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 The MWFPA Bulletin is underwritten in part by Focus on Energy | | |
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| Dems Consider Energy and Climate Proposals | |
Senate Democrats have been getting briefed on competing approaches to energy and climate legislation.
Recently they heard from: Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), whose bill creates a national renewable energy standard but does not cap greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), who favors a "cap-and-dividend" approach; Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT), who have proposed comprehensive energy-climate legislation covering electricity generation, industrial sources, and transportation fuels; and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who co-authored an earlier comprehensive climate-energy bill with Sen. Kerry.
Senate Majority Leader Reid plans to bring an energy bill to the Senate floor after the July 4 recess - potentially during the week of July 12.
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| EPA "Time Out" Bill Expected on Senate Floor | |
According to Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Senate Majority Leader Reid has committed floor time for his bill (S. 3072), which would bar the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from regulating GHG emissions from stationary sources under the Clean Air Act for two years.
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| 2010 Dietary Guideline Revisions Recommended | |
The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee has released its recommendations to the secretaries of U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), outlining proposed changes to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
The proposed guidelines suggest reducing sodium intake from 2,300 milligrams to 1,500 milligrams per day and stress a vegetarian-style diet rich in vegetables, cooked dry beans and peas, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds with only moderate amounts of lean meats, poultry, and eggs.
The report states that "The food industry will need to act to help Americans achieve these goals." "Every aspect of the industry, from research and development to production and retail, needs to contribute healthful food solutions to reduce the intake of SoFAS [solid fats and added sugar], certain refined grain products, and sodium."
HHS and USDA have requested public comments by July 15, 2010; a public
meeting for the receipt of oral comments will be held July 8.
The final report is slated to be released later this year.
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| In WI Johnson, Westlake Trail Feingold in Rasmussen Poll | |
A late June Rasmussen Reports poll has WI U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold ahead of challenger Ron Johnson by one percentage point, 46-45. Against GOP businessman Dave Westlake, Feingold has a larger 6 percent lead, 47-41, suggesting Johnson has a better shot at defeating the incumbent Democrat.
Pollster Scott Rasmussen had this to say about the race recently: "As he has in surveys since the beginning of the year, Feingold continues to fall just short of 50% regardless of which Republican he's matched against. Incumbents who earn less than 50% of the vote at this stage of a campaign are considered potentially vulnerable."
Feingold was reelected to a third term in 2004 with 56% of the vote. Johnson was endorsed at the May WI Republican Convention.
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| WI DNR Adopts Stringent, Costly Phosphorus Rules | |
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resoruces Board of Directors adopted new stringent and costly phosphorus discharge rules at thier June 23rd meeting.
The proposed rule is expected to cost municipalities between $1.3 and $4.2 billion, which may be passed along to all water ratepayers in the form of higher fees. In addition, manufacturers will face higher costs to comply with the rule, which could total more than $400 million according to DNR estimates.
MWFPA opposes the rule and submitted its comments to the DNR Board. Other business and industry organizations opposing the rule include the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, Cooperative Networks, The Wisconsin Paper Council, The Dairy Products Association, and the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.
The rule now goes to the State Legislature. However, the committee to which the rule is referred is under no obligation to hold a hearing or take any action on the proposal. State Senator Kathleen Vinehout, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Higher Education, has indicated that she thinks the proposed rule is substantial enough to warrant a hearing in July. Stay tuned!
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| WI Appointments to Plastics, Nanotechnology Committees Expected Soon | |
The Wisconsin Joint Legislative Council, which establishes study committees to examine major issues and problems identified by the WI Legislature, will soon be appointing members to two study committees of interest to the food processing industry.
The single-use plastics committee, chaired by Rep. Spencer Black (D-Madison), will evaluate the economic and environmental costs and benefits of single-use products, such as plastic food and beverage packaging and containers. The committee is to recommend state policies related to those products that would minimize environmental impacts, maximize recycling, and promote desirable alternatives.
Brian Lawless of Madison, and a section manager at Kraft Foods, is one of the public members being considered for appointment to the committee.
