FDA Finalizes Guidance on Process Validation, Medicated Feeds Exempt
Following a notice in the Federal Register late last week, the American Feed Industry Association contacted the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine to confirm that the level of concern the agency published for melamine in food products also applied to feed and feed ingredients. Posted 11/24/08

FDA Issues Melamine Guidance Level
Following a notice in the Federal Register late last week, the American Feed Industry Association contacted the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine to confirm that the level of concern the agency published for melamine in food products also applied to feed and feed ingredients. Posted 11/24/08

USA Today Quotes AFIA’s Newman Today
Today’s edition of USA Today includes comments by AFIA’s Joel Newman, president and CEO. Newman on Wednesday was asked his thoughts about what the incoming Obama administration will mean for agriculture and agri-business, in particular. Posted 11/6/08

AFIA’s Kersey Participates in Successful Pet Food Association of Canada Meeting
The Pet Food Association of Canada Board of Directors asked Jarrod Kersey, AFIA staff representative for the Pet Food Committee, to attend its annual meeting in Ottawa, Ontario, Oct. 28-30. Kersey was invited because PFAC and AFIA have worked closely on a number of pet-related issues over the last 18 months. He also accepted the Board’s invitation to attend its annual dinner to discuss the business of both associations. Posted 11/6/08

Texas Looks to Establish Sulfur Guarantees and Aflatoxin Policy
AFIA recently learned the Office of the Texas State Chemist, or OTSC, intends to establish sulfur guarantees for products containing sulfur above 0.5 percent. In addition, Texas is considering publishing a memorandum to educate grain elevator operators about the office’s intent to stop-sale any grain with higher than 20 ppb found at export grain elevators. Posted 10/27/08

Nov. 13th From Your Floor To Their Door-Understanding The Trade Maze
On Nov. 13, 2008, from 1 to 3 p.m. (EST), AFIA is offering a webcast technical symposium called “From Your Floor To Their Door-Understanding The Trade Maze.” Dr. Joyce Bowling, assistant director of the National Center for Import and Export (NCIE) at USDA/APHIS, will lead a discussion on international trade, exports of animal products, methodology and current trade requirements and guidelines with countries like China, Mexico and Canada. Posted 10/27/08

Equipment Manufacturers Conference Is Coming
The 2008 Equipment Manufacturers Conference is an educational experience designed to address many issues pertinent to today’s equipment designers, builders and installers who serve the feed, pet food and grain industries. This year the conference will focus on “Embracing The Flat World” while taking in the history of Savannah, Ga. On Nov. 6-8, 2008, join your industry peers as they gather to learn from speakers specializing in security and disaster recovery. Posted 9/15/08

AFIA Membership Directory Available For Purchase By Members
A complimentary copy of the American Feed Industry Association’s 2008-2009 Membership Directory and Buyer’s Guide was sent to all member companies’ official contacts in August. Member companies may purchase additional copies for $25, plus $5 for shipping and handling. Posted 9/15/08

IFE Not Just a Show, It’s an Educational Affair
It comes around every year. The huge event that causes feed and pet food professionals to descend on Atlanta like a herd of cattle. Yes, it’s time once again for the International Feed Expo (IFE) held in conjunction with the International Poultry Expo (IPE) in Atlanta, Ga., Jan. 28-30, 2009. Posted 9/2/08

AFIA to Host Trade Webcast Nov. 13
Please mark your calendar now for an educational event this fall. On Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. EST, AFIA will host a webcast focused on international trade. The webcast will feature Dr. Joyce Bowling, assistant director of the National Center for Import and Export of the Agriculture Department’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Dr. Bowling’s team represents the U.S. when negotiating trade requirements with other countries for animal products, such as feeds, feed ingredients and pet food. Posted 9/2/08

Consider Attending AFIA’s Equipment Manufacturers Conference This Fall
The 2008 Equipment Manufacturers Conference (EMC) is an educational experience designed to address many issues pertinent to today’s equipment designers, builders and installers who serve the feed, pet food and grain industries. Posted 8/18/08

Brochures Available About Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification Program
Attractive brochures that provide an overview of the Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification Program and urge participation are available from AFIA at this time. The brochures were produced this summer, so they reflect the latest information available about the program. Posted 8/18/08

AFIA, Feedstuffs Partner on 2008 Feed Mill of the Year Program
AFIA is pleased to announce its new partnership with Feedstuffs, a weekly publication focused on the feed industry. posted 7/31/08

Doha Talks Break Up Without Agreement
The Doha Round of global trade talks, now in its seventh year, broke up without an agreement on July 29. Sharp disagreements between the U.S., India and China regarding access to developing countries’ agricultural markets could not be resolved. This also is a set-back for many countries that need increased trade in food to help ease the strain of soaring food costs. Posted 7/31/08

FDA Issues Draft Guidance for Industry on Third-Party Certification Programs
The FDA published a notice in the Federal Register July 10 that solicits public comments on a draft Guidance for Industry: Voluntary Third-Party Certification Programs for Food and Feeds. AFIA expected such a guidance based on comments in FDA’s Food Protection Plan published late last year. Comments on the draft guidance are due by Sept. 8, 2008.  Posted 7/21/08

