NATIONAL MEAT
ASSOCIATION h 1970
Broadway, Suite 825, Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 763-1533 Fax (510) 763-6186 h Email Address: [email protected] h http://www.nmaonline.org
Edited by Kiran Kernellu
June 30, 2003
HOUSE AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS MARKUP
On Wednesday, June 25, the House Appropriations Committee marked up legislation providing funding for the 2004 appropriations requests for programs under the jurisdiction of the Departments of Health and Human Services, Interior, and Agriculture. The provision to bar funding for the implementation of COOL for meat passed a vote by the Committee with no attempt to strike. The provision must now survive the vote of the full House and Senate, and ultimately President Bush. However, the passage of the provision doesn’t eliminate COOL; it simply doesn’t provide funds in federal FY 2004 to implement it.
USDA’s
General Counsel, Nancy Bryson, testified at a House Agriculture Committee
hearing last week and said retailers must still obey the COOL law. There’s an
independent obligation under the law to retailers, she said. If the provision
in the FY 2004 Agriculture Appropriations bill prevails, the block in funding
does mean that USDA doesn’t have the money to audit for compliance of COOL.
View the USDA testimony at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/cool/.
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) criticized the provision that would eliminate funding for COOL requirements for meat mandated by the 2002 Farm Bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, aides to Rep. Kaptur indicated she might offer an amendment to reinstate the COOL funds when the bill goes to the House floor.
During the mark up of the Agriculture spending bill, the House Appropriations Committee also approved a provision that would prohibit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) from taking action against wholesalers, pharmacists, and individuals that import FDA-approved prescription drugs from Canada. The amendment was introduced by Representative Anne Northup (R-KY), and passed 34-22 despite opposition by Chairman Young, Ranking Member David Obey (D-WI), Agriculture Subcommittee Chairman Henry Bonilla (R-TX), and Agriculture Subcommittee Ranking Member Kaptur. NMA members may contact Kiran Kernellu at [email protected] or 510-763-1533 for a copy of the Olsson, Frank & Weeda memo on the markup.
Correction on Summer Conference REGISTRATION FORM Dates!
Social Events: Thursday, August 21
Friday, August 22
Saturday, August 23
ALL MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO JOIN
US FOR NMA’s REGULATORY UPDATE & ISSUES SEMINAR at the 2003 SUMMER
CONFERENCE!
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2003
GRAND GENEVA RESORT & SPA,
LAKE GENEVA, WI
For more information and registration materials, contact NMA at 510-763-1533 or [email protected]
Page 2
FSIS’S FEE CHANGES
On June 26, FSIS published a final rule in the Federal Register entitled, “Changes in Fees for Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Services--Calendar Year (CY) 2003.” The rule, effective June 29, 2003, amends FSIS regulations to increase the fees that it charges meat and poultry establishments, egg products plants, importers, and exporters for providing voluntary inspection services, overtime and holiday inspection services, identification services, certification services, and laboratory services. FSIS is raising the fees for voluntary base time and holiday and overtime inspection services. These increases in fees reflect, among other factors, the national and locality pay raise for Federal employees (4.1 percent increase effective January 2003) and inflation. Further, by this rule FSIS is also decreasing the fee for laboratory services because of greater efficiencies realized. The Agency is not changing the annual fee it charges for the Accredited Laboratory Program. Visit the rule on the Web at:http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2003/03-16167.htm.
FSIS ANNOUNCES RECALL
Yesterday FSIS announced a voluntary recall by
Stampede Meat, Inc., Chicago, IL. The establishment is recalling approximately
739,000 pounds of frozen beef products, mostly vacuum packaged steaks, that may
be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7.
The products subject to recall were produced between
March 17 and March 22, 2003, and bear the establishment code “EST. 19113”
inside the USDA mark of inspection. The products were distributed to
restaurants, institutions and retail stores nationwide, and to consumers
through door-to-door sales. The products were also distributed to
institutions in Canada.
The recall was initiated after epidemiological case
studies conducted by public health officials concluded the recalled product may
be linked to five E. coli O157:H7 illnesses in Minnesota, Kansas and
Michigan. Public health officials from FSIS, the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, and several state health departments are continuing to
investigate the extent of the outbreak and determine if additional products are
linked to illnesses reported.
While steaks are not generally considered a high-risk
source of E. coli O157: H7, the products subject to recall were injected
with tenderizers and flavor-enhancing solutions, and that process may have
transferred the bacteria from the surface to the inside of the product.
