Subcommittees Seek to Reduce Looming Regulatory Burdens

Subcommittees Seek to Reduce Looming Regulatory Burdens
on Agriculture, State Agencies & Small Businesses
WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Jean Schmidt, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Nutrition and Horticulture and Rep. Bob Gibbs, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment held a joint public hearing to consider reducing the regulatory burdens posed by the case National Cotton Council v. EPA (6th Cir. 2009) and to review related draft legislation.
Under the court ruling, pesticide users, which include farmers, ranchers, forest managers, state agencies, city and county municipalities, mosquito control districts, and water districts, among others would have to obtain a duplicative permit under the Clean Water Act (CWA) for the use of pesticides. Pesticide applications are highly regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The order of the court goes into effect on April 9, 2011. At which time, pesticide applications not covered by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit are subject to a fine of up to $37,500 per day per violation. In addition to the costs of compliance, pesticide users will be subject to an increased risk of litigation under the citizen suit provision of the CWA.
During the hearing, Members of the Subcommittees also considered draft legislation targeted at addressing the 6th Circuit Court ruling and eliminating the costly and duplicative permitting requirement.
"Having exhausted all judicial review options and without Congressional action, this order will impose a burden on the EPA, state regulatory agencies, and pesticide applicators, which will cost our economy dearly in terms of jobs. It also severely threatens the already critical budget situation facing government at all levels. It is particularly unfortunate that this court order imposes a new requirement that will imperil our water resource boards, our mosquito control boards, and our forestry and agricultural sectors, yet provides no additional environmental or public health protection." said Chairman Jean Schmidt (R-OH).
"This new Clean Water Act permit for covered pesticides stands to be the single greatest expansion of the permitting process in the history of the Clean Water Act program. EPA has said it can expect approximately 5.6 million covered pesticide applications per year by approximately 365,000 applicators – virtually doubling the number of entities currently subject to Clean Water Act permitting," said Chairman Bob Gibbs (R-OH). "Requiring a permit under the Clean Water Act in addition to an approval under FIFRA adds delays, costs, and other burdens on both the regulatory agencies who have to issue the permits and those who need to get a permit, without increasing environmental protection. It also could result in significant environmental and human health impacts by hampering the ability to respond to disease and pest outbreaks."
"Today's hearing provided an excellent opportunity for us to better understand the potentially harmful consequences of the National Cotton Council v. EPA decision for state regulating agencies, agricultural producers, mosquito control districts, and small businesses across the nation. I look forward to working in a bipartisan fashion with my colleagues to find a responsible legislative solution that ensures FIFRA remains the standard for pesticide regulation, and continues to protect the health and safety of our families and communities,"
said Ranking Member Joe Baca (D-CA).
Written testimony provided by the witnesses is available below and can be found on the Committee's website by clicking here.
Witness List:
Panel I
Dr. Steven Bradbury, Director, Office of Pesticide Programs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
Panel II
The Honorable John Salazar, Commissioner, Colorado Department of Agriculture, on behalf of the Colorado Department of Agriculture and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, Lakewood, Colorado
Dr. Andrew Fisk, Bureau Director, Land and Water Quality, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, on behalf of Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators, Augusta, Maine
Mr. Dominick V. Ninivaggi, Superintendent, Division of Vector Control, Suffolk County Department of Public Works, on behalf of the American Mosquito Control Association, Yaphank, New York
Accompanied by Mr. David Brown, Manager, Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District, Elk Grove, California
Mr. Norm Semanko, Executive Director, Idaho Water Users Association, on behalf of National Water Resources Association, Boise, Idaho

Marked increase in trade visitors at FRESHCONEX 2011 - Feb 14

Final Report






11,000 trade visitors focus on fresh produce convenience market





Berlin, 14 February 2011 – The fourth edition of FRESHCONEX attracted a significantly higher number of trade visitors. From 9 to 11 February 2011, more than 11,000 industry experts from all continents (2010: 7,000) obtained a concentrated market overview of products and services offered by 100 exhibitors from 18 countries. This represents a 57% increase in trade visitors. Europe's only trade fair for trend products from the fresh produce convenience segment was distinguished by the international scope of the trade visitors and the presence of top-level decision-makers. The FRESHCONEX Business Forum, an integral part of the three-day trade fair, presented information on the latest trends in fresh convenience products. The Business Forum is organised by Fresh Convenience Magazine (GB) and the United Fresh Produce Association (USA). FRESHCONEX 2011 was held at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds in conjunction with FRUIT LOGISTICA 2011, the leading trade fair for the international fresh produce business.



