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 The MWFPA Bulletin is underwritten in part by Focus on Energy | | |
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| House Ag Committee Opens Hearing On EPA | |
On March 10, the House Agriculture Committee held a public hearing to review the impact of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations on agriculture. Members of the committee heard testimony from EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and questioned her on the aggressive regulatory agenda the agency is pursuing.
Committee chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) asserted that the EPA has pursued an agenda absent of consideration of the effects on rural America. He described the agency's actions as burdensome, over-reaching, and detrimental to rural job growth. Ranking member Collin Peterson (D-MN) discussed sentiments expressed in his district-that EPA is out of control, does not care about agriculture, and is oblivious to the conservation efforts of the agricultural community.
MWFPA has expressed similar concerns at the state level regarding onerous phosphorus rules that will be costly and have no impact on phosphorus levels in Wisconsin's waters.
EPA has been taking regulatory actions against agriculture using the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Superfund Act, Community Right to Know Act, Pesticide Act, and the Solid Waste Act.
While the agency maintains that many of its actions are required by law or court decision, critics maintain a cozy relationship exists between it and environmental groups and their lawyers.
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| The MWFPA Bulletin is underwritten in part by Bug Blocker Doors & Screens | | |
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| IL Holds Hearing on BPA Bill | |
An IL legislative committee will hear a bill today requiring the IL Department of Human Services to adopt rules ensuring that infant formula packaged in containers made with BPA are not provided to women through the Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program.
Sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez (D-Cicero), the bill is another attempt to ban BPA. MWFPA opposed IL legislation last year to ban BPA and opposes this measure. Numerous American and European government studies have indicated that BPA is not harmful to adults or children.
HB 3467 will come before the House Environmental Health Committee in room C-1 of the Stratton building at 12 noon today.
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| MN Budget Battle Begins | |
The MN budget battles began in earnest last week as Republicans released their plan to cut $5 billion in spending. Minnesota legislative Republicans say they want to spend $34 billion in the next two years, about the same as in the current budget, but $3 billion less than the $37.4 billion budget proposed by Democrat Gov. Mark Dayton.
In their budget outlines released last week, House and Senate Republicans reserved the biggest percentage cuts for state government agencies and environment, energy and commerce spending. The outlines provide only general figures. Legislative committees have until March 25 to decide what to spend under the guidelines.
Capitol insiders see little room for compromise and predict an extended session as the DFL governor and the Republican Legislature refuse to budge on their priorities.
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| WI Budget Repair Bill Signed Into Law | |
WI Governor Scott Walker signed into law the controversial budget repair bill last week. With thousands of protesters jamming the Capitol halls, the State Assembly passed a bill Thursday curtailing collective bargaining for most public employees. The measure passed on a 53-42 vote with four Republicans joining the Democrats in opposition.
Republicans in the Wisconsin Senate voted on the measure last Wednesday bypassing the chamber's missing Democrats. All 14 Senate Democrats fled to Illinois preventing the chamber from having enough members present to consider the proposal aimed at closing a $137 million budget shortfall.
The Senate action was predicated on taking fiscal elements out of the bill enabling the non-fiscal portions of the proposal to be passed without the absent Democrats. A special conference committee of state lawmakers approved the bill setting up a vote on the modified proposal in the Senate shortly thereafter. Democrats are challenging the legality of the conference committee meeting and the law itself.
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Institute For Food Safety To Hold Inaugural Opening | |
The newly formed Institute for Food Safety and Health (formerly National Center for Food Safety and Technology) will hold an inaugural opening and tour on Monday, April 11, 2011 from 10 am-noon.
The newly formed IFSH builds on and expands the work of the NCFST to conduct food research to produce knowledge-based outcomes that have a positive impact on food safety, defense and nutrition for all stakeholders. The event will showcase IFSH's state-of-the-art facilities and capabilities.
The IFSH is located at 6502 South Archer Road, Summit Argo, IL. To attend the event, click here, or contact LaShondra Stephens at lstephe2@iit.edu.
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Safety Seminar Seats Available!! Register Now! | | |
A few seats are still available for Creating A World Class Safety Culture -- March 23, 2011, Holiday Inn, Tomah, WI !
Each attendee will receive a certification document upon course completion.
Safety is not something management does to or for employees. Management commitment to safety is necessary, but true safety excellence requires personnel throughout the organization to be fully engaged. Studies indicate that by focusing effort in creating a culture of organization-wide involvement and participation, zero injuries is achievable.
