• Milling Science and Operations Committee Chairman Visits KSU
• NAMA Urges Continuation of SCAB Funding
• NAMA Hosts Visit from Japan Flour Millers Association
• Coalition Opposes GM Labeling Legislation
• NAMA and Syngenta Meet to Discuss Wheat Quality
• Administration Continues Push for Local, Regional Food Aid Change

Milling Science and Operations Committee Chairman Visits K-State

Chairman of NAMA’s Milling Science and Operations Committee Tom Rogers, Wilkins Rogers Mills and NAMA vice president Jim Bair, represented NAMA at an April 25 meeting of Kansas State University’s Grain Science Advisory Council. While in Manhattan, they also observed a milling science lecture presented by Fran Churchill, NAMA Instructor of Milling. In addition to funding the milling instructor position, NAMA also funds scholarships for milling science students. The 2012-13 recipient of the NAMA scholarship is Austin Bergeron. The NAMA funds at K-State will generate enough income to sponsor two milling science scholarships in 2013-14.  

(Pictured left to right: Jim Bair, NAMA Vice President; Fran Churchill, NAMA Instructor of Milling; Austin Bergeron, NAMA Scholarship Recipient; Tom Rogers, Chairman, Milling Science and Operations Committee, Wilkins Rogers Mills.)

NAMA Urges Continuation of SCAB Funding

This week NAMA sent letters to House and Senate Appropriators strongly urging them to keep funding the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative (USWBSI).  The President’s FY 2014 budget terminates $4.71 million (post-FY 2013 sequester) in USDA’s Agriculture Research Service (ARS) funding and redirects the monies to non-scab ARS research programs in a few states. While significant progress has been made through the USWBSI, the continuing threat posed by scab in its typical impact areas in the East, Midwest and South is a reminder that vigilance is still necessary.

To view the letter sent to the House and Senate Appropriators, follow this link:

http://www.namamillers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SCAB-Letter.pdf

NAMA Hosts Visit from Japan Flour Millers Association

In what has become an annual tradition, NAMA hosted members of the Japan Flour Millers Association in the NAMA office May 3. NAMA vice president Jim Bair gave a presentation highlighting NAMA’s top priorities including food safety, changing crop patterns and biotechnology. Also speaking were Christine Cochrane, Grain Foods Foundation (GFF), who discussed the GFF response to low/no gluten fad diets and Lee Sanders, American Bakers Association who discussed bakers’ priorities.

(Pictured: Members of the 2013 Japanese Milling Executive Team visiting the NAMA office included: Tsunetaka Honda, President, Nippon Flour Mills Co., Ltd.; Masaaki Kadota, Executive Director, Flour Millers Association; Kazuhiko Niitsuma, Managing Director, Showa Sangyo Co., Ltd.; Naoji Uike, Chairman, Riken-Nosan-Kako Co., Ltd.; and Motohiro Seko, President, Seko Flour Milling Co., Ltd.)

Coalition Opposes GM Labeling Legislation

A broad coalition of 36 food and agriculture associations, including NAMA, jointly sent a letter to Congress opposing recently introduced legislation that would require special labels for foods with biotech content. The coalition’s May 8 letter was sent to all members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

The bills, S.809 and H.R.1699 – the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act – were introduced by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Representative Peter DeFazio (D–OR), respectively.

The current Food and Drug Administration policy is that such foods or ingredients do not require special labeling, as they are not materially different from conventional foods or ingredients. The coalition wrote that special GM labeling would “not provide consumers with any significant or useful information” and “may mislead consumers into believing that products are somehow materially different or even dangerous.”

To view bill H.R.1699, follow this link:

http://www.namamillers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/H.R.1699-GM-labeling-bill.pdf

To view a copy of the coalition letter, follow this link:

http://www.namamillers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Coalition-letter-opposing-GM-labeling.pdf

NAMA and Syngenta Meet to Discuss Wheat Quality

In 2012 NAMA and seed company Syngenta met to discuss the critical importance of milling and baking quality at all stages of wheat variety development. As an outcome of those discussions, Syngenta held a May 7 meeting in Berthoud, CO. Participating were 14 representatives from nine milling companies, NAMA vice president Jim Bair and members of the grower and baker communities. In-depth discussions were held on quality and related subtopics including end product functionality, Syngenta’s trait pipeline and sustainability. The meeting included tours of Syngenta’s wheat quality lab and greenhouses. 

