Association President/CEO Roger A. Isom was invited to address the Transatlantic Legislative Dialogue (TLD) made up of members from Congress and members from the European Parliament in the European Union (EU). Joining Isom was Alexi Rodriguez, of the Almond Alliance. Topics discussed included conversations about California cotton and tree nuts, and then got into more specific issues including MRLs, and the new packaging and sustainability requirements being put forth by the EU. From the congressional side, Congressman Nathaniel Moran (TX), and Congressman Jim Costa and Congressman Adam Gray from California were in attendance. Representing the EU were Brando Benifei, Italy; Sophie Wilmès, Belgium; David McCallister, Germany; Bernd Lange, Germany; Miriam Lexmann, Slovakia; Michael Szczerba, Poland; Marta Wcislo, Poland; Zeljana Zovko, Croatia; Lina Galvez, Spain; Tonino Picula, Croatia; Roman Haider, Austria; Julien Sanchez, France; Rihards Kols, Latvia; Adam Bielan, Poland; Sergey Lagodinskey, Germany; and Martin Schirdewan, Germany. The TLD is a collaborative initiative between the United States Congress and the European Parliament aimed at enhancing political discourse and cooperation on issues of mutual concern. Established in 1999, it meets biannually to address topics such as trade, climate policy, and security matters.

The California Cotton Industry Research Committee, made up from the three principal funding groups for California cotton research, sends out a “Request for Proposal” each year to researchers and educators known to the cotton industry as having interests and involvement in research that could benefit the cotton industry in California. By combining the research funding efforts from these three groups into one, projects are funded through a more streamlined process and effective process. This research request is for 2026-2027 projects. The dead- line for receipt of proposals is 5:00 PM (close of business day) on Monday, August 31, 2026. This is a firm deadline. No extensions will be granted due to the need to reproduce proposals, distribute them to the committee, and allow time for review prior to the Committee meeting. If you have any questions, reach out to priscilla@ccgga.org.

The California Cotton Industry Research Committee, made up from the three principal funding groups for California cotton research, sends out a “Request for Proposal” each year to researchers and educators known to the cotton industry as having interests and involvement in research that could benefit the cotton industry in California. By combining the research funding efforts from these three groups into one, projects are funded through a more streamlined process and effective process. This research request is for 2026-2027 projects. The dead- line for receipt of proposals is 5:00 PM (close of business day) on Monday, August 31, 2026. This is a firm deadline. No extensions will be granted due to the need to reproduce proposals, distribute them to the committee, and allow time for review prior to the Committee meeting. If you have any questions, reach out to priscilla@ccgga.org.

As the state legislature gets ready to wind down this year’s legislative session, an all-out push is underway at the State Capitol to pause implementation of SB 54, the Single-Use Packaging Regulation. Earlier this week, 22 Assemblymembers and one Senator sent a letter to Senate President Pro Tem Monique Limón and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas requesting legislative action to address affordability concerns related to the regulation. The legislators expressed serious concerns about implementation costs and how those costs will be passed on to consumers. The letter specifically requested a delay in the assessment and collection of fees for 2026 and 2027 and committed to developing a reform package during the 2027–2028 legislative session to address affordability concerns. This was followed by a letter signed by 67 organizations, including the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association and the Western Tree Nut Association, raising major concerns about cost impacts recently released by the Circular Action Alliance, which oversees implementation of the packaging regulation. Those costs include $2 billion in fees in the first year, $17.2 billion in fees over the next five years, and total compliance costs of $78 billion over five years. The Association has been, and continues to be, in contact with legislators to push for the pause. Association President and CEO Roger A. Isom stated, “Once again, California has pushed the envelope in pursuit of insurmountable environmental goals without considering the consequences for the very people they represent and claim to protect. The state needs to stop, take a step back, and find another way to reduce plastic pollution.”

Farmers for Free Trade and Congressman Jim Costa hosted a meeting in Fresno this week to discuss the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA). Also in attendance was California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross, along with several agricultural organizations representing blueberries, citrus, table grapes, tree nuts, cotton, vegetables, strawberries and many other crops. Association President/CEO Roger A. Isom represented the Association and commented “We need to get this done. Nothing good comes from tariffs. Mexico and Canada are important trade partners for cotton and tee nuts, and we can ill afford to lose market share to other countries who won’t face the same tariffs we do.” Farmers for Free Trade is hosting a national series of USMCA roundtables that will bring together farmers, trade experts, and elected officials in congressional districts across the country to discuss the critical importance of strengthening and renewing the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement ahead of its 2026 review period.

