WASHINGTON, D.C. — Although members of Congress were hard to find because of the election recess, there was plenty of passion for issues at the United Fresh Produce Association Washington Public Policy Conference.
More 500 attendees from 36 states and the countries of Canada, Mexico, Italy and Greece attended the Oct. 1-3 event, said David Krause, president of Paramount Citrus, Delano, Calif., and chairman of United Fresh.
The event focused on the need for a new farm bill this year.
“We think there is a good chance the farm bill could be passed in the lame duck session; that’s what we have been focused a lot of time and effort on, delivering the message to Congress and their staffs,” said Robert Guenther, United Fresh senior vice president of public policy.
Tom Karst Ray Prewett, president of Texas Citrus Mutual, Mission, visits with Chris Schlect, president of the Yakima-based Northwest Horticultural Council on Oct. 3 at the United Fresh Produce Association Washington Public Policy Conference. The event also included a brief review of failed merger talks between United Fresh and the Produce Marketing Association.
On Oct. 2, David Krause, president of Paramount Citrus, Delano, Calif., and chairman of United Fresh, said there are areas of possible synergy with PMA, including education programs, conferences, leadership development and campaigns such as the Let’s Move salad Bars to Schools. Differences, however, arose because PMA’s board was more focused on global expansion, while the United Fresh board saw a more important role to strengthen government affairs.
“These were not necessarily in conflict, but some felt it would be hard to pursue both areas equally,” Krause said.
Finally, he said the choice of a leader led to an impasse, with the United Fresh board willing to let a combined board decide leadership but the PMA board wanted to settle the issue beforehand.
Krause stressed the two groups will continue to work together.
“Let us make this clear; we are not enemies,” Krause said. “We will work together with PMA and other associations in the industry’s best interests.”
United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel said the association will collaborate with PMA.
“We serve one great industry,” he said.
Keynote speaker Kathleen Merrigan, U.S. Department of Agriculture deputy secretary, said the lack of Congressional action on the farm bill is an “unnecessary speed bump for American agriculture.”
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