Important: The majority of ABA staff will be traveling/on-site for the 2011 ABA Convention from Fri. March 26 - Thurs. March 31. The ABA office in Washington, D.C. will remain open with limited staff.

The ABA office will be closed Fri. April 1.    

ABA's Combustible Dust Resource Guide Available
The ABA Safety Committee's combustible dust resource guide  is available for the membership, "Avoiding Combustible Dust Hazards in Commercial Bakeries: A Resource Guide." Combustible dust is a hazard that may present the possibility of hazards to employees in the baking industry and many other industry sectors. This tool provides bakers with background information and key outside resources developed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that should be helpful in developing an effective corporate program.  

>Download the Resource Guide

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the American Bakers Association (ABA) urged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to increase sugar imports to address supply concerns shared by the baking industry.  "Sugar supplies are at dangerously low levels," said Robb MacKie, ABA president and CEO.  "Bakers continue to face skyrocketing input costs.  With recent news of food inflation hitting record highs, now is the time to eliminate politics from the supply of a key baking ingredient."

> Read the Press Release

A broad and diverse coalition of business associations, taxpayer advocates, hunger and development organizations, agricultural groups, free-market groups, religious organizations, environmental groups, budget hawks, and public interest organizations sent a letter applauding Senators Coburn (R-OK) and Cardin (D-MD) for reaching across the aisle to introduce bi-partisan legislation to end the refundable Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC). This tax credit subsidizes the blending of corn-based ethanol into gasoline. The legislation, if enacted immediately, would save taxpayers nearly $4 billion during the remainder of 2011.

Click here to read the statements from members of the coalition and the letter itself.  

Statement from ABA President & CEO Robb MacKie
"The American Bakers Association (ABA) commends Senators Coburn (R-OK) and Cardin (D-MD) for reaching across the aisle to introduce bi-partisan legislation to end the refundable Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit (VEETC). After thirty years of government subsidies and mandates, it is time for ethanol to leave the nest and fly on its own."

Reminder! ELDC to Meet During ABA Convention

The ABA Executive Leadership Development Committee (ELDC) will hold its annual planning meeting during the ABA Convention on March 27 from 4:15-5:15p.m. ELDC works to expand the future leadership of the wholesale baking industry and ABA by bringing together executives in a forum which informs attendees on industry trends; encourages participation in public policy discussions, the political process and its impact on the industry; educates participants on the role of ABA and its activities; and develops personal leadership, ethical and management skills. Join ELDC at this important meeting where the 2011 ELDC Public Policy Forum, Sept. 22-23, Washington, D.C. Contact Kelly Knowles for additional information at 202-536-8236 or kknowles@americanbakers.org

Today's volatility in the wheat market represents millions of dollars daily in undue financial risk. The markets have been overrun by index funds, causing prices to rise and fall in dramatic fashion. It wasn't too long ago when the wheat markets were effective hedging tools for bakers, but now wheat is treated as just another asset class for buy and hold index funds. 

ABA invites you to take action today to urge the CFTC to support rules enforcing contract limits on index funds. This action will greatly diminish the influence of the funds in the wheat market and reduce market volatility. 

TAKE ACTION - Urge the CFTC to Implement Contract Limits on Index Funds!

 

Energy & Environment Committee Meeting Registration Now Open!

The Energy & Environment Committee will meet May 10-11, 2011 at the ABA office in Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, May 10
Committee Meeting (1:00-5:00pm)
Group Dinner (6:00pm)
Wednesday, May 11
Committee Meeting (8:30am - 3:30 pm)
Program details coming soon!

• NEW! Register Online (Login/Passwords were sent to all EEC members March 9 by Kelly Kotche.)
• Register with the traditional PDF form

Please note: we are transitioning from paper to online registration. We appreciate your patience as we work through the challenges. If you experience technical difficulties or have comments, please e-mail info@americanbakers.org  or call the ABA office at (202) 789-0300.