(Pictured left to right: Norm Dreger, Syngenta; Reuben McLean, Pendleton Flour Mills; Joe Smith, Syngenta; Bob Sombke, North Dakota Mill & Elevator.)

Administration Continues Push for Local, Regional Food Aid Change

The Obama Administration continues to lobby aggressively for its proposal to end the Food for Peace Program of food aid that has been providing nutrition to hungry people around the world for nearly 60 years and replace it with a cash program to give some recipients cash and to buy food in other countries for some others. Attached is yesterday’s Chicago Tribune op-ed piece written by the Secretary of State and Agriculture and the Administrator of USAID.  Illinois is considered an important state in this debate, particularly because Senator Durbin is in the Senate Leadership and is a thought leader in past food aid discussions.

NAMA and other agriculture groups have been actively monitoring the status of the proposal in Congress and so far, we find little evidence the Administration proposal will be adopted as proposed, but we think it is likely that some flexibility will be given to the Administration to substitute cash or LRP distributions instead of 100% U.S. origin food.

To view the Chicago Tribunes op-ed, follow this link:

http://www.namamillers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Food-Aid_21st-Century_OpEd.pdf

NAMA, along with the National Association of Wheat Growers and researchers from all over the country, joined forces on Capitol Hill last week to spread the message of the need for consistent, long-term funding for wheat research.  They advocated developing new and better wheat varieties to meet future challenges of feeding a growing population. In spite of a bleak budgetary climate, the message seemed well received.

President’s Budget Contains Small Increases for Ag Research

Under the Administration’s 2014 budget proposal, agriculture research fared slightly better than other program areas. The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative got the biggest boost in the research budget, receiving a 40 percent increase over current funding levels for a proposed funding level of $388 million for FY 2014. The President’s spending plan zeroed out funds for the U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative saying that the money is proposed for “redirection.”  NAMA will work with the stakeholder community to restore this much-needed funding.

Administration Again Seeks User Fees to Fund FSMA

The Administration proposed in its 2014 budget request a 20 percent increase from 2012 levels for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or $4.7 billion.  More than 90 percent of the boost would come from industry user fees.  The President’s 2014 budget for FDA includes a proposal to impose a food facility registration and inspection fee to fund agency activities “required by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA).”   The agency projects it will collect $59 million in fiscal year 2014 from food and feed producers if Congress authorizes this new fee.

FDA’s budget proposals for 2012 and 2013 also recommended raising revenue from new facility registration fees to help fund the agency’s food safety activities. Congress rejected those proposals.  Congress also considered and rejected such food facility registration fees during its consideration of the FSMA, which was signed into law on January 4, 2011.

NAMA joined more than 50 food and agriculture groups in a letter to Senate appropriators opposing the fees and will ask House appropriators to oppose them as well.  To view this letter, follow the link: http://www.namamillers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/fda-fee-letter-2014-SenAgAp-FINAL.pdf.

If FDA requires addition funds to support FSMA implementation and food inspection activities, NAMA believes the agency should request such funding through the appropriations process, rather than seeking authorization of new regulatory taxes, which Congress has repeatedly rejected.

Administration’s Food Aid Proposal Creates Controversy

The Obama Administration finally unveiled its proposed budget for 2014, and the food aid provisions received a great deal of media and Congressional attention.  The Food for Peace Program, which uses several food products manufactured by NAMA members, would be terminated under the Administration’s Agriculture budget with the money transferred to the International Disaster Assistance (IDA) budget in Foreign Operations.  The IDA account would, in turn, use the funds for purchases of both US and foreign procured foods for food aid needs in the future.  Apparently due to the attention paid to this proposal by Congress, they proposed a 55% US origin minimum in the first year.  This was combined with attempts to earmark budget outlays to the PVO community and the US flag merchant marine to blunt those groups opposition to the initiative.

While the stakeholders in in-kind food aid have been active in meeting with important Congressional contacts, the Administration has been equally active trying to garner support in the appropriations and foreign affairs committees of the Senate and House.  This debate will continue in both the 2014 appropriations and Farm Bill discussions.  NAMA is active in a coalition of food and agriculture groups that continue to support in-kind food aid through Food For Peace and keeping Local and Regional Procurement, as well as cash transfers to needy recipients as foreign aid programs, not food aid.

