In 1978, movie buffs hailed the satirical "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes" as a certain cult classic. This 87-minute spoof left enthusiasts rolling in the aisles. Thanks in part to systemic failures by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, our citizens have been treated to a very unpleasant 2008 summer sequel devoid of any humor.

Warnings from public health and food regulation officials based on "maybe" and "probably" wreak havoc with consumer confidence and economic stability in the marketplace. Officials who imply facts when they really have no clue are even worse. Words matter.

Federal officials, who now say the salmonella has been traced to peppers grown in Mexico, should be held responsible for the tomato market crash by at least accompanying every affected farmer as he or she visits the bank to explain why loan repayments will at best this year be delayed. Georgia farmers and related businesses have suffered a $25 million loss.

Are federal officials really culpable in this situation? I think so, but why not ask an outstanding public servant, Charlie Bronson, Florida's Commissioner of Agriculture. At the onset of the salmonella outbreak, Bronson placed his 130-member food safety staff at the disposal of FDA officials to help track down the problem. He is still waiting for his call to be returned. In retrospect, there was not a problem in Florida anyway. But when federal officials take all the responsibility for managing the game plan, they must bear the consequences when the ball is fumbled. Congress will soon consider H.R. 6581, a plan to compensate farmers for their losses due to the salmonella scare. I believe this measure is worthy of the support of the entire Georgia congressional delegation.

For farmers and consumers alike, traceablity is an important component of our nation's food safety strategy. FDA officials have in recent months been asleep at this wheel as well. In the spring of 2007, Georgia entrepreneurs at LaGrange-based Durand-Wayland Inc. submitted a new laser identification technology for approval to, you guessed it, the FDA. This new apparatus, prepared to be manufactured in Georgia by Georgians, has the capability to imprint a number or farm logo directly on fruits or vegetables. Is this technology for every farmer? No, but it would be wonderful for some to have the choice to adopt this method of tracking products.

Today, the application for FDA approval is lodged somewhere in a maze of federal government cubicles clinging to life. A handful of consultants and lawyers, along with U.S. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.) have been pleading Durand-Wayland's case for more than a year. It is a shame they have had to plead. FDA's questions have been answered and satisfied. In the meantime, the business pays legal fees, a number of LaGrange citizens are still waiting to be called to work, and farmers and consumers have one less tool available to trace products.

The vine-ripened Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) did not initiate the Attack of 2008. That attack came from the federal government we are all paying handsomely. Fears of tomatoes in recent weeks are unfounded. Officials should hold fast to science-based facts, dismiss speculation and be held financially accountable when their actions vaporize commodity markets, as was the case with tomatoes this year. "We're sorry" simply isn't good enough.

> Gary W. Black is president of the Georgia Agribusiness Council.