Fresh Produce Discussion Blog

Created by The Packer's National Editor Tom Karst

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Fw: Press Release: House Agriculture Committee Holds Farm Bill FieldHearing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

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-----Original Message-----
From: AgPress <AgPress@mail.house.gov>
Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 11:24:48
To: News Distribution<news@aglist.house.gov>
Subject: Press Release: House Agriculture Committee Holds Farm Bill Field
Hearing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

News from the House Agriculture Committee

http://agriculture.house.gov

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Media Contact:
April Slayton (202) 225-6872
April.Slayton@mail.house.gov

House Agriculture Committee Holds Farm Bill Field Hearing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Today, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson held a field hearing in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
to review U.S. agriculture policy as the Committee begins the process of writing the 2012 Farm Bill. This is the eighth in a series
of hearings scheduled across the country to consider new ideas regarding Federal food and farm policy. Twelve Members of Congress
attended today's hearing and heard testimony from eleven witnesses on a variety of farm policy issues.

"I am glad that the Agriculture Committee was able to hear from my neighbors in South Dakota about the opportunities and challenges
facing agriculture producers in this part of the country," Chairman Peterson said. "Just as agriculture producers have to adapt to
stay in business, the Farm Bill also has to evolve so it continues to provide a safety net that works in South Dakota and
nationwide."

According to U.S Department of Agriculture statistics, South Dakota ranks fifth in the nation for sheep and goat production as well
as eighth in cattle production. More than 2.3 million acres of land in South Dakota are enrolled in USDA conservation programs.

Approximately 175 members of the community attended the hearing, including local agriculture producers and leaders. Many more
watched the hearing online via a live video feed on the House Agriculture Committee's website. House Agriculture Committee Members
attending the hearing included: Chairman Peterson; Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota; Congressman Timothy Walz
of Minnesota; Congresswoman Betsy Markey of Colorado; Congressman Larry Kissell of North Carolina; Congressman Travis Childers of
Mississippi; Congressman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia who serves as the Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on
Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research; Congressman Mike Rogers of Alabama; Congressman Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska who serves
as the Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry;
Congressman K. Michael Conaway of Texas who serves as the Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Rural
Development, Biotechnology, Specialty Crops and Foreign Agriculture; Congressman Adrian Smith of Nebraska; and Congressman Glenn
Thompson of Pennsylvania.

"Congress passes a new Farm Bill every five years, and it's critical that factors affecting South Dakota are heard and understood as
this legislation is drafted," Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin said. "That's why I'm pleased that the Agriculture Committee
had an opportunity to hear about a diverse range of issues in South Dakota affected by the Farm Bill at today's hearing. I encourage
South Dakotans to continue providing input and look forward to working with my colleagues on the Committee, and the House as a
whole, to draft a Farm Bill that does right by our state's farmers, ranchers and rural communities."

"Economies in the Great Plains have remained stable and relatively healthy during a significant national economic downturn, due
largely to agriculture's influence," Congressman Jeff Fortenberry said. "The Heartland is well positioned to lead our economic
recovery, with specialized opportunities in food and energy production. I was pleased to hear from ag producers today about ways to
craft good farm policies that will shape agricultural opportunity for coming generations of American farmers."

"As we begin our work on the new farm bill, we need to make smarter and better targeted investments that provides a strong safety
net for our producers and fosters a stronger rural economy," Congressman Tim Walz said. "Agriculture is absolutely critical to our
rural economies and communities. Also, as we target the growing national debt we need to make sure that our investments are
producing good outcomes. Today's hearing was focused on hearing what's working well and what we'll need to address as we craft the
next farm bill."

"Agriculture has a role in the economic, social, and environmental outlook of not only our country, but the entire planet. We
should be working to create policies which will strengthen American agriculture and provide long-term stability for our nation's
producers to compete in the international marketplace. Such economic policies will foster sustained growth in rural communities,"
Congressman Adrian Smith said. "My goal for the next Farm Bill is to build on the successes we have heard about in previous field
hearings and to craft policies which will provide long-term stability for our nation's producers."

