SEMA_________________________________

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

FSIS NEW POLICY ON OLD PAYMENTS

Under a new policy the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will not provide reimbursable inspection services to establishments that have delinquent accounts. Notices will be sent to establishments that have an outstanding balance. If payment is not received in full within 30 days, a second notice will be sent certified mail, then if payment is not received within 14 days, FSIS will withhold further services. FSIS charges fees for voluntary reimbursable inspection, certification and identification service provided to establishments, warehouses and importers and exporters of meat, poultry and egg products.

For more information on the delinquent payments policy, contact Teresa Ramsy, Branch Chief, Financial and Accounting Branch at 301.504.5885 or e-mail teresa.ramsy@fsis.usda.gov.

DATA TO COMPARE TO

E.coli and Salmonella data collected from 1997 to 2000 has been added to the FSIS web site. This data may help plants in comparing their testing results with national levels. These studies were conducted after HACCP began.
The pathogen Reduction HACCP System final rule set pathogen reduction performance standards for Salmonella for seven categories of products and required all establishments slaughtering cattle, pigs, chickens and turkeys to test for generic E.coli at a production volume frequency.

The baseline studies are available at www.fsis.gov/Science/Baseline_Data/

CONSOLIDATION

A 50/50 joint venture cattle-feeding business will merge ContiBeef, LLC a subsidiary of ContiGroup Companies and MF Cattle Feeding Inc. a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods. The venture will be a stand-alone company, planning to sell to multiple U.S. beef packing firms throughout the United States.

FOOD EMERGENCY RESPONSE NETWORK

FSIS has established the Food Emergency Response Network (FERN), an integrated network of laboratories across America that can quickly respond to food-related emergencies.

The FERN Division is being established under the FSIS Office of Public Health Science, which provides scientific analysis, advice, data and recommendations regarding matters involving public health and science that are of concern to FSIS. The division will be co-located with the FSIS Eastern Laboratory in Athens, GA.

For more information on this and the checklist for Food Security reported in the February newsletter log onto: www.fsis.usda.gov/Security/Security_Guidelines/

TYSON INCREASES EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Tyson has increased its educational benefits to employees, by reimbursing up to 75% or $3,500 per calendar year for education expenses. Employees must attend an accredited school to qualify for reimbursement and the degree must meet the business needs of the company. Employees may take advantage of the New York based, Excelsior College “on-line” degrees as well.

SICK DAYS?

The Internet recruiting company, CareerBuilder.com reports that 23% of workers felt sick days are just extra vacation days. More than one-third of U. S. workers called in sick in 2004. The reason workers take off is; attending to errands, catching up on sleep and just relaxing, although this is not what is communicated to the employer.

<<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->>
One –third of U.S. companies offer smoking-cessation programs to their employees.
<<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->>

BENEFITS KEEP RETIREES WORKING

As companies watch their expenses and cut back on pensions and health-care coverage, retirees will have to turn to there own savings or continue working. The staffing and out-sourcing company Hudson’s survey shows that 45% of workers plan to work past the age of 65 for they will not have enough money to live a life of leisure.

<<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->>

THINGS TO PONDER………………

Great minds discuss ideas
Average minds discuss events
Small minds discuss people

<<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->><<-->>

INDUSTRY NEWS

MEAT ASSOCIATION COUNCIL MEETING

The Meat Association Council had a conference call meeting February 8th, with the following Associations participating: AAMP, AMI, Southwest Meat Assoc., Texas Assoc., Pennsylvania Assoc., Kansas Assoc., and SEMA.

Patrick Boyle of AMI provided an assessment of the mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COO) rule. He stated that there had been some changes towards mandatory COOL, so our best tactic for now is to seek continued delay.

Steve Krut of AAMP and acting Chairman of MAC, indicated that interstate shipment of state inspected meat and poultry products were hurt due to other undesirable items being attached to the bill.

Southwest Association Director, Joe Harris asked that MAC work with USDA to examine and take action on its inspection overtime guidelines.

Anna Ondick, the Director of SEMA, brought up the concern of industry consolidation and concentration. The discussion concluded that the driving force behind the consolidations is international competition and the demands of the retail and food service sectors, which themselves are becoming more concentrated.

There was also discussion of FSIS’s consideration of moving to a mandatory hold for all products being tested by the agency. We all agreed that holding tested product is best but is not always possible. There is concern with uniformity and rationality in the FSIS testing protocols.

USER FEES

The Southeastern Meat Association has signed on with other National and Regional Associations to oppose the “user fees”. The USDA’s 2006 budget proposal includes $139 million in taxes to be paid by meat, poultry and egg product companies to pay for any inspection time beyond an eight-hour shift.

SEMA MEMBERSHIP

Membership dues invoices were sent out in January. Many have been returned but if I missed sending you a membership invoice, please let me know.

If you do not belong to SEMA and would like membership information please e-mail info@southeastern.com or call our office at 407.365.5661.

SEMA 2005 CONVENTION

The Shores Resort & Spa
Daytona Beach Shores, FL
June 10-12

For hotel reservations call (866) 934-SHORES
Convention information will be out the end of March

WELCOME BACK PROCESSING MEMBER

HoneyBaked Ham Co.
5445 Triangle Parkway
Norcross, GA 30092