Washingtonians always look forward to the cherry blossoms in late March and early April to officially mark the spring season. This year it is extra special because of the miserable winter in the nation’s capital. Presidents Day weekend in mid-February will be remembered for the 18-25 inches of snow dropped on the greater Washington area, with greater depths of snow measured both to the west and east. The federal government took two days off and people temporarily forgot about Iraq, al-Qaida, and partisan politics.
The National Renderers Association (NRA) has had a busy year so far. The NRA responded to both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) advanced notices of proposed rulemaking (ANPR). The FDA ANPR sought answers to questions that proposed to make changes to the feed rule. The USDA ANPR addressed the disposal of dead stock and downer animals. In comments to both ANPRs, the NRA emphasized that bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has not been discovered in the United States. This fact alone should have some bearing on just how far we go in imposing more BSE-related regulations. The NRA also stated its belief that any new regulations or changes to existing ones should be based on sound science.
The desire to reduce the risk of the possible introduction of BSE into the United States can be appreciated, but what should not be overlooked is all that has been done since 1986 when BSE was first discovered in the United Kingdom. The U.S. and Canadian governments have put in place three firewalls that have been instrumental in keeping BSE out. First, rigid import requirements on animal products from countries having BSE were imposed. Second, an extensive surveillance program was undertaken that actually looks for BSE by testing the brains from the high-risk animals. Third, the mam-malian-to-ruminant feed ban was put in place. FDA recently reported that the rendering industry was over 99 percent compliant with this rule.
Energy Focus
There are several proposals surfacing in Congress regarding energy legislation. Congress failed to pass energy legislation last year, which might have included incentives for the production of biodiesel. The NRA worked hard to assure equity amongst the feedstocks is included in any legislation. There are other priorities in Congress ahead of energy legislation this year so it is still early to know when action will begin on this legislation. The NRA is actively working with several offices in Congress to make sure the industry’s story is getting heard. The association will again work to make sure that any biodiesel incentive legislation be feedstock neutral and equitable to all.
The bioenergy program at the USDA is bogged down at this time. The USDA published a proposed rule outlining the program in conformance with the farm bill passed last year. The program was to start October 1, 2002, but the fiscal year is almost half over and no rule. The delay began when the department declared that the payments to biodiesel producers based on soy oil in previous years were overstated and would be reduced by as much as 60 percent. A correction in calculating the formula for payments would put them more in line with those for rendered fats and oils. Soybean interests did not like this and flooded the USDA with comments demanding the higher calculation remain. The NRA is now awaiting a final decision on what the department will do.
Fly-In Approaching
The NRA is planning the third annual Congressional Fly-In for June 9-11, 2003. This activity has been extremely successful for the rendering industry. In past years renderers have visited over 100 congressional offices telling their story. The fly-in allows renderers the opportunity to visit with members and their staffs and educate them about the importance of the rendering industry. To many, it is the first time they have even heard about rendering. Once explained, they quickly realize how essential the industry is and are quick to grasp the environmental importance renderers contribute. Renderers are also able to take other messages outlining their position on certain issues.
Farewell
Three individuals are leaving the association’s international activities area. Col. Kwan-Yong Kang has retired after 20 years of outstanding service to the rendering industry in Korea. He was instrumental in obtaining a higher recognition for the North American product in Korea. Alberto Celis, NRA Latin America director, is leaving after doing an outstanding job building the industry’s reputation in a very important trade area. He will remain with the rendering industry and we wish him well.
Jim Rudbeck came to the NRA five years ago after a distinguished career with the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service. He quickly gained the respect of renderers for his hard work and dedication in overseeing the International Market Development Committee activities. He and his wife, Mary, are retiring to a new home in Chocowinity, NC.
All three will be missed. We wish them well and thank them for their contributions to the North American rendering industry.
From the Association - April 2003 Render