IRVINE, CA (August 10, 2010) – Statement by Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif:
“One of the biggest concerns among farmers is government over regulation. Meg Whitman has made it clear that she will tackle the tough issue of reining in the burdens that are being increasingly placed upon the shoulders of business in the form of taxes, fees, regulations and a complicated compliance process. As a business woman, she understands that the ability of California farmers to compete with other states and countries is being hurt, not helped, by the actions of government. Whitman also is interested in agriculture and has met with farmers on the farm, spoken with our members, and taken an active interest in learning about our challenges and circumstances especially our need for a reliable water supply. We know Mrs. Whitman will listen to us and we are confident we will be able to work with her on every issue when she becomes the Governor of California next year.”
Western Growers is an agricultural trade association whose members grow, pack and ship 90 percent of the fresh vegetables and about 75 percent of the fresh fruits and nuts in Arizona and California or more than one-half of the nation’s fresh produce.
Source: Western Growers