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The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Bug Blocker Doors & Screens
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, Farm & Immigration Bills
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 The House and Senate farm bill negotiators meet formally for the first time today. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., reiterated recently that he wants the conference committee to finish work on a new farm bill this month, but progress was slow in August with the House in recess all month and senators out of town for part of the month as well. The current farm bill expires Sept. 30.
MWFPA is working with the American Fruit & Vegetable Processor & Grower Coalition to ensure that its "all forms" fruit and vegetable language is a part of the final farm bill.
Sept. 30 also is the end of the fiscal year, and lawmakers went into August hoping they could get at least some of the fiscal 2019 spending bills to the President's for his signature before October. When he signed the omnibus funding bill for fiscal 2018 in March, he insisted that he wouldn't sign another giant, government-wide funding measure.
None of the 12 appropriations bills needed to keep the government operating has cleared Congress yet, though the House and Senate have made more progress than usual at this point on the calendar. The House is only scheduled to be in session 11 days in September.
It's also possible that the House will take up an immigration bill this month that would create a new visa program for agricultural workers. It would mandate that all employers, including farms, start using the E-Verify system to check the legal status of hires.
Farm workers who are in the country illegally would have to apply for the new visa program and leave the country periodically; family members wouldn't be eligible for the visas unless they also work on farms.
While MWFPA has not opposed the E-Verify system, it advocates that any worker verification system not unduly burden employers, be properly funded, and have a high data integrity confidence factor. Those utilizing E-Verify should be protected from liability should they meet their obligations under the law.
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U.S. - Mexico Agree To Trade Deal
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 The U.S. and Mexico reached a trade deal last week to overhaul NAFTA that excluded Canada, the third NAFTA country.
Talks to keep Canada in a North American trade bloc broke up last Friday and will resume this week with the two longtime allies divided over such issues as Canada's dairy market.
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer last week sent a note to Congress announcing the administration's intent to sign a final deal in 90 days. That starts a 30-day clock for the White House to resolve all issues -- including Canada's involvement -- and send the final text to Congress. Negotiations with representatives from Canada are expected to resume today.
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Trump Allows "Targeted Relief" For Some Steel, Aluminum Tariffs
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 According to Reuters news service, President Donald Trump signed proclamations recently permitting targeted relief from steel and aluminum quotas from some countries.
Trump, who had put in place tariffs on steel and aluminum imports in March, signed proclamations allowing relief from the quotas on steel from South Korea, Brazil and Argentina and on aluminum from Argentina.
Trump, citing national security concerns, placed tariffs of 25 percent on steel imports and 10 percent on aluminum imports.
The tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from the European Union, Canada and Mexico took effect on June 1, and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said on May 31 that arrangements had been made with some countries to have non-tariff limits on their exports of the two metals to the United States.
MWFPA and the canned food industry continue to strongly oppose the tariffs.
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Trump Administration Issues New Greenhouse Gas Rule
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After having put the brakes on the past Administration's EPA's greenhouse gas regulations for electric utilities, the Trump EPA issued its own replacement rule recently.
The new rule calls for efficiency improvements at coal-fired power plants, as opposed to the Obama Administration approach of forcing closure of coal generating plants, and imposing expensive renewable energy mandates. As a result, the Trump EPA rule is expected to cost electric ratepayers considerably less than President Obama's regulation, and will likely increase the use of coal as an affordable, abundant and reliable source of electric generation.
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Senate Bill To Investigate PFAS Introduced
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U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) have introduced
legislation
that would providing funding for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct environmental sampling for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which can be used in food packaging.
According to the senators'
press release,
"There are more than 3,000 chemicals containing PFAS but less than 30 of these substances can be detected using current technology. The data collected by the USGS could be used to better assess the likely health and environmental impacts of exposure to PFAS chemicals and determine how to address contamination moving forward."
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IL Gov. Signs Bill Legalizing Industrial Hemp, Issues Amendatory Veto To Workers' Comp Bill
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 IL Gov. Bruce Rauner recently signed a bill legalizing industrial hemp, adding the state to a growing list of states that allow the growth of cannabis for non-drug purposes.
Rauner said in a statement: "Roughly 38 states - including our neighbors in Wisconsin, Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri and Tennessee - have allowed or are considering allowing cultivation of this crop for commercial, research or pilot programs. Our farmers should have this option as well."
The IL Industrial Hemp Act, which goes into effect immediately, allows for its use in paper, fabric, biodegradable plastics, construction materials and health food, according to the governor's office.
Last week Gov. Rauner issued an amendatory veto on
SB 904 (Hastings/Hoffman). This bill would have allowed medical providers to pursue the 1% per month interest penalty on unpaid workers' compensation medical bills in circuit court.
