On the morning of September 11, I was in my office when someone came in and asked if they could turn on the television. They had just heard over the radio that a plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers. As we watched, we witnessed the second crash.
Then the local news came on reporting a plane crash at the Pentagon. This is less than four miles from the National Renderers Association (NRA) offices. As the morning progressed, there were reports of a car bomb at the State Department and a fire on the Washington Mall -- all turned out to be false. But it was all too close. Friends and relatives were in town and we were concerned until we knew of their safety.
Now we prepare for a much different Washington, at least for the foreseeable future. The tone of politics will be different -- it is slow getting back to normal.
Six days after the tragedy, I ventured into the district for meetings. Smoke was still coming out of the Pentagon and the quietness of no planes flying overhead, with Reagan National Airport being closed, was eerie. But American flags are everywhere -- it makes one proud.
I want to thank the many people who called or e-mailed from within the United States and Canada and from several foreign countries to check to see if we were all okay. Your concern was very much appreciated.
Following is part of my original column, written prior to the attack, which reports on issues facing Congress for the remainder of the year. It is likely they will all be addressed this fall in some form or another. Their importance and priority will be ratcheted down a little, but if we are to proceed with business as usual, these issues will have to be addressed.
Push for Biodiesel
Congress returned after the summer recess with a full plate for the rest of this session. The farm bill will be of the most interest to the agriculture community. The House Agriculture Committee passed its version before the recess. Of special interest to renderers is new language instructing the Commodity Credit Corporation to include rendered animal fats and oils in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) bioenergy program. This is of great significance for the precedence it sets. It gives the rendering industry recognition never before enjoyed.
However, it is still a long way from becoming law. The bill will go from the committee to the full House of Representatives. The Senate will pass its version of a farm bill and then the two bills will go to conference. After all of this, a farm bill will go to the president for his signature.
The fact that rendered products are in the bill now is good. The National Renderers Association (NRA) is working to make sure this language stays in the final bill. In fact, we are working to make sure that rendered products are included in any definition of biodiesel as it relates to any legislation or regulation being considered.
The American Soybean Association is currently seeking a legislated tax incentive for biodiesel. If successful and rendered products are included, such legislation could mean long-term benefits to the industry.
Trade Authority Necessary
Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) will be a hot issue this fall before Congress adjourns for the year.
TPA is a new term for what was once known as "fast track trade authority." After several failed attempts to get fast track through Congress, it was decided to give it a new name. Since fast track was neither fast or ever on-track, the more aptly descriptive term of trade promotion authority was originated.
However, the opponents still see it as fast track and are determined to defeat it in Congress. President Bush has committed to give it his all to get it approved by Congress.
What is TPA? It gives the president the authority to enter into trade negotiations with other countries and bring an agreement back to Congress for ratification on an up or down vote. It does not allow Congress the opportunity to pick the agreement apart and attempt to renegotiate it. However, the administration almost always consults with Congress every step of the way during the negotiations. In recent agreements, Congress was always involved and consulted with before giving its approval.
The crux of the matter is that no country will lay its cards on the table with our negotiators if they think any agreement will be renegotiated with 535 members of Congress. The president needs this authority in order to effectively negotiate. Congress has routinely granted this authority to every president since 1974 up until 1994. Opponents to trade have found that not granting TPA to the president as a means to halt all trade negotiations in their tracks.
The NRA believes renderers have much to gain in having the administration negotiate greater access and lower tariffs for our exports and supports legislation granting the president this much needed TPA. If the United States is going to be a player and leader in the next multilateral round of trade negotiations, our president must have TPA.
Programs of Interest
The appropriations bills for fiscal year 2002 have provisions of interest to renderers.
Funding for the Foreign Market Development (FMD) and Market Access Programs (MAP) is imperative to the export marketing efforts of the NRA. We have had a cooperator relationship with the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service for many years. It is through the assistance of these programs that we are able to have NRA representatives in Hong Kong, London, and Mexico City. The NRA is part of a coalition of farm groups that support the FMD and MAP activities and seek the necessary funding through the appropriations process.
The USDA appropriations bill also provides for additional funding for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) research. The USDA is also seeking additional funding for more surveillance at ports of entry to prevent the introduction of BSE and foot and mouth disease.
The Food and Drug Administration appropriations bill includes additional funding to provide for extra surveillance and enforcement of the ruminant feed ban.
Originally it was expected that Congress would be staying in town at least through November. Speculation is that it will work to get as much done as soon as possible and go home in October.
We'll see.
From the Association - October 2001 Render