NASDA COMMITTEES PLAN ACTIVE AGENDAS
News Date January 24, 2008
NASDA's policy committee and task forces have planned full agendas during their meetings at the upcoming NASDA Midyear Conference being held in Washington, D.C., on February 7 to 11. NASDA members will discuss the 2007 farm bill, and a variety of topics of importance to agriculture including specialty crops, trade, bioenergy, conservation and homeland security.
The Marketing and International Trade Committee, chaired by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson, will hear reports regarding the 2007 farm bill, World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Round, and the Tri-National Agricultural Accord activities.
The Rural Development and Financial Security Committee, chaired by Oklahoma Agriculture Commissioner Terry Peach will have updates and discussions on the farm bill, renewable energy, farm labor reform and transportation issues. California Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura will chair the Specialty Crops Task Force meeting and members will discuss the Specialty Crops Block Grant program and other provisions in the farm bill impacting specialty crops.
NASDA's Natural Resources and Pesticide Management Committee plans to review a variety of policy issues. The panel, chaired by Utah Agriculture Commissioner Leonard Blackham, will hear a report on western wildfires and the Forest Service Open Space Conservation Initiative. Jon Scholl, agricultural counselor to the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will hold an interactive dialogue with NASDA members on environmental issues and challenges facing farmers and ranchers. Ben Grumbles, EPA assistant administrator for water, will discuss activities of the agency's Hypoxia Task Force and the role of agriculture.
NASDA's Food Regulation and Nutrition Committee, chaired by Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks, will hear from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials about the Administration's recently announced Food Protection Plan and Import Safety Plan. Dr. Dan Englejohn, USDA deputy assistant administrator for the Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), will discuss the agency's activities on meat and poultry inspection. Jay Wenther, executive director of the American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) will provide an industry perspective on federal meat inspection activities.
The Animal and Plant Industries Committee meeting, on the afternoon of Saturday, February 9, will be lead by Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach. The focus of the meeting will be on improving collaboration and communications during emergency planning and response efforts. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Administrator Cindy Smith will tee off discussions regarding the results of the survey and recommendations made during the NASDA - APHIS project to improve collaborative efforts before, during, and after emergency events. NASDA Members will also have time to discuss recommendations among themselves. In addition, the committee will hear from Global Animal Management regarding country of origin labeling (COOL), age and source and National Animal Identification System activities.
The Food and Agriculture Security Task Force, chaired by South Dakota Agriculture Secretary Bill Even, will discuss several homeland security issues affecting agriculture. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials will report on new chemical security standards, protection of critical agricultural infrastructure, and federal-state communications.
The Biotechnology Task Force is chaired by Kansas Agriculture Secretary Adrian Polansky. APHIS will update the task force on several important issue; e.g., the Roundup Ready alfalfa Federal Register notice and BRS's pending Environmental Impact Statement. The task force will also have a presentation from Mary Lee Chin, a noted nutritionist and dietician. (Contact: Charlie Ingram, Jennifer Yezak, and/or Bob Ehart)