Written testimony provided by the witnesses is available on the Committee website: http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html.
A full transcript of the hearing will be posted on the Committee website at a later date. To receive updated schedule and news
information from the House Agriculture, please visit the House Committee on Agriculture website to sign up for email updates:
http://agriculture.house.gov/Eupdates/updates.html.

Witness List
Panel I
. Mr. Gary Duffy, corn, soybean, wheat, alfalfa, hog and beef producer, Oldham, South Dakota
. Mr. Rod Gangwish, irrigated corn, soybean producer, Shelton, Nebraska
. Mr. Doug Sombke, corn, wheat, soybean and beef producer, Conde, South Dakota
. Mr. Steve Masat, wheat, corn, soybean, hay, and livestock producer, Redfield, South Dakota
. Mr. Kevin Scott, soybean, corn and hog producer, Valley Springs, South Dakota
. Mr. Matthew Wolle, corn, soybean, and livestock producer, Madelia, Minnesota
. Mr. Scott VanderWal, corn, soybean, small grain, and beef producer, Volga, South Dakota


Panel II
. Mr. David Hallberg, biofuels representative, Omaha, Nebraska
. Dr. Scott Weishaar, biofuels representative, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
. Mr. Jim Nieman, forest product producer, Hulett, Wyoming
. Dr. Kevin Kephart, Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South
Dakota

###

The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture web site http://agriculture.house.gov has additional information on this and other subjects.

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Fw: MEDIA ADVISORY: Senate Agriculture Committee to Hold ConfirmationHearing

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From: "Friedlander, Liz (Agriculture)" <Liz_Friedlander@agriculture.senate.gov>
Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 09:46:44 -0500
Subject: MEDIA ADVISORY: Senate Agriculture Committee to Hold Confirmation Hearing

 

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES

May 18, 2010

Contact: Courtney Rowe or Liz Friedlander, 202-224-2035

 

--Media Advisory--

 

Senate Agriculture Committee to Hold Confirmation Hearing

 

Washington – U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln D-Ark., Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced the Committee will hold a hearing to consider the nominations of Elisabeth A. Hagen, Catherine E. Woteki, Sara L. Faivre-Davis, Lowell L. Junkins, and Myles J. Watts.

 

The hearing will take place Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 9:30 a.m. in the Senate Agriculture Committee Hearing Room, SR-328A.

 

Witness List

Panel I: USDA

Elisabeth A. Hagen, of Virginia, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety

 

Catherine E. Woteki, of the District of Columbia, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics

 

Panel II:  Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation

Sara L. Faivre-Davis, of Texas, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation

 

Lowell L. Junkins, of Iowa, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation

 

Myles J. Watts, of Montana, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation

 

--30--

 

 

FRANCE: Paris intervenes on retailer margins

http://www.just-food.com/news/paris-intervenes-on-retailer-margins_id111048.aspx

FRANCE: Paris intervenes on retailer margins

France’s major food retailers - including Carrefour, Leclerc and Auchan - have agreed to exercise margin restraint during periods of crisis in fruit and vegetable production, following talks with President Sarkozy.

The agreement stipulates that that in time of “proven market crisis”, when the price paid to producers is significantly inferior to the average of previous years, retailers will not increase their gross margin on the product in question.

Sarkozy highlighted the crisis in tomato production when producer prices had fallen at a greater rate than consumer prices, meaning retailer gross margins had increased.

“This is simply not acceptable,” Sarkozy insisted yesterday (17 May).

Sarkozy had threatened retailers with an increase in a tax on commercial space in the event of them refusing to support the initiative.

Commenting on the agreement, the head of Leclerc, Michel-Edouard Leclerc, said: “My initial reaction to the way this was set up was one of irritation but I now believe this a good measure, given additional credibility by its restraining and collective aspects.”

Meanwhile, the president of French farmers federation, the FNSEA, Jean-Michel Lemétayer, said the agreement would probably benefit consumers more than producers.

“If we really want to secure farmers’ revenues, including those in the fruit and vegetables sector, commercial relations with their major customers have to be put on to a contractual footing and provision is made for this in a government bill on the future of French agricultural sector.”

