The food and agriculture industry celebrated a milestone victory this month: Congressional adoption of a comprehensive, federal standard for the labeling of foods produced with biotechnology. This federal legislation ensures that the chaos that would have ensued from a patchwork of state laws – such as Vermont’s – has been successfully avoided.

While preventing this “death by a thousand cuts” approach to biotech labeling is a clear and sure win for sound science and innovation, an equally important triumph was the unity displayed by the food and agriculture community.

For more than two years, the National Milk Producers Federation helped lead a broad coalition focused on shepherding this legislation across the finish line. There were many peaks and valleys along the way — and certainly times when many thought this result would never happen — but through it all we stood together.

The strength and breadth of the coalition — more than 1,100 members strong — indicated to Congress that this issue was of paramount importance to food and agriculture, and that meaningful, clear, federal legislation preempting any state labeling laws was the only acceptable solution.

Certainly, our sincere gratitude and appreciation is owed to Sens. Pat Roberts and Debbie Stabenow for their efforts to draft a compromise bill that ultimately earned bipartisan support in both the Senate and House. What is most remarkable about this is that a controversial issue like food biotech labeling could gain such support in a Congress riven with partisan rancor.

Credit for that goes to the coalition leadership. When private discussions or behind-the-scenes work on the legislation stalled, it was the coalition leaders who encouraged the two sides to keep meeting and talking.  And when the principals reached an agreement in June, it was the coalition that reached out to every other member of Congress to be sure they understood how vital this legislation was for the entire food industry.

After President Obama signs the bill into law, Vermont’s law will be null and void, and we will move into a formal rule-making process at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop the food biotech disclosure program. National Milk will be deeply engaged in this process to ensure that dairy’s interests are addressed.  

While the coalition’s heavy lifting may largely be completed on the issue of federal pre-emption, it would be a shame if everyone went back to being independent actors in a complex food chain.

Biotechnology is not the final frontier of confusing and controversial issues that need to be addressed. Standing together on the issue of biotechnology is just the latest in a series of examples that prove that speaking with a common voice and executing a clear vision is the best strategy for success.

We’ve seen the importance of this approach in areas like animal care, where the National Dairy FARM (Farmers Assuring Responsible Management) Program, created as a joint partnership between Dairy Management, Inc. and National Milk, has helped unify the dairy community to present a clear and compelling story to consumers about the great work being done on our nation’s dairy farms.

Since its inception, participation in the FARM Program has steadily increased to cover approximately 98 percent of the milk in the United States. Strong farmer, cooperative and proprietary processor engagement in the program has sent an unequivocal signal to customers that there is no need for them to develop their own animal care standards – the dairy community has a program with integrity covering nearly all of the milk and dairy products they might source. Now, large customers like Chobani, Leprino, Schreiber, Kroger and McDonalds require participation in the FARM Program by all of their suppliers — with more customers following suit every week.

National Milk knew that engaging in the legislative process to achieve a federal solution to the biotech labeling issue wouldn’t be easy, and that the end result likely wouldn’t yield a perfect bill. Yet the alternative — a competing system of state labeling laws — would have been disastrous.

We’ve cleared a major hurdle on this issue with this new federal law. But there’s more work to be done on this and countless other issues. As we reflect on the success of this milestone victory over activists who were intent on sowing fear in consumers’ minds regarding food biotechnology, it is also time for those in food and agriculture to work together and find ways to communicate the importance of biotechnology for a sustainable, economically viable agriculture system.

We will continue our efforts on this front in conjunction with the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, which will lead the dairy community’s efforts to engage consumers. But it’s critical that everyone in food and agriculture help in this effort. Just think of what could be accomplished if we were 1,100 organizations-strong on every issue, and if we all communicated to consumers a unified message of sound science and safe food from agricultural biotechnology.  

Let’s make sure this strong, effective coalition is just the beginning, not the end.

ARLINGTON, VA – The Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program, administered by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), is assuming management of the Farm Smart Program, previously managed by Dairy Management, Inc. Farm Smart, an environmental stewardship module for farmers to measure improvements they make in the area of sustainability, will become the voluntary Environmental Stewardship component of the FARM Program, NMPF announced today.

The FARM Environmental Stewardship module integrates the methodology and science of Farm Smart, a carbon footprint assessment tool created by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. Farm Smart has been field-tested in several full supply chain pilots, and is familiar to the dairy cooperative, processor and retailer communities, but is still relatively new at the farm level. The Farm Smart science-based models are being fully integrated into FARM Environmental Stewardship, but will be updated in the future through a partnership between NMPF and the Innovation Center.

As dairy companies are increasingly asked for information about their environmental practices, the FARM Environmental Stewardship program will allow for the collection and dissemination of information on energy use and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). The assessment will also help dairy producers identify potential efficiency gains and cost savings, offering them the ability to track progress in a secure, confidential platform.

