NAMA News June 2009
Inside this Issue
|
Corn millers celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Corn Dry Milling Conference. Pictured left to right are conference planning committee members Don Sullins, ADM Milling Company; Dave Kendra, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research; Bruce Roskens, PepsiCo/Quaker Foods; Robert Harper, Hopkinsville Milling Company, committee chair; Keith Smith, Cargill Corn Milling; and Will Duensing, consultant (retired from Bunge Milling, Inc. and former planning committee member). |
USDA reopens comment period on Syngenta amylase corn
In January the coalition of NAMA, National Grain and Feed Association, and North American Export Grain Association submitted comments to USDA regarding Syngenta’s petition to go to full commercial production of its amylase corn in 2010. The amylase corn is intended specifically for ethanol production. The coalition requested USDA suspend consideration of the Syngenta petition until the company presents information necessary to assess the impact of the corn on food, feed and processing. On June 4 USDA announced that more than 13,000 public comments were received and the comment period for Syngenta amylase corn was reopened for an additional 30 days.
The announcement rejected coalition comments on the basis that “enzymes cannot be plant pests (regulated) because they are not living.” The coalition of corn processors, handlers and exporters continues to work vigorously on the issue.
Growers, millers and bakers push for
additional federal funding of ag research
NAMA, the National Wheat Improvement Committee, the National Association of Wheat Growers, the National Barley Improvement Committee, and the American Bakers Association sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Appropriations asking for increased funding of agriculture research in the FY2010 budget. New technology is necessary to meet challenges facing the nation’s food, fiber, and energy supplies. Challenges include emerging diseases, food safety concerns, and pressures from society to produce ample food for growing world populations with fewer resources.
House approves budget for FY2010 food
and agriculture programs
FY2010 spending levels for food and agriculture programs were approved by the House of Representatives’ Agriculture Appropriations Committee as follows:
- $1.7 billion for PL 480 Title II, an increase of $464 million;
- $2.35 billion for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an increase of $299 million ($134 million of the increase goes to food related activities). FDA will receive nearly $3 billion when user fees are included;
- $160.6 million for the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), an increase of $14.6 million; and
- $7.54 billion for WIC (USDA’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children), an increase of $681 million.
Proposed food-feed safety legislation
could cause market disruptions
NAMA signed on to a letter outlining industry concerns regarding H.R. 2749, the food safety bill passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee. Industry concerns include broad new powers given to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate the entire spectrum of the agricultural and food system – from farms to the final retail establishment – in many cases without appropriate thresholds or accountability. The agricultural and agri-business associations who signed the letter strongly urged that these deficiencies be corrected during full committee markup.
In a separate letter, the ag groups stressed that Congress and FDA need to be cognizant of potential significant trade disruptions and retaliation that may result if the federal government adopts requirements or imposes conditions on imported products that undermine a foreign country’s sovereignty or which the United States would not want to see imposed on U.S. firms by foreign trading partners. Congress needs to ensure that any legislation complies fully with U.S. obligations under the World Trade Organization.
Karnal bunt does not affect food quality
NAMA submitted comments on a proposed change to the area in which wheat can be grown without Karnal bunt restrictions. NAMA supports amending the Karnal bunt regulations to remove certain areas or fields in Riverside County, CA from the list of regulated areas. However, the rule does not go far enough. NAMA said the U.S. is the world leader in the elimination of unnecessary and unscientific sanitary and phytosanitary regulations that only serve to restrict trade. Therefore, the U.S. must work with export customers to educate them about the insignificance of Karnal bunt with the goal of eliminating all Karnal bunt-based regulations as soon as possible.
Karnal bunt is a wheat disease of only minor agronomic importance, and in most circumstances is of little or no consequence from a food quality standpoint. Read NAMA’s comments in their entirety at http://www.namamillers.org/NewsArchives09/Karnal_Bunt_0609.html.
NAMA tells OSHA flour dust is not a sensitizer
NAMA and the American Bakers Association (ABA) have expressed concerns regarding a California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CalOSHA) proposal that classifies flour dust as a sensitizer. In an effort to provide up to date information regarding flour dust thresholds, NAMA and ABA sent a letter to the CalOSHA reiterating the results of a 2000 study the associations funded that concluded, “the scientific evidence does not provide a basis for control of exposure at specific thresholds, particularly exposure to flour dust for purposes of preventing or limiting flour allergen sensitization and other work-related effects.” Specifically, the letter explained the proposed medical surveillance provisions could have significant capital and administrative impact on both the baking and milling industries.
