Latest news with #TylerHarper
Gizmodo
07-07-2025
- General
- Gizmodo
‘Killer Bee' Swarm Spotted Near Georgia, Raising Alarms
A small county in Georgia may be facing a 'killer bee' invasion. The Africanized bee is the common honeybee's aggressive, lethal cousin. They look just like honeybees, but this hybrid between European and African honeybees is infamous among beekeepers for ganging up and attacking intruders—bee or human—earning them the nickname 'killer bee.' Africanized bees arrived on U.S. soil in the 1990s and have since been spotted across parts of the southern U.S. But this latest sighting of so-called killer bees in Barbour County, Alabama, suggests they're spreading north to Georgia's Quitman County, a rural location about 200 miles (322 kilometers) away from Atlanta, Georgia's capital city. 'If established, Africanized bees represent a direct threat to Georgia agriculture and their aggressive behavior makes them a threat to public health,' wrote Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper in a statement to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC). There is no need for Georgians to be concerned as of now, Harper added, although local beekeepers are encouraged to report any overly aggressive colonies. 'All beekeepers who are educated at all know that when you have aggressive bees, you need to get rid of them,' Julia Mahood, president of the Georgia Beekeepers Association, told the same publication. The bees are indeed bad news, but they're less of a threat today than they were before, she added. Alabamian officials stated that the appearance of Africanized bees in Barbour County is likely an isolated event from the state's own sightings of the aggressive invaders. Philip Carter, Alabama's apiary inspector, told the AJC that the state is currently working with local beekeepers to confirm that the Africanized genes are not persisting among the local honeybee population. That said, Africanized bees have been known to deliver enough stings to kill a human. In 2010, they stung a Georgia man to death, and the Smithsonian estimates around 1,000 people have died from the killer bees since the 1950s. Recently, a swarm of Asian hornets injured 24 people in the French town of Aurillac, although fortunately everyone recovered. The best advice experts have to avoid bee attacks is to simply stay away. 'Just be respectful when you see a bee,' Mahood said, 'and chances are you'll be fine.'
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Georgia Peaches make triumphant return to Mexican market after 30-year hiatus
The Brief Georgia peaches return to the Mexican market after nearly 30 years, enabled by Electronic Cold-Pasteurization technology that eliminates pest concerns without chemicals or heat. The partnership between Genuine Georgia and Reveam facilitated the export of 42,000 pounds of peaches, marking a significant breakthrough for Georgia's agricultural industry. The reopening of the Mexican market is anticipated to expand opportunities for Georgia's specialty crop producers and enhance the state's global agricultural presence. ATLANTA - Georgia peaches are back on the Mexican market for the first time in nearly three decades, thanks to a new high-tech treatment that eliminates pest concerns. What we know Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced Friday that 42,000 pounds of Georgia Grown peaches were exported to Mexico this week, marking the first such shipment since 1994, when Mexico imposed a ban on Southeastern U.S. peaches due to concerns over invasive pests. The breakthrough was made possible through a partnership between Genuine Georgia and Atlanta-based Reveam, which uses a USDA-approved process called Electronic Cold-Pasteurization (ECP). The technology uses electron beams to eliminate pests and pathogens without chemicals or heat, preserving the fruit's freshness and extending shelf life. What they're saying "Expanding access to reliable markets for Georgia producers is absolutely critical to ensure the continued success of our state's #1 industry and our farm families," said Harper. "The partnership between Genuine Georgia and Reveam is a win for Georgia farmers and a blueprint for how our industry can use cutting-edge technology to break down barriers to international trade." Reveam Co-Founder and Chief Regulatory Officer Chip Starns called the shipment "a transformation of what's possible for Georgia and Southeastern agriculture." "Our ECP technology is giving Georgia growers the opportunity to reach new consumers, reduce waste, and meet the most rigorous international standards while allowing residents of Mexico to enjoy the finest peaches in the world without compromising freshness or flavor," Starns said. Duke Lane, president of the Georgia Peach Council, emphasized the potential for growth in the new market. "There are a lot of peach eaters in Mexico, and a lot of them would love to have those Georgia peaches," Lane said. "To give you a perspective of how many potential peach eaters are down there, you've got 22 million people in Mexico City and the surrounding areas. All of a sudden, we're now bringing on another 20-plus million customers." "This is an excellent opportunity for Georgia peaches and Georgia farmers, and I appreciate Commissioner Harper's efforts to make this a reality," added Robert Dickey, chairman of the House Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee and owner of Dickey Farms. Dig deeper Reveam's ECP facility in McAllen, Texas, treated the peaches for this shipment. Harper has pushed for the development of a similar facility in Georgia, near the Port of Savannah, to boost future exports. All peach shipments are now inspected by USDA and Georgia Department of Agriculture officials and certified to meet international standards. What's next Officials say the reopening of the Mexican market is expected to significantly increase opportunities for Georgia's specialty crop producers and strengthen the state's global agricultural reach. The Source The Georgia Department of Agriculture provided the details for this article.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Georgia Grown cucumbers not impacted by recent recall, GA agriculture department says
