Even with this additional time, farmers and trade organizations put forth a range of potential challenges in meeting the water requirements. So AMS staff participated in a narrowly focused meeting convened by the Center for Produce Safety and Western Growers Association, which produced the “Report on Agricultural Water Testing Methods” (which can be found at www.centerforproducesafety.org) for review and consideration by the FDA.
Last summer, the FDA also announced its intent on the FSMA website to “revisit” the agricultural water requirements. The announcement indicates the FDA’s intention to extend the compliance dates for agricultural water requirements (other than for sprouts) and use the extended time period to work with stakeholders as it considers developing a more workable solution that also protects public heal-th. Be sure to visit the FDA’s FSMA web page for updated information or to submit questions or comments.
What’s to Come
Compliance dates will be here before you know it and AMS has been working with partners at the FDA, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, and Cooperative Extensions on the “On-Farm Readiness Review [OFRR] Work Group” to develop a program to help farmers better understand their compliance status before an official inspection takes place.
The Work Group is currently piloting the OFRR, which should be available on a voluntary basis in the coming months. Farmers exempt from the Produce Safety rule may also find the OFRR useful as they make decisions related to market access. Contact your state department of agriculture staff, Cooperative Extension specialists or the USDA to get more information on the OFRR and learn how it may be helpful to assess your Produce Safety rule compliance status.
The role USDA continues to play in helping farmers prepare for eventual compliance with the FDA’s produce safety regulation (and any other FDA regulations they may be subject to) is diverse and dynamic. It is well worth repeating that AMS looks forward to continuing its engagement with the FDA on behalf of the nation’s fruit and vegetable growers and packers.
