Thanks to Our 2015 MWFPA Convention
Sponosors
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The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Bug Blocker Doors & Screens
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Congress Set To Act On Spending Bill, GMO Rider Is Out - COOL Repeal In
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 A
massive, year-end omnibus bill that funds the government for much of 2016 will not include a policy rider that would have preempted states from implementing mandatory genetically engineered (GMO) food labeling laws.
However,
the sweeping $1.1 trillion spending deal does repeal mandatory country-of-origin (COOL) labeling in an effort to stave off large retaliatory tariffs from Canada and Mexico. The bill language comes just as the World Trade Organization is preparing to slap U.S. exporters with $1billion in retaliatory tariffs over the rule. MWFPA supports repeal of COOL in addition to the language preempting state GMO laws.
The spending bill is due to be considered and passed by House this Friday, before moving on to the Senate for debate and likely passage. The House passed another short-term spending extension known as a Continuing Resolution, giving lawmakers through December 22 to pass the long-term measure. The Senate is expected to clear the extension in short order.
The lower chamber has also passed a major tax package that had been negotiated alongside the spending bill.
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GMO Labeling Fix A Top Priority In January, Stabenow Says
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With the failure of the GMO state preemption language to be added to the omnibus spending bill currently before Congress,
the top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee, Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, said it would be a top priority early next year. Read more from Agri-Pulse.
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FDA Issues Guidance On Labeling Foods Derived From Genetically Engineered Plants
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The FDA has issued a final guidance for manufacturers who wish to voluntarily label their foods as containing or not containing ingredients derived from genetically engineered (GE) plants.
While genetic engineering is sometimes referred to as "genetic modification" producing "genetically modified organisms (GMOs)," FDA considers "genetic engineering" to be the more precise term.
The agency is not aware of any valid scientific information showing that foods derived from genetically engineered plants, as a class of foods, differ from other foods in any meaningful way. GE foods don't present greater safety concerns than foods developed by traditional plant breeding.
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The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Wisconsin Lift Truck Corp.
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MN Legislative Committee Deadlines Announced
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 MN Legislative leaders have announced committee deadlines of when legislators are expected to act on bills advancing through the statehouse.
Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, and House Speaker Kurt Daudt, R-Crown, set April 1, as the first deadline for committees to act favorably on bills in the legislative body in which they originated.
That's less than a month after the Legislature is expected to convene. The 2016 session will be short and will take place in a Capitol building that is still undergoing renovation. Senate floor sessions will be held in the soon-to-be-opened Senate office building.
The second deadline for bills that meet the first deadline is April 8. The third deadline, April 21, is for the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee to act on bills.
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GMA Sets 2016 Food Safety Modernization Workshop Series
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 Is your company prepared to address every aspect of Food Safety Modernization? GMA's three-part Beyond the Basics Workshop Series takes an even deeper dive into FSMA, providing attendees the required tools to implement each essential component of a Food Safety Plan. Join GMA in 2016 as it guides manufacturers in the transition from HACCP to effective food safety plan -- register today!
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MWFPA Events You Won't Want To Miss
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November 29- December 1, 2016 -
MWFPA 112th Annual Convention and 89th Processing Crops Conference. Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells, WI.
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Other Educational Opportunities
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February 15-19, 2016: Industrial Refrigeration Workshop, Charlotte, North Carolina.
This one-week course is intended for those who make decisions such as the purchase of new components, and the enlargement or modification of the plant. Manufacturers of components learn how their products fit into the entire system
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A thread running through the course is the design of a refrigerated distribution center utilizing an ammonia refrigeration system. New technologies available in ammonia refrigeration reducing the ammonia charge will be explored over the course of the workshop. For more information, click here.
May 3-4, 2016: Dryer Technology. Madison Concourse Hotel,
One West Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53703. Expand your knowledge of dryer fundamentals and learn how to apply proven methods to solve problems, and improve energy efficiency and your operations. This course will focus on continuous drying of particulate materials from foods to inorganic chemicals.
For more information, or to enroll, click
here.
May 5, 2016:
Atomization and Spray Technology: Focus on Spray Drying Course.
Madison Concourse Hotel, One West Dayton Street, Madison, WI 53703. Learn about various types of atomizers, as well as how an atomizer works, and how to select an atomizer for specific applications. This course will focus on atomization methods, functions, designs, atomizer performance, and much more. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to compare different atomizers and select the right one for your application. In addition, you will be able to calculate droplet size, cone angle, and other spray characteristics. For enrollment and other information, click
here.
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