By Farms.com
The introduction of the FDA's Produce Safety Rule marks a significant shift in agricultural water use requirements. With enforcement starting in 2024, the Colorado Department of Agriculture is offering a webinar to assist farm owners and operators in understanding and preparing for the new regulations. This educational event is set for Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. MDT, focusing on compliance strategies for the upcoming growing season.
The rule's implementation ends the previous leniency granted to farms of all sizes regarding water used during and post-harvest processes. These processes are crucial for ensuring produce safety, from harvesting to packing and transporting. The webinar aims to demystify the regulations set forth in subpart E of the Produce Safety Rule, which emphasizes the proper testing, treatment, and monitoring of agricultural water.
Designed to adopt an "educate while we regulate" stance, the webinar seeks to empower farmers with the knowledge to navigate the inspection process successfully. It will cover the intricacies of the water requirements and what farmers can expect during inspections. This initiative underscores the importance of preparedness and the value of proactive engagement with regulatory standards.