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The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Bug Blocker Doors & Screens
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Proposal Would Move Food Regulation To USDA
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 As part of a
proposal to reorganize several federal agencies, the Trump Administration has recommended that food-safety regulatory oversight be shifted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), combining the agency's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) with the current food purview of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
According to the proposal, the Government Accountability Office found that the existing approach "has caused inconsistent oversight, ineffective coordination, and inefficient use of resources" and recommends "merging Federal food safety functions as a potential solution to this fragmentation."
The proposed USDA agency, the Federal Food Safety Agency, "would pursue a modern, science-based food safety regulatory regime" and "would reduce duplication of inspection at some food processing facilities, improve outreach to consumers and industry, and achieve savings over time while ensuring robust and coordinated food safety oversight."
As part of the reorganization, USDA would continue to administer the commodity-based programs, including the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.
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MWFPA Signs Onto Immigration Coalition Letter
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 As a member of the Minnesota Business Immigration Coalition, MWFPA signed onto a coalition letter sent to the MN congressional delegation requesting support for the compromise immigration bill in the House. Read the letter
here.
The coalition stressed that the bill is only a "first step" toward reforming the country's immigration system. It pointed out that for businesses and farmers: "Immigrant workers have become and are likely to remain a key part of their workforce solution."
MWFPA has maintained that a legal, stable process is needed for immigrant labor who tend to be seasonal and year-round workers needed in today's agricultural and food manufacturing economy. Immigration reform should provide certainty to workers and employers alike.
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House Votes Down Second Immigration Reform Bill
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 A compromise immigration bill that would have created a pathway to citizenship for some young immigrants, provided $25 billion for a boarder wall with Mexico, and other security measures, failed to pass the U.S. House of Representatives.
The bill would have also prevented children from being separated from their parents at the border, an issue that has take center stage in recent weeks.
Last week the House rejected an immigration bill - introduced by Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) - after GOP leadership postponed a second vote on the compromise legislation drafted in an attempt to bridge the gap between conservatives and moderates within the party.
The compromise legislation struggled to attract enough support from Republicans. It failed 121-301, with nearly half of Republicans opposing the measure.
Of interest to the food products industry was that Goodlatte's bill would have replaced the current H-2A guestworker program with a new one called H-2C. It would also have required employers to use E-Verify - an electronic verification system to ensure workers are legal. The compromise bill too would have added the new agricultural guest worker program and mandate that employers use E-Verify - major priorities of moderates and conservatives in the GOP, respectively.
The 193-231 vote on Goodlatte's bill came a day after President Trump signed an executive order ending the controversial practice of separating children from parents who cross the border illegally. Every Democrat and 41 Republicans voted against the bill .
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MWFPA, Processors-Growers Coailtion Seek Farm Bill Fruits And Vegetable Amendment
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 The U.S. House of Represen-
tatives approved a Farm Bill by a 213 to 211 vote recently, with all Democratic House members and 20 Republican members voting against the legislation.
The U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee approved the initial Senate version of the Farm Bill, which will now be considered by the entire U.S. Senate, with a vote expected very soon.
MWFPA is working with the American Fruit & Vegetable Processors & Growers Coalition to have an amendment added to the bill that would expand USDA's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program to allow schools the option of serving fruits and vegetables whether they are fresh, frozen, canned or dried.
Similar language was introduced as a standalone bill by WI Senators Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin (
S. 2064). Read the MWFPA
letter sent to numerous lawmakers on Capitol Hill encouraging support for the amendment.
While dozens of
potential amendments to the legislation have been filed in the Senate, only a handful will see votes.
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MWFPA's George Interviewed On Tariff Impact
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 MWFPA President Nick George was recently interviewed on Wisconsin Public Radio regarding the impact of the Trump Administration's escalation of the imposition of tariffs.
George estimated that food processors in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois will see the price of canning increase by an additional $25 million due to the tariff on tin plate aluminum.
Listen to George's interview segment beginning at 30:36 of the broadcast.
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Save The Date: Oct. 11 - MWFPA Sporting Clays Challenge
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 Mark your calendars now for this year's Midwest Food Products Association
Sporting Clays Challenge to be held October 11, 2018 at the Caribou Gun Club, 30649 380th St., in Le Sueur, MN.
Join us for our scholarship fundraiser and networking event
. Look for registration and other materials coming soon to MWFPA's website and Facebook page.
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MWFPA Events You Won't Want To Miss
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October 11, 2018: MWFPA Sporting Clay Challenge. Caribou Gun Club, 30649 380th Street, Le Sueur, MN.
November 27 - 29, 2018: MWFPA 114th Annual Convention and 91st Processing Crops Conference. Kalhari Resort & Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells, WI.
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Other Educational Opportunities
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September 24-26, 2018:
Women In Agribusiness, Hilton Denver City Center, Denver, CO. For more information and to register, click
here.
September 30 - October 2, 2018:
10th Annual Oilseed & Grain Trade Summit
, Hyatt Regency, Minneapolis, MN. Register by June 30, 2018 to receive an early bird rate of $800!
Click here to register.
October 29-30, 2018: Organic & Non-GMO Forum, Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch, St. Louis, MO. Attend the only event that covers both the practical and business issues surrounding the organic, non-GMO, and conventional supply chain, and addresses the growing opportunities and significant challenges in this sector.
For more information, sponsorship inquiries, media partnerships, or speaking opportunities, please contact Managing Director Joy O'Shaughnessy at [email protected] or (207) 244-9544 x 103. Register and receive further information here.
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Check Out MWFPA's Customized Property & Casualty Insurance For Members Only
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The Midwest Food Products Association is pleased to announce that
its members now have access to an exclusive insurance program that is written specifically for our industry. With assistance from the risk management firm Hays Companies, this program offers a customized Property and Casualty insurance program.
The program offers a complete insurance program for all business types, from processor to manufacturers, logistics to wholesaler and anything in between. No market segment is excluded, and no organization is too large or too small.
Learn more about what the MWFPA Insurance Program can do for you by visiting the program's website:
https://mwfpa.haysprograms.com/.
For more information about the program, contact: Brad Van Swol at:Email:
[email protected]; Phone: (414) 290-3581
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