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 | January 17, 2012 | |
| The MWFPA Bulletin is underwritten in part by Focus on Energy | | |
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Ag Secretary Announces District Office Closures | | |
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced cuts to USDA agency budgets, including the consolidation of 15 Food Safety and Inspection Service District Offices into ten by the end of 2013.
District offices slated for closure include Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Madison, Wisconsin. USDA has not yet determined how the closed offices will merge into the ten remaining offices.
In making the announcement, Vilsack unveiled a new report, the "Blueprint for Stronger Service," that is based on a Department-wide review of operations conducted as part of the Administration's Campaign to Cut Waste. To view the report, go to:http://1.usa.gov/xWjvUU.
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Federal Court Grants Coalition Air Rule Delay | | |
MWFPA and other business groups filed a lawsuit last September asking a federal court to delay and ultimately invalidate the U.S. EPA's Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) before the January 1, 2012 implementation date.
A federal court granted that request to delay the rule which regulates air emissions from power plants. The coalition was concerned because the CSAPR treats Wisconsin utilities and electric ratepayers unfairly, and would significantly increase the cost of electricity. In its decision, the court indicated a hearing on the lawsuit challenging the validity of the CSAPR will likely take place in April. Meanwhile, the EPA is restrained from enforcing the rule. The decision is a win for affordable and reliable energy in the Midwest.
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Fruit and Vegetable Coalition Plans D.C. Meetings | | |
With House and Senate agriculture legislative leaders working on a new Farm Bill, the American Fruit and Vegetable Processors and Growers Coalition (AFVPGC) is planning a series of meetings in Washington, DC, March 27 and 28. Meetings will be scheduled with Members of Congress, congressional staff and USDA officials and are expected to adress the possible expansion of the farm flex pilot program. Any questions about the coalition's activities can be referred to Nick George at nick.george@mwfpa.org or by calling 608-255-9946.
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| The MWFPA Bulletin is underwritten in part by Bug Blocker Doors & Screens | | |
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MN Special Election Results | |
Two Minneapolis seats in the House and Senate were filled by DFLers Susan Allen and Kari Dziedzic in a special election.
Allen, who was vying for south Minneapolis House District 61B, won the seat with about 56 percent of the vote, beating out Nate Blumenshine who garnered about 43 percent of the vote.
Dziedzic won the Senate District 59 race in northeast Minneapolis, beating out Republican candidate Ben Schwanke with about 80 percent of the vote.
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WI Begins Changing Meat Inspection Rules | |
WI Gov. Scott Walker has authorized the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to begin the process of changing the state law governing meat inspections. The process will incorporate new federal regulations into state law allowing meat from state-inspected meat plants to cross state lines.
The change would allow Wisconsin's specialty meat plants to sell their products across state lines for the first time, expanding their markets and boosting rural economies.
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WI to Reconsider Nanotech Recommendations | |
The WI Joint Legislative Council, which establishes study committees to examine major issues and problems identified by the WI Legislature, will reconsider recommendations regarding the development of nanotechnology in the state.
Last May the Council voted down two measures developed by its nanotechnology committee. The first would have established a nanotechnology information hub within the University of Wisconsin-Extension to promote the development of nanotechnology businesses. The second bill would have established an inter-agency nanotechnology council designed to share information on nanotechnology and to coordinate state activities related to the field.
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Ruffalo Named to MWFPA Board | |
Gregg Ruffalo, owner and president of Plainfield Trucking Inc., has been named to the Midwest Food Processors Association Board of Directors.
Gregg has served on MWFPA's Associate Member Committee which is charged with fostering growth and business relationships within the food industry in the Midwest. He is also a member of MWFPA's Illinois Legislative Committee which monitors legislative activity affecting the food processing industry in that state.
Outside of MWFPA, Gregg served on the Plainfield Village board and with the Volunteer Fire Department. His company specializes in volume movement of snap beans, sweet corn, potatoes, carrots and other commodities. Congratulations Gregg!
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Collins to Head Food Science & Technology Committee | | |
Mark Collins, senior manager of regulatory affairs and quality systems for McCain Foods, USA, has been selected to chair MWFPA's Food Science & Technology Committee. The committee addresses food quality and safety issues.
Mark replaces Paul Quitno of Del Monte Foods who is retiring after 39 years with the company. Congratulations Paul on your retirement and thank you for your many years of service on the committee!
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2011 MWFPA Convention Survey Results | | |
MWFPA members consider legislative and regulatory advocacy, in addition to networking and influencing public opinion about food manufacturing, to be extremely important, according to a survey conducted at the 2011 annual convention and processing crops conference.
The survey was intended to gauge how satisfied MWFPA members are with their association and where they thought the organization ought to focus in the coming year. About 12% of convention attendees took part in the survey which was available on the convention floor.
Those responding indicated their overwhelming satisfaction with association events/activities and the value those efforts added to their membership. Both processor and associate members ranked food safety and government regulation as their top concerns.
Full results from the survey are available by contacting Brian Elliott at 608-255-9946 or brian.elliott@mwfpa.org.
