According to the San Diego Union Tribune, the Pew Charitable Trusts is conducting research regarding the correlation between food safety and environmental protection. This trust is a nonprofit organization which conducts research and surveys in order to better understand emerging policy issues, including food safety and the environment. Recently, the organization surveyed dozens of California farmers in regards to food safety and maintenance of ecological security. The report entitled “Co-Managing for Food Safety and Ecological Health in California’s Central Coast Region” details the survey which indicates that maintenance of a safe national food supply goes hand in hand with protecting natural resources. The article defines the concept of co management:
”… as an approach to minimize microbiological hazards associated with food production while simultaneously conserving soil, water, air, wildlife, and other natural resources. It is based on the premise that farmers want to produce safe food, desire to be good land stewards, and can do both while still remaining economically viable. Although the report focuses on lettuce, spinach, and other leafy greens grown in the Central Coast region of California, its findings reflect concerns across the nation.”
Based upon previous E. coli outbreaks linked to spinach, growers have been subject to inspections. Based upon the survey, it appears that field inspections have found a link between wildlife that consumes local vegetation, nearby water, and food safety concerns in growing crops. The report cites several world-wide studies indicating that certain wildlife carry foodborne illness bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. While removal of local vegetation can deter wildlife from entering crop areas and transmitting bacteria to crops, this is at odds with environmental protection initiatives. Through a policy of co management, an example of which would be utilization of local vegetative buffers to deter wildlife from crops, food safety can coexist with environmental protection. Both environmental protection and food safety are legitimate concerns for consumers, growers, and governmental agencies. Elimination of bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter from the nation’s food supply is critical for protecting consumers from foodborne illnesses and related complications including the E. coli linkage to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). Maintaining a balance to protect both the environment and the food supply is a challenging issue that requires additional research.
Richard J. Arsenault, 2010
