Ag Council Urges Key Changes to the SB 54 Program Plan
—
In an August comment letter, Agricultural Council of California (Ag Council) is urging important updates to Circular Action Alliance’s (CAA) California Program Plan to implement SB 54, the state’s landmark Extended Producer Responsibility packaging law.
Ag Council President Emily Rooney has a seat on CAA’s California Board of Directors, and the association is closely engaged on SB 54 implementation given how critical packaging is to the food and agricultural community.
SB 54 was signed into law in 2022 and aims to reduce plastic packaging by requiring that all single use packaging be 100 percent compostable or recyclable by 2032. Source reduction obligations for the regulated community are also in the law, and costs are expected to skyrocket throughout the duration of the program.
Ag Council reiterated its support for reducing reliance on plastics, while highlighting there are few alternatives to plastic that will provide food safety and security protection. Additionally, Ag Council urged CAA to create cost containment mechanisms to mitigate cost pressures. CalRecycle estimates that implementation costs will exceed $20 billion, while the private sector projects costs could easily escalate over $70 billion. Absent any safeguards, these costs could migrate to the farm level, as well as increase grocery prices at the retail level during a statewide affordability crisis.
Ag Council also seeks greater transparency in CAA’s budget practices and throughout the invoicing and reporting process. Ag Council further expressed continued willingness to collaborate with CAA and CalRecycle as the program plan is finalized ahead of its next revision in October 2026.
To read the full letter to CAA, click HERE.
Farmers’ Rice Co-op Leadership Class Visits State Capitol
—
Ag Council hosted the Farmers’ Rice Cooperative (FRC) Leadership Class in Sacramento on August 17. The group of rice farmers and FRC staff visited the State Capitol and met with Assemblywoman Hadwick (R-Alturas). Discussion topics included policy issues on the docket at the end of the legislative session and Assemblymember Hadwick’s priorities for the year.
A new group of farmers participating in FRC’s Leadership Class visit the State Capitol and meet with Ag Council’s team each year to learn about the legislative process and discuss state policy issues.