NAMA News November 2009
Inside this Issue
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NAMA food security team visits Africa
NAMA members, Rod Geiger, President of Bartlett Milling Company and Greg Schlafer, VP of General Mills, joined NAMA consultant Paul Green on a food security mission to South Africa, Malawi and Zimbabwe in early November. Rod, who is Chairman of the International Trade Committee and Greg, who is a member of the Executive Committee, made their first visit to Africa as part of the ITC’s strategy to have active consultations with the PVOs (Private Voluntary Organizations) that carry out food aid distributions using NAMA produced grain food products. With the global emphasis on new resources for agricultural development and food security in developing countries, this was an opportunity to engage the PVOs on the role in-kind food aid can play in food security interventions.
General Mills Foundation’s partnership with CARE on food security projects, including irrigation projects in Malawi and technical transfer projects with small sector grain processors in Africa, presented the team with a rare opportunity to enter into a dialogue on food security with the development groups as a partner, rather than as a vendor. Both in Malawi and with World Food Program’s regional office in South Africa, this subtlety led to a more open and welcoming discussion. The team feels this is because the development groups are seeking both more effectiveness of current programs and new resources/partners for possible new activities in food industry development.
NAMA’s methyl bromide petition approved
At the recent United Nations Environmental Program meeting in Egypt, NAMA’s petition for continued use of methyl bromide under the Critical Use Exemption (CUE) process was approved in full. NAMA members will be able to use the fumigant at least until the end of 2011. In August, NAMA Vice President Jim Bair submitted another CUE petition for use of methyl bromide through 2012. The USDA, the EPA and the State Department will review the 66-page petition before sending it to the United Nations in January.
BRC holding seminar for NAMA members
On January 19 and 20 BRC (British Retail Consortium) will hold a seminar at the Marriott Kansas City Overland Park, KS, for NAMA members. Increasingly, customers are requesting that mills acquire Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification—BRC Global Standard for Food Safety is an approved GFSI food safety program. John Kukoly, BRC’s North American representative, will be giving an in-depth review of how to implement the BRC standard in facilities. The program will focus on the scope and structure of the standard; individual clauses within the standard; interpretation and guidelines; and report writing and dealing with non-conformities. Course participants will receive a copy of the BRC Standard, and the BRC Implementation Guide. At the conclusion of the two-day seminar a test and certification will be given.
The seminar has already generated a lot of interest. If you would like to participate please contact NAMA’s administrative assistant Jenni Weems, 202.484.2200 x17 or e-mail at jweems@namamillers.org.
CME proposes variable storage rate for CBOT wheat contract
NAMA submitted comments to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) detailing concern over the CME Group’s new proposal to implement a variable storage rate (VSR) for its wheat contract. The letter stated, “NAMA is not convinced the VSR will force convergence in that contract as its proponents believe. In fact, it can be argued the VSR will only benefit the owner of deliverable grain storage to the detriment of those using futures as a legitimate long hedging tool of risk management.”
NAMA also suggested that if the proposal is approved, it be implemented in a deferred contract month where open interest is minimal—such as May 2010, July 2010, or September 2010. The CFTC has approved the implementation of variable storage rates (VSR) for the Chicago wheat contract, effective with the July 2010 contract. To view the comments, please visit http://www.namamillers.org/NewsArchives09/VSR111309.html.
Vilsack calls for more whole grains in child nutrition programs
The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry held a hearing on the Reauthorization of the U.S. Child Nutrition Programs at which Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack outlined three priority areas:
- Ensure all children eligible for Federal meal programs are receiving them by reducing barriers and increasing accessibility and participation.
- Improve the nutrition quality of programs by including more fruits, vegetables and whole grains; eliminating unhealthy foods; and setting a national standard for the nutritional value of all food served in schools.
- Modernize and improve the integrity of the programs.
Vilsack went on to say that children are eating too many refined grains and not enough whole grains. Other initiatives discussed include the elimination of vending machines and a la carte menus.
Urban wheat field set for September 2010
The Wheat Foods Council will be hosting its second urban wheat field on September 23-24, 2010. The event will take place on the National Mall in Washington, DC, in conjunction with the National Book Fair. The first urban wheat field was held last year in New York City and consisted of a live wheat field approximately one quarter acre in size. The purpose of the program is to educate the public on the journey of wheat—from farm to fork. Exhibits include a full-size combine, functioning mill, bread-baking station, and nutrition lab.
Climate change legislation concerns
A coalition of food, feed, ingredient, beverage, and consumer product processors, manufacturers, distributors, and retailers sent a letter to Chairwoman Boxer and Ranking Member Inhofe of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee regarding climate change legislation’s potential impact on the cost of food, feed, and household products. NAMA is a signatory to the letter. The letter states, “Congress should take care to avoid adverse impacts on food security, prices, and accessibility.”
The three main issues that the coalition feels need to be modified are:
- Allowances – The legislation should provide allowances to the manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of food, feed, and household products due to their vulnerability to indirect costs passed through by suppliers.
- Preemption – The legislation should preempt EPA regulation under the Clean Air Act as well as state and regional climate change programs.
- Offsets – The legislation should include an offset scheme that balances the need for affordable offsets with the need for productive land.
Northern Crops Institute opens new milling center
The Northern Crops Institute (NCI) opened its new hard wheat and durum swing mill and Milling Center for Grains, Pulses, and Oilseeds in a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 24th. The goal of the project is to provide pilot-scale flour milling capability to improve northern grown wheat quality and increase utilization through educational programs and technical service. NCI, located on the campus of North Dakota State University, supports regional agriculture and value-added processing by conducting educational and technical programs.
Conference calendar
2010 Division Meetings, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
W Fort Lauderdale
March 20-23, 2010
2010 Corn Dry Milling Conference, Peoria, IL
May 19-20, 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
2012 Division Meetings, Naples, FL
Naples Grande Beach Resort
March 10-13, 2012
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