• Millers gather for the 2013 Division Meetings

• NAMA Corn Division Members Elect Wade Ellis to Chair the Division

• NAMA Panel Forecasts Largest Soft Red Wheat Crop Since 2008, Largest Soft White Crop since 2006

• NAMA Board Commends Connie Barr for 13 Years of Service on Soft Wheat Crop Forecast Panel

• Registration Opens for the 54^th Annual Corn Dry Milling Conference

• NAMA Sponsors Global Oat Research Meeting

• In-Kind Food Aid Dispute Continues to Heat Up

• Durum Wheat Milling Short Course – May 21-24

Millers gather for the 2013 Division Meetings

More than 180 millers, associate members and industry friends attended the NAMA 2013 Division Meetings at the Hammock Beach resort in Palm Coast, FL. NAMA Chairman James M. Meyer, president of Italgrani, U.S.A. addressed the group.  During his remarks, Mr. Meyer told the group that the depth of the topics covered in the meetings and the participation of NAMA members demonstrated the value of NAMA membership. He also spoke about recent changes in the industry. He said, “We live in interesting times, these changes are coming about because of opportunities within the industry to innovate and deliver quality products to customers.”

Speaker presentations are available on the NAMA website at http://www.namamillers.org/meetings/. Highlights and minutes from the business and committee meetings will be distributed to members and posted in the member section of the NAMA website.

NAMA Corn Division Members Elect Wade Ellis to Chair the Division

At the Corn Division Business Meeting on March 24 in Palm Coast, Florida, corn milling members elected Wade Ellis of Bunge Milling to finish the remaining term of George Allard, also of Bunge Milling. Allard has accepted responsibilities with Bunge outside of the milling industry and resigned his post as the Corn Division chairman. Ellis’ term will run through March 2014.

Ellis was named vice president and general manager of Bunge North America’s milling business in 2013, and is responsible for all phases of corn, rice and wheat milling. Ellis came to Bunge in 2003 after several years working in sales and agronomy for the hybrid seed corn industry. At Bunge, he has held various sales positions, including vice president, sales for the milling business and, most recently, general manager of Bunge’s rice milling facility located in Woodland, California. Mr. Ellis graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science degree in agribusiness management.

NAMA Panel Forecasts Largest Soft Red Wheat Crop Since 2008, Largest Soft White Crop Since 2006

The NAMA soft wheat crop forecast panel, chaired by Connie Barr, Vice President, Customer Service at Siemer Milling Company in Teutopolis, IL, predicted a soft red winter wheat crop of 492.3 million bushels, up 17% from last year and a soft white winter wheat crop of 225.4 million bushels, up 8% from last year.  It was noted that the panel’s 2012 forecast was accurate to within 4 million bushels of the final USDA forecast. The panel’s full report is available online at http://www.namamillers.org/pdf/SoftWheatCropForecast03262013.pdf.

NAMA Board Commends Connie Barr for 13 Years of Service on Soft Wheat Crop Forecast Panel

NAMA announced during the soft wheat crop forecast panel report this would be Connie Barr’s last year to chair the panel. Grover Van Hoose, grain buyer at Mennel Milling Company will takeover as chair of the panel. Ms. Barr was recognized by the NAMA Board of Directors and members of the soft wheat milling division thanking her for her 13 years of service on the panel.

Registration Opens for the 54^th Annual Corn Dry Milling Conference

Registration is open for the 54th Annual Corn Dry Milling Conference, May 15-16, 2013. The objective of the conference is to share information about the corn dry milling industry, including the latest advances in milling, product testing technologies and the science of corn production technology.

Corn millers and seed producers, people involved in food corn product manufacturing or sales, and agricultural engineers dealing in the production, handling, storage and processing of corn products for food are encouraged to attend.  Registration and hotel information is on NAMA’s website at http://www.namamillers.org/meetings/2013-cdmc/.  The hotel room reservation deadline is April 24. For more information, contact Lyndsey Valentine, Administrative Assistant, NAMA at 202.484.2200, ext. 17 or lvalentine@namamillers.org.