Washington Wrap-Up Report

• Energy Battles Continue, CFTC Package Expected Soon
• G8 Endorses Alternative Fuels, Industry Continues to Press for CRP, Import Tariff Relief
• USDA Working to Provide More Precise Flood Damage Reports
• House Subcommittee Holds Truck Size, Weight Hearing

Posted 7/21/08

Feed Industry Institute a Huge Success!
The bi-annual Feed Industry Institute (FII) held June 16-19 in Chicago, Ill., drew more than 100 students and 20 “professors,” with more than 50 AFIA member companies also represented. The FII is a program designed to teach students about all facets of the feed industry—from ingredients to feed processing to the business aspects of our industry. FII has been used as the industry’s training tool for more than 20 years. Posted 7/7/08

AFIA Members Among Those Affected by Recent Floods
Severe flooding in several Midwestern states has affected thousands of individuals, with farmers and livestock producers among those who lost the most. About 16 percent of Iowa’s tillable acres were affected by flooding, according to the Iowa Farm Bureau, while agriculture officials in Indiana said at least 9 percent of that state’s corn, soybeans and wheat were lost. Posted 7/7/08

High Food And Energy Costs – Who's To Blame; How To Fix
Congress is turning its sights on how to stem rising prices for commodities and looking at the practices that led to the current high food and energy costs. Speculation in oil markets may become subject to oversight and restrictions, and a bill severely limiting institutional investors from speculation in commodity markets may be on the horizon. A task force has been proposed to investigate whether manipulative and deceptive practices are contributing to prices and market distortions. Posted 6/20/08

Flooding Problems For Facilities And Products
AFIA members in the flooded regions of the country have asked for information on regulatory concerns that stem from water-damaged facilities and products. In this article, Richard Sellers provides information on dealing with water damage of animal drugs, medicated feed, mold and mycotoxin contamination and includes links to FDA compliance sites for more details. Posted 6/20/08

FDA-Industry Third Party Certification 
AFIA praises FDA’s recognition of the importance of third-party certification programs to help industry compliance with FDA rules. FDA has formally requested comments on the value of third-party programs. Posted 6/6/08

CTFC Announces Withdrawal Of SPEC Limit Exemption
AFIA had opposed the Commodity Futures Trading Commission proposed rule to increase federal speculative limits on some ag futures contracts while allowing risk management exemption for investment activity. This week the commission withdrew the proposed rule. Posted 6/6/08

Congress Overrides White House Veto of Farm Bill
If you thought the Farm Bill had taken every possible twist and turn, think again. This week, Congress passed the Farm Bill, the President vetoed it, and the House overrode the veto. Shortly thereafter, it was learned that a section of the bill was accidentally omitted from the version sent to President Bush. Posted 5/27/08

AFIA Elects New Board Members
Ballots were sent out to member companies in April to elect the class of 2011 to the AFIA Board of Directors. The results are in and the new board members have begun their three-year terms. Posted 5/27/08

AFIA Reaches Agreement With Other Associations on FDA Guidance
AFIA has joined with four other industry trade groups to present a draft Guidance for Industry to FDA regarding how the feed industry should select ingredient suppliers. Posted 5/12/08

AFIA Meets With FDA To Discuss Safe Feed/Safe Food Program
AFIA President Joel Newman and Vice Presidents Richard Sellers and Keith Epperson presented Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification Program enhancements to FDA this week. FDA officials have indicated they want to encourage more firms to join the SF/SF program. Posted 5/12/08

House Passes Combustible Dust Legislation with Feed/Grain Exemption
Legislation requiring OSHA to move quickly to impose new rulemaking on industries vulnerable to combustible dust explosions – but exempting facilities already covered by the OSHA grain dust standard – was approved by the House last week, but not without changes urged by AFIA. The bill as approved by committee would have required OSHA to adopt current dust standards of the National Fire Protection Assn. without public comment. Posted 5/5/08

AFIA To Meet With FDA Officials on Safe Feed/ Safe Food Program
FDA has expressed interest in recognition of programs such as AFIA’s Safe Feed/Safe Food to help in their long-term goal of a Food Protection Plan and is requesting legislation to allow this recognition. Next week, AFIA president Joel Newman and VPs Richard Sellers and Keith Epperson will meet with FDA officials to discuss the Safe Feed/Safe Food Certification program and how to encourage more firms to participate in this program. Posted 4/28/08

BSE Feed Rule Amendments To Be Published By FDA
FDA has announced that on April 25 it will publish a final BSE Feed Rule Amendment which will become effective in 12 months. Although the proposed rule will be a burden on the independent rendering industry that picks up dead animals on farms, there will be little or no change to feed manufacturers. The final rule will prohibit the use of rendered cattle 30 months of age or older from which the brains and spinal cords have not been removed. A new section of the rule will define this prohibited product as “cattle materials prohibited in animal feed” which is essentially rendered cattle from which the brains and spinal cords have not been removed. Posted 4/28/08

