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 The MWFPA Bulletin is underwritten in part by Focus on Energy | | |
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| Feinstein Taken To Task On BPA Brouhaha | |
Recently, Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) was criticized by Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) for her pursuit of a BPA amendment that has stalled passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act (S. 510).
In a letter to Feinstein, Dingell noted the ongoing disagreement over BPA's safety, but nevertheless urged his fellow lawmaker to negotiate with industry interests. "It would be calamitous if a bill to protect American consumers from unsafe food cannot become law this year because of controversy over a single point," he wrote.
Feinstein responded to Dingell by vowing not to block the legislation from reaching the Senate floor. She indicated she would offer a BPA amendment on the floor if she is unable to include language in the manager's amendment.
MWFPA has been working with a coalition to pass the measure without Feinstein's amendment.
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| AFVPGC Letter Opposes Possible Food Safety Bill Amendment | |
In a July letter addressed to House Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Ranking Member Ed Michael Enzi (R-WY.), the American Fruit and Vegetable Processor and Grower Coalition (AFVPGC) voiced its concerns with a potential amendment to S. 510, the Food Safety Modernization Act.
The controversial amendment, sponsored by Sen. John Tester (D-MT.), would exempt small-scale processors and direct-marketing farmers from certain produce safety requirements in the Act.
"We believe an operation's size, the growing practices used, or its proximity to customers does not determine whether the food offered is safe" the letter stated.
"Food safety and consumer health are critically important, whether the product is purchased at a roadside stand, a farmers' market, or a large supermarket" the coaltion stressed.
In addition to AFVPGC, the letter was signed by nine other organizations representing major farm, commodity and agribusiness associations. S. 510 was unanimously approved by a Senate committee last November, several months after the House approved a similar measure, but has not reached the floor for consideration. Its progress has been slowed by negotiations
over this amendment and Senator Feinstein's (D-CA) proposal to ban BPA (see article above). Senate leaders are hopeful that food safety legislation can be considered and passed by the Senate in September |
| Scaled Back Climate/Energy Bill Debuted | |
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) unveiled a scaled back energy and oil-spill bill last week settling for far less sweeping legislation than he hoped for due to lack of support. View a 24-page bill summary here.
Reid was forced to give up the controversial climate provision that would have regulated GHG emissions when it became clear he did not have the votes to pass it. Also not included in the bill is a renewable-electricity standard though efforts were underway on Capitol Hill to revive it.
MWFPA opposed similar GHG initiatives at the state level in MN and WI. Midwestern states are heavily reliant on coal and suffer disproportionately under this type of legislation.
Reid was hoping for a vote on the bill this week, however Democrats and Republicans remain divided over portions of the proposal. Even if a compromise is reached, there is no guarantee that it can pass the Senate by Friday when Congress adjorns for its August recess. It also remains to be seen whether the House will accept the new bill, which is drastically different from the comprehensive climate-energy bill it passed last year.
Reid has indicated that Congress could revisit climate legislation in September, but pundits doubt there will be much enthusiasm for that ahead of the mid-term elections in November.
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| Death Of WI Ag Secretary Nilsestuen Loss For State | |
In late July, MWFPA was saddened to learn of the death of Rod Nilsestuen, secretary of the WI Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). He passed away while swimming near Marquette, Mich. Our condolences go out to his family.
Nilsestuen is credited with reinvigorating Wisconsin's agricultural industry. He led DATCP since 2003. Prior to taking over at the agency, Nilsestuen led the Cooperative Network for 24 years, the coalition of farm co-ops in Wisconsin and Minnesota. While there he helped form the Milk Marketing Board and spearheaded other initiatives. He was an international leader in the cooperative movement and was inducted into the National Cooperative Hall of Fame.
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| George Testifies in Opposition To WI Phosphorus Rule | |
On July 28 MWFPA President Nick George presented testimony, before the WI Senate Committee on Environment, opposing a proposed rule regulating phosphorus discharges by processing facilities. The regulation is expected to cost in excess of $3 billion statewide and will affect food and diary processors, cheese makers, paper mills and municipal wastewater treatment facilities.
During the five-hour hearing, opponents including representatives from the Cooperative Network, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association and municipalities, stressed that the rule will be expensive, is confusing and unclear, and will not accomplish meaningful reductions in phosphorus.
Expectations are that neither the Senate committee, nor the Assembly committee to which the rule was referred, will take any action. If neither committee objects to the rule either in whole, or in part, it will become law.
