Registration is open for the NGFA-Kansas State University (KSU) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) training course scheduled for Aug. 17-19 in Manhattan, Kan. This course is targeted for businesses that need to comply with FDA’s rule for Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals. The FDA FSMA-related animal food rule requires that certain activities specified within the regulations be completed by a “preventive controls qualified individual” or PCQI. Such activities include overseeing or performing: 1) ... Read More
Subject-focused News
NGFA urges DoD to reinstate Inland Waterways Users Board
NGFA urged the Department of Defense this week to reinstate the Inland Waterways Users Board (IWUB) as soon as possible. In an April 7 letter to DoD leaders, NGFA President and CEO Mike Seyfert noted that the U.S. inland waterways system is financed in part by a diesel fuel tax that commercial users pay, deposited into the Inland Waterways Trust Fund (IWTF). “The users who help pay for the maintenance and modernization of this system should continue to have their voice heard through the IWUB,” he noted. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered a “zero-based review” of all DoD ... Read More
Purdue University releases grain entrapment statistics for 2020
By Jess McCluer, Vice President of Safety and Regulatory Affairs Purdue University’s Agricultural Safety and Health Program last month released its “2020 Summary of U.S. Agricultural and Confined-Space Related Injuries and Fatalities” report, which documents 35 grain entrapment cases that occurred in 2020. The 35 cases represent an almost 8 percent decline in grain entrapments from 2019, when 38 entrapments were recorded. The total number of fatal and non-fatal entrapments is the second highest in the past six years. In 2020, the state with the most documented grain entrapments — fatal ... Read More
NGFA members elect officers and new directors
ARLINGTON, Va., March 31, 2021 – The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) announced today that its members re-elected JoAnn Brouillette, president and managing partner of Demeter LP in Fowler, Ind., as NGFA Chairman. NGFA distributed a ballot on March 15 to member companies eligible to vote (Active and Affiliated Association Members) for the election of NGFA’s Board of Directors and industry officers and the ratification of amendments to NGFA’s Bylaws, Trade Rules and Arbitration Rules. Ballots were due on March 26. Election of NGFA Officers and ... Read More
NGFA declares opening of Mid-Mississippi River
Pursuant to the NGFA Trade Rules, NGFA has declared that the Mid-Mississippi River opened for navigation as of 7 a.m. on Monday, March 29, 2021. NGFA Barge Freight Trading Rule 18(J) provides as follows: “The Dubuque and South (Mid-Mississippi) opening commences the first 07:00 hours of the first business day after the first empty dry cargo covered barge suitable for loading, originating at or below Winfield, Mo., reaches Dubuque, Iowa. The Mid-Miss opening shall be determined by a majority vote of a three-person committee appointed by the NGFA Chairman and shall be announced by publishing ... Read More
‘Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week’ offers daily virtual events to raise awareness about grain handling and storage hazards
ARLINGTON, Va. March 29, 2021 — The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) and the Grain Handling Safety Council (GHSC) today launched its fifth annual, weeklong safety outreach effort – “Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week” – to help raise awareness about grain handling and storage hazards and provide safety education and training. Throughout the Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week, which is March 29-April 2, 2021, companies may participate by providing a focused activity and/or toolbox talk ... Read More
NGFA 2020-21 Annual Report now available
NGFA’s 2020-21 Annual Report covers the time between the start of the association’s fiscal year in February 2020 and the start of 2021. The Annual Report, which documents challenges and accomplishments that encompass multiple facets of NGFA’s wide-ranging portfolio, now is available to read and download on ngfa.org. The National Grain and Feed Foundation has its own 2020-21 Annual Report, which highlights featured and ongoing projects and donors. The Foundation 2020-21 Annual Report can be found at ngfa.org/foundation. ... Read More
NGFA supports HAULS Act to provide regulatory relief for ag truckers
ARLINGTON, Va., March 18, 2021 – The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today commended lawmakers for their introduction of the Haulers of Agriculture and Livestock Safety (HAULS) Act of 2021, which would provide much-needed regulatory relief for agricultural truckers. Sens. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., Jon Tester, D-Mont., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Roger Wicker, R-Miss., re-introduced the HAULS Act – a bill based on legislation first introduced in 2020 – that includes updates to the agricultural exemption to the hours-of-service (HOS) rules. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s ... Read More
NGFA outlines ag priorities for the next surface transportation bill
ARLINGTON, March 17, 2021 -- The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) today urged lawmakers to prioritize improvements to U.S. freight transportation in the next surface transportation bill that are environmentally responsible and enhance the economic health of U.S. agriculture. In a March 17 letter to each member of Congress led by NGFA and signed by dozens of agricultural producer, commodity, agribusiness, food manufacturer and food-related organizations, NGFA and the other groups noted that “Congress can achieve positive benefits for the environment while improving the economic ... Read More
NGFA congratulates Katherine Tai on her confirmation as U.S. Trade Representative
ARLINGTON, Va., March 17, 2021 – National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) President and CEO Mike Seyfert today congratulated Katherine Tai on her confirmation as U.S. Trade Representative. The Senate on March 17 confirmed Tai, President Biden’s nominee to be the nation’s chief trade negotiator, with a 98-0 vote. “Ambassador Tai is eminently qualified to serve as the U.S. Trade Representative and has demonstrated her deep familiarity with opening foreign markets and reducing barriers for U.S. food and agriculture as well as developing strong bipartisan support for trade agreements,” ... Read More
Lacy Holleman
National Grain and Feed Association
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