A one-and a-half-day workshop
focusing on irradiation technology,
policy, perspectives & application

This workshop will bring together leaders in food irradiation, agriculture, and regulators to describe the benefits and drawbacks of irradiation for U.S exporters of perishable commodities.

While the United States has long been a leader in irradiation technology, operational issues, trade barriers, cost considerations and limited availability of technical information to agricultural industry stakeholders have presented challenges to more widespread adoption of this technology to fresh commodities for phytosanitary purposes. In order to gain acceptance of irradiation as a treatment worldwide, USDA-APHIS Federal irradiation regulations include a provision that mandates foreign trading partners to sign a Equivalency Work Plan (FEWP) in an attempt to establish or expand bilateral trade opportunities in irradiated commodities. Adoption of irradiation under this strategy provides opportunity to open new market access and to expand overseas markets for a wide variety of US products.

Unlike other quarantine treatments, research utilizing irradiation treatments has shown its potential to provide product quality enhancement by extending shelf life and increasing food safety by reducing the risk of food-borne pathogens.

Partially underwritten through a USDA grant and PMA, this workshop aims to bring together leaders in the food irradiation industry and agricultural industry to discuss technical information, from both a regulatory and industry perspective, on the benefits and drawbacks this technology can offer to the U.S exporting agricultural sector for perishable commodities.

Who Should Attend

The program is primarily designed for individuals from the fresh fruit, vegetable, cut flower, and other perishable commodity industries. Commodities of particular interest are:

Apple	Citrus	Peach
Artichoke	Cut Flowers	Plum
Asparagus	Grapes	Potato
Broccoli	Lettuce	Raspberry
Cabbage	Nectarine	Sage
Cherry	Onions	Strawberry
Chervil	Parsley

Topics

Irradiation Technology

• How it works
• Irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment
• Benefits and drawbacks
• Commodity-specific considerations
• Panel discussion

APHIS Irradiation Policies & Procedures

• Current state of APHIS irradiation programs
• FEWP, pre-clearance programs
• Domestic Irradiation—OWP and future projects
• APHIS Certification process, routine treatment monitoring and data management
• Case studies: current program successes and challenges that US exporters can draw from
• Panel discussion

Marketing and Retailer Consumer Perception

• Common misconceptions, consumer acceptance, attitude studies and need for additional work
• Marketing challenges
• Quality issues (may damage or increase shelf life)
• Panel discussion, and Q & A session

Irradiation Industry Perspectives

• Representatives from six companies will briefly present their findings

Fruit & Vegetable Industry Perspectives

• Representatives from a number of commodities will present their findings

Instructors

Christine Bruhn, University of California Davis, Director, Center for Consumer Research
Ronald F. Eustice, Executive Director, Minnesota Beef Council
Peter A. Follett, PhD, USDA, ARS Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center
Alan Green, USDA, APHIS, PPQ Director Plant Health Programs
Guy Hallman, USDA, ARS, Crop Quality and Fruit Insects Research
Diana Hoffman, USDA, APHIS, PPQ, Quarantine Policy Analysis and Support
Jill McClusky, Washington State University, School of Economic Sciences
Michon Oubichon, USDA, APHIS, PPQ Phytosanitary Issues Management
Anuradha Prakash, Chapman University, Food Science
Craig Southwick, USDA, APHIS, PPQ, Western Region Office
Ian Winborne, USDA, APHIS, PPQ, Center for Plant Health Science and Technology

Enrollment Information

Location, Dates and Times
The registration desk will open at 7:15 a.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2009 at the Buehler Alumni & Visitors Center on the UC Davis campus. The technical session will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m.

An optional evening networking reception will be held in the courtyard of the Buehler Alumni & Visitor’s Center from 5-7 p.m.

Wednesday will be a half day meeting where the irradiation industry and fresh produce and cut flower industries will interact during a formal session.

Enrollment Fee
Enrollment will be limited to 90 people on a first-come, first-serve basis. The $50 enrollment fee includes all instruction, course materials, two lunches, morning and afternoon snacks, coffee breaks and reception. Your enrollment is requested by August 21st.

Accommodations & Parking
For hotel information please go to: www.yolocvb.org, and look under “Places to Stay.” For those who request it at registration, parking permits will be available at the registration table. Park in front of the Buehler Alumni & Visitors Center while you register, then move your vehicle to daily permit parking areas. Also, for additional travel and Davis visitor resources, see our Welcome to Davis page.

If Your Plans Change
Before the course begins, you may contact us to discuss sending a substitute, as no refunds will be made.

Enrolling is Easy

On-Line: Link to our secure on-line registration form.
By Phone: Call (530) 752-6941
Please have your Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express account number handy.
By Fax: Send the completed enrollment form found in the course brochure, along with credit card information to: (530) 754-4326
By Mail: Complete the enrollment form in the course brochure, and send it with your credit card information, or check for $50 to:

Attn: Pam Devine, Registration Desk
Postharvest Technology
Dept. of Plant Sciences, MS2
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616

Link to the Course Brochure as a PDF document.