AGRICULTURAL AND LEGISLATIVE ISSUES FOR WINEMAKERS

According to the SFGate.com, many California wineries have fallen susceptible to the so-called “predatory” lawsuits filed against lead in stemware. California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 calls for all businesses to provide proper warning signs about chemicals in glassware, such as lead and cadmium, or they can be charged with fines up to $2,500 a day. The state attorney general has 60 days to take action after a party has filed a notice of the supposed violations but defendants usually end up settling. California winemakers are also fighting against a bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in December that requires 700 miles of border fences, and would call for employers to verify the legal status of workers. No guest-worker provision was given. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, agriculture could suffer major production loss as a result. Fruit and vegetables could see a decline between $5 billion and $9 billion annually.