NAMA and NCAUR celebrate the 50th anniversary
of the Corn Dry Milling Conference
NAMA and the Center for Agricultural Utilization Research celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Corn Dry Milling Conference in Peoria, IL. The conference has been meeting at the research center in Peoria since its inception. A special presentation was given by Will Duensing, consultant (retired from Bunge Milling) and Harry Frost, Cargill Dry Corn Milling. The gentlemen reflected on the long history of the conference.
Also on the program were the following presentations:
- NCAUR Carb Research & History, Paul Sebesta, Cereal Products & Food Science Research
- Endophytes, Anthony Glenn, Mycotoxin Research
- Development of Fungicides for Field Crop & Their Impact on Grain Yield & Quality, Eric Tedford, Syngenta Crop Protection
- What is the Perfect Hybrid, David Barnes, Bunge Milling, Inc.
- History of Corn Dry Milling Conference, Harry Frost, Cargill Dry Corn Milling & Will Duensing, Consultant
- Update on CODEX Committee on Contaminants in Foods & Proposed EU Regulations for Fumonisins, David Kendra, Mycotoxin Research
- The Importance of Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) Program for US Seed Companies, Walter Trevisan, Monsanto
- Economic Impact of Traits on the Seed Corn Industry, Tom Hoegemeyer, Hoegemeyer Hybrids
- Future of White Corn, Andrew Lein, Global Risk Management Corp.
- How to Feed the World, Stephanie Curs, Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture
- Farm Report, Steve Freed, ADM Investor Services, Inc.
Faga elected chair of Wheat Foods Council
Betsy Faga, NAMA president, was elected chairman of the Wheat Foods Council at the organization’s Board of Directors meeting held June 23-25 in Portland, Oregon. She succeeds Hans Hayden who represents the Idaho Wheat Commission. Other elected officers are David Moore, Texas Wheat Commission, Vice Chair and Debi Rogers, AIB, Treasurer. Betsy has represented NAMA on the WFC Board of Directors for eleven years. The Council finalized its public relations plan for the next two years. In 2009-2010 the Urban Wheat Field will be brought to life online when visitors will virtually experience the “farm to fork” process of growing wheat and making it into a finished product. In 2010-2011 the Urban Wheat Field will be recreated in Washington, DC. The Board of Directors accepted the resignation of the WFC president Marcia Scheideman for personal reasons and will be undertaking a strategic planning session in the fall that will inform the Council’s search for a qualified leader.
HBA participates in the National Festival of Breads Contest
The Home Baking Association participated in the National Festival of Breads Contest the last week in June in Wichita, KS. Attendees included 4-H youth and leaders; family and consumer science educators and students; parents and families; and many others.
Sharon Davis, HBA Staff, presented two 60-minute workshops "A Baker's Dozen Breads from One" attended by several hundred of all ages. Results of a baking survey will be featured in the summer issue of the HBA newsletter.
4-H agent receives the 2009 HBA Educator Award
Congratulations to Dena Kemmet, Mercer County Extension, 4-H Agent Youth Development in Beulah, North Dakota who received the 2009 Home Baking Association Educator Award. Dena’s award winning entry “4-H Introduction through Baking Class” will be presented at the HBA Annual Meeting October 2009 in Nashville, TN. The Honorable Mention Award went to Renee Dickson, FACS Teacher in Claysville, PA for “Creating the Perfect Pastry.”
In Memory
It is with great sadness that NAMA advises you of the passing of Ray Clark’s mother and sister. Ray Clark is an alternate for Hopkinsville Milling Company on NAMA’s Board of Directors and a regular attendee at the Division Meeting. Ray’s mother Elizabeth Scott Clark, 80, passed away on May 31. She was the owner of Scotts Auburn Mills and Ray served as president. The mill was purchased by Hopkinsville Milling Company in 2002. Clark’s sister Joan Clark Morgan, 48, passed away on May 30. Funeral services were conducted jointly in early June.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Ray and Paula Clark, Hopkinsville Milling Company, PO Box 669, Hopkinsville, KY 42241-0669.
Conference calendar
2009 Annual Meeting, Washington, DC
Sofitel Lafayette Square Hotel
October 19-21, 2009
2010 Division Meetings, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
W Fort Lauderdale
March 20-23, 2010
2010 Annual Meeting, Del Mar, CA
L'Auberge Del Mar Resort
October 14-16, 2010
2011 Division Meetings, Marco Island, FL
Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort & Spa
March 12-14, 2011
Back to Top