March 17 , 2016
WHITE
A five-minute summary of AAI, regulation, and industry activities for members of the largest state agribusiness association in the nation.
In This Issue
AAI IN ACTION
 
AAI Among 39 Other State/National Organizations Asking For Quick Resolve of the PSM Retail Facility Interpretation


On March 16, 2016, the Agribusiness Association of Iowa was among 39 other state/national organizations that signed on to a letter by the Agricultural Coalition regarding the OSHA PSM retail exemption issue. The letter was sent to the Chair and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senate Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Sub-Committee, House Appropriations Committee, and House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Sub-Committee. The letter asked for their "support to favorably resolve the Occupational Safety & Health Administration's (OSHA) arbitrary and abrupt change in its Process Safety Management (PSM) 'retail facility' interpretation."
 
The letter states "The new PSM requirements will place significant time and cost burdens on agricultural retailers. OSHA estimated the cost of compliance at $2,100 per facility. However, the industry cost estimates per facility are approximately $30,000 for initial compliance, $12,000 for annual compliance, and $18,000 for a three year audit.  In the aggregate, it would cost the industry well over $100 million to come into compliance." "It is important and necessary for agricultural businesses, and other affected stakeholders, to have an opportunity for public input when agencies make major policy changes to regulations that cause significant, and unexpected burdens," also stated in the letter. 

IN THE NEWS
 
PSM Compliance Toolkit Now Available From ResponsibleAg
by: CropLife

ResponsibleAg has announced the availability of  MyPSM+RMP Compliance Assistance Tool  and  PSM Training Modules . These online materials will greatly assist agricultural retailers comply with the complex  Process Safety Management (PSM) rule  and the associated Risk Management Plan (RMP) Program Level 3 obligation. 

The training modules were developed by ResponsibleAg with assistance from Asmark Institute, The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) and the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA). 

The MyPSM+RMP compliance assistance tool was developed by Asmark Institute, The Fertilizer Institute, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 

Dean of ISU CALS Addresses Rual Concerns at Agriculture Breakfast
by: KIMT.com

The Hancock County Farm Bureau and the Garner Chamber of Commerce hosted their Annual Agriculture Breakfast on Tuesday.  Over 50 students from West Hancock, GHV and Belmond Klemme High School and farmers came out to the Duncan Community Hall.  There were plenty of omelets as well as talks on key agriculture issues.

Dr. Wendy Wintersteen, dean of College Agriculture and Life Science (CALS) at Iowa State University (ISU), was the keynote speaker of the event and says it was important for her to address some concerns to the community.

"Today we talked about the critical issues of nitrogen phosphorus, streams and rivers and what farmers and the state need to be doing to think about how to address the issues," said Wintersteen.

Bill Blocking GMO Labels Stalls In Senate, But Battle Is Far From Over

It's been called "perhaps the  most contentious issue in the food industry": Should food products be labeled to indicate they contain genetically modified ingredients?

Leading Republicans in the Senate tried to answer that question on Wednesday with a clear "no," but failed. The Senate rejected a bill that would have prevented any state from requiring GMO labels on food. The bill, sponsored by Kansas Republican Sen. Pat Roberts, would have created a voluntary national labeling standard for foods containing GMOs, but it would have blocked Vermont from implementing its first-in-the-nation mandatory GMO labeling law, currently set to take effect on July 1.

Related Articles:
USDA Announces $260 Million Available for Conservation Program

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the availability of up to $260 million for partner proposals to improve the nation's water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. The funding is being made available through USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) innovative Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) and applicants must be able to match the federal award with private or local funds.

Upcoming Events
& Meeting
Want a Chance to Win? We Need Your Opinion Today.

The Agribusiness Association of Iowa has previously send a survey link to all persons that attended the 2016 Agribusiness Showcase & Conference. AAI would very much appreciate any feed back that you may have. Please see below links for your chance to win one of five $25 Amazon Gift Cards! 



Need a 2016 Membership Directory?

AAI is now taking orders for the 2016 membership directory. If you are a current 2016  voting member you will receive one complementary directory as a membership  benefit . If you would like to pre-order your 2016 directory please visit our website. If you have questions on your membership please contact Reilly Vaughan 515-262-8323 or reilly@agribiz.org. All members that are not paid (or have made other arrangements) as of March 31 will be removed from the directory. 

Thank you!
Agribusiness Association of Iowa | 5152628323
  aai@agribiz.org | www.agribiz.org
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Des Moines, IA 50309