Potato Research

Welcome to the SFA 2006 Day in DC 2006

Under Secretary for Food and Nutrition Policy Kate Coler addressed various initiatives aimed at limiting what food and beverage products can be sold in public schools. She said DOA wants to help Americans live a healthier lifestyle, and supports efforts to encourage students to eat healthy and get more exercise. However, Coler said USDA does not support limiting what foods can be sold in schools.

"I think the preventive approach of limiting what a person can buy is probably not the most effective approach," she said.

Such an approach is contained in the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act of 2006, which would define “foods of poor nutritional value.” SFA opposes that legislation. (For SFA’s briefing paper, click here, then Legislative Issues.)

Deputy Secretary Charles F. "Chuck" Conner also addressed the group, promising that the department will be "accessible to our industry partners."

Other issues covered during the briefing by SFA staff and public policy consultants, and discussed during meetings on Capitol Hill, included:

• The Commonsense Consumption Act (“The Cheeseburger Bill”—passed by House with SFA’s help, pending in Senate)
• The National Uniformity for Food Act (Passed by House with SFA’s help, pending in Senate)
• The United States Sugar Program (Farm Bill issue)
• Country of Origin Labelling Provision for Processed Peanuts

(For SFA’s briefing papers on these issues, click here, then Legislative Issues.)

On Capitol Hill

SFA members visited Capitol Hill Wednesday afternoon, May 17, with members of the House and Senate in their offices on Capitol Hill.

During one meeting, Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) told SFA member company executives from his state that he favors the objectives of the National Uniformity bill, which would require uniform labelling on food products nationwide. He also favors the House-passed "Cheeseburger" bill, aimed at stopping frivolous lawsuits against food companies and restaurants based on obesity claims.

Rep. Joseph R. Pitts (R-PA) was interested in knowing more about a regulatory snafu at the Department of Transportation that could require payment of overtime to some route sales drivers of trucks less than 10,001 pounds. (For a briefing paper on this issue, click here.

Sen. Mike DeWine (R-OH) also indicated sympathy for the SFA position on the Cheeseburger Bill and National Uniformity.

There were dozens of other such meetings between SFA members and Members of Congress and their legislative aides.

White House Briefing

Jeffrey F. Kupfer, special assistant to the president for economic policy, noted that President Bush had just signed legislation extending previously approved tax cuts, including capital gains, until 2010 during a White House ceremony, and said the Administration's economic policies are succeeding despite partisan criticism, pointing to numerous economic indicators that show the economy is healthy and that business investment is increasing and more people have jobs than before the tax cuts were passed in 2003.

Kupfer said President Bush is hopeful the Senate will approve House-passed legislation to make permanent the estate tax (death tax) reductions, previously approved through 2010. Making the death tax reductions (to 15%) permanent is a key SFA priority. (For SFA’s briefing paper, click here, then Legislative Issues)

Caroline Hunter, associate director of the office of public liaison, outlined President Bush's plan for immigration reform, explaining that its key components are aimed at securing the U.S. borders, making sure laws regarding the hiring of foreign workers are enforced, and providing a temporary worker program.

Lance Leggitt, special assistant to the president for domestic policy, said the administration hopes to implement a technology-based interoperable healthcare records system so patients' records can be shared by physicians and hospitals. To achieve that, systems must be harmonized.

He also stressed the importance of patients understanding the true cost of the healthcare services they receive and urged Congressional approval of legislation allowing small businesses to band together to obtain healthcare coverage and favourable rates.

Welcome Reception at SFA’s New Offices

"This has been great," said Harold Blank, senior vice president, manufacturing, at Herr's Foods, Inc., Nottingham, PA. "Everything was very well organized, our Congressional visits were great, and the meeting with the Secretary of Agriculture was excellent. It has been very worthwhile. I'm glad I'm here to see how our government works."

"This was well worth the effort," reported Mike Schena, general manager, Better Made Snack Foods, Inc., Detroit. "In addition to the meetings and the importance of participating in them, there was also the networking. Look at the people here--years of experience. That's an essential benefit of participating in SFA and Day in DC."

Click HERE for photos from the welcome reception.

Click HERE for photos from lunch at the Department of Agriculture

Click HERE for photos of meetings with members of Congress

Click HERE for photos from the White House Executive Briefing