NAMA Sponsors Global Oat Research Meeting

More than 40 oat researchers and NAMA members gathered in Ottawa March 6-8 at a NAMA-sponsored conference to discuss next steps in the North American Collaborative Oat Research Enterprise (NA-CORE). The NA-CORE project has been praised as a rousing success, developing molecular markers for critical agronomic and nutritional traits at a speed that has surprised and impressed many. That is no small feat given the complexity of the oat genome – four times larger than the human genome. Those markers control everything about the oat plant and grain, from disease resistance in the field to fiber content in a milled oat product. Discussions are underway about how to best use this valuable information. To see the program and papers from the conference go to:

http://www.namamillers.org/meetings/2013-oat-research-meeting/

In-Kind Food Aid Dispute Continues to Heat Up

In anticipation of next week’s release of the Administration’s budget proposal that is expected to propose an end to the in-kind food aid programs that are the main demand for NAMA produced food aid products, there has been an uptick in the number of media articles pointing to this controversial issue.

The PVOs (private voluntary organizations) support the Administration’s plan to use the food aid funds for local and regional purchases of food products. NAMA, other NGOs, and agriculture/food groups support the current system of sending food and have a political constituency that will continue to assure funding for this crucial mission.  Sending cash has no constituency.

Durum Wheat Milling Short Course – May 21-24

Northern Crops Institute is offering a Durum Wheat Milling Short Course May 21-24 in Fargo, ND. This course is co-sponsored by Northern Crops Institute (NCI) and 
the International Grains Program (IGP) in the Department of Grain Science and Industry at Kansas State University. The lead instructor is Mark Fowler of the IGP Program at K-State. The course will provide participants with a better understanding of the durum milling process and the necessary tools to be better problem solvers and decision makers.

Newly hired millers, millers who would like to advance their skills, and quality control personnel wanting to gain an insight into durum milling are encouraged to attend. The registration fee is $850. The registration deadline is May 6, 2013. For more information, please contact the Northern Crops Institute, 701-231-7736 / nci@ndsu.edu.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Enroll early. All courses are contingent upon sufficient enrollment numbers. Do not make travel reservations until NCI confirms that course will be offered.

“Horizon Milling is committed to supporting and maintaining an active role in NAMA. In my new role as NAMA’s vice chairman, I look forward to assisting with leadership and working with all NAMA members and staff to continue to provide the information and services that make membership in NAMA so valuable,” said Dye.

Dye is the president of Horizon Milling, LLC, a Cargill joint venture with CHS. He is responsible for the flour milling, mix and bakery operations of Horizon Milling in the U.S. and Canada. Prior to his current role, Dye served for 10 years as president of Cargill AgHorizons, U.S., and was responsible for the overall management of Cargill’s grain handling and retail crop input business in the U.S.

Dye is currently serving on the NAMA Executive Committee and is chairman of the NAMA Nutrition/Production Promotion Committee. He has chaired the Ad Hoc Committee on Futures Markets and has served on the Ad Hoc Production Data Collection Committee, which was responsible for the transition of flour production data collection from the U.S. Census Bureau to NAMA.

Dan Ward is president of the La Crosse Milling Company, an oat processing company in Cochran, WI. He joined the NAMA board of directors in 2006 and served two years as chairman of the NAMA Oat Division.

Craig Hagood is the president and CEO of House-Autry Mills, Inc., a corn processing company in Four Oaks, NC. Hagood joined the NAMA board of directors in 2011. He serves on the Nutrition/Product Promotion Committee, has chaired the NAMA Ad Hoc Committee on Whole Grains and served on the Food and Facility Security Committee.

NAMA is the trade association of the wheat, corn, oat, and rye milling industries. Member companies operate mills in 38 states and Canada, representing more than 90 percent of total industry production capacity.

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The North American Millers’ Association prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital or family status, age, disability, political beliefs, or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact NAMA at 202.484.2200 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Terri Long, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer, 600 Maryland Avenue SW, Suite 825W, Washington, DC, 20024 or call 202.484.2200 ext. 12. NAMA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

NAMA hosted a conference call on February 22 to brief corn millers on information gleaned from the February 21 meeting of the Syngenta Enogen advisory council. Eleven members heard the update led by Corn Division chairman George Allard, Bunge Milling, Inc. Don Sullins, consultant to the ADM Milling Company also represents NAMA on the council. The group heard Syngenta’s plans for the continued expansion of Enogen high amylase corn. Production in 2013 is expected to nearly triple to 60,000 acres and the number of growers planting the corn will increase from 100 to 252. Syngenta expects eventual Enogen production to hit 2.5 million acres.