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In Memoriam | | |
The MWFPA was saddened to learn of the passing of Sig Wulff. Sig began working for the Friday Canning Co. in New Richmond, WI in 1974. He retired In 2002, after 28 years with the company's field department. The MWFPA extends its deepest sympathy to Sig's family.
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Register Now for Food Processors Safety/Expo | | |
Don't miss out on this great opportunity for safety and health conscious individuals to gather and learn from experts and peers on how to best address today's safety, health and compliance issues.
This year's Food Processor Safety Conference takes place at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, WI Feburary 15-16, 2012.
The conference is sponsored by the Midwest Food Processors Association and Kikkoman Foods in association with the Wisconsin Safety Council and the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.
The hottest safety topics affecting the food processing industry will be covered. Session topics include an OSHA Update; Understanding and Respecting the Hazardous Properties of Combustible Dusts; How to Avoid Common Mistakes in Workers' Compensation Cases; A Fresh Look at 5-S and Other Lean Initiatives under FSMA; and OSHA Compliance - What's Needed, What's Not. The session formats allow time for a thorough understanding of each subject; in addition to questions and answers. For more information and registration materials, click here.
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MWFPA 2011 Annual Report Available Online | | |
MWFPA's 2011 annual report is now available for online viewing or download.
To view a copy online, click on the image at right. The report provides a snapshot of MWFPA's 2011 successes and highlights the many services provided by MWFPA over the year.
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Dues Reminder | | |
 Just a friendly reminder to remit your 2012 membership dues. Invoices were sent out November 15 and were due the first week in January. Don't miss out on all of the exciting MWFPA events coming up this year! Thanks to all of you who have sent in your payment. We look forward to working with you. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss your membership, please contact Robin Fanshaw at 608.255.9946 or robin.fanshaw@mwfpa.org.
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FDA Forms Alliance on Food Safety | |
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - in cooperation with the Illinois Institute of Technology's Institute for Food Safety and Health (IIT IFSH) - has created the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance (FSPCA).
The alliance will help corporations adhere to the new requirements under the Food Safety Modernization Act and will develop training modules, a technical assistance network, guidelines for specific industries, and identify gaps in knowledge and research for preventive control measures. They will also develop "train-the-trainer" documents and materials, and establish a distance training portal at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Purnendu C. Vasavada, Professor of Food Science, University of Wisconsin River Falls and MWFPA Food Science & Technology Committee member, has been named FSPCA coordinator. Glenn Black, director of science operations, food protection at the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) will chair the FSPCA steering and executive committee.
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Food Processor Sought for Wastewater Project | |
Agri Processing Services, LLC (APS) is seeking non-meat-based food processing companies interested in participating in a USDA-funded SBIR Phase II field project titled "Diversion From Land Disposal Of Nutrients Recovered From Non-MPP Processing Plant Wastewater To Value-Added Use In Multi-Species Feed Rations".
Selected food processing facilities would grant access to their processing/waste water flows for an expected period of up to 90 days to allow APS to utilize a specialty treatment process to recover nutrient-dense food byproducts.
Organizations interested in learning more about this opportunity are asked to contact Nick George at MWFPA, or Timm Ortman at APS (317.663.4222;tortman@agriproserv.com) or www.agriproserv.com.
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| MWFPA Calendar of Events | |
February 15-16, 2012: Seventh Annual Food Processors Safety Conference/Expo, Wisconsin Dells, WI, Kalahari Resort. A great opportunity for safety and health conscious individuals to gather and learn from experts and peers how best to address today's safety, health and compliance issues. For more details, click here.
June 6 & 7, 2012: MWFPA Spring Summit and Scramble, Trappers Turn Golf Course, Wisconsin Dells, WI. Save the date and join us for our Member's only golf outing and Spring meetings. November 27-29, 2012: MWFPA 108th Annual Convention and 85th Annual Processing Crops Conference, Madison, WI, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. 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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| MWFPA Educational Opportunities | |
January 30-February 1 2012: Introduction to Food Chilling and Freezing. Pyle Center, 702 Langdon Street, Madison, WI. Designed for those needing a better understanding of both the science and technologies for food chilling and freezing, this course is an opportunity to focus on the subjects' most important principles and practices. For more information or to register, click here.
February 21-23 2012: GMA's 2012 Food Claims & Litigation Conference, Dana Point, Calif. Learn how to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of food related litigation, defend against unfounded product liability claims and protect your company's reputation with insights from the top in-house counsel and private practice attorneys in the food, beverage and consumer products industry. For more information click here.
March 5-8 2012: Better Process Control School, Union South, University of Wisconsin, 1308 W. Dayton Street, Madison, WI. This FDA- and USDA-approved program covers core areas of microbiology, thermal process principles, food plant sanitation, food container handling, record keeping and instrumentation; covers processing systems important to the industry: still retorts (steam and overpressure), continuous retorts, discontinuous agitating retorts, hydrostatic retorts; and also covers packaging systems widely used in the industry: aseptic systems, retortable flexible containers, glass closures, and metal closures. For more information, an enrollment form and link to online registration, visit www.foodsafety.wisc.edu.
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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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