Fw: GMA STATEMENT REGARDING HWCF PLEDGE TO REDUCE 1.5 TRILLION CALORIESBY 2015

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From: "Openshaw, Scott W." <SOpenshaw@gmaonline.org>
Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 14:07:06 -0500
Subject: GMA STATEMENT REGARDING HWCF PLEDGE TO REDUCE 1.5 TRILLION CALORIES BY 2015

 

For Immediate Release                                                               

May 17, 2010

 

Scott Openshaw, sopenshaw@gmaonline.org, 202-295-3957

Brian Kennedy, bkennedy@gmaonline.org, 202-639-5994

 

GMA STATEMENT REGARDING HWCF PLEDGE TO

REDUCE 1.5 TRILLION CALORIES BY 2015

 

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) today issued the following statement by President and CEO Pamela G. Bailey applauding the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation (HWCF) for pledging to reduce 1.5 trillion calories by the end of 2015: 

 

"GMA applauds HWCF for today's historic announcement.  This is a tremendous example of our industry's commitment to do as First Lady Michelle Obama has challenged us to do – go farther faster. 

 

"America's food and beverage companies are committed to a genuine partnership with the First Lady to help reverse the trend of childhood obesity within a generation.  Everyone has a role to play if we are to win the battle over obesity in this country, including industry.  We embrace this responsibility and we promise to continually improve.

 

"Over the last several years our industry has already improved the nutritional profile of more than 10,000 product options to reduce sugar, fats, calories and sodium.  And we're not just making our foods healthier.  More nutritional education is an essential key to healthy living.  We've also made a commitment to share more information about foods than ever before.  We want consumers to feel confident in the choices they make to help their families build and maintain healthy lifestyles.

 

"Ending childhood obesity within a generation is a goal every American should embrace, and America's food and beverage industry is proud to do its part."

 

###

 

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) represents the world's leading food, beverage and consumer products companies. The Association promotes sound public policy, champions initiatives that increase productivity and growth and helps ensure the safety and security of consumer packaged goods through scientific excellence. The GMA board of directors is comprised of chief executive officers from the Association's member companies. The $2.1 trillion food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry employs 14 million workers, and contributes over $1 trillion in added value to the nation's economy. For more information, visit the GMA Web site at www.gmaonline.org

 

 

Fw: NEWS: National Restaurant Association Statement Regarding HealthyWeight Commitment Foundation Announcement

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From: Nat'l Restaurant Assn Media <media@restaurant.org>
Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 14:38:07 -0500
To: Nat'l Restaurant Assn Media<media@restaurant.org>
Subject: NEWS: National Restaurant Association Statement Regarding Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, May 17, 2010
CONTACT: Sue Hensley (202) 331-5964
shensley@restaurant.org; Mike Donohue (202) 331-5902 mdonohue@restaurant.org  
National Restaurant Association on
Twitter and Facebook.
 
National Restaurant Association Statement Regarding Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation Announcement
 
Dawn Sweeney, President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association, today issued the following statement regarding the White House announcement that the manufacturing members of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation have pledged to reduce 1.5 trillion calories by 2015.

"We congratulate the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation for their leadership in reducing calories from the food supply. Such efforts will have tremendous impact on the caloric consumption of the entire population. This will assist the restaurant industry's efforts to support the goals of the First Lady's Let's Move initiative to reduce childhood obesity. The new and reformulated products will become part of the food supply chain, which is key to helping restaurants continue to increase healthy and nutritious offerings for our customers.

"It is innovative actions like the one announced today that will provide consumers with more choice, and allow individuals to make better selections for themselves and their families.

"We recognize and support the importance of providing healthful options and nutrition information to consumers. We look forward to continuing our industry's dialogue with the Let's Move campaign on the steps the restaurant industry can take to aid in this effort."
 
###

Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises 945,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of nearly 13 million employees. Together with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, the Association works to lead America's restaurant industry into a new era of prosperity, prominence, and participation, enhancing the quality of life for all we serve. For more information, visit our Web site at www.restaurant.org.

View this news release online:
http://www.restaurant.org/pressroom/pressrelease/?ID=1954 
 
Subscribe to news release RSS feeds: 
http://www.restaurant.org/pressroom/rsscategories/

More news and information from the National Restaurant Association:
http://www.restaurant.org/pressroom  
 
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