“FARM Environmental Stewardship is a natural addition to the existing FARM Program pillars, FARM Animal Care and FARM Antibiotic Residue Avoidance, because it will help dairy farmers communicate another positive story with consumers,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF. “FARM Environmental Stewardship will now begin down the important path of gaining insight, support and engagement at the cooperative and producer level.”

This fall and winter, the FARM Program will hold webinars, release training materials and provide farm resources to assist farmers and companies that want to begin utilizing the assessments. The module will be previewed at the FARM Evaluator Conference this November in Nashville, Tenn., held in conjunction with the NMPF Joint Annual Meeting. An online tutorial will also be made available later this year to cooperatives and producers looking to learn more.

Administration of FARM Environmental Stewardship will be managed by Ryan Bennett, NMPF’s Senior Director for Industry and Environmental Affairs, with overall FARM Program oversight by Emily Meredith, Chief of Staff. More information can be found on the FARM Program website.

###

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance the well-being of dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. The members of NMPF’s cooperatives produce the majority of the U.S. milk supply, making NMPF the voice of dairy producers on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more on NMPF’s activities, visit our website at www.nmpf.org.

From Jim Mulhern, President and Chief Executive Officer:

ARLINGTON, VA – “Today’s action in the U.S. House to pass the Senate’s biotech food labeling bill is a resounding rejection of activists who have been working for years to undermine consumers’ understanding of the safety of food biotechnology. By reasserting the federal government’s role in regulating food labeling, the Congress is ending the ‘death by a thousand cuts’ approach of potentially conflicting state laws in this area.

National Milk greatly appreciates the efforts of members of both the House and Senate on this issue, which unfortunately has been one of the most challenging – and important – food policy issues of the 21^st century.  We strongly urge President Obama to sign this legislation into law. Once this process is complete, we can begin moving beyond specious arguments over labels, terminology and absence claims, and work to address real food safety and nutrition issues, and further the sustainability of our food system.”

###

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance the well-being of dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. The members of NMPF’s cooperatives produce the majority of the U.S. milk supply, making NMPF the voice of dairy producers on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more on NMPF’s activities, visit our website at www.nmpf.org.

ARLINGTON, VA – The National Milk Producers Federation’s Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program will host a full day of programming during the 49^th annual conference of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) in Charlotte, N.C.

On Sept. 16, FARM will lead a day-long session filled with panels and speakers centered on the role veterinarians play in responsible dairy cattle care. Panels will touch on why the FARM Program was created, its recent successes and future goals, and the latest in animal health research.

The Friday session will also help AABP veterinarians realize their role in helping dairy producers understand and meet FARM Program guidelines, as well as learn how to respond proactively to customer expectations around animal care.

“Since the FARM Program’s inception in 2009, the relationship between veterinarians and dairy farmers has always been a central tenant,” said Emily Meredith, NMPF Chief of Staff and FARM Program administrator. “We need them to help make this program even more successful as animal care standards change.”

She continued: “We are grateful to AABP for allowing us to host a session and further engage the nation’s veterinary leaders and discuss the future of the FARM Program.”

Registration for the 2016 AABP Annual Conference is now open. The tentative agenda for the day can be viewed here.

###

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance the well-being of dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. The members of NMPF’s cooperatives produce the majority of the U.S. milk supply, making NMPF the voice of dairy producers on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more on NMPF’s activities, visit our website at www.nmpf.org.

From Jim Mulhern, President and Chief Executive Officer:

ARLINGTON, VA – “We are pleased the Senate has approved the Roberts-Stabenow food biotechnology labeling measure, which will help preserve the ability of farmers to use safe, proven agricultural biotechnology tools while providing consumers more information about their food.

“This compromise measure will help resolve the marketplace confusion that has already erupted as a result of the Vermont law, with thousands of products set to disappear from store shelves because companies no longer wish to do business in that state.

“We want to thank the Senate for their efforts to pass this legislation because the country needs a national approach on this issue, not a patchwork quilt of state differing laws. In particular, we commend the efforts of Sens. Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) of the Senate Agriculture Committee, who negotiated the final measure.

“We now hope the U.S. House of Representatives will quickly take up and pass the Senate bill next week. Vermont’s problematic labeling law will continue to do damage along the food supply chain until both houses of Congress band together and send a bill to President Obama’s desk. Time is of the utmost importance.”

###

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance the well-being of dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. The members of NMPF’s cooperatives produce the majority of the U.S. milk supply, making NMPF the voice of dairy producers on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more on NMPF’s activities, visit our website at www.nmpf.org.

ARLINGTON, VA – The National Milk Producers Federation thanked Senate members for approving a cloture motion today that will set up a final vote on legislation that would create a federal, uniform labeling system for foods produced using biotechnology. The final vote is expected to take place by Friday afternoon.

The legislation, negotiated by Sens. Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) of the Senate Agriculture Committee, would preempt Vermont’s state GMO labeling law that took effect July 1, and instead establish national guidelines for how companies disclose the presence of ingredients and foods made with biotechnology. Cloture was invoked Wednesday afternoon with the bipartisan support of 65 Senators. Members now have 30 hours to debate the measure before it moves to a final vote.

