NASDA News January 7, 2008

IFE AMERICAS SHOW A SUCCESS!
Published: January 07, 2008

       The Miami Beach Convention Center was thriving with trade and culture October 29 to 31, 2007, at the 10th IFE Americas Food & Beverage show as hundreds of buyers and suppliers came together to promote new food and beverage products and increase business deals through hands on, face-to-face promotion. Sponsored by the World Trade Center Miami and Montgomery International, the IFE Americas event is a unique mixing bowl for food trade in the Western hemisphere. The USA Pavilion at IFE Americas is sponsored by NASDA and Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS). While capitalizing on Miami's status as a regional trade hub and the center of the lucrative cruise business, the event also provides access to Caribbean, Central American, South American, Canadian, Mexican, and U.S. buyers. 
       "The show is a very good Latin American lead for us. It's very beneficial to our business and expanding our worldwide sales network. This is an excellent place to crack the barrier of international business without traveling to those [individual] countries." said Terry Jones of Jack Link's Beef Jerky in Wisconsin. 
       In addition to the USA pavilion, the IFE Americas event attracts exhibitors from 33 countries, and visitors from the entire Western hemisphere and as far away as China. 
       "We didn't know what to expect when we exhibited for the first time at the IFE Americas Show in November 2006. The show has translated into new sales and new distributors. The IFE Americas Show fits perfectly into our export marketing plan." said Courtenay Carr Russo with Tropical Delight Daiquiries, Inc.
       The USA Pavilion at IFE Americas Food & Beverage Show continues to present exhibitors with new perspectives on the global marketplace and helps them gain valuable exposure to the Caribbean, South America, Central America, Canada, and Mexico.  Exhibitors recruited to the USA pavilion by NASDA and individual state departments of agriculture benefit from a turn-key exhibitor package, pre-arranged meetings with buyers and a slate of educational programs.
       The 11th IFE Americas Food & Beverage show will be held September 24 to 26, 2008, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. For more information please visit http://www.nasdatradeshows.org or http://www.nasda.org. (Contact Megan McDonald or DeWitt Ashby)

2007 FARM BILL HEADS TO CONFERENCE
Published: January 07, 2008

       The House and Senate have passed their 2007 farm bills and the legislation now goes to a joint conference committee to reconcile differences between the two versions. Although there are a number of issues that need to be resolved, the  most important and difficult job will be about funding.
       Neither the House or Senate have appointed members for the conference committee. It is unclear when  they will be formally announced because the House returns to work on January 15 and the Senate on January 22. Agriculture Committee members held an informal meeting before the Christmas holiday, and congressional staff are reportedly meeting during the recess to begin work on non-controversial issues. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) told media reporters that he wants to complete work on the farm bill conference by February 1.
       The farm bill still faces a veto threat from the White House if a number of changes are not made to the legislation. After the Senate passed the farm bill on December 14, USDA Acting Secretary Chuck Conner issued a statement saying the legislation was "fundamentally flawed." He said the Senate farm bill has $22 billion in unfunded commitments and budget gimmicks, and includes $15 billion in new taxes. The White House also issued a statement that said the Senate farm bill does not represent wise stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The statement noted that Congress has refused to significantly limit farm income subsidies for the wealthiest Americans. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

OMNIBUS FUNDING BILL INCLUDES AGRICULTURE & DISASTER ASSISTANCE
Published: January 07, 2008

       Congress approved a massive omnibus appropriations package just days before Christmas which President Bush signed into law on December 26. The FY08 spending bill (H.R. 2764) provides more than $500 billion to fund eleven of the twelve annual appropriations bills, including agriculture.
       The omnibus spending package included an extension of the eligibility date for disaster assistance from Feburary 28, 2007, through December 31, 2007.  NASDA and other agricultural groups pushed for an extension of that date. Earlier this year, Congress approved an emergency agricultural disaster package as part of the FY07 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill. The eligibility cut off date was February 28, 2007.  The recently-passed Senate farm bill includes a fully funded standing disaster assistance program. NASDA supports a permanent disaster assistance program in the farm bill. More information about the current disaster assistance program can be located at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.
       The omnibus spending bill provides a total of $18.1 billion for USDA and agriculture, almost $1 billion more than the president's budget request of $17.8 billion. The bill would increase spending for rural community programs ($714 million, $144 million above the president's budget request) and the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) will receive $6 billion, $815 million above the President's request. USDA's Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) is provided $930 million for FY08, which is $38 million above FY07. Animal and Plant Health will receive $868 million, which is $21 million above FY07 funding and $78 million below the president's request.  (Contact: Charlie Ingram or Jennifer Yezak)