In this MWFPA sponsored seminar, you will learn the strategies and techniques to cultivate the appropriate culture and sustain the level of employee engagement needed to reach world-class safety performance. See the seminar brochure here! Registration is also available on our website: www.mwfpa.org. MWFPA has reserved a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn at a special rate of $64.99. Please use block code MXX when reserving your room. Top of Page |
| Employment Opportunities -- Food Processing Industry | |
CleanTech Partners has a position open for a Process Energy Specialist. The position will convince and assist companies in Wisconsin to adopt process related technologies and practices that will save energy and money in their production as measured using criteria established by Focus on Energy (Focus), Wisconsin's statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Contact: Ed Corrigan at ecorrigan@cleantechpartners.org and provide a letter of interest and a resume.
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| Welcome New Association Members! | |
Join us in welcoming our newest members to the Association! Please visit their website by clicking on the company name to learn more about them.
Cady Inc
CoBank
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| MWFPA Calendar of Events | | |
March 23, 2011: Creating A World Class Safety Culture. Holiday Inn, Tomah, WI. This seminar is designed to allow participants to create a safety culture in their company and understand the substantial cost of a minor injury and its impact on the bottom line. The seminar is limited to 30 participants and each attendee will receive a certification document upon course completion.
MWFPA has reserved a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn at a special rate of $64.99. Please use block code MXX when reserving your room. View seminar brochure and registration materials here! Registration is also available on our website: www.mwfpa.org.
April 20, 2011: Team Building -- Creating The Want. Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells, WI. This four-hour seminar will create an exciting team-building learning experience that will raise your level of interest in and commitment to teamwork in your organization. It will help participants develop the practical skills for maximizing team performance, and the tools and resources that can strengthen your team and build buy-in among your employees.
MWFPA has reserved a block of rooms at the Wilderness Resort at a special rate of $115. Please use block code #257654 when reserving your room. View seminar brochure and registration materials here! Registration is also available on our website: www.mwfpa.org. June 1-2, 2011: MWFPA Golf Outing. Evening reception on June 1st is planned for the Hilton Garden Inn. On June 2nd, a day of golf (scramble format), lunch and cash prizes at Trapper's Turn in Wisconsin Dells, WI. Details to follow.
November 28-Dec. 1, 2011: MWFPA 107th Annual Convention and 84th Annual Processing Crops Conference, Wisconsin Dells, WI, Kalahari Resort and Convention Center. Mark your calendars now! Don't miss this invaluable opportunity to gain exclusive insights from some of the industry's most innovative and knowledgeable representatives and to make meaningful contacts with clients, prospects and referral sources.
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| Other Educational Opportunities | |
April 11-12, 2011: Dryer Technology. Concourse Hotel, One West Dayton Street, Madison, WI. Participants will gain a solid understanding of dryer fundamentals and learn how to apply proven methods to solve practical problems. Detailed information on the program and enrollment are available at http://epdweb.engr.wisc.edu/Courses/Course.lasso?myCourseChoice=M450
May 4-5, 2011: IRC Research &Technology Forum. Madison, WI. This conference will focus on design for safety, two-phase flow research, and optimizing head pressure (new findings) for industrial refrigeration systems. In addition, an update on refrigerants and new applications for carbon dioxide will be presented. The forum will also highlight the latest refrigeration research being conducted at the University of Wisconsin and around the industry. All are welcome to attend, the cost is $129 for non-members. IRC member company employees attend at no cost. Register on-line here:
May 4-6, 2011: GMA Consumer Complaints Management Conference. Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel, Chicago, IL. This conference provides consumer affairs and complaint management specialists with the roadmap for effective complaint management. Conference attendees will gain crisis management insights and enhanced knowledge of today's consumer and their expectations of customer service. Consumer affairs professionals working in food manufacturing, retail and foodservice cannot afford to miss this valuable training event. For more information, click here.
May 4-5, 2011: GMA Foodborne Illness Litigation Conference. Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel, Chicago, IL. The conference will explore a broad range of topics related to litigation stemming from foodborne illnesses, both as a result of product recalls and isolated incidents. Attendees will learn how these issues can be addressed by the entire value chain, from manufacturer to distributor to retailer, as well as by legal counsel within the industry. For more information and registration details, click here.
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The MWFPA News Bulletin is published twice monthly or as developments warrant, and is intended for a general audience of manufacturers and suppliers of food and agricultural products. |
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