Note that cooking meat to an internal temperature of 160 degrees (as
measured with a food thermometer) destroys E. coli O157: H7. Consumers
and media with questions about the recall may contact Bill Asleson, company
executive manager, at (800) 353-0933.
ELECTRONIC
NEWSLETTER
Lean Trimmings and
Herd on the Hill are offered electronically. If you’d like to receive
the newsletter via e-mail, please contact Kiran Kernellu at [email protected] or 510-763-1533.
Receive the latest news every Monday afternoon in your inbox instead of waiting
for it in the mail!
NMA reports news items that are of special interest to
its readers, and provides information that they may want to be able to
access. Below are links to the Federal
Register, AMS, APHIS, and FSIS, respectively:
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html
ANIMAL
HANDLING VIDEOS
NMA has available two videotapes on animal handling,
“Animal Stunning for Stunners,” and “Animal Handling in Meat Plants.” NMA
members may purchase these videos at a discounted price. Please contact Julie
Ramsey at [email protected]
or 510-763-1533 for more information.
CORRECTION!
Please note that the first
headline on page three of last week’s Lean Trimmings should be
“MC DONALD’S: PHASE-OUT
GROWTH-PROMOTING ANTIBIOTICS.” We apologize
for this error.
Page 3
BSE UPDATE
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
reported last Thursday that the Ministers of Agriculture and Agri-Food and
Health released the report of the international team that evaluated Canada’s
investigation into the single case of BSE detected in an Alberta cow. The
report has been translated and is available on the CFIA website at: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/disemala/bseesb/internate.shtml.
The CFIA report also relayed that the Government of Canada will be responding quickly to the recommendations of the international team, in close consultation with provinces, territories, and the Canadian industry, and that close consultations with U.S. officials and other trading partners on moving ahead will be essential given the integrated North American market.
The international team’s report recommended actions include, but are not limited to, the following: putting in place a national requirement that certain animal tissues, known as Specified Risk Materials (SRMs), be removed from products destined for consumption; reviewing animal feed restrictions; strengthening tracking and tracing systems; improving disease testing and surveillance; and improving disease awareness among producers, veterinarians and the public.
CANADA OFFERS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
On June 18, 2003 Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Agriculture announced a national program to provide temporary assistance to help the Canadian cattle beef industry continue to operate while borders are closed. The program is funded at C $460 million and will be cost shared at a 60-40 ratio by the federal government and participating provinces and territories respectively.
The program has two key parts. The first consists of measures that will allow producers to receive payments for cattle owned as of May 20, 2003 that were subsequently sold for slaughter in Canada. Producers will be compensated when the price of cattle is below a reference price, which is based on market value in the U.S. Government support increases as the average price declines, and the percentage of government contribution decreases as the price declines, creating a strong incentive for producers to sell at the best price possible. Go to
http://www.agr.gc.ca/cb/news/2003/n30618be.html to view the sliding scale for payments.
The second part of the program offers processors incentives to sell or otherwise move surplus meat cuts that were produced after May 20 out of inventory. These cuts generally have a low domestic demand and are exported. This aspect of the program is designed to free up storage space, thereby allowing processors to operate at an increased capacity to serve Canada’s domestic market. View the CFIA release on the assistance program at:
http://www.agr.gc.ca/cb/news/2003/n30618ae.html.
Get the latest information on the investigation of the BSE-infected cow found in Canada on the CFIA website at:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/disemala/bseesb/bseesbindexe.shtml.
UPCOMING
NMA SEMINARS
July 17-18 - Advanced HACCP --
Los Angeles, CA
August 21-23 - Basic HACCP in Spanish
-- Los Angeles, CA
September 18-20 - Basic
HACCP --
San Francisco, CA
October 1-2 - Beyond Basics -- College Station, TX
Contact NMA at (510)
763-1533 for more information and registration materials.
NMA RESOURCE UNDER REVISION
NMA’s resource, “The Role of Microbiological Testing in Beef Safety Systems,” which was offered in the May 27, 2003 Lean Trimmings, is currently under revision. Once the revisions are complete, the resource will be offered through a notice in the newsletter.
FISCAL
YEAR 2003 PURCHASES
NMA has available information on the purchases for
Fiscal Year 2003. NMA members contact Kiran Kernellu at [email protected] or 510-763-1533
for a copy.