NEW YEAR FORECAST ENCOURAGING FOR U.S. FOOD EXPORT SHOWCASE EXHIBITORS
Published: January 07, 2008

       Exhibitors at the 2008 U.S. Food Export Showcase will find larger, more vigorous markets around the world for their products according to a 2007 end-of-year forecast by the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS).   FAS predicts that agricultural exports--including consumer-ready foods--will reach a record-breaking $91 billion . . . good news for U.S. manufacturers pursuing international markets. 
       "There are great opportunities for small and mid-size food businesses that are willing to step outside their comfort zones and become part of the global supply chain," said DeWitt Ashby, director of the U.S. Food Export Showcase.  "We're in a situation where the quality--and price--of U.S. food products is very attractive to middle class consumers in other nations. We have the ability to fill that need, and if we don't, our competitors will."
       The 2008 all-new U.S. Food Export Showcase takes place April 27 to 29 in Chicago's McCormick Place and promises to be a beehive of international activity with thousands of top-level international food buyers eager to connect with American manufacturers.   An emphasis on developing that buyer/seller relationship is what sets the 2008 Showcase apart from other food fairs and expositions. Exhibitors are supported by trade experts from various organizations including FAS, regional trade groups from across the U.S., as well as the exhibitor's own state department of agriculture.  These experts provide pre-show and on-site assistance to promote successful business negotiations.  A special International Trade Center is located on the exhibit floor where translators and advisors are easily accessible to help with language and trade questions.
       "One of the most supportive aspects of the Showcase is that companies exhibit under the banner of their home state department of agriculture where local assistance is readily available.  This is very reassuring for small- and mid-size businesses that are new to exporting," Ashby explained.
       Major delegations of senior food buyers are expected from Europe, Asia, South and North America, the Middle East, and Africa and they will shop for a wide range of products from snack foods to fresh commodities.
       "The number and variety of innovative products at the Showcase reflects the entrepreneurial spirit that fuels local economies across the country," said Ashby.  "From the deep south to our western states, international buyers will find uniquely American food products available for export right now."
       The U.S. Food Export Showcase is sponsored by NASDA.  This year's Showcase is co-located with two other organizations with growing global perspectives:  the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade's  (NASFT) Fancy Food Show and the Organic Trade Association's (OTA) All Things Organic show.  All three shows will be presented under the umbrella of the Global Food & Style Expo 2008.  (Contact: Megan McDonald or DeWitt Ashby)

NASS ADMINISTRATOR RON BOSECKER HAS RETIRED
Published: January 07, 2008

       R. Ronald Bosecker, administrator of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), retired January 3, 2008, after nearly 43 years of service to American agriculture.
       Dr. Gale Buchanan, USDA under secretary for research, education, and economics (REE), announced that Joseph T. Reilly, currently NASS's Associate Administrator, will serve as acting administrator until a permanent successor to Bosecker is selected.
       Bosecker was appointed NASS administrator in 1999.  Prior to that, he served in various capacities throughout the Agency, including several leadership positions in Washington, as well as tours of duty in the Illinois, Ohio, and California field offices.
       During his tenure, Bosecker fostered the growth of collaborative efforts between NASS and other USDA Agencies that contributed to more efficient data collection and strengthened partnerships throughout the Department.  He also significantly increased NASS's outreach efforts to minority and limited-resource farm operators, thereby improving USDA's efforts to deliver programs and services to previously underserved populations.  In addition, Bosecker was instrumental in the development of new methodology that significantly improved Census of Agriculture results and led to the first Census that completed the coverage for all components of U.S. agriculture in each county.
       "The work of the National Agricultural Statistics Service is critical to the efficient operation of American agriculture in the world economy.  Ron's leadership has strengthened the already excellent reputation of NASS for confidentiality, security, service and dedication to unbiased accuracy. I am grateful for his contributions to the excellence we strive for in the REE Mission Area and USDA," said Dr. Buchanan.
       NASS conducts hundreds of surveys every year and issues nearly 500 national reports annually covering virtually every aspect of U.S. agriculture.  (Contact: Rick Kirchhoff)