CalOSHA has released their latest proposed changes to the Indoor (§3396) and Outdoor (§3395) Heat Illness Standards. CalOSHA somewhat addressed one of the biggest concerns in the previous draft with regards to the acclimatization requirements. Previously, the draft regulations required a phased-in work schedule for new or returning employees that had been away from the job for more than 14 days.  The phased-in work schedule mandated employees only work 20% of their normal work schedule on the 1st day, 40% on the 2nd  day, 60% on the 3rd day, 80% on the 4th day, and then full schedule on the 5th day. Under the proposed changes, they have now provided an alternative option that requires specific training at the beginning of the shift for each of those same days. They have also provided a less restrictive requirement for returning employees that allows them to work 50% of their normal work schedule on the first day, 60% on the 2nd day, and 80% on the 3rd day. CalOSHA has also added a peculiar new section to both regulations that reads as follows:

The Division may require an employer to take additional actions to prevent employee heat illness in employees through the issuance of an Order to Take Special Action. Such additional actions may include, but are not limited to, the use of wearable technology that monitors the user’s physiological responses to heat stress, where the employer is responsible for ensuring that health data is kept secure and not used to discriminate against employees.

There could be several issues with this kind of requirement, and the Association is looking into these. Comments are due on September 21st and the Association will be weighing in on the proposed changes.

Association President/CEO Roger A. Isom attended an important meeting with Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick in Bakersfield this week. Hosted by Congressman Vince Fong, close to 30 industry leaders from agriculture, oil, construction, manufacturing and education met with Secretary Lutnick. Isom spoke on the impacts of retaliatory tariffs, especially those on cotton, almonds and pistachios headed to China and on walnuts going to India. Isom highlighted the corresponding lost market share to Australian almonds and Chilean walnuts. Isom commented “Addressing the tariff issue is vitally important, and to have the opportunity to sit next to Commerce Secretary Lutnick and convey it directly to him is huge!”

The Bureau of Reclamation is increasing Central Valley Project 2026 water supply allocations for south-of-Delta contractors reflecting improved water supply conditions and operational flexibility. “Increasing water allocations means more reliable water for California’s farmers, families and communities, supporting food production, local economies and greater affordability,” said Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Andrea Travnicek. “Reclamation continues to carefully monitor hydrologic conditions and operate the Central Valley Project to make the most efficient use of available water supplies,” said Reclamation’s California-Great Basin Acting Regional Director Adam Nickels. “While conditions this year have been dynamic, careful monitoring and water supply management provide for updated water allocations to our south-of-Delta contractors while continuing to meet project operational requirements. We remain committed to working closely with our water users and partners to maximize water supply reliability for California communities, agriculture, and the environment.” Based on current hydrology and updated forecasts, Reclamation is announcing the following changes to CVP water supply allocations:

South-of-Delta Contractors

• Irrigation water service and repayment contractors south-of-Delta are increased from 25% to 28% of their contract total.
• Municipal and Industrial water service, and repayment contractors are increased from 75% to 78% of their historic use, or public health and safety needs, whichever is greater.

All other allocation amounts announced May 19 remain unchanged.

An idea that started eight years ago when J.G. Boswell’s Tom Gaffney was our chairman has grown to be a big deal for veterans in San Diego, home to the nation’s largest population of homeless veterans. Gaffney, a navy veteran himself, fully supported the idea when it was presented to the Association by then Senator Toni Atkins and with the Board’s support and the tremendous generosity of Supima, the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association (CCGGA) has delivered approximately 11,200 pairs of cotton socks made from pima cotton grown right here in California. The Veterans Village of San Diego hosts an annual event known as Stand Down, where an entire weekend is dedicated to helping homeless veterans get back up on their feet with job, medical and housing assistance as well as new clothes. The single most requested item is socks, and CCGGA and Supima are proud to contribute these socks each year.

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has announced that all manufacturers of pesticide products containing the active ingredient paraquat-dichloride (paraquat) have voluntarily cancelled their product registrations, beginning the phase-out of the use of paraquat in California. Reevaluation gives DPR the authority to require registrants – the companies that make pesticides – to develop and submit new scientific studies needed to fully understand emerging risks that were unknown at the time of registration. For paraquat, DPR invoked this reevaluation authority to require registrants to submit scientific data by June 5, 2026, to address newly identified gaps in DPR’s human health toxicology database, among other requirements. In lieu of providing required data, companies began voluntarily cancelling registration of paraquat pesticide products in California in April, with the last registrant voluntarily cancelling its registration on August 6, 2026. Under California law, DPR-licensed dealers may continue to possess and sell pesticides that were voluntarily canceled for up to two years following the effective date of each product’s cancellation. Growers who continue to use these products must act in accordance with all applicable label directions, use requirements, and state and federal regulations.