Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Farmers Hunt Wildlife to Keep Greens Clean

E. coli scare prompts extreme measures in 'America's Salad Bowl'

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted Sep 2, 2008 12:21 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – To please cautious companies, farmers have turned hunters in California's Salinas River Valley, where 60% of the nation's lettuce grows. They’re stalking wild pigs, poisoning ponds and erecting fences—disrupting wildlife and destroying habitats in the process—to avoid another E. coli contamination, the AP reports. But some question the drastic steps, given limited evidence that wildlife caused previous outbreaks.

New laws require growers to keep a buffer zone between crop fields and grazing land for cattle, known carriers of E. coli, but there’s no such requirement with wildlife. "I think there's a little brinksmanship going on” for a sales advantage, a grower speculates. But industry reps say customers are glad companies are going above and beyond requirements to protect the greens.

An auditor with the California Department of Food and Agriculture monitors food safety conditions during harvesting of romaine lettuce in Salinas, Calif.
An auditor with the California Department of Food and Agriculture monitors food safety conditions during harvesting of romaine lettuce in Salinas, Calif.   (AP Photo)
A worker harvests romaine lettuce in Salinas, Calif., where farmers are hunting wildlife to keep their greens uncontaminated.
A worker harvests romaine lettuce in Salinas, Calif., where farmers are hunting wildlife to keep their greens uncontaminated.   (AP Photo)
Workers pick lettuce in Salinas, Calif. Farmers' drastic steps to keep greens clean are hurting the area's wildlife.
Workers pick lettuce in Salinas, Calif. Farmers' drastic steps to keep greens clean are hurting the area's wildlife.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

E. coli in pigs can be transmitted through air
Microbial Update International

Radiation OK'd to kill E. coli in US spinach
Associated Press

Science • Money • US

 
E. coli • cattle • food contamination • spinach • wildlife • farmers

More Newser Stories

Deadly European E. Coli Outbreak Hits Americans

Ground Beef Rife With E. Coli Risk

After E. Coli Outbreaks, Food Industry Looks to Tracing Tech

Feds Confirm E. Coli in Cookie Dough

Amish Blast ID Cow Chips as 'Mark of the Beast'
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne