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Thanks To Our Scramble Sponsors
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The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Bug Blocker Doors & Screens
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MWFPA 2015 Convention Topics, Speakers Sought
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 MWFPA is seeking topics (and speakers) that members would like to see addressed in breakout sessions at this year's annual convention.
The annual convention is a busy affair with over 1,000 attendees, the Processing Crops Conference, two keynote speakers; receptions, dinners, 150 exhibitors, and about 20 individual breakout sessions covering issues pertaining to human resources, occupational safety, food safety, new technology and environmental regulations.
Please consider topics (and speakers) that you would like to see addressed in the convention's breakout sessions and send them to
nick.george@mwfpa.org. Suggestions will be brought before the MWFPA Convention and AMO Committees before deciding which to choose.
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WI Assembly Passes Restrictions On Food Stamps
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| The WI State Assembly recently passed a bill (AB 177) limiting the foods that could be purchased under WI's FoodShare program, also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
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MWFPA President Nick George testifies on AB 177 along with GMA representative Kelsey Johnson.
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Under the proposal, people couldn't buy crab, lobster or other shellfish with food stamps and would have to spend two-thirds of their benefits on foods approved by the WI Women, Infants and Children nutrition program with some exceptions. MWFPA is part of a coalition of state business groups that opposed the measure because it could prevent the purchase of foods grown and made in Wisconsin. "Though well-intentioned, Assembly Bill 177 is a threat to both job creation in our state and our right to decide for ourselves what to put in our grocery carts," the coalition said in a public statement. In addition to MWFPA, the coalition includes the Grocery Manufacturers Association, the Wisconsin Pork Association, the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers, and the Wisconsin State Cranberry Association and the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. The measures now go to the Senate, where it face an uncertain future. Should it be enacted into law, implementation would depend on federal approval and finding millions of state taxpayer dollars needed to ensure that people on FoodShare would avoid luxuries and eat "healthier" meals.
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IL Senate Committee Holds Hearing On Expansion Of Renewable Energy Goals
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| The IL Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee held a subject matter hearing on SB 1485, a proposal from the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition that changes and expands the state's energy efficiency and renewable energy goals, and sets up a cap and invest program run by the IL EPA to comply with the federal Clean Air Act rules that are scheduled to be final this summer. The House Energy Committee held a subject matter hearing on HB 2607, also a proposal by the Clean Jobs Coalition.
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IL House Hears About Tort Reform, But Not From Business
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| The IL House of Representatives convened in a "Committee of the Whole" to discuss a key tenet of Governor Bruce Rauner's Turnaround Agenda. After having previously discussed workers' compensation reform, House lawmakers heard testimony from trial lawyers and victims of medical malpractice and negligence opposed to changes in the state's legal system but did not invite business, manufacturing or other tort reform advocates to testify in favor of venue reform, joint and several liability, or product liability. Prior to the hearing, a group of business organization including the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, Illinois Civil Justice League, State Chamber of Commerce, I-LAW, American Tort Reform Association and National Federation of Independent Business hosted a press conference to point out that the high cost of litigation has a negative impact on job creators. Studies show that IL has one of the worst legal climates in the nation and the cost of litigation is often cited as major impediments to job growth and investment in the state. The House has scheduled a vote this week on tort reform. Top of Page |
MN Budget Negotiations Continue As End of Session Draws Near
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 The focus at the MN Capitol has been budget negotiations among Governor Dayton, Senate Majority Leader Bakk and Speaker Daudt. Lawmakers made progress on most of the eight major spending bills they were working on over the weekend. But with a midnight tonight deadline for the Legislature to approve a new two-year budget bearing down on lawmakers, they may be in store for a special session due to a split over preschool spending. Additionally, Senate Democrats have failed to pass a transportation program funded by a new gasoline tax and House Republicans have been unsuccessful in providing $2 billion in tax breaks. Legislative leaders insist they'll finish by the deadline. But an education veto - or any others in the budget - would lead to a special session in coming weeks. MWFPA will provide a full report on budget actions soon.
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WI Budget Committee Continues Work This Week
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In WI, the Legislature's budget writing
Joint Finance Committee continues to work their way through the governor's budget.
Their job was made all the more difficult after the Legislative Fiscal Bureau (LFB) projected that there would no additional revenue that could be used for this budget. According to LFB, even if additional revenue did become available in the current year, economic forecasts project reduced growth rates in 2015-16 and 2016-17 offsetting any current growth.
The Committee will be meeting on the budget May 19 and May 21. I
t will consider one of the three biggest budget items and that is the Department of Transportation and how to fund the state's roads.
MWFPA continues monitoring the actions of this committee in order to insure that its actions do not impede business and economic development for food processors in the state.