EPA PROPOSES EXEMPTION FOR REPORTING LIVESTOCK WASTE EMISSIONS
Published: January 07, 2008

       The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on December 21 proposed a rule change to provide an administrative reporting exemption for air releases of hazardous substances, primarily ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, from animal waste at farms.
       Under Federal National Contingency Plan (NCP) regulations, farms and other facilities are required to report any releases of hazardous substances above an EPA-established level to the Coast Guard National Response Center and state and local emergency response authorities. EPA is proposing to eliminate these reports for air releases from animal waste at farms because it is unnecessary to respond to such reports.
       Administrative exemptions from particular notification requirements are authorized under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, also known as Superfund) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). According to EPA, the proposed rule will enable response authorities to better focus their attention on hazardous substance releases that require emergency response while reducing reporting burdens on America's farms. Release notifications must still be made to emergency response authorities when  hazardous substances are released to the air from sources other than animal waste (e.g., ammonia tanks), as well as releases of hazardous substances to soil and water. More information on this proposed rule is available at http://www.epa.gov/emergencies/content/epcra/cercla_dec07.htm.  (Contact: Charlie Ingram)

APHIS MAKES KEY MANAGEMENT CHANGES
Published: January 07, 2008

       The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced two changes to its senior management staff. Rebecca Bech, formerly deputy administrator of biotechnology and regulatory services (BRS), has been named deputy administrator for plant protection and quarantine (PPQ) and Michael Gregoire, formerly deputy administrator of policy and program development, as deputy administrator for biotechnology and regulatory services (BRS).
       "Rebecca and Mike were doing outstanding jobs serving in their former positions," said APHIS administrator Cindy Smith, "but recent vacancies have allowed us to focus on continuing to build a team of agency leaders with strong, broad-based management experience. Both of these leaders have amassed an impressive string of accomplishments in their various positions in APHIS."
       Bech began her career with APHIS in 1986 as a PPQ officer, and throughout her time at APHIS has gained diverse experience by supporting several different programs, including PPQ, policy and program development, recruitment and development, and marketing and regulatory programs business services, where she acted as the USDA liaison for invasive species. Prior to becoming deputy administrator for BRS in June 2007, Bech served as BRS' associate deputy administrator for emerging and international programs.
       In her new role as PPQ deputy administrator, she will provide executive leadership and direction to a nationally dispersed staff responsible for safeguarding U.S. plant resources from destructive pests and diseases.
       Gregoire began his federal career as a budget analyst with APHIS in 1978 and served in various positions and programs over the continuing years, including among others, the agency's budget officer, the chief of staff to the administrator, and the agency chief information officer. He was appointed deputy administrator for policy and program development in March 2005, and provided leadership and guidance for the agency in the areas of planning, policy development, budgeting, regulatory decision-making and compliance with environmental statutes and regulations. In his new role as BRS deputy administrator, he will provide leadership and direction to ensure the safe development and introduction (importation, interstate movement, and field testing) of genetically engineered organisms.
       "Rebecca's strong coalition building skills combined with her seasoned management experience and former background in PPQ make her an excellent choice for the new PPQ deputy. And, Mike's business acumen, knowledge of regulatory and environmental function management, coupled with his numerous years in various APHIS leadership roles, have well prepared him for this new position. I am pleased my colleagues are up to this challenge, and I am confident that they will serve the agency well in their new roles."  (Contact: Bob Ehart)