Exhibitors highly satisfied with achievement of trade fair objectives



Most FRESHCONEX exhibitors participated in the trade fair to meet new customers, present their companies and build their image, strengthen existing customer relations and present information to an audience of trade specialists. Nearly all exhibitors reported that they were very satisfied with their achievement of these objectives. More than 84% reported positive results from their participation at the trade fair. Although the main focus of the trade event is not on business transactions, around 40% of FRESHCONEX exhibitors managed to achieve new orders. More than 82% of the exhibitors said they expected very good or at least satisfactory post-trade fair business. An equal number said they would recommend FRESHCONEX to colleagues or business associates. 85% of exhibitors said they planned to be back for FRESHCONEX 2012.



Positive business results for 95% of trade visitors



More than 82% of FRESHCONEX trade visitors came from outside Germany. Most were from EU countries (75%), primarily Spain, Italy and the Netherlands. 5% travelled to Berlin from other European countries, 8% from the Americas, 6% from Africa, 5% from Asia and 1% from Australia and Oceania. Some 76% of the trade visitors at FRESHCONEX hold senior positions in their companies as managing directors, authorised officers or department heads. 73% said they have a significant influence on purchasing or procurement decisions within their organisations.



Trade visitors from the fresh convenience food industry identified themselves as wholesalers or retailers, representatives from the import/export trade, and fruit and vegetable growers. Most of the trade visitors to FRESHCONEX were there to establish contacts or meet new suppliers, find out about new products, monitor the market and keep an eye on competitors. Their main focus was on fresh convenience products and processing technologies, food quality and safety, and specialised product packaging.



89% of trade visitors assessed the range of products offered at FRESHCONEX 2011 as very good or good; 10% considered it satisfactory. 73% managed to establish new business contacts. The vast majority (95%) of trade visitors gave a positive assessment for their business results at the trade fair. One-third of the trade visitors reported concluding business transactions during the trade fair. 65% of trade visitors anticipate further negotiations and business transactions to follow as a result of the contacts made at the fair. 92% said they would recommend FRESHCONEX to their colleagues or business associates.



Statements from FRESHCONEX 2011 exhibitors



Christèle Demeunynck, Sales Manager, Cellpack Packaging: “Our trade fair debut at FRESHCONEX was a big success. We were able to meet nearly all of our customers from the Americas and Africa here. This really helps us save a lot on travel expenses.”



Herman Schepers, Managing Director, Deliva: “FRESHCONEX gives us the opportunity to meet all four of our key customer groups at one location: the food service industry, B2B, B2C, and the food retail industry. This is the ideal place to strengthen existing contacts and develop new sales markets, particularly on an international level.”



Pavel Stobba, Sales Manager, Fructofresh: “We don’t have to travel far to reach FRESHCONEX from Poland, and we are able to meet our most important customers from the high-end restaurant sector. Our premium fruit salads and mixed fruit are also bringing us increased attention from food retailers. This makes an attendance at FRESHCONEX an absolute must very year.”



Koos Ruijgrok, European Sales Manager, HiFi Industrial Film: “This was our first time at FRESHCONEX and we are surprised at the number and quality of new business contacts. We managed to meet with key representatives from the fruit and vegetable packaging industry here.”



Scott Woolfert, Managing Director, Sealed Air: “It’s our first time at FRESHCONEX, and we are delighted by the discussions with representatives from the fresh produce packaging industry. In our opinion, no other trade fair offers such a concentrated focus on this market.”



Next date: 8-10 February 2012



FRESHCONEX 2011 was organised by Messe Berlin GmbH in cooperation with Fresh Convenience Magazine (London). The next edition of FRESHCONEX will take place in conjunction with FRUIT LOGISTICA 2012 at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds on 8-10 February 2012.