PlusFla. Growers Want Compensation for Tomato ScareFla. Growers Want Compensation for Tomato ScareThe Associated PressFlorida tomato growers want the federal government to compensate them for millions of dollars in lost revenue when a nationwide salmonella outbreak occurred and the government first focused on raw tomatoes. (July 23)[Notes:VO -- SHOTS OF FARMHAND PICKING TOMATOES] FLORIDA TOMATO GROWERS SAY THEY WANT COMPENSATION FROM WASHINGTON FOR THE MILLIONS IN LOSSES THEY SUFFERED DUE TO A SALMONELLA INVESTIGATION THAT ORIGINALLY FOCUSED ON RAW TOMATOES. [Notes:VO--SHOT OF MAXWELL]WILL MAXWELL IS THE PRESIDENT OF A NORTH FLORIDA GROWERS ASSOCIATION. [Notes:SOT-- WILL MAXWELL/GADSDEM CO. TOMATO GROWERS ASSN] We got tainted with guilt by association...and it just killed our market. [Notes:VO--FDA VIDEO, TOMATO VIDEO]THE F-D-A PERFORMED EXTENSIVE INSPECTIONS IN FLORIDA AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. AFTER FOCUSING ON TOMATOES FOR WEEKS -- THE AGENCY HAS RECENTLY SHIFTED ITS FOCUS TO JALAPENO PEPPERS.MAXWELL SAYS HE THINKS THE F-D-A SPOKE PREMATURELY WITHOUT HAVING ALL THE FACTS. [Notes:SOT --WILL MAXWELL] we've got to assess our losses...and then maybe we can get some relief from the government. [Notes:VO --TOMATO VIDEO]FLORIDA'S AGRICULTURE COMMISSIONER WILL MAKE THE REQUEST WHEN HE TRAVELS TO CAPITOL HILL TO TESTIFY ON THE ISSUE.HE PLANS TO SPEAK ABOUT HOW WASHINGTON AND THE STATES CAN BETTER PARTNER IN THE FUTURE TO PREVENT THESE SORTS OF LOSSES. [Notes:SOT --LIZ COMPTON/ FLA. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE] There's got to be a way to protect the public....public health and safety is the top priority ...But we also have to look out for grower who are losing tens of millions of dollars unnecessarily. [Notes:VO--FILE LAB SHOTS]THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS LIFTED ITS ADVISORY -- AND DECLARED TOMATOES SAFE TO EAT.THE F-D-A IS NOW WARNING PEOPLE NOT TO EAT RAW JALAPENO PEPPERS AFTER ONE PEPPER AT A TEXAS FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTER TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE STRAIN OF SALMONELLA LINKED TO THE OUTBREAK. ___ ___, The Associated Press. Author: AssociatedPress Keywords: salmonella scare fla. growers compensation tomato Added: July 23, 2008
