Schwarzenegger to support voluntary E. coli regulations
Governor opposes a trio of popular bills to impose safety standards on leafy greens, instead supporting industry self-monitoring
Here is a political dispute best settled by a grudge match between Popeye and the Terminator. Despite a broad public outcry after last year’s spinach-related E. coli outbreak, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has come out against a trio of bills introduced by state Senator Dean Florez that would impose state health certifications and more rigorous farm inspections on the producers of leafy green vegetables. Instead, Schwarzenegger now says he supports voluntary industry standards promoted by the state’s agriculture lobby. Under the so-called California Leafy Green Products Handler Marketing Agreement, a thirteen-member board comprised almost exclusively of industry membership will have the authority to enact safety rules. Companies found in violation of the agreement could lose their license to ship vegetables. No vote has been taken, and Schwarzenegger has not yet threatened to veto the Senate approach.
-read more in Edwin Garcia’s Medianews report
