Our Connections with Government

PMA's Government Relations & Public Affairs team works every day to strengthen and maintain connections with Congressional leaders and regulatory officials. We strive to bring real-world industry experiences and insights to those who shape public policy and rulemaking. Some highlights from our work are:

2012 Connections

March

• Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan participated in our Foundation for Industry Talent's Emerging Leaders Program to stress the importance of future leaders in U.S. agriculture.
• Our Government Affairs, Supply Chain Efficiencies, and Produce Safety, Science and Technology Committees met with key FDA, USDA, and Customs officials to discuss Food Safety Modernization Act implementation and challenges in getting fresh fruits and vegetables through border crossings.

February

• We participated in the U.S.-Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council stakeholder meeting, which focused on food safety duplication and organic equivalency among other topics.

January

• We collaborated with key industry regulators and producers during a Center for Produce Safety meeting on developing cantaloupe food safety guidance.
• We met with USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan and other USDA officials in a screening of The Apple Pushers, a film focused on the New York City green cart initiative to increase fruit and vegetable consumption.

2011 Connections

November

• We filed comments with the FDA on Food Safety Modernization Act Re-Inspection Fees.

October

• PMA Chairman Rich Dachman of Sysco and PMA President Bryan Silbermann joined USDA Deputry Secretary Kathleen Merrigan as she promoted healthful eating at a Georgia school during PMA's Fresh Summit. She also addressed Fresh Summit attendees during a general session.
• We (as part of the North American Trade Council) met with USDA officials concerning financial risk mitigation in Canada.

September

• We joined with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack in Sacramento as he launched the "make half your plate fruits and vegetables" effort as part of the MyPlate campaign. Post-event thoughts here.

August

• We filed comments with the FDA on Preventive Controls for Registered Human Food and Animal Feed Facilities.

July

• We filed comments with USDA on the proposed National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement.
• We joined First Lady Michelle Obama on the initiative to provide more healthful foods (including produce) to underserved communities.
• We joined with the Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform, the National Council of Agricultural Employers and others in a lobby day on E-verify and agriculture's unique labor needs.
• We filed comments with FDA on the inspections and compliance provisions of the Food Safety Modernization Act.

June

• We submitted comments to FDA on the Global Comparability Tool as part our mission to ensure produce safety.
• Several PMA committees met with key legislative and regulatory officials during a series of meetings in Washington, DC.
• We participated in USDA regional training for in-store country of origin compliance reviews.
• We offered testimony to FDA on the inspections and compliance provisions of the FSMA.
• We applauded USDA's release of a new dietary icon, making fruits and vegetables half the plate.

May

• We urged Congressional action on the ATPDEA and trade agreements.
• We submitted comments to FDA on preventive controls for facilities, as part of FSMA implementation.
• We submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation regarding a pilot program on NAFTA long-haul trucking provisions.

April

• We submitted comments to FDA on the import provisions of the FSMA.
• We participated in stakeholder calls with USDA concerning a proposed national leafy greens marketing agreement.
• We participated in FDA's public meeting on preventive controls for facilities as mandated by the FSMA.
• We called on USDA to implement new nutrition standards for school meals.
• We filed comments with USDA on its proposal concerning PACA trust provisions.

March

• We testified before FDA on global food safety comparability.
• We testified before FDA on the new import programs mandated by the Food Safety Modernization Act.

February

• As a result of the North American Trade Council (we're a member) meeting, we called on U.S. and Canadian leaders to develop financial risk mitigation program for cross-border trade.
• We discussed industry issues, including Know Your Farmer, with USDA leaders at the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee meeting.

January

• We informed our members of the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans
• We shared our produce pricing research with USDA as the agency finalized its own study on this issue.
• We informed our members of the passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act

2010 Connections

December

• We met with USDA on industry sustainability initatives, including the Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops

November

• Our Vice President of Government Relations & Public Affairs Kathy Means spoke at and attended a workshop on “Improving Transparency of Nontariff Measures in Food and Agricultural Trade” hosted by USDA and the U.S. International Trade Commission.
• We co-signed a joint industry letter sent to the Senate in opposition of S. 510, The Food Safety Modernization Act.

October

• We shared our insights on food safety in a guest editorial in The Hill newspaper, where we addressed exemptions for small farmers and what that means in terms of a regulatory framework and consumer access.

September

• Our food safety team lead Dr. Bob Whitaker joined in a food safety tour in the Salinas Valley for FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, M.D. and her staff, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance that agency’s awareness of industry food safety efforts.
• We offered comments to USDA concerning the impact of post-default agreements on PACA trust protection eligibility.

August

• We met with U.S. Department of Commerce officials to develop a stronger relationship, helping the department understand PMA and its members and helping PMA staff better understand the resources the department has to offer.
• Our Director of Food Safety & Technology Johnna Hepner joined other fresh produce industry representatives to conduct an educational field tour for USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack in California’s Salinas Valley.
• Two PMA members and staff shared insights and information on produce transportation with the Government Accountability Office as it investigates truck detention issues.

July

• We offered comments and testified before the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee and called for a stronger, more vigorous effort for increased produce consumption through communication, social science, and policy changes.
• We organized meetings with high-ranking USDA officials to discuss sustainability efforts from the specialty crop industry through the Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops.
• Working with the Alliance for Food and Farming, we took the lead on developing an outreach program for government leaders on the facts that rebut “dirty dozen” and similar reports from advocacy groups.
• We submitted comments in response to FDA’s open docket on its proposed produce safety regulation.

June

• Our Chief Science Officer Dr. Bob Whitaker was named to the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods, which will allow PMA to offer input for years to come. In addition, he is regularly consulted by FDA officials on produce safety issues.
• PMA board member John Oxford, accompanied by our Executive Vice President Lorna Christie, met with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and EPA administrator Lisa Jackson on pesticide and other environmental issues as part of a small invitation-only meeting with specialty crop organizations.

May

• We offered comments to USDA on proposed fee increases to its PACA program.
• Our Chairman Bill Schuler and President Bryan Silbermann met in May with USDA officials and Congressional leaders on a variety of topics critical to the industry.
• Through the National Fruit and Vegetable Alliance (led by Produce for Better Health Foundation and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), we are working with the First Lady’s office to educate her staff about salad bars in schools.

April

• Our Chairman-elect Mike O’Brien, board member Jin Ju Wilder, and Executive Vice President Lorna Christie met with officials from USDA and Congress on increasing produce consumption through federal programs.
• Our Chief Science Officer Dr. Bob Whitaker led FDA officials through a discussion of food safety issues with the PMA Board of Directors, as well as on a tour of produce operations in Nogales, Arizona.

March

• We submitted traceability comments to FDA and urged FDA to use existing standards and systems as they provide practical, real-world solutions.

February

• We participated in USDA’s state-level training program for COOL inspectors and shared insights with our members via the Field to Fork blog.
• We offered science-based comments to Georgia concerning its food safety proposal that would have adversely affected the produce industry (especially fresh-cut processors).

January

• We (in partnership with USDA) offered our members a free Webinar on country of origin labeling retail compliance trends.
• We offered comments to USDA concerning fruit and vegetable inclusion in WIC food packages.