Big Ag tries to game the system for large (huge) growers in Washington
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently published a proposed rule to establish a national marketing agreement regulating leafy green vegetables. This rulemaking was the result of a request by the largest players in the industry, who asked for regulations based on the statewide agreements established in California and Arizona in the wake of the 2006 E. coli outbreak in California spinach.
If this agreement moves forward, it will provide the largest produce handlers (processors, shippers and packers of leafy green vegetables) the power to establish on-farm practices for all growers of leafy greens, regardless of size.
