The Plant Quarantine Manual has been updated for Hawaiian Plant Material; specifically Section 105.2, the list of California/HDA Master Permit QC 650 numbers that are no longer valid.

Shipments of cut flowers, foliage or dry decorative material and plant material from Hawaii are required to be inspected by USDA and have a USDA "RELEASED" Stamp or be under a Compliance Agreement with USDA. Shipments of cut flowers and dry decorative material from firms and individuals not under a compliance agreement are inspected prior to shipment by federal inspectors to determine compliance with federal quarantines. Those meeting the requirements are stamped with a USDA "RELEASED" stamp. Those not meeting the requirements are returned to shipper. Shipments under a Compliance Agreement are required to have a QC 650 four digit number on an attached label.  The list of QC 650 of numbers that are no longer valid is on the second page of the PQM section 105.2.   LINK (attached pdf doc)

Creative business opportunity for a production manager/design lead for mass market bouquet assembly company in Vista, CA. Full time position in warehouse setting, starting immediately.

English & Spanish required as well as knowledge of flowers and foliage and the ability to lead and work with teams. Great promotion opportunities and work environment. This opportunity is for a multi-tasker!  

Please call: (760) 734-4500

Revised hours-of-service (HOS) rules announced by the Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) are now in place. The new rule reduces to 70 hours - a 12-hour reduction - the number of hours a driver can work during a seven-day week, but keeps the 11-hour daily driving limit - a move strongly opposed by the American Trucking Assn. (ATA). The rule also changes the 34-hour "restart" provision that had been opposed by livestock and poultry groups. "Restart" refers to drivers' ability to restart the clock on their driving hours if they take at least 34 hours off-duty.  

The new rule says that as of July 1, 2013, the 34-hour restart provision includes two 1 a.m.-5 p.m. periods because FMCSA says rest at night is better for the driver than rest during the day, and can only be taken once during a seven-day period. The maximum driving limit will continue to be 14 consecutive hours after coming on duty, and the final rule imposes a 30-minute break if the driver has worked more than eight consecutive hours since his/her last off-duty (sleeper berth) period of at least an hour. The battle over HOS changes isn't over, as legislation approved by the Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee, but not acted on by the full Senate, would require that commercial trucks be outfitted with electronics to ensure compliance with HOS rules.

With its status as the epitome of overzealous federal regulation firmly in place, EPA continues to draw outrage from industry groups which contend it conducts its rulemaking in a vacuum with little concern for the cost, benefit or even need for its pending regulations. This week, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) said it's possible the agency may back away from its zeal to regulate during 2012, especially given it's an election year and President Obama has proved sensitive to criticism of the impact of EPA's rules on the economy and jobs creation.

The relationship between EPA and agriculture is "tumultuous," said Mary Kay Thatcher, senior director of congressional relations for AFBF. If Obama is reelected in 2012, the next four years will be "very, very difficult," she said. The GOP-controlled House has passed legislation to limit EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, "farm dust," industrial boilers, cross-state pollution, low-level smog and other rulemakings, but these efforts have seen no Senate action. President Obama pulled the smog rulemaking, and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson tried to calm congressional nerves by publicly stating her agency has no intention of regulating farm dust, but there is very little trust EPA will do what it says.

SACRAMENTO - Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments.

As Director, CA Department of Conservation: Mark Nechodom, 56, Sacramento, Democrat, senior advisor to the undersecretary for the US Dept. of Agriculture. Salary: $136,156.

At CA Environmental Protection Agency:

As undersecretary: Gordon Burns, 51, Davis, Democrat, attorney, Resources Law Group. Salary: $145,000.

Burns has been an attorney for the Resources Law Group since 2010. He was deputy solicitor general at the U.S. Office of the Solicitor General from 2006 to 2010 and deputy attorney general at the California Department of Justice from 1996 to 2006. From 1994 to 1996, Burns was an attorney at Downey Brand Seymour and Rohwer. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $145,000. Burns is a Democrat.

As assistant general counsel for enforcement: Matthew Maclear, 39, El Cerrito, Democrat, statewide environmental circuit prosecutor, CA District Attorneys Assn. Salary: $121,800.  

As chief deputy director, CA Department of Conservation: Jason Marshall, 42, Sacramento, decline-to-state, deputy director, CA Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). Salary: $109,752.

As assistant director for policy development, Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle): Scott Smithline, 41, Sacramento, Democrat, consultant, Smithline Group. Salary: $100,008.

The percentage standards required by federal law under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) were finally published this week by EPA, several weeks after its deadline to set the new requirements for how much biofuel must be blended with gasoline by major fuel refiners. The 2012 overall volumes and standards are as follow: Biomass-based diesel - 1 billion gallons; 0.91%; advanced biofuels - 2 billion gallons; 1.21%; cellulosic biofuels - 8.65 million gallons; 0.006%, and total renewable fuels - 15.2 billion gallons; 9.23%. The full explanation of RFS2 and the totals can be found at  www.epa.gov/otaq/fuels/renewable/regulations.htm. 

While the House and Senate continue to battle over extending the payroll tax credit - including increased funding for broad federal disaster aid through FEMA - all seven North Carolina House Democrats last week proposed a separate federal disaster program for farmers and ranchers. The program is needed because farmers need money more quickly than other industries. Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D, NC) said, "Farmers often operate on shoestring budgets with tight margins and limited cash flow. If farmers are unable to go to market due to crop losses, and it takes several months to receive a Supplement Revenue Assistance payment or insurance, then they cannot pay employees, purchase new equipment or prepare for the next growing season." The current Farm Bill contains a disaster assistance section that includes feed assistance.