Live Auctions • YF&R State Conference Workshops, Awards, and Networking
For more information, visit cfbf.com/annual-meeting or call 916-561-5594
20 Ag Alert August 23, 2023
Powered by FlippingBook