The Georgia Department of Agriculture wants consumers to know that Georgia Grown cucumbers have not been affected by a recent recall. Last week, Bedner Growers Inc., located in Florida, issued a voluntary recall after their cucumbers were linked to a multi-state Salmonella outbreak. As of Friday, at least 26 people have gotten sick and nine have been hospitalized in 15 states. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper issued a statement Friday to reassure customers that Georgia Grown cucumbers are safe. 'As Georgians head to the stores ahead of the holiday weekend, you can and should have 100% confidence in that Georgia Grown cucumbers are safe and wholesome, and with the spring harvest in full swing, it is a great time to buy Georgia Grown,' Harper said. The agriculture department's food safety division did receive reports that several retailers received Bednar Growers' recalled products. The department is inspecting those locations. TRENDING STORIES: More storms possible later Memorial Day Pinky Cole Hayes says Bentley stolen from in front of new restaurant on opening weekend More than 20 cars broken into at College Park hotel, police investigating
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Georgia-grown cucumbers declared safe amid national recall
The Brief Georgia-grown cucumbers are not affected by the recent Salmonella-related recall involving Florida-based Bedner Growers Inc., state agriculture officials confirmed. Some retailers mistakenly canceled orders of safe Georgia-grown cucumbers; the Georgia Department of Agriculture is inspecting stores to ensure recalled Florida products are removed. Consumers are urged to check for PennRose Farms cucumbers with UPC code 841214101714 and discard recalled products; Georgia-grown produce remains safe and in season. ATLANTA - Georgia agriculture officials are reassuring consumers that cucumbers grown and sold in Georgia are safe to eat, following a nationwide recall involving Florida-grown cucumbers potentially contaminated with Salmonella. What we know Last week, Florida-based Bedner Growers Inc. voluntarily recalled cucumbers distributed from April 29 to May 19 after a Salmonella outbreak sickened at least 26 people in 15 states, including Georgia. Some of the recalled produce was repackaged into 5-pound mesh bags by PennRose Farms, LLC and distributed to Restaurant Depot centers in Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, and Ohio. RELATED: Cucumbers recalled after Salmonella sickens 26 in several states; 9 hospitalized The Georgia Department of Agriculture confirmed that while some Georgia retailers may have received affected products from the Florida supplier, no Georgia Grown cucumbers or producers are impacted by the recall. What they're saying "In light of the Bedner Growers Inc. cucumber recall in Florida, I want to reassure consumers and retailers alike that no Georgia Grown cucumbers or Georgia producers have been impacted," said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. "As Georgians head to the stores ahead of the holiday weekend, you can and should have 100% confidence that Georgia Grown cucumbers are safe and wholesome." Despite this, the Georgia Department of Agriculture has received reports of retailers canceling orders of Georgia-grown cucumbers out of confusion or caution. Inspectors from the department's Food Safety Division are currently visiting stores to ensure any recalled Florida-grown products are removed from shelves. What you can do Consumers are urged to check packaging if they recently purchased cucumbers. The recalled PennRose Farms cucumbers were packaged between May 2 and May 5 with the UPC code 841214101714 and lot numbers 48-122 to 48-125. Any consumers in possession of the affected cucumbers are advised not to eat them and to discard the produce immediately. For more information about the recall, consumers may contact PennRose Farms at 800-804-7254 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST. Georgia agriculture leaders encourage residents to continue supporting local farmers during the peak of the spring harvest and to look for the Georgia Grown label when shopping.
CNN
11-02-2025
- Health
- CNN
Georgia lifts suspension of poultry activities after extensive bird flu testing finds no additional cases
The Georgia Department of Agriculture has lifted the suspension of poultry activities in Georgia, one of the country's top poultry-producing states, after bird flu testing, depopulation, cleaning and disinfecting were done in the area and no new cases were found. In January, all poultry exhibitions, shows, swaps, meets and sales in Georgia were suspended after positive bird flu cases in Elbert County were identified at two facilities by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the US Department of Agriculture. The cases were the first in a commercial poultry operation in Georgia since the nationwide outbreak of bird flu began in 2022. In response to the detections, more than 100 other all commercial poultry operations within a 6-mile radius were placed under quarantine and went through surveillance testing. As poultry activities resume, the two impacted facilities in Elbert County remain under quarantine 'until further notice,' the department said in a news release Monday. An increasing number of bird flu cases among commercial and wild flocks have been confirmed nationwide, with 149 confirmed in the last month, according to the USDA. Of those, 103 were commercial flocks, while the remaining were backyard flocks. There were 23.06 million birds affected, the department said. Get CNN Health's weekly newsletter Sign up here to get The Results Are In with Dr. Sanjay Gupta every Tuesday from the CNN Health team. The highly contagious virus was responsible for the deaths of more than 40 million egg-laying birds last year and has been a contributing factor to the soaring price of eggs across the country, as the USDA requires the culling of entire flocks to stop the spread if the virus is detected. 'While this announcement is a great step in the right direction, HPAI (bird flu) remains a significant threat to our #1 industry, and the Georgia Department of Agriculture will continue working around the clock to protect our state's flocks and to keep prices as low as possible for Georgia consumers,' Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said in a statement. There are no cases of bird flu in humans in Georgia. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the current risk to the general public from bird flu is low, but people who keep chickens and other birds in their backyards need to be cautious, as do workers on dairy and poultry farms. CNN's Vanessa Yurkevich and Dalia Faheid contributed to this reporting.
