FDA Deputy Commissioner Michael Taylor (left) and colleagues started a five-day tour of the Pacific Northwest on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2013 -- visiting Idaho, Oregon and Washington -- to get a first-hand look at produce production and irrigation operations, and to discuss the proposed Produce Safety Rule with growers, food industry representatives and state officials. The Pacific Northwest tour included a visit to the fruit packing house at Valley Fruit in Wapato, Wash. For more about Mike's multi-region tour, read these FDA Voice blog posts:

• Hearing the Concerns of Maine Growers Striving for Agricultural Diversity • On the Road with Mike Taylor: Touring the Pacific Northwest • On the Road with Mike Taylor, Day 2: Frank Talk in Farm Country • On the Road with Mike Taylor, Day 3: Families and Partnerships • On the Road with Mike Taylor, Day 4: Looking to the Future

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