The National Renderers Association (NRA) will be conducting its first ever Congressional Fly-In in mid-June. Renderers will meet in Washington, DC, to spend two intense days visiting their representatives and senators. Approximately 30 people were expected at the time of this writing. The purpose of the visit is to raise the profile of the rendering industry to members of Congress and their staffs. Renderers will meet with their own representatives as well as other key members and committee staff that have jurisdiction affecting the industry.
Renderers will let their audiences know of the important role rendering plays in the disposal of over 50 billion pounds of raw material every year. They will learn firsthand that renderers are committed to being responsible players in the production of animal proteins and other rendered products. Renderers will take the opportunity to discuss other issues of interest and concern to the industry.
The rendering industry is once again faced with challenges that will determine its future. Interest in bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) these past six to 10 months has generated activity in the state and national legislatures that require a new and vigorous response from renderers. Several states have introduced and, in some cases, passed laws that impose new restrictions on renderers and the feed industry.
Legislation is being contemplated in the U.S. Senate that will revise the Food and Drug Administration’s feed rule by placing additional restrictions on the feeding of animal proteins to livestock. State legislatures in South Dakota, Illinois, and Minnesota are also addressing legislation that will impact renderers.
It is important for renderers to become politically involved at the local, state, and national level. This may already be occurring in many cases. Most renderers are politically connected at the local level. It is a necessity to stay in business. However, political involvement and awareness at the state and national level is less obvious.
In some states, I know of renderers that have a very good on-going relationship with their elected state officials and agency people. In these cases, they are often able to head off any potential legislation or regulations that might adversely affect them. In politics, the adage of “out of sight, out of mind” is very real. There are times when we don’t want to be on a politician’s radar screen. That’s fine sometimes, but if they don’t know you exist they can’t help you either.
Renderers have a positive story to tell. Getting acquainted and having a good relationship with your elected representatives is not just politics, it’s essential to your business.
Keeping FMD Out of the U.S.
Animal health issues have been in the headlines during the past several months. First it was BSE. The increase of cases in the European Union brought unneeded attention to North America and new scrutiny as to what we are doing here to protect ourselves from the introduction of BSE. In February, the United Kingdom had an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Newspapers and television news headlined the outbreak with pictures of dead livestock piled up and being burned, not a pretty picture.
The U.S. government is getting good grades for what it is doing to protect our borders from FMD. We haven’t had a case in the United States since 1929. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is stepping up its programs with increased funding and personnel at the ports of entry. President Bush and other key government officials have expressed their concern over what is happening in Europe with the FMD outbreak. They recognize the devastation that could occur in this country if we were to get FMD.
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services is the lead agency responsible for overseeing FMD prevention programs. It has held numerous meetings attended by all parties affected, including NRA, to plan for and be prepared for an outbreak of FMD should it ever occur. We will continue to be involved in meetings and with coalitions to represent the best interests of the rendering industry.
From the Association - June 2001 Render