Issue Briefs
- Biotechnology: NAMA supports science that contributes to food safety, health and wellness. Biotechnology is one scientific tool that can improve food quality, safety and sanitation; increase production efficiency; advance sustainability through judicious use of water and agricultural nutrients; and help meet growing domestic and world food demand. NAMA members will utilize grains grown using science-based technologies that are equivalent in nutrition and safety to traditionally grown crops.
- Biotech labeling: NAMA supports the current food labeling policy of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that requires special labeling only when the use of biotechnology substantially changes the food’s nutritional content.
- Conservation Reserve
Program (CRP): Availability of wheat is of paramount concern to the millers. NAMA encourages reforming the CRP, reforming the farm program to reduce government-caused distortions of production decisions, and investing in research to give growers better crop options. NAMA is active in a coalition that seeks reform of the Conservation Reform Program to allow land that is not environmentally sensitive to re-enter production.
- Dietary Guidelines: The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans are currently under review by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. NAMA continues to urge the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee to encourage consumption of whole grain products in the American diet, but not at the expense of enriched grain products like bread.
- Food Aid: NAMA supports the continuation of U.S. produced food commodity donation programs, continuation of in-kind food aid as opposed to local/regional purchases, reauthorization for Title I, prioritization for multi-year development programs in Title II, expansion of the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, increase of minimum level of Food for Progress, replenishment of the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust, monetization in appropriate situations, integration of HIV/AIDS and Nutrition programs, and increased efficiency and effectiveness in Food Aid Programs.
- Food Defense: NAMA participates in sector wide efforts to share information between government and industry on issues related to food defense.
- Food Safety: Industry Practices
- Grain Quality: Through membership in the Wheat Quality Council, NAMA encourages the release of new varieties with enhanced milling and baking quality. NAMA believes some of the current wheat standards and testing methods are outdated and do not reflect buyers' and sellers' need for information on the true value of the grain.
- Mill Sanitation: Methyl Bromide helps ensure millers, and their customers, that milled grain food products are manufactured in a sanitary setting. NAMA advocates for the continued use of methyl bromide until a technically and economically feasible alternative is found. NAMA also continues to work to remove impediments to broader adoption of sulfuryl fluoride as an alternative.
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): NAMA opposes the adoption of National Fire Protection Association standards by OSHA to combat dust hazards as they have not been developed through a public process, and some NFPA standards are contradictory.
- Output Traits: Biotech products with output traits have the potential to expand the beneficial reach of agricultural biotechnology. NAMA believes the appropriate introduction of these products that are intended for uses other than food or feed is critical. Developers of such output traits must demonstrate commitment to risk assessment, risk management, and risk responsibility. NAMA supports BIO’s position that deregulation should not come before testing.
- Research: Research programs are vital to sustaining, and increasing, production in the U.S. Many companies continue to invest in processing capacity in the U.S. Research will help grain production keep up with growth in processing.
- US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative: works to minimize the threat of Fusarium head blight (scab), including the reduction of mycotoxins, to the producers, processors, and consumers of wheat and barley.
- US Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative: works to minimize the threat of Fusarium head blight (scab), including the reduction of mycotoxins, to the producers, processors, and consumers of wheat and barley.
- Wheat Production: Since 1981 U.S. wheat production has declined steadily. NAMA and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) have teamed up to identify the reasons and propose possible solutions.
- Whole Grains: The 2005 Dietary Guidelines issued by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services recommend six-ounce equivalents servings of grains a day with at least three-ounce equivalents in the form of whole grains.
- Trade Agreements - WTO - : NAMA is a leading agriculture participant in the World Trade Organization (WTO). We believe in a rule-based trading system, providing transparency and certainty to world agricultural markets. NAMA advocates for the elimination of tariffs, subsidies and practices that artificially distort export prices; prohibits the use of food aid in economic sanctions; and prevent limits on U.S. food aid contributions.
- Cuba - NAMA supports legislation that will ease restrictions on U.S. agricultural sales to Cuba and allow U.S. citizens to travel to Cuba. NAMA co-signed a letter urging Members of the U.S. House of Representatives to cosponsor the Travel Restriction Reform and Export Enhancement Act. If passed, the legislation would increase agriculture exports to Cuba.
Last updated June 8, 2010
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