NAMA News January 2008

Farm Bill update
NAMA has been engaged in the Farm Bill debate for more than two years, and also taken a position on more of its provisions than in any previous Farm Bill. With both the House and Senate versions passed, House and Senate Agriculture Committee staff are trying to resolve as many differences as possible as they prepare for the principals to meet in conference. Senate conferees are Tom Harkin (D-IA), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Kent Conrad (D-ND), Max Baucus (D-MT), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Richard Lugar (R-IN), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Pat Roberts (R-KS), and Charles Grassley (R-IA). House conferees are expected to be named any day.

NAMA staff is meeting with Capitol Hill staff to present NAMA’s position on the provisions of interest to us. They include support programs for oats and competing crops (staff lead Jim Bair), a grain pilot program (staff lead Betsy Faga), food aid (staff leads Paul Green and Jane DeMarchi) and research (staff lead Jane DeMarchi).

A comparative chart summarizing the current law, House version, Senate version, and NAMA position on each of the four provisions is on NAMA’s web site at http://www.namamillers.org/word/FarmBillComparison2008.doc.

Please contact the appropriate staff member if you have any questions on the provisions.

Food facilities exempt from DHS chemical regulations
for fumigation chemicals
NAMA’s engagement in countless meetings and collaboration with other agricultural organizations resulted in a determination by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that food facilities do not need to submit a Top Screen to the Department for fumigation chemicals per an indefinite extension announced by DHS prior to Christmas. However, mills that store chlorine (over 500 pounds) or propane (over 60,000 pounds) or other chemicals on the Appendix A chemicals of interest list will still need to register and submit a Top Screen. The deadline to complete the Top Screen was January 22, 2008.

DHS determined that agricultural facilities that use chemicals for the treatment of crops, feed, land, or livestock would receive an extension (until further notice) to complete the Top Screen. For more information, members can contact Jane DeMarchi, Director of Government Relations, 202.484.2200, ext. 13 or jdemarchi@namamillers.org

NAMA members get assistance in communicating
source of ingredients to customers
The occurrence of adulterated ingredients coming from China has manufacturers asking questions about the source of the ingredients used in their products, including products processed by the dry milling industry. In response to this concern, NAMA’s Technical and Executive Committees approved a document that is designed to assist members in answering their customers’ questions about the source of their ingredients. The document is a questionnaire which can be sent to ingredient suppliers and covers traceability, standards, testing protocols, certification programs, audits, certificates of analysis, and product integrity. For more information, members can contact Jane DeMarchi, Director of Government Relations, 202.484.2200, ext. 13 or jdemarchi@namamillers.org.

Ag groups concerned about standard for sustainability
proposed by Leonardo Academy
In a letter sent to the Leonardo Academy, NAMA, and numerous other ag groups, expressed strong concern about the process used to establish the proposed American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Draft Standard for Sustainable Agriculture. The groups took exception with a number of provisions in the draft and expressed concern that the ANSI process was not followed and critical stakeholders were not involved. To read the letter, go to http://www.namamillers.org/word/ANSIstandard.doc.

President’s food safety program needs more funding
In a letter signed by NAMA and other ag groups, the agriculture community declared that the Bush Administration’s food safety program, Food Protection Plan and Import Safety Working Group Plan, needs significantly more funding to be effective. The group encouraged the Administration to make significant new resources available in the FY09 budget submission for food protection at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and at USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service. The group submits, in the twenty years from 1986 to 2006, the FDA budget has not been increased adequately to provide for the new demands on food and feed safety and inspection. To read the letter in its entirety, go to http://www.namamillers.org/word/foodsafety08.doc.

NAMA attends Schafer swearing in ceremony
NAMA president Betsy Faga attended the swearing in ceremony of Edward T. Schafer as the new U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. President Bush spoke at the ceremony and Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner administered the oath of office. At a reception following the ceremony, Betsy had an opportunity to introduce herself and NAMA to the Secretary and Mrs. Schafer.

Ag group requests flexibility in CRP contracts
Within the first few days in his new position, The Alliance for Agricultural Growth and Competitiveness, of which NAMA is a member, sent a letter to Secretary Schafer familiarizing him with the group’s position on the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP).

In short, members of the group support penalty-free early releases to contract holders in the CRP allowing for the flexibility to respond to market driven needs, such as the growing demand for corn, in a timely manner. To read the letter in its entirety, go to http://www.namamillers.org/pdf/AAGC_Schafer.pdf.

EPA expects to terminate review of DDVP use
In December, the Environmental Protection Agency announced its intention to terminate its special review of DDVP, aka dichlorvos, aka Vapona. Reviews of DDVP began in 1987 when the principal use of DDPV was in Shell no-pest strips. EPA has determined that health effects are no longer of concern. The announcement was in the December 21, 2007 Federal Register, Volume 72, Number 245. When the review of DDVP is terminated, the compound will be available for continued use by millers.

NAMA requests comment period prior to change
in food aid payment terms
In a letter sent to Dr. Mark Keenum, Undersecretary of Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service/USDA, NAMA requested the agency first consider comments from the public before changing payment terms for food aid shipments. For the past several years, the Farm Service Agency’s Commodity Operations (DACO) has been considering altering the payment terms of food aid shipments. The proposed changes could delay payment to the vendors thereby increasing costs to the U.S. and decreasing the amount of food delivered to some of the most needy people. NAMA contends that such a major change to the program warrants comment from interested parties prior to implementation. To read the letter in its entirety, go to http://www.namamillers.org/pdf/NAMAKeenumFAR.pdf.