The nanotechnology committee, chaired by Rep. Chuck Benedict (D-Beloit) will examine the human health and environmental concerns related to the manufacture, use and disposal of nanomaterials and develop legislation to address those concerns. It will also consider establishment of methods to monitor nanomaterials by use of a nanotechnology registry system or imposition of other disclosure methods. To view a listing of all the interim study committees and the recommended appointees, click here.
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| WI DNR Completes Great Lakes Compact Hearings | | |
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| The MWFPA Bulletin is underwritten in part by Abbott Company and FoxJet | | |
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| Welcome New Members! | |
Help us welcome our newest Association Member!
Find out more about this company by clicking the company name and visiting their website.
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| Health Canada Says Canned Food BPA Poses No Health Risk | |
A survey carried out by Health Canada has indicated that exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) from canned food products is very low and poses no health or safety concerns to the general population. The survey, carried out by the Bureau of Chemical Safety, part of the Food Directorate of the Health Products and Food Branch, looked at 78 different canned food products
The survey was part of on-going research and monitoring to gather information on levels at which BPA occurs in canned food products for sale in Canada, and improve its understanding of BPA exposure from food sources.
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| Enviro Group Sues FDA Over Failure to Act on BPA | |
The National Resources Defense Council has filed a lawsuit against the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for "its failure to act on a petition to ban the use of Bisphenol A in food packaging, food containers, and other materials likely to come into contact with food."
FDA recently indicated that it had "some concerns" about the chemical, but studies "have thus far supported the safety of current low levels of human exposure to BPA." It is initiating additional studies over the next 18 to 24 months.
MWFPA has opposed efforts in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois to enact BPA bans. We continue to work at the federal level too, most recently in opposing efforts by Sen. Feinstein (D-California) to pass a BPA ban. MWFPA recognizes that scientists, regulators and legislators in Europe, Australia, and Japan have rejected studies citing the dangers of BPA as methodologically flawed, badly conducted or irrelevant while acknowledging that banning the chemical might in fact endanger the public health.
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| Hormel's Ettinger Named Executive of the Year | |
Jeffrey M. Ettinger, Chairman of the Board, CEO and President of Hormel Foods, was named Executive of the Year (Manufacturing) at The 8th Annual American Business Awards.
The American Business Awards are a national, all-encompassing awards program honoring great performances in business. Top of page |
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| MWFPA Calendar of Events | |
July 12-16, 2010: Relief System Design Webcourse, held via the web from 1-3 pm Central, this UW-Madison Industrial Refrigeration Consortium workshop is an ideal opportunity to develop or improve your understanding of engineered safety relief systems. The primary focus is industrial refrigeration systems but many of the principles discussed apply equally to other applications as well. Whether you are an end-user, equipment manufacturer, design engineer, or contractor, this course will help you build your capabilities in the area of the principles and practices of engineering safety relief systems. The deadline for enrollment is Monday, July 5. Enroll online at:http://www.irc.wisc.edu/?/conf_registration
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August 18, 2010: Do-It-Yourself Spoilage Analysis Webinar: Aug. 18
Experts at GMA present a webinar to educate members of the processed food industry about common spoilage issues and how to best identify them in the laboratory. Register today!
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October 6 and 7: Food Labeling: Complying with Regulatory Requirements for the Labeling of Packaged Foods Workshop,
Washington, D.C. GMA staff experts in food labeling and nutrition will teach food company personnel the food labeling skills they need, whether they are responsible for labeling compliance, food product marketing or product development. Topics include: general statutory authorities and rules governing all required label elements, special labeling provisions, information about food label claims and the latest developments on food labeling rules. For more information and to register, click here.
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Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 2010: 106th MWFPA Annual Convention and 83rd Processing Crops Conference Mark your calendar for next year's annual convention, to be held at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay, Wis. The Exhibitor Prospectus will be available on our website, www.mwfpa.org, August 2nd.
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The MWFPA News Bulletin is published twice monthly and as developments warrant, and is intended for a general audience of manufacturers and suppliers of food and agricultural products. |
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