CBP CREATES NEW AGRICULTURE POSITION
Published: January 07, 2008

       To improve oversight of the agricultural mission, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has established the new position of deputy executive director, agriculture operational oversight. Kevin Harriger, who has twenty-six years experience in protecting American agriculture with USDA and with CBP has been appointed to the position.
       Harriger is charged with ensuring a more consistent application of agriculture inspection policy across all U.S. ports of entry. He will be the primary point of contact for Joint Agency Task Force coordination issues for the Department of Homeland Security, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and stakeholders. His other responsibilities include:
       *  Conduct outreach to federal and state officials on agriculture border inspection issues;
       *  Oversee the joint CBP/APHIS Agriculture Quality Assurance program;
       *  Monitor agricultural performance measures for risk and efficiency;
       *  Ensure compliance with all agricultural program directives and policies;
       *  Ensure agriculture specialists have the equipment and resources they need to perform the agriculture inspection function.
       Prior to assuming his duties as deputy executive director, Harriger was the director of policy and planning for CBP's agriculture programs. He also served as a special assistant to the executive director of agriculture programs and Trade Liaison Office, implementing and coordinating agriculture related projects and training.
       Harriger transferred from APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) to CBP at the creation of the Department of Homeland Security. He started his career with APHIS as a PPQ officer in 1981. Previous to his position in CBP, he was the PPQ assistant regional director in Raleigh, North Carolina.  (Contact: Bob Ehart)

TAYLOR NAMED FIRST RECIPIENT OF FIRST PIONEER FARM CREDIT FRIEND OF AGRICULTURE AND THE RURAL NORTHEAST AWARD
Published: January 07, 2008

       Stephen H. Taylor, New Hampshire's former commissioner of agriculture, is the first recipient of the First Pioneer Farm Credit Friend of Agriculture and the Rural Northeast Award. As a farmer-owned cooperative and the largest lender to agriculture in the Northeast, First Pioneer is honored to have worked with Taylor throughout his 25 years of distinguished service to the state of New Hampshire.
       The newly created award recognizes individuals with a record of outstanding service to the Northeast's agricultural industries and rural communities. Taylor accepted the award during a First Pioneer customer appreciation meeting on November 12 at The Bedford Village Inn in Bedford, N.H. 
       Before presenting the award, Bill Lipinski, First Pioneer president and CEO, said of Taylor, "It is with profound and deep appreciation that we present the Honorable Stephen H. Taylor with our first Friend of Agriculture and the Rural Northeast Award for his insightful and dedicated leadership. Through his work as the New Hampshire Commissioner of Agriculture, Northeast farmers, and rural communities benefitted immensely from his leadership. Commissioner Taylor brought in-depth agricultural and public policy knowledge, common sense solutions, and respected advocacy to the Granite State." 
 

GOVERNOR RENDELL NAMES NEW DIRECTOR OF DOG LAW ENFORCEMENT BUREAU
Published: January 07, 2008

       Governor Edward G. Rendell has named Susan West of Lancaster County, a tireless advocate of humane conditions for animals, to be the new director of the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement within the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
       West, a member of the Dog Law Advisory Board since 2006 and former president of the Humane League of Lancaster County, will assume her new duties on Jan. 22.  West will oversee the daily operations of the bureau, including 59 state dog wardens.
       "Sue West brings to this role a broad understanding of the issues facing dogs and the important role the state has in monitoring the care and handling of dogs," said Governor Rendell. "She also has a great deal of experience with Lancaster County, home to 11 percent of the state's kennels."
       On Oct. 17, 2006, Rendell announced sweeping changes to the state's dog law and regulations.  Since then, several key components of the governor's plan have been successfully implemented, including the hiring of a special deputy secretary, special prosecutor and kennel compliance team. 
       "We've reformed our dog law enforcement team, adding significant resources and talent, in an effort to help improve the lives of dogs in Pennsylvania," said Rendell.
       West has volunteered much of her time to the Humane League of Lancaster County and other areas of animal welfare. She served various roles with the Humane League since 1996, including board president, and chair of the legislative committee, taking the nonprofit group through its first strategic planning process and organizational analysis. 
       West was a member of a kennel task force for the Lancaster County Commissioners in 2005 to 2006.
       She was previously employed by Westfield Insurance Company, formerly Old Guard Insurance Company, of Lancaster.
       The Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement enforces licensing and control of dogs, inspects kennels, investigates dog bites and enforces the Pennsylvania Rabies Law.
       For more information on Pennsylvania's dog law, and to access online kennel inspection records, visit http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/padoglaw.  (Contact:  Chris L. Ryder, 717/787-5085)