NAMA Pays Visit to Key Member of Canada’s Senate

NAMA Vice President Jim Bair met this week in Parliament with Senator JoAnne Buth, Conservative Party member from Manitoba. Bair was in Ottawa for a NAMA-sponsored oat research meeting. Senator Buth, who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, met with Jim in the Canadian Embassy in Washington, DC in 2012. On both occasions they discussed issues of mutual importance including US/Canada trade in grain and milled grain products. While in Ottawa, Bair also met with Gordon Harrison, president of the Canadian National Millers Association.

FDA Final Rule on Gluten-Free Labeling Arrives at OMB

FDA’s long-awaited final rule on gluten-free labeling of foods has arrived at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OIRA-OMB) for review under Executive Order (EO) 12866.  The order requires the agency to analyze the costs and benefits of the rule and, to the extent permitted by law, action only on the basis of a reasoned determination that the benefits justify the costs.

It is somewhat surprising that this final rule is receiving EO12866 review and is noted as economically significant.  Most voluntary labeling provisions are not deemed to have significant economic impact.  Any conclusions drawn from this fact would be speculation.

OIRA-OMB is allowed 90 days for EO 12866 review, but it may be extended.

• NAMA pushes back against major threat to US food aid programs
• Sequester may impact milling industry
• Wheat Quality Council holds 2013 Annual Meeting
• New representation for LifeLine Foods on NAMA Board
• NAMA to co-host 54^th Annual Corn Dry Milling Conference
• Mark your calendar for the 2013 Wheat Tours

NAMA pushes back against major threat to US food aid programs

NAMA took a leading role in a multi-commodity and multi-industry effort to prevent the Obama Administration’s budget from proposing an end to Food for Peace and Food for Progress, the mainstay food aid programs of the US.  The proposal that is rumored to be part of the budget the Administration is still preparing, would end these international food assistance programs and replace them with authority to give cash for foreign procurement of food called Local and Regional Purchase (LRP).

Numerous commodity groups, NGOs and Maritime labor organizations worked together to obtain a powerful letter to the President supporting FFPeace and FFProgress from Senator Mark Pryor, (D-Arkansas), Chairman of the Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittee and Senator Roy Blunt, (R-Missouri) the Ranking Minority member of that committee.  They were joined by 19 other Senators including the Chairman and Ranking Minority members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) and Thad Cochran (R-Mississippi).  This letter (attached) warns the Administration that its proposal will not be considered seriously and is a good sign for budget deliberations on food aid programs for 2014.  Also attached are letters from agriculture, NGOs and maritime organizations to the Administration and the Senate showing the coalition support for food as an effective tool to project US humanitarian concern and fight terrorism.

To view the Food for Peace ag letter to the senate, follow this link:

http://www.namamillers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Food-for-Peace-Ag-Letter-to-the-Senate-1.pdf

To view the US food aid group support letter to the President, follow this link:

http://www.namamillers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Support-US-Food-Aid-Group-Letter-to-the-President-Feb-21.pdf

Sequester May Impact Milling Industry

With the March 1 budget sequestration looming and predictions of general chaos in the delivery of federal government services, NAMA has prepared a briefing paper for members on the possible affects on the milling industry. The paper is available in the Members Only section of the website at http://www.namamillers.org/membership/membership-portal/.

As has been widely reported, the budget sequester is an across the board $85 billion cut in the current year’s federal government budget, roughly divided half to the military and half to non-military spending. It was a last-ditch effort amid budgeting gridlock and designed to be so onerous to both parties that they would have incentive to negotiate a more permanent budget solution. Without progress toward more normal budgeting and both parties digging in on who will be blamed for the potential chaotic situation, it now seems very likely that the government will begin implementing the cuts on March 1.

Since the cuts amount to about a 6 percent reduction in the annual budget, to be implemented in the last half of the year, the impact on the remaining months of the fiscal year is expected to be about twice that percentage. The Obama administration says it will do little to prioritize how the cuts will be spread around, but that posture is likely intended to generate public pressure on Congress to take action to avoid the sequester.

Wheat Quality Council holds 2013 Annual Meeting

Participants from wheat–growing states gathered in Kansas City, Missouri last week to hold their annual meeting and technical conference. In addition to the annual review of new wheat lines submitted for testing from three wheat classes – hard winters, hard springs and eastern softs, a forum was held with a variety of interesting spears.  Author Noel Vietmeyer discussed his book “Our Daily Bread,“ which highlights the life of agronomist Norman Borlaug.  Bikram Gill, Ph.D., Kansas State University, delivered a presentation on “Mapping the Wheat Genome – What Does This Really Mean.” Keynote speaker Heidi Nebel, and attorney with McKee, Vorhees and Pease of Des Moines, Iowa gave an interesting talk on patent law considerations related to genetic modification of any edible plant.