NMA’S 2003 SUMMER
CONFERENCE
All members are invited to attend NMA’s 2003 Summer
Conference! Download a copy of the brochure, which includes a registration
form, for the Conference at: http://www.nmaonline.org/files/brochure-word.pdf.
Download a registration form for the Regulatory Issues & Update Seminar at:
http://www.nmaonline.org/files/Regulatory
Update _ Issues Seminar-2.pdf. Contact us at [email protected] or
510-763-1533 to receive materials for both events by fax, e-mail or mail.
Page 4
BEEF BACKER CONTEST
The California Beef Council (CBC) is conducting its fourth
annual Beef Backer contest. Ranchers are encouraged to nominate a California
restaurant that does a great job of selling beef products. The Beef Backer Award
is designed to recognize the importance of those restaurants that “go the extra
mile” to sell beef and positively portray the beef industry.
The award is
based on beef promotion programs, beef menu applications, and overall quality.
Winners will receive cash prizes to be used toward future beef purchases.
Nominations must be received in the CBC office no later than August 29. NMA
members may contact Kiran Kernellu at [email protected]
or 510-763-1533 for a nomination form by fax or mail. For more information,
contact the CBC office at 925-484-2333, or [email protected].
NATIONAL SUMMARY OF MEATS GRADED
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service released the summary report of
meats graded for the month of April 2003. For all quality-graded beef, Choice
was 56.5%, down from 60.0% in March. Select was 40.7%, up from 36.4% the
previous month. And Prime was 2.8%, down from 3.7 % in March. For a copy of the
entire report, which covers beef, lamb and mutton, NMA members send a
self-addressed, stamped envelope to Kiran Kernellu or visit http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mgc/mgc-pubs.htm.
NATIONAL SUMMARY OF MEATS GRADED
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service released the summary report of
meats graded for the month of May 2003. For all quality-graded beef, Choice was
56.7%, up from 56.5% in April. Select was 40.7%, the same as the previous month. And Prime was 2.6%, down from 2.8% in
April. For a copy of the entire report, which covers beef, lamb and mutton, NMA
members send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Kiran Kernellu or visit http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mgc/mgc-pubs.htm.
NATIONAL MEAT ASSOCIATION
NMA - East: 1400 - 16th St. N.W., Suite 400, Washington D.C. 20036 Ph. (202)
667-2108
NMA - West: 1970 Broadway, Suite 825, Oakland, CA 94612 Ph. (510) 763-1533 Fax (510) 763-6186
Edited by Kiran Kernellu
June 30, 2003
JAPAN EXTENDS
JULY 1 BSE DEADLINE
Last week USDA officials discussed with industry
leaders issues related to BSE. Officials shared some good news: Japan has
extended its July 1 deadline for country of origin certification for all beef
exports for 60 days to September 1.
A permanent solution must be implemented by the time
the 60-day extension expires, according to officials. Japan needs assurances
that the beef exports it receives originate from a BSE-free country, noted one
official. Another noted that both Japan and Korea need “scientific cover,”
namely a provable standard to validate the safety of beef exports from their
trading partners.
The issue is complicated by the fact that there is
no universally agreed upon definition for Specified Risk Material (SRM). SRMs
are those parts of cattle that are thought to have a high risk of containing
and transmitting BSE. In its “Report on Actions Taken by Canada in Response to
the Confirmation of an Indigenous Case of BSE,” the international review team
noted, “The list of SRM must be based on knowledge derived from the extensive
studies on cattle, which have demonstrated that BSE infectivity may be present
in brain, spinal cord, trigeminal ganglia, dorsal root ganglia, terminal ileum,
eyes, and tonsils.” The Office International des Epizooties (OIE), world expert
on BSE and the standard setting organization for animal health for 162 member
nations, has set guidelines for SRM, but some countries have differing
standards. For instance, the U.S., as a BSE-free nation, need not remove SRM
under OIE guidelines for BSE compliance. Since Canada no longer holds BSE-free
nation status, it is now obligated to proffer a new standard. The
recommendation of the international review team, likely to become Canada’s SRM
standard, differs from that of both Japan and Korea. Japan’s definition
includes fewer constituents than Canada’s, but Korea’s includes more. There
must be some cohesion in the standard between all three North American
countries to satisfy both Japan and Korea, as we have a fully integrated
industry in North America. Solidifying a North American SRM standard is the
imminent goal of the U.S., and must be achieved by expiration of Japan’s
extension to continue trade and reopen the border to Canada.
