News Published on 1 May, 2009
US dairy industry urged to move off the sidelines
Filed by Geoff Platt
“The US Congress is crafting legislation today that may cost the food and dairy companies for years to come. Could there be a better time to make our industry’s vision a reality?”
That was the call going out from the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) as it rallied the industry to attend its 2009 Washington Conference.
A spokesman said: “Food safety proposals are moving quickly through Congress. Expect to see new food safety legislation that would give the Food and Drug Administration significant new regulatory authority, and could impose costly fees – essentially a new tax on the food industry – and mandatory FDA inspections.
“The omnibus appropriations bill that funds the federal government for the balance of the fiscal year, calls for recommendations on new standards for marketing foods to children under the age of 18. The Employee Free Choice Act legislation, known as card check, has stalled temporarily, yet its supporters are close to finding the 60 votes needed to break a filibuster in the US Senate.”
The IDFA says these are just a few of the policy issues being debated on that directly affect dairy businesses, and it’s why participation in its Washington Conference is more crucial than ever before. The two-day conference – taking place on 17 and 18 June 2009 – provides valuable dairy policy briefings and political insights for dairy food executives. It includes a review of pending legislation, training in grassroots techniques and networking opportunities with key members of Congress and top federal officials.
Source: IDFA