While there are elements of the legislation that merit attention, other provisions will work against the employer community in assuring medical services are necessary and the charges are reasonable.
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 A warm welcome to our new members! Here are some highlights, learn more by clicking on the company name and visiting their website.
American Structures, Inc. - Specializes in the design and manufacture of bolted, stainless steel storage containment vessels and related products. For over 40 years it has been the leader in providing bolted, stainless steel storage tanks for potable and non-potable water, process, and dry storage applications in the municipal, agricultural, industrial, and commercial sectors.
Emerson Automation Solutions -
Emerson is a leading global supplier of process automation, instrumentation technologies and expertise.
Welcome to MWFPA!
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Register Now For MWFPA's Annual Convention & Processing Crops Conference
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 Register now for MWFPA's 114th Annual Convention and 91st Processing Crops Conference, being held at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells, WI, November 27-29, 2018.
The MWFPA annual convention provides a unique platform to network and explore new business opportunities in food manufacturing. It attracts 1,000 food processing industry professionals from the Midwest and across the country.
 In addition to featuring more than 150 exhibitors, the event offers industry relevant breakout sessions featuring high level speakers to encourage broad based attendance by food processing company personnel.
 Exhibitors!
Reserve you booth now as time and space are running out. Click on the Exhibitor Prospectus at right for more information.
Your presence on the convention floor provides you an opportunity to identify new customers, retailers and distributors of products and services related to food processing.
Don't miss out - reserve your booth today!
 Silent Auction
This year's MWFPA convention will again host a Silent Auction to raise money for the MWFPA Scholarship Fund.
Please consider donating an item. The deadline for donations is November 18, 2018.
Items on our donation wish list incl
ude:
- Sports Tickets
- Golf Items/Sporting Goods
- Fun Outings
- Electronics
- Gift Cards
MWFPA is also accepting cash contributions of $100 or more, so if you would prefer, simply send a contribution and MWFPA will place the money directly in the scholarship fund or purchase desirable items with appropriate recognition for your company.
Simply fill out a MWFPA 2018 Silent Auction Donation Form online or download a hardcopy and mail it to: MWFPA, 4600 American Pkwy., Suite 210, Madison, WI, 53718. You can also email the form to: [email protected], or fax the form to 608-255-9938.
By donating an item with a value of at least $100, you will be assisting the children of MWFPA processor and associate members in making their post-high school education ambitions a reality.
Additionally, you'll benefit from exposure of your company's name to those who attend the event. Donors will be listed on the event program, and the merchandise you give will be on display throughout the
evening with appropriate recognition.
Don't Delay - Donate Today!
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Register Now For MWFPA Sporting Clay Challenge!
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MWFPA's Sporting Clay Challenge is set for October 11, 2018 at the
Caribou Gun Club,
30649 380th Street, Le Sueur, MN.
Whether you are a life-long firearms enthusiast or a newcomer to the shooting sports, MWFPA's 7th Annual Sporting Clay Challenge will provide you and your guests with a safe and thrilling day in a beautiful and relaxed setting. Click
here
to view the event brochure and a listing of sponsorship opportunities.
Come and enjoy a day of networking. Bring your customers, or reward a staff member for a job well done. Experienced AND novice shooters welcome.
Last year's event raised $6,000 enabling us to provide $17,000 in scholarships to the children of MWFPA members pursuing an education after high school.
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FSMA Basics Covered In Sept. 11 Webinar
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The Food Safety The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) contains federal food safety laws that affect nearly every player in the food industry. Join Cottingham & Butler and Christopher Snabes for an insightful discussion on the basics of FSMA.
This webinar is free to MWFPA members.
WEBINAR DETAILS
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
11 AM - 12 PM CST
WHAT IS COVERED
- Why FSMA was passed and the history leading up to the passage
- FSMA's purpose
- Which foods are covered and which foods are exempt
- The 7 pillars of FSMA
ABOUT CHRISTOPHER SNABES
Christopher Snabes is the Senior Food Manager of The Acheson Group and brings more than 16 years of experience in the food industry specializing in US and international food microbiology and food safety. Christopher is a FSMA Preventive Controls Certified Lead Instructor (FSPCA) for Human Food, a FSMA Preventive Controls Certified Lead Instructor (FSPCA) for Animal Food, a FSMA Foreign Supplier Verification Program Certified Lead Instructor (FSPCA), and a FSMA Produce Safety Alliance Certified Instructor (AFDO).
ABOUT COTTINGHAM & BUTLER
Cottingham & Butler is a leading provider of insurance and risk management solutions and is committed to providing the pinnacle of service and expertise to the food & agriculture industries.
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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 protected]; Phone: (414) 290-3581.
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