SEMA_________________________________

SOUTHEASTERN MEAT ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 620777; Oviedo, FL 32762 Phone: 407-365-5661

SEMA CONVENTION

The SEMA Board of Directors invites you to attend the SEMA convention June 8-9, 2007 at the Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach, Florida. Again this year our Associate members will be there to exhibit the latest in trends and technology, we will have great informative and educational sessions, networking breakfast, golf tournament, evening banquets with good food and lots of fun. It’s a great time to share and learn from your peers.

The silent auction will be held to raise money for scholarships. Be on the lookout for something unique to donate.

Mark your calendar
SEMA Annual Convention
June 8-9, 2007

REGULATORY UPDATE

IVT Intensified Verification Testing

• We can expect to see more testing for Listeria. Team of 2-3 EIAO’s and normally the circuit supervisor will come in and do the testing.
• On a normal size plant, 50-60 samples may be pulled. Actual product samples could be 15-20%. Product contact samples could comprise 50-70% of the samples with the remainder being Environmental samples.
• Large sample areas may be swabbed. Where the regulation required a 12”x12” area, they may sample a 36” x 36” area.
• Drains and potential harborage sites will be tested.
• Product will be tested for L. monocytongenes so it is imperative to place all product on hold.
• Normally you will be notified the day before they will do the testing. A new lot of product should be sliced or produced that day as positive product results could cause concern for other products sliced out of that same lot.

Chilton Consulting Group

REVISED LABELING REQUIREMENTS

There are revisions in the Meat Grading and Certification Branch Instruction 107, Requirements For Grading Terms on Meat Product Labeling that will take effect January 7, 2007. A copy can be obtained through the SEMA office or by going to http://www.ams.usda.gov/lsg/mgc/instructions/mgc100.htm

TRAVEL EXPENSE

Beginning Jan. 1, 2007, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (including vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:

• 48.5 cents per mile for business miles driven;
• 20 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes; and
• 14 cents per mile driven in service to a charitable organization.

The standard mileage rates are for employees, self-employed individuals, or other taxpayers to use in computing the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical, or moving expense purposes. Business 48.5 IR-2006-168

When everything’s coming your way, you are in the wrong lane.

NEED SOME HELP?

SEMA and some of the Universities in the southeast are working together for the betterment of our industry. If you need some help or would like to work with them on developing a new product or process, the University of Florida may be able to help you. The following is a listing of the staff and their expertise.

CHANGES IN THE ASSOCIATION WORLD

NMA - Barry Carpenter will retire in January as Deputy Administrator of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service and will replace Rosemary Mucklow, the Executive Director of the National Meat Association. Rosemary will be stepping down from that position February 1st and will serve as the Director Emeritus. AAMP newsletter

NAMP - A new Executive Director should soon be announced. Deven Scott had served as Executive Director in the past, then came back to serve while the Association interviewed to fill the position.

CONDOLENCES TO THE KELLEY FAMILY

Kelley Foods of Alabama: Dwight Kelley’s wife Caroline passed away on December 17th after a long battle with cancer. Caroline was buried Tuesday December 19th at the Westside Baptist Church in Elba. Condolences can be sent to the Kelley family at 196 Clark Ave. Elba, AL 36323. Scott Kelley thanks everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

SEMA STARTING A NEW YEAR

SEMA annual membership dues have been mailed. If we missed you please e-mail or give us a call. Dues are due on or before January 20, 2007. If you would like to join the Association, please call the SEMA office at 407.365.5661 or e-mail info@southeasternmeat.com, and we will get a membership packet out to you.

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WELCOME NEW SEMA MEMBER

Processing Member
Cordray’s Venison Processing
6708 County Line Rd.
Ravenel, SC 29470
843.766.7922
Michael Cordray, Owner

SEMA INDUSTRY NEWS

American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) now has available a Crisis Management & Security Training Manual. While the guidelines developed by government agencies are voluntary, it is vital that all food businesses take steps to ensure the security of their operations.

SEMA is an AAMP Affiliate member, allowing SEMA processing members to purchase the manual at the AAMP member rate of $35.00. To order a copy, call the AAMP office 717.367.1168.

***If your company has something they would like to share or information to update please send it to the SEMA office and we will post it. Example, new salesperson, personnel promotions, expanding your company, etc.***

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Companies that invest in employee learning have higher productivity, revenue growth,
and profit growth than companies that do not.

We wish SEMA members
Good health and much success
in 2007