“We are now a major step closer to ending the confusion that has already arisen because of the Vermont law,” said NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern. “With final passage by the Senate, approval by the House, and with President Obama’s signature, we can establish a national framework to provide information to consumers without stigmatizing agricultural biotechnology and complicating how companies market foods in interstate commerce.”

NMPF expressed its appreciation for the commitment that Sens. Roberts and Stabenow gave to reach a solution on this issue that reaffirms the federal government’s role in food labeling policy.

Mulhern noted that nearly 3,000 products have been pulled from Vermont supermarket shelves in the past week, as a result of companies making decisions not to sell certain products there, now that the state’s own mandatory labeling law is in effect.

“The understandable decision by companies to avoid the Vermont market because of the new state law hurts consumers and is evidence that an issue of this importance must be resolved at the federal level, not on a state-by-state basis,” Mulhern said.

NMPF continues to urge its members to contact their Senators to encourage passage of the Robert-Stabenow agreement, using the organization’s online Dairy GREAT website email tool. The organization recently joined nearly 1,100 food companies in signing a letter pushing for the bill’s passage.

Food ingredients made using biotechnology have been proven safe by more than 2,000 studies from leading scientific bodies worldwide. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have all reaffirmed their long-standing recognition of the safety of the technology.

###

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance the well-being of dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. The members of NMPF’s cooperatives produce the majority of the U.S. milk supply, making NMPF the voice of dairy producers on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more on NMPF’s activities, visit our website at www.nmpf.org.

NMPF sponsored the Consortium for Common Food Names seminar on protecting the right of food companies to continue using their products’ names, held June 21 in Chicago, Ill.  The meeting sharped the focus across the food industry of the threats posed by European efforts to restrict the use of food names important to U.S. food producers.

The Consortium is an international alliance, founded by NMPF and the U.S. Dairy Export Council, dedicated to preserving marketers’ rights to the use of generic food names. The organization’s role has become more crucial lately, as negotiations continue over the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the U.S. and the European Union. The U.S. dairy industry is deeply concerned with the EU’s desire to extend the application of geographical indications to restrict certain food names exclusively for products made in European nations.

More than 70 food company representatives, intellectual property attorneys and others attended the day-long seminar, where speakers and panelists discussed ways to protect the threatened names, including seeking guidance from CCFN. The event also included sessions with officials in the Department of Commerce's U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

The Consortium advised U.S. food and beverage companies on how to preserve the use of common meat, cheese, and wine terms long considered generic in the United States. The visiting USPTO officials raised awareness of the problem of overprotection of geographical indications in U.S. export markets and how this protection might impact the use of common food names.

 

The National Dairy FARM Program continues to release new materials to help cooperatives and farmers prepare for the FARM Program Version 3.0 which will begin to be evaluated on in 2017. Among these resources are documents on tail docking and antibiotic use.

The “Making the Switch” tail docking guide is a resource for producers who are transitioning away from tail docking. The document includes facility management, milking parlor accommodations and employee safety recommendations and tips. Graphics are included to further outline how slight adaptations can be made to ease in the transition process.

Also now available is a one-page document on antibiotic use in dairy cattle. It includes the classification of antibiotics, as well as a description of the uses in dairy cattle. Both of these documents are available on the FARM Program website.

The National Dairy FARM Program is hosting its first-ever, two-day evaluator’s conference from November 2-3, 2016, in Nashville, Tenn., following the conclusion of the joint annual meeting. The event will provide ample professional development opportunities for all FARM Program evaluators to network, hear from engaging speakers and interact with each other. Conference sessions will include discussions on the latest animal well-being research, crisis management and communications training, as well as round table discussions about FARM Program challenges and opportunities.  

Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an optional stockmanship training hosted in partnership with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) Beef Quality Assurance Program. This session teaches handling methods to improve gathering, sorting, chute work, parlor movement and transportation of dairy cattle. Attendees will learn how to reduce handling stress and discuss how producers can have a significant economic – as well as quality-of-life – advantage when applied on the farm.  Click here for more information on the conference.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In less than four months, NMPF will join the National Dairy Board and United Dairy Industry Association to host its joint annual meeting – where those active in the dairy industry get together and share in their common accomplishments and challenges, as well as discuss the best paths to follow for the industry's future.

This year, the event will take place in Nashville, Tenn., from October 31-November 2. Online registration for the meeting will be available later this month.

Already, several prominent speakers are confirmed for the event. Stuart Rothenberg, a leading political analyst, will share his humorous and captivating thoughts about the likely outcome of this year’s historic presidential election, and what’s at stake for the dairy industry. Nina Teicholz is an investigative journalist and author of the New York Times bestseller “The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat & Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet.” She will discuss how her research and book has upended the conventional wisdom on dietary fat and challenged the very core of nutrition policy.