Business News
SANTA ROSA – The California Department of Food and Agriculture has imposed penalties on a Santa Rosa grower as a result of violations pertaining to the National Organic Program.
Valley End Farm sold produce mislabeled as organic to consumers and did not maintain adequate records to substantiate the sale and production of organic products.
Findings by the organic certifier for the operation, California Certified Organic Farmers Certification Services, LLC (CCOF), triggered the investigation and enforcement actions by CDFA.
“California’s organic oversight system is the leader in protecting consumers from fraud,” said Rick Jensen, CDFA’s Inspection and Compliance Branch Chief. “The State Organic Program, third party certifiers, and California’s farmers and ranchers ensure that organic products meet the legal requirements under USDA’s National Organic Program.”
The enforcement action was based on the following violations:
Valley End Farm sold non-organic produce labeled as organic to community supported agriculture members;
Valley End Farm labeled non-organic produce as “transitional organic”;
Valley End Farm did not provide adequate records to substantiate sale and production of organic products.
Violations occurred in 2008 and 2009. Following a formal investigation and appeals process that took place over the course of 18 months, Valley End Farm has agreed to a stipulated settlement and disciplinary order.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the department has revoked Valley End Farm’s organic certification, which was stayed pursuant to the order.
If Valley End Farm fails to comply with the terms of the agreement, the department may proceed to dissolve the stay and finalize the revocation.
Valley End Farm remains on probation until Sept. 30, 2013. In addition, Valley End Farm is fined $15,000 for violation of federal and state organic standards.
Other settlement agreement terms include additional farm inspections and continuing education on organic standards.
The National Organic Program regulates the standards for the production and handling of organic products within the United States.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture, as a state organic program, is responsible for the enforcement of federal and state organic standards as required by the federal Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and the California Organic Products Act of 2003.
Organic certifiers, operating under the authority of the National Organic Program, provide organic certification to farms, livestock operations, production facilities and processors.
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FINLEY – The Lake County Farm Bureau will hold its annual industrial fork lift safety training July 7.
This class will cover two of the three required segments for forklift drivers to be certified to operate an industrial forklift.
Instructors from State Compensation Insurance Fund will provide formal instruction for the operation of industrial forklifts, which include lecture, discussions, videos and written material.
The location for the class on July 7 is Mt. Konocti Growers, 2550 Big Valley Road, Finley.
Registration will begin at 9 a.m.
This class is free to participants.
There will be two classes, one in English and one in Spanish, both beginning at the same time.
Any person intending to apply for a job driving forklift during this year’s pear or grape harvest is encouraged to attend.
Lake County Farm Bureau and State Fund have been holding this annual training as a service to the pear industry in Lake County for more than 15 years.
Each year more than 90 people have attended and met the requirements for safety training by Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Many of the pear packing houses require their prospective forklift drivers to attend.
This service from Lake County Farm Bureau and State Fund has provided for a safe work environment
during the bustling harvest season.
Please call the Farm Bureau office, 707-263-0911, for more information.
Lake County Farm Bureau works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 600 members countywide and as part of a state and nationwide network of more than 6.2 million Farm Bureau members.
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