A new study announced by the California Department of Food and Agriculture will evaluate agriculture’s food safety and water quality regulatory reporting requirements as part of an effort to streamline administrative processes and optimize information collected by the state. The study is supported by funding in the 2021-22 budget.

CDFA is contracting with Sacramento-based Crowe LLC to conduct the study. Crowe will map current CDFA and State Water Resources Control Board ag-related food safety and water quality reporting requirements.

The results of the study will support the State’s protective food safety and water quality standards while advancing efficient reporting practices and opportunities to create synergistic partnerships between agencies on information collected.

Crowe LLC will prepare a final report with recommendations. The project will be completed by 2025.

To inform this analysis, CDFA, the State Water Board, and Crowe will engage with and gather input from the agricultural community and other stakeholders on to their experiences with current reporting requirements and processes.

“We look forward to hearing from members of the agricultural community during the course of this ongoing study,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross.“Input from the public will be invaluable as we work with the consultant to find opportunities to ease the administrative paperwork of food safety and water quality regulatory reporting requirements while meeting public health and environmental standards.”

“There are many challenges those in our agricultural communities face, particularly given the real impacts a hotter, drier climate has on the bottom line of many small farms,” said Yana Garcia, Secretary for Environmental Protection. “Reporting doesn’t need to be one of those challenges. This study is an opportunity to look at ways to better align and streamline reporting processes and improve data sharing between agencies.”

CDFA, the State Water Board, and Crowe will hold an online informational session at 1 p.m. May 18, which will include a presentation about the project’s scope and timeline and provide opportunities for public input and discussion. Register for the Zoom meeting here.

Source: California Department of Food and Agriculture