New representation for LifeLine Foods on NAMA Board

LifeLine Foods, LLC has named Robin Michael Venn, CEO of LifeLine Foods to the NAMA Board of Directors. He replaces Mike Sobetski.

NAMA to co-host 54^th Annual Corn Dry Milling Conference

The 54^th Annual Corn Dry Milling conference is scheduled for May 15-16, 2013 in Peoria, Illinois.  Jointly sponsored by NAMA and the USDA National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR), the conference is a unique event to share information about the corn dry milling industry, including the latest advances in milling, product testing technologies and the science of corn production technology.

The conference begins with a banquet on Wednesday, May 15 at the Embassy Suites East Peoria hotel in Peoria, IL.  NAMA members meet at the hotel on May 15 immediately before the banquet.  Presentations are made the following day from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM at the NCUAR, which is also located in Peoria.

Hotel rooms have been reserved at the Embassy Suites East Peoria for those who need overnight accommodations.  Watch for your email notification that registration is open in early spring.

For more detailed information regarding this meeting, please visit:

http://www.namamillers.org/meetings/2013-cdmc/

Mark your calendar for the 2013 Wheat Tours

The Wheat Quality Council (WQC) invites interested parties to participate in one or both of the wheat tours they sponsor. The hard winter wheat tour will start in Manhattan, KS April 29 and end in Kansas City May 2. The hard spring wheat and durum tour will start in Fargo, ND July 22 and end in Fargo July 25. The cost is $200.00 for WQC members, university and government employees. For all other the cost is $300.00.

In just three short days, the tours provide a good amount of fundamental wheat industry knowledge and are a good learning experience for new people in the industry. The tours are also a great mentoring opportunity since each car on the tour has a tour veteran that can help teach newcomers. Registration forms are on the WQC website, www.wheatqualitycouncil.org. Contact Ben Handcock, WQC, bhwqc@aol.com or 605.224.5187 for more information.

• New Representation on NAMA Board
• NAMA Hosts CFATS Compliance Webinar
• USDA Issues New “Competitive” School Food Rules
• FDA Extends Comment Period on Allergen Thresholds
• FDA Announces Final Rule on Administrative Detention of Food
• USDA Releases Local and Regional Purchase Report on Food Aid

New Representation on NAMA Board

General Mills, Inc. has named Ron Frick, Director, Wholesale Bakery Division to the NAMA Board of Directors. He replaces Greg Schlafer who will join ConAgra Foods on February 25 as president of its Lamb Weston frozen potato business.

NAMA Hosts CFATS Compliance Webinar

On February 4 NAMA hosted a one-hour webinar on the Department of Homeland Security's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). NAMA members heard Steve Roberts, Homeland Security consultant to NAMA, discuss the latest developments in complying with the CFATS regulations.

The event was an update with lessons learned since the webinar Roberts conducted for NAMA in September of 2011.

If you would like a copy of the webinar slides, please contact Jim Bair at jbair@namamillers.org.

USDA Issues New “Competitive” School Food Rules

USDA released its proposed rules on standards pertaining to the nutritional quality of “competitive” foods and beverages sold on school campuses.  Competitive food and beverages are those offered in competition with the federally subsidized school meal, and are sold through vending machines, school stores, a la carte lunch lines, and snack bars. The proposal would not apply to in-school fundraisers or bake sales, though states already have the power to regulate them. The new rules also would not apply to after-school concessions.

FDA Extends Comment Period on Allergen Thresholds

FDA has extended the public comment period to May 13 for its December 14, 2012 Federal Register Notice requesting data and other information that it can use to design and carry out a quantitative risk assessment for establishing regulatory thresholds for major food allergens.  NAMA, working with a coalition of food and agriculture organizations, had requested an extension of the comment period.

FDA Announces

Final Rule on Administrative Detention of Food

The FDA announced a final rule amending the criteria for administrative detention to prevent potentially unsafe food from reaching the marketplace. This action makes the criteria consistent with changes to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). The final rule adopts the interim final rule “Criteria Used to Order Administrative Detention of Food for Human or Animal Consumption,” published in May 2011, without change. The interim final rule amended the criteria for ordering administrative detention to permit FDA to administratively detain food it believes is adulterated or misbranded. The interim final rule became effective in July 2011.

