Food safety rules may be inhibiting the success of sustainable ag initiatives, according to a new paper from researchers at CalRecycle, UC Davis and CDFA.
California growers “may have trouble achieving regulatory compliance in the face of policies with competing objectives,” write the scientists. Food safety standards are emanating from state and federal agencies as well as industry marketing agreements, advisory boards and retailers.
Fear of regulatory enforcement is making farmers hesitant to share information on management practices, eroding the knowledge networks that have helped to spread sustainability.
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The study authors encourage industry groups and agencies to work together in determining what constitutes safe and sustainable food for society, since “growers alone cannot be responsible.”