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The MWFPA News Bulletin is underwritten in part by Wisconsin Lift Truck Corp.
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IFIC Survey Finds Consumers Support Current Food Labeling Policies
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The International Food Information Council (IFIC) survey,
"Consumer Perceptions of Food Technology & Sustainability", shows U.S. consumers overwhelmingly support current federal rules for labeling foods. Of the small percentage of consumers who want more detail on their labels, only 3 percent (or 1 percent of the total sample) cited biotechnology as an information need on the label.
IFIC reported that
satisfaction with current food labels continues to be high with 76 percent of consumers unable to think of any additional information that they wish to see on food labels. When presented with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) current labeling policy for foods produced using biotechnology, 66 percent supported the current policy. Read more about the report's findings
here. Read the report
here.
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FDA Publishes Draft Guidance on Mandatory Recall Authority
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The Food and Drug Administration has released a draft 'Guidance for Industry' regarding mandatory food safety recalls. Read
more.
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Feingold Announces Another Senate Bid In WI
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| Former WI Democratic Sen. Russ Feingold announced Thursday he will run for his old Wisconsin seat. Feingold, a three-term senator, was ousted in the 2010 Republican wave by now-Sen. Ron Johnson. His announcement that he will run to reclaim his old seat comes as no surprise - he has hinted at his plans and Wisconsin Democrats have long said they expected him to run. Read more.
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CA Decision On BPA Contradicts Scientific Record
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| The California Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) announced that Bisphenol A (BPA) will be listed by the state as a reproductive toxicant, a conclusion not supported by an extensive scientific record and contrary to the findings of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Continue reading.
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MWFPA Spring Summit & Scramble Is Nearly Here!!
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Don't miss this great networking event and help us raise funds for MWFPA Scholarships!
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t is, without a doubt, a great way to get to know other members and enjoy a day of camaraderie, food, and a whole lot of fun.
in Wisconsin Dells, WI.
For more information and on-line reservations, visit our event
website,
or download the registration
form.
Last year over 200 golfers participated in this event and we awarded over $3,000 in cash prizes.
Sponsorship opportunities that promote your company's* name are still available, but the cutoff date is May 25 - so don't delay sponsor today!!  All sponsors will be recognized with signage at the event, on our website and social networking pages, and in our bi-monthly e-bulletin. The sooner you sponsor the longer your logo is displayed. This year's golf outing will again afford participants the opportunity to help raise money for MWFPA Scholarships. In 2015 MWFPA awarded $14,000 in scholarships to the children of MWFPA member company employees. LODGING:  Our block room offer has expired at the Hilton Garden Inn, but lodging can still be obtained by contacting the Holiday Inn Express or the Kalahari Inn & Resort.
*If your company plans to bring a door prize, please contact
brian.deschane@mwfpa.org, or phone 608-255-9946 in advance of the event so your contribution can be included on the appropriate signage.
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GMA FSMA Inspections Webinar Set For May 19
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Manufacturer facility inspections will change drastically upon the final implementation of FSMA regulations this fall. Early FSMA preparation is vital to effectively managing these upcoming industry-changing regulations.
Start preparing today and register for the May 19th GMA webinar, FSMA Inspections: Get Ready Now or Get Cited Later! Attendees will learn how inspections are expected to change, consequences to non-compliance, FSMA preparation planning tips and more.
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Registration Now Open For Food Safety Preventative Controls Forum October 19-22, 2015
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| Think Asia, Think Hong Kong Seeks Food Processors For One-On-One Business Meetings |
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council is organizing an event in Chicago on June 10, 2015 called "Think Asia, Think Hong Kong."
The Council is bringing 6 business delegations from Hong Kong and China (100+ companies) representing 6 different industries. In addition to attending TATHK, they will also do some company visits and participate in One-on-One Business Matching meetings with local companies. They are looking to meet with food & wine producers, food processing companies, food packaging companies, etc. for both sourcing AND selling opportunities.
If your company would like to participate, please click here for more information.
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June 4, 2015:
Spring Summit & Scramble. Trappers Turn Golf Course, Wisconsin Dells, WI.
October 6, 2015:
Sporting Clays Challenge. Whispering Emerald Ridge Game Farm, N3954 640th St., Menomonie, WI.
October 19-22, 2015:
AFFI/MWFPA Food Safety Preventative Controls Forum, Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva, WI.
Register.
October 28-29, 2015:
MWFPA HACCP Seminar, LaCrosse, WI.
December 1-3, 2015 -
MWFPA 111th Annual Convention and 88th Processing Crops Conference. KI Convention Center, Green Bay, WI.
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MWFPA's Spring Summit and Scramble is set for June 3-4, 2015, at the