Before the passage of FSMA, FDA was able to detain a food product only when it had credible evidence that a food product presented a threat of serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals. Under the final rule, the FDA can detain food if it believes that the food is adulterated or misbranded. The agency can keep the products out of the marketplace for a maximum of 30 days while the agency determines whether to take further enforcement action, such as seizure.

USDA releases Local and Regional Purchase Report on Food Aid

USDA has released an independent analysis of a 4 year pilot project authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill whereby Local and Regional food products (LRP) were procured, rather than importing ‘in-kind’ products from the US. The analysis compared costs, timeliness of delivery, local market impact, quality and comparison with in-kind food aid.  As expected, it concludes that timeliness and total cost of food products were significantly or marginally better than in-kind deliveries, but unlike the assertions of some of LRP critics, they did not find significant local market impacts from these relatively small LRP purchases.

Relative to processed grains (primarily corn meal) and Fortified and Blended Foods (similar to NAMA’s corn-soy blend), the report indicated a smaller cost benefit from LRP and did not take into account recent pre-positioning of such products to shorten the time to recipients for in-kind high nutrition foods.

This report has been anticipated and is expected to continue to influence Administration and Congressional opinions regarding in-kind food aid budgeting and programming.  NAMA’s International Trade Committee will be considering the impact of the report and other factors influencing food aid dialogues as the 2013 and 2014 budget process continues.

To view the full version of this report, go to:
http://www.namamillers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LRP-Report-12-03-12-TO-PRINT.pdf

To only view the Executive Summary of this report, go to:
http://www.namamillers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/LRP-Repor_Executive-Summary.pdf

WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 30, 2013 – NAMA Chairman Jim Meyer named the committee chairmen for the 2013-2015 term. The committee chairmen were selected based on their experience and expertise in the subject matter of the committee. “The strength of an association can be measured by the commitment of the members that volunteer their time and expertise. The leadership provided by the committee chairmen is a valuable component of NAMA. I am looking forward to working with them over the next two years on the issues important to our industry,” said Meyer.

The new chairmen are:

• Jack Cwach, ADM Milling Company – International Trade Committee
• Brian K. Doyle, King Milling Company – Budget/Finance Committee
• David Katzke, General Mills, Inc. – Technical Committee
• Randy Marten, Miller Milling Company – Ad Hoc Committee on Futures Markets
• D. Ford Mennel, The Mennel Milling Company – Meetings Committee
• Thomas A. Rogers, Wilkins Rogers Mills – Milling Science & Operations Committee
• Stephen H. Wickes – Biotechnology Committee

These gentlemen join the following c

hairmen who continue in their leadership of committees:

• Dan Dye, Horizon Milling, LLC/Cargill – Nutrition and Product Promotion Committee
• Robert Y. Harper, Hopkinsville Milling Company – Corn Dry Milling Conference Committee
• Donald L. Mennel, The Mennel Milling Company – Food Safety Committee
• Richard C. Siemer, Siemer Milling Company – Ad Hoc Committee on Sanitation

NAMA is the trade association of the wheat, corn, oat, and rye milling industries. Member companies operate mills in 38 states and Canada, representing more than 90 percent of total industry production capacity.

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The North American Millers' Association prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital or family status, age, disability, political beliefs or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact NAMA at 202.484.2200 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Terri Long, Corporate Secretary, 600 Maryland Avenue SW, Suite 825W, Washington, DC, 20024 or call 202.484.2200 ext. 11. NAMA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Washington, DC – January 28, 2013 – The North American Millers’ Association (NAMA) announced today that Mary Waters had decided to resign her position with the Association. The employment relationship is being ended amicably on mutually agreeable terms. NAMA thanks Ms. Waters for the positive contributions she made to NAMA and wishes her the best.

The two fundamental strengths of NAMA are the commitment of its members to actively participate in the Association through the committee structure and its strong staff. NAMA’s members and staff will continue to work with our grain chain partners, the growers who produce the most abundant food supply in the world, and the companies that turn our ingredients into great food, on the issues of food safety, the availability of wheat supplies through enhanced breeding, access to sanitation tools, nutrition education and promotional efforts.