As one official noted, the solution may involve a quid
pro quo. The resolution of the matter will indeed be a great feat of
science and diplomacy. A world standard for SRMs is our far-reaching goal. NMA
looks forward to providing input to facilitate the process. Members are
encouraged to share their thoughts and concerns on this issue with NMA. Direct
comments to NMA Executive Director Rosemary Mucklow via e-mail at
NMA WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS!
General
· Alma Meat Company, Los Angeles, CA
· Cartwright’s Valley Meat Company, Grants Pass, OR
· American Meats Processors, Wichita, KS
· New Mexico Processing, Clovis, NM
· Dairyman’s Meat Processing, Merced, CA
ALL MEMBERS ARE INVITED TO JOIN
US FOR NMA’s 2003 SUMMER CONFERENCE!
AUGUST 20-23, 2003
GRAND GENEVA RESORT & SPA,
LAKE GENEVA, WI
For more information, contact
NMA at 510-763-1533 or [email protected]
Page 2
NMA PROVIDES COMMENTS TO HOUSE AG COMMITTEE ON COOL
On June 26, 2003 NMA Government Relations Liaison provided a written
statement on COOL to the House Agriculture Committee. Following are excerpts of
the statement. NMA members may contact Kiran Kernellu at [email protected] or 510-763-1533
for the full text of the testimony.
“It is our belief that the current law simply cannot work in the real
world. While good intentions drove the legislation, the subsequent law, and the
regulations proposed by the Department of Agriculture to implement it simply
will not work in the very complex farm to retail store meat distribution
system. It is the belief of National
Meat Association that this law should be repealed
or amended because of the awesome cost burden, the practical impact on the
meat industry’s ability to produce quality product, and the impossibility to
follow the law without some type of animal identification program.
“It is our sincerest hope that Congress will take the points presented
by our organization as well as numerous other organizations and companies and
repeal Country of Origin Labeling. The provision that was inserted in the 2002
Farm Bill without official hearings on what it would do to the various
industries that it affected was not thought through. The prescriptive law, which
the Agricultural Marketing Service of USDA has attempted to turn into equally
prescriptive regulations is a problem for our large packer/processor members
and disastrous for our small and medium-sized ones. Too often, the meat
industry is faced with raising objections to well-intentioned laws that are the
result of political maneuvering instead of being the product of sound science
and good economics.
“After this law is repealed, we will be pleased to
work with Congress and develop a voluntary COOL law and program that will not
hurt the very businesses it is intended to help. We see the benefits of
advancing a “Product of the United States” designation and are aware that there
is some consumer curiosity, especially in light of the recent BSE scare in Canada.
In this regard NMA’s position is on par with livestock producer organizations
such as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. There are other groups who
will support a voluntary COOL program while disagreeing with current law that
makes it mandatory.”
FOOD INDUSTRY TRADE
COALITION
The Food Industry Trade Coalition (FITC) unveiled its COOL website on Wednesday, June 18, 2003. The FITC, of which NMA is a member, holds that the mandatory law should be repealed in favor of a voluntary program. The FITC is simultaneously committed to assisting affected companies with full compliance with the law. Visitors can view cost estimates, read statements by trading partners, find audit firms prepared to assist with implementation, view media reports about the law and sample labels on a variety of products. Learn more at:
http://www.countryoforiginlabel.org.
“NMA shares with its fellow FITC members the belief that this will be a useful resource to the meat, produce, peanut and seafood industries working to comply with the law’s massive requirements,” said NMA Executive Director Rosemary Mucklow. For NMA members not yet connected to the Internet, please call Kiran Kernellu at 510-763-1533 for back-up information.
FOOD SECURITY
MANUAL FOR PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS & RETAILERS
The National Food Processors Association (NFPA) is having a summer sale on its “Food Security Manual for Processors, Distributors and Retailers.” The Manual is on sale for $80 plus tax and shipping - a 20% savings! The Manual provides basic information on security procedures and practices that are applicable to food processing plants, distribution centers and supermarkets. Go to www.nfpa-food.org/orderform.html to use the online publication order form, and use publication code P-FSM when ordering. Place your order before Aug. 31 to take advantage of this offer! For more information, please e-mail [email protected].