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| Poll Shows Race for IL Governor Narrowing, Senate Race Close | |
The latest Rasmussen poll shows Republican State Senator Bill Brady's lead has narrowed to a seven-points over Governor Pat Quinn in the Illinois gubernatorial race. Brady is currently picking up 44% of the vote, while Quinn earns support from 37%.
In June, Brady led 47% to 36% and has been in the lead since early March when he won the GOP state primary.
The Illinois U.S. Senate race between Democrat Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Mark Kirk remains very close. The Rasmussen poll shows Giannoulias with 43% support to Kirk's 41%. Earlier in July Giannoulias led Kirk 40% to 39%.
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| Welcome New Members! | |
Help us welcome our newest Associate Members! Find out more about these companies by clicking the company name and visiting their website.
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| In Memoriam: David Jones, MWFPA Associate Member | |
MWFPA mourns the loss of David Jones from Buhler Group/Sortex on July 26, due to complications from an earlier heart attack. Dave had been an associate member for years and was well known and respected by the food industry. Our deepest sympathies go to his family. Condolences can be sent to his wife, Phyllis at:
P.O. Box 888260
Grand Rapids, MI
49588-8260
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| MWFPA Cosponsors Food-Borne Illness Forum | |
MWFPA is proud to be a cosponsor of the American Conference Institute's 4th National Forum on Food-Borne Illness Litigation to be held October 27-28, 2010 at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel in Chicago, IL.
 Members will obtain highly-specialized, practical information from leading food-borne illness litigators and other experts on how to respond to heightened litigation exposure created by emerging risks in the food supply chain.
They will also learn to minimize reputational damage and preserve the corporate brand when faced with a high-profile food crisis situation. See the conference website for additional details and registration. MWFPA members are entitled to a $400 discount off the full price (pay $1795 instead of $2195) by using a discount code when registering. Members wishing to use the code should contact the MWFPA office.
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| Lakeside Foods Elects New Sales Management Team | | | Lakeside Foods announced recently the election of its new sales management team.
Elected to newly created positions were Jeff Lund as Sr. Vice President, International Sales/International Projects and Bob Popple, Vice President, Food Service/Industrial/Chain Account Sales.
Dave Alle was elected to the position of Vice President, Retail Frozen Food Sales and Joe Yanda was elected to the position of Vice President, Retail Processed Food Sales.
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| Del Monte To Cut Salt By 20 Percent | |
In late July, Del Monte Foods Co. announced plans to cut sodium by at least 20 percent in all its vegetable, tomato and broth products by 2015.
The move includes Del Monte's namesake brand as well as S&W, Contadina and College Inn.
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| IFT Report Calls For Advances In Food Technology | |
According to a new report from the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), further advances in food technology are critical for an adequate food supply, which must nearly double during the next several decades to feed the future world population.
The scientific review is set to be published in the September 2010 issue of Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. It will take an historical look at the food system, the many challenges ahead, and the crucial role of food science and technology in meeting the needs of the growing population.
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| Business Leaders Target Anti-Economic Growth Policies | |
In response to an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) request, the Business Roundtable and the Business Council have prepared a report listing laws and regulations that some leaders believe "have a dampening effect on economic growth and job creation."
Among the business groups' concerns are proposals that would affect how the food sector conducts business. Titled "Policy Burdens Inhibiting Economic Growth," the report cited Food and Drug Administration food labeling policies, pending changes to the food safety laws, proposed nutrition standards, and youth marketing initiatives as areas of particular concern.
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| MWFPA Calendar of Events | |
August 18, 2010: Do-It-Yourself Spoilage Analysis Webinar: 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 6-7, 2010: 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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October 27-28, 2010: Food-Borne Illness Litigation: Advanced Strategies for Tackling the Underlying Science and Defending Against Complex Food Contamination Claims, Chicago, Ill., Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel. Cosponsored by MWFPA and the American Conference Institute, this forum allows participants to get the answers they need to assess, manage and defend against the growing tide of food-related litigation. Register today! 888-224-2480, or AmericanConference.com/FoodLit. _____________________________________________________________
Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 2010: 106th MWFPA Annual Convention and 83rd Processing Crops Conference Mark your calendar for this year's annual convention, to be held at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay, Wis. The Exhibitor Prospectus was provided to all supplier members on August 2nd. Electronic registration for exhibitors is available at our website, www.mwfpa.org.
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GMA Sustainability Summit, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, VA. GMA and FMI will help sustainability into the core of your business by: sharing policies, programs and model practices from companies that are realizing the benefits of being sustainable; and by providing retailers and manufacturers with a roadmap for building successful environmental sustainability partnerships with trading partners. Register here today!
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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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