NAMA president Betsy Faga speaks at
Canadian Wheat Growers Convention
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association invited NAMA president Betsy Faga to speak at their 38th Annual Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Faga presented, “Trends in Wheat Milling.” The presentation included a profile of the industry, trends in trade, competitiveness, technological developments, transportation costs, food safety, border issues, regulatory issues, and biotech wheat. A copy of the presentation is on NAMA's web site at http://www.namamillers.org/powerpoint/WCWG_01_08.ppt.

GFF/MOD folic acid seal gains nation-wide media attention
NBC has picked up the joint Grain Foods Foundation (GFF), March of Dimes (MOD) news release Folic Acid for a Healthy Pregnancy.

In celebration of the 10 year anniversary of folic acid fortification and in an effort to promote increased consumption of folic acid among women of childbearing age, the MOD and the GFF created a new Folic Acid for a Healthy Pregnancy seal. The seal is designed to help women quickly and easily identify foods rich in folic acid at retail. Approval for use of the seal has been given by the March of Dimes to a number of bread manufacturers and two millers – 21st Century Grain Processing and North Dakota Mill & Elevator.

The news has reached 2,420,272 viewers across the country including Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Kansas City and Los Angeles. Most of the coverage/video intros are as follows:

Women of childbearing age will soon have an easy way to identify foods that may help their unborn child. The March of Dimes, in conjunction with the Grain Foods Foundation, has started placing labels on packages of bread that contain folic acid. Since 1998 certain foods have been enriched with folic acid and the number of newborn defects has gone down. However, research shows only 12-percent of women of childbearing age know folic acid should be consumed before pregnancy. Experts at the March of Dimes hope the new seal will increase consumption of folic acid by pregnant women. So far eight brands of bread have qualified to carry the seal but representatives for the Grain Foods Foundation say that number should increase. Experts recommend women get 400 micrograms of folic acid every day.

To read the Associated Press coverage, go to http://www.namamillers.org/pdf/AssociatedPress.pdf. WebMD also posted an article in the Women’s Health section which receives nearly 800,000 unique monthly visitors. Read the article at http://www.namamillers.org/pdf/WebMD.pdf. Kim Painter ran an article in her Your Health column in USA Today, the most widely read newspaper in the country reaching more than 5,000,000 readers. Read the article at http://www.namamillers.org/pdf/USAToday012108.pdf.

Dr. Dirk Maier named Head of the Department
of Grain Science and Industry at KSU
Dr. Dirk Maier has been named Head of the Department of Grain Science and Industry at Kansas State University effective April 1, 2008. Dirk has been Associate Head of the Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering at Purdue University. Read Dr. Maier’s vitae at http://www.namamillers.org/pdf/Maier-ShortVita.pdf. A special thanks to the members of NAMA’s Kansas State Committee that were active in the selection process. They are:

Breck Barton, Cereal Food Processors, Inc.
Steve Curran, General Mills, Inc.
Mark Kolkhorst, ADM Milling Company
Randy Marten, Miller Milling Company
Scott Martin, ConAgra Mills
Lynn Rundle, 21st Century Century Grain Processing Company
Vance Taylor, North Dakota Mill & Elevator

HBA presents workshop to Camp Fire USA directors
The Home Baking Association (HBA) presented a 90-minute workshop, Reality Food Network for Camps and Clubs at the Scarritt-Bennett Center, Nashville, TN. 125 directors and staff members attended the conference. Camp Fire USA camps and clubs reach over 750,000 youth across the U.S.

Soft Wheat Quality Lab to host research review conference
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Soft Wheat Quality Laboratory and the American Association of Cereal Chemists International are hosting the 55th Research Review Conference on March 12, 2008. The conference is being held at the Shisler Conference Center, Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center in Wooster, OH.

The registration fee is $85.00. Register before February 25. For more information, phone 330.263.3984 or e-mail to meera.kweon@ars.usda.gov.

Ingredients Workshop hosted by the Food Processing Center
An Introduction to Ingredients and Ingredient Functionality: A Workshop for Ingredient Suppliers, Marketing Specialists & Product Development Managers is being hosted by The Food Processing Center at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln May 13-15, 2008.

The workshop will provide industry professionals with a basic understanding of functionality of major ingredient classes (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and water). Hands-on activities will highlight the functionality of starches, fibers & sweeteners in corn snacks; the role of various ingredients in extending tortilla shelf life; flavors and food colors in ice-cream products; and the functionality of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates in processed meat products.

Register on-line at http://fpc.unl.edu/workshops/ingredients.shtml. Please contact Nina Murray at nmurray2@unl.edu or 402.472.2816 with questions.

NAMA in the news
Methyl bromide available to CUE holders for 2008
World-Grain.com
January 15, 2008

Conference calendar
2008 Division Meetings, Palm Coast, FL
The Club at Hammock Beach
Visit the resort's web site at http://www.hammockbeach.com
March 15-18, 2008

49th Corn Dry Milling Conference
Peoria, IL
May 29-30, 2008
May 28, 2008 NAMA memb

2008 Annual Meeting, Lake Tahoe, NV
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe
Visit the resort's web site at http://laketahoe.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp
September 25-27, 2008

2009 Division Meetings, Ft. Myers, FL
Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa
Visit the resort's web site at http://www.sanibel-resort.com
March 21-24, 2009

2009 Annual Meeting, Washington, DC
Sofitel Lafayette Square Hotel
Visit the hotel's web site at http://www.sofitel.com/sofitel/fichehotel/gb/sof/3293/fiche_hotel.shtml
October 19-21, 2009

2010 Division Meetings, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
W Fort Lauderdale
Visit the resort's web site at http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1522
March 20-23, 2010

Since the Last Newsletter
Members who would like to review the activities of NAMA staff during the past month go to http://www.namamillers.org/mbr_SLN_01_30_08.cfm.

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