05/30/08 Inspections Part 2

Inspections Part 2. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. A number of produce distributors, fresh fruit and vegetable farmers are taking it upon themselves to make sure their operation is in compliance with the USDA's Good Agricultural and Good Handling Practices to minimize the risk of E. coli, listeria and other illnesses. The audits are completely volunteer according to Jim Quigley. QUIGLEY: We provide a certificate with the state indicating that they have satisfied the requirements of good agricultural practices or good handling and in conjunction with that also USDA, if they do pass the audit which in general most of them have, they do get a certificate from USDA which they can post in their establishment Quigley is with WSDA's Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program. While there is no legislation requiring the audits Quigley says most find it an important step. QUIGLEY: Well I think in general it really is. Again it adds another safeguard in supplying the food chain with  let's say good quality product and actually lessens the risk for potential contamination. More than 128,000 acres of Washington produce were audited last year but there are some lagging areas. QUIGLEY: Tree fruit industry right now has not really come to the table based on GAP's. They have on the GHP's, the good handling practices which is warehouse audits. Under consideration that's demanding much of our time is the potato industry, especially the processing industry. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.