Western Growers Association, in conjunction with a coalition of agricultural and industry groups, filed suit June 7 against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concerning implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act.

"When Congress passed FQPA in 1996, they said the EPA must use sound science in making decisions on crop medicines," said WGA President David Moore. "However, EPA is not using the procedures needed to establish sound science, and this will ultimately be detrimental to growers, retailers and consumers of fresh produce."

WGA and the other plaintiffs believe that the EPA's basing of regulatory decisions on certain theoretical assumptions and "worst case" computer modeling will result in safe, effective crop protection tools being pulled from the market.

"These decisions are too important for guesswork when real, accurate data is already available or can be collected," said Moore. "It is only fair to both growers and consumers that EPA base their decisions on real, verifiable data."

The lawsuit seeks to force EPA to undertake a number of specific steps that the plaintiffs believe are required by FQPA, but which the agency has not undertaken. This includes ensuring that the EPA specify data requirements, issue regulations governing the establishment of tolerances for Section 18 emergency registrations, collect reliable data to replace default assumptions, and establish clear policies through administrative rulemaking.

"This is an extremely critical issue for the fresh produce industry," said Moore. "The manner in which FQPA is implemented will determine the types and cost of crop protection tools available to growers for decades. It is especially important for Section 18 emergency registrations. It is regrettable that we must go to court, but the stakes are extremely high."

In addition to WGA, the other plaintiffs in the lawsuit are Agricultural Retailers Association, American Agri-Women, American Crop Protection Agency, American Farm Bureau Federation, California Citrus Mutual, Chemical Producers and Distributors Association, Georgia Peanut Producers Association, International Sanitary Supply Association, Kansas Fertilizer and Chemical Association, Michigan Agri-Business Association, Mid America Crop Protection Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Grain Sorghum Producers, Southern Crop Protection Association, United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association, and Western Crop Protection Association.

For more information, contact Matt McInerney, WGA senior vice president, at (949) 863-1000, ext. 104.

For the California Legislature, June 4th was a critical and important day marking the legislative deadline for bills to pass their house of origin if they have a chance to move forward in 1999.

In the Assembly, WGA, and several agriculture groups, opposed two major bills: AB 1278 by Assemblymember Wally Knox (D-Los Angeles), and AB 641 by Assmblymember Ted Lempert (D-San Carlos). Both bills failed twice to pass on the Assembly Floor in the wee hours of June 4. The final votes were:

Assemblymembers Knox and Lempert each moved their respective measures to the Assembly Inactive File.

In addition, WGA is working extensively with the authors of several other bills dealing with water quality and nonpoint sources of pollution. Substantial progress has been made working with Sen. Dede Alpert (D-Coronado) on SB 227 and SB 390.

"Senator Alpert has made various amendments to both bills to address concerns voiced by agricultural organizations, and she has committed to address the remaining issues in the Assembly," said Kathy Mannion, WGA director of government affairs in California.

For more details, contact Mannion at (916) 446-1435.

It appears that a rival union, Coastal Berry of California Farmworkers Committee (CBCFC), has beaten the United Farm Workers union in an election to represent farmworkers at Coastal Berry Company in Watsonville.

Election results from May 25 and 26 in Oxnard and Watsonville respectively, put the CBCFC on top, however, with not enough votes to win the election outright. Both unions agreed to the Agricultural Labor Relations Board supervised runoff election on June 3 and 4.

According to the ALRB, the preliminary results of the runoff election are as follows:

The 92 challenged votes have not yet been counted. The ALRB has deemed that the challenged votes are "outcome determinative." To win, only a majority is needed.

"Despite an aggressive organizing drive, the UFW has failed once again to win the necessary votes or support from farmworkers," said Jasper Hempel, WGA senior vice president of government and legal affairs.

For information, contact Hempel at (916) 446-1435.

Members of WGA and their employees can join Wescom Credit Union at no cost.

WGA chose this particular credit union over others since it has hundreds of locations throughout both Arizona and California.

"No matter where you live or work it's likely that Wescom has an ATM or Service Center nearby where you can make no-fee withdrawals and deposits," said Diana DeWees, WGA vice president of human resources.

Members have access to 2,400 ATMs on the CO-OP network for free transactions. This network includes 1,100 in Southern California and almost 700 in Central and Northern California, and over 600 in 20 other states. The majority of CO-OP ATMs are located at other credit union offices, since the CO-OP network is owned by credit unions. There are also many ATMs located inside grocery and retail stores, such as Albertson's, Stater Brothers and Comp USA.

To find the closest CO-OP ATM call the ATM locator line toll free at

1-888-748-3266 or visit Wescom's web site (www.theco-op.org).

Beyond the usual services provided by credit unions, here are some other benefits for joining Wescom Credit Union through WGA:

• Free money orders and traveler checks;

• Can receive Travel Funds Direct (a convenient way for members to purchase foreign cash over the phone and have the money sent to your home or office);

• Internet banking; and

• Easy access to loan history and balances through the web site (www.wescom.org).

For access to these and other benefits, contact Wescom Credit Union toll free at 1-888-493-7266. Membership kits for Wescom are available in English and Spanish.

For further information, contact DeWees at (949) 863-1000, ext. 410.