California’s 462,000-acre ‘field of dreams’

In a few weeks, a public hearing will be held in Washington by the United States International Trade Commission on the “competition conditions” between American olive oil producers and major foreign suppliers. The investigation was launched at the request of House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp. Waiting in the wings is a proposed federal marketing order drafted by California producers hoping to place new hurdles for imported olive oils while clearing an easier path for their own. Both sides are lawyering up for what should be an intense fight.