NAMA remains a strong advocate of free trade and food aid programs in all grain and grain-based prod

ucts. We are committed to our role as nutrition leaders through U.S. food aid programs where NAMA members provide the highest nutrition products available to meet the needs of food insecure populations around the world.

NAMA is the trade association of the wheat, corn, oat, and rye milling industries. Member companies operate mills in 38 states and Canada, representing more than 90 percent of total industry production capacity.

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The North American Millers' Association prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital or family status, age, disability, political beliefs, or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact NAMA at 202.484.2200 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Terri Long, Corporate Secretary, 600 Maryland Avenue SW, Suite 825W, Washington, DC, 20024 or call 202.484.2200 ext. 11. NAMA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

EPA officials contacted the NAMA office January 25 with the notification that NAMA’s 2014 methyl bromide Critical Use Exemption will be the last one granted. The EPA officials stated that this decision was made at the highest levels within the Obama Administration.

A historical reminder – methyl bromide was to be banned with no exceptions on January 1, 2001. However, in 1998 NAMA successfully lobbied Congress to amend the law and set a new phase-out date of January 1, 2005, and with opportunities to apply for exemptions. NAMA is now in the 9th year of receiving such exemptions.

Ag Coalition Supports CRP Reform in Farm Bill

A coalition of nine agriculture related associations including NAMA sent a letter to House Agriculture Committee chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) and senior Democrat Collin Peterson (D-MN) in support of including Conservation Reserve Program reform in a new five-year farm bill. The January 23 letter expressed particular support for H.R. 349, a bill introduced by Representative Martha Roby (R-AL). Rep. Roby's bill, the Preserving Marginal Lands and Protecting Farming Act of 2013, would reduce the CRP acreage cap to 24 million acres over five years. It would also remove non-environmentally sensitive lands from eligibility and allow growers with CRP contracts to exit those contracts without penalty in FY2014.

To view the letter, click here: http://www.namamillers.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Support-for-Preserving-Marginal-Lands-and-Protecting-Farming-Act.pdf

States Considering GM Labeling

Even though the California ballot initiative to require labeling of GM foods failed at the November election, a similar voter initiative in the state of Washington is now moving forward with the January 3 delivery of about 350,000 voter signatures to the Washington Secretary of State. About 241,000 were required.

Initiative 522 – the so-called People's Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act – would require food and seeds with GM content be labeled beginning July 2015. Assuming the signatures are certified by the Secretary of State, the state legislature would have three options: adopt the measure into law, refuse to act on it but place it on the November 2013 ballot, or approve an alternate measure

and place both it and the original on the ballot.

In New Mexico, a bill has been filed in the state Senate that, if enacted, would require labeling of any product containing more than 1.0 percent GM. Unlike the “bounty hunter” provisions that allow private interests to bring action against products in the California and Washington ballot initiatives, the New Mexico law would be enforced by the state government.

Labeling initiatives are also under consideration by groups in Oregon, Connecticut and Florida.

Registration Open for the 2013 Division Meetings

Registration is open for the 2013 Division Meetings. The meetings will be held March 23-26 at the Hammock Beach resort in Palm Coast, Florida.

This year’s keynote speaker, Christine Cochran, president, Grain Foods Foundation, will share with NAMA how the foundation is investing in consumer education to keep the grain foods consumption needle moving forward.

NAMA food safety consultant, Ricardo Carvajal, has been invited to drill down into the Food Safety Modernization Act and present the top food safety regulations that will have an impact on your milling business.

Rick Thaemert of Global Prairie, the public relations firm for the Wheat Innovation Alliance (WIA), will speak during the Soft Wheat General Session about consumer attitudes towards biotech wheat.

Go to the NAMA website, http://www.namamillers.org/meetings/2013-annual-meeting-general-information/, to register for the 2013 Division Meetings and for detailed information about the meeting. Please contact Terri Long, Director of Membership, Communication and Meetings at 202.484.2200, ext. 11 or tlong@namamillers.org for more information.

For more information about NAMA issues, meetings, membership and staff, go to http://www.namamillers.org.

The North American Millers' Association prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital or family status, age, disability, political beliefs, or sexual orientation. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact NAMA at 202.484.2200 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to Terri Long, Corporate Secretary, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Suite 825W, Washington, DC, 20024 or call 202.484.2200 ext. 11. NAMA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.