Ingredient Approval Process Is Subject of Next Webcast
“Navigating the Feed Ingredient Approval Process: Successful Routes and Pitfalls” is the subject of a May 19 webcast offered by AFIA. Subjects to be covered include approval of food additives and GRAS substances, ingredient definition, and quality ingredient submissions. Posted 4/14/08

Energy Taxes and Possible Waiver Option on Corn Prices
Ag groups may be moving toward pushing USDA, the Dept. of Energy, and EPA to consider waiving the Renewable Fuel Standard mandate on alternative fuel blending following a report showing fewer corn acres and futures price runup to over $6 a bushel on corn. Posted 4/14/08

International Trade Survey Results
AFIA recently conducted a survey to determine the extent of member involvement in international trade. Here are the results showing the percentage of members exporting products, the countries they export to, and if they use a third-party certification. Posted 3/31/08

DDGS & Pellet Manufacture Workshop
A workshop has been scheduled for April 22-23 at Northern Crops Institute, Fargo, ND, for a valuable DDGS & Pellet Manufacture Workshop. Designed for managers, operators, producers and nutritionists, the workshop will focus on production, quality, and ingredients to increase animal performance. Posted 3/31/08

PISC was a Resounding Success
The annual Purchasing and Ingredient Supplier Conference (PISC) and Spring Forum were held last week in Las Vegas with over 500 attendees participating in the event. The meeting kicked off with Mr. Floyd Gaibler, USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. Posted 3/14/08

Another Increase in Food Prices this Summer
Consumers will see another major runup in food prices this summer due to rapidly increasing animal feed costs, a result of competition for corn and oilseeds between livestock and poultry feeding and alternative fuels production, the AFIA board of directors was told at its recent meeting.  Posted 3/14/08

A Farewell T Rex Runyon 
February 29th marked the end of Rex Runyon’s 30 years of service with AFIA. He’s moving on to an opportunity with Crop Life of America in Washington, D.C. On behalf of the AFIA staff and members who have worked with Rex over the years, AFIA president Joel Newman writes an appreciation to Rex for his years of service. Posted 3/3/08

Feed Prices Expected To Be High Through 2010
Ag exports will reach $101 billion in FY 2008, up $19 billion more than during 2007. Higher prices are due to wheat prices, coarse grains, oilseeds and energy costs and ethanol plants’ demand for corn. Feed prices are expected to remain high through at least 2010. Posted 3/3/08

Advanced Feed Mill Management Short Course
In-depth training for feed manufacturing is being offered in a 3-day course in Kansas City in April. Don’t miss this opportunity for educating supervisors and managers in the latest developments. Posted 2/18/08

AFIA and Meat Industry Oppose New FDA Feed Rule
AFIA joined with other agricultural and meat processing associations in opposition to the final FDA feed rule, stating it is not needed due to strong compliance with the current BSE feed rule, reduced risk, and underestimation of the costs and impacts of the rule. Posted 2/18/08

OMB Extends Review of BSE Feed Rule Amendments
The Office of Management & Budget has extended review of the final rule amending the BSE feed rule by 30 days in order to allow FDA time to develop enforcement parameters on cleanout and carryover prevention aspects of the draft rule. Posted 2/3/08

Feed Mill of the Year Winners Announced
Southern States Cooperative, Park City, KY has been named 2007 Feed Mill of the Year by AFIA and Feed Management magazine. Cargill Animal Nutrition, Seguin, TX, is runner-up. Posted 2/3/08

Farm Bill Conference Update
Although the House is back in session and the Senate will be as of Jan. 22, there will be little action before the end of January on the farm bill. Arguments over farmer payment limitations are expected and lack of program “reform” and the budget impact could lead to a White House veto. Posted 1/19/08

Webcast Scheduled On New Ingredient Definitions
AFIA and FDA/CVM will hold a webcast on March 27 to discuss quality of content needed for FDA’s review of an ingredient definition for AAFCO. Posted 1/19/08

FDA Declares Food From Animal Clones Safe
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today concluded that food from animal clones—cattle, swine and goats, as well as their offspring, is safe to consume. The agency held up on proclaiming the same for sheep, instead saying that there was insufficient information for a similar conclusion for that species. Posted 1/15/07

FDA Names Sundlof CFSAN Director, Dunham, New CVM Director
In a move that surprised the food, feed and drug industries, Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, FDA Commissioner, has named Dr. Stephen Sundlof, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (CFSAN) director, and replaced him at CVM with Dr. Bernadette Dunham, the current CVM deputy director. Both appointments are effective January 7, 2008. Posted 1/7/08

Haskell Cudd Dies at Age 100
William Haskell Cudd, chairman, Stillwater Milling Company, passed away on December 28. A well-known and much-loved feed industry pioneer, he will be greatly missed by the industry to which he contributed so much. Posted 1/4/08

Commerce Secretary Gutierrez To Address IFE/IPE 2008
Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez has been added to the speakers’ roster at the International Feed Expo and International Poultry Expo. Plan to be present on Jan. 24 to hear his thoughts on the economy, free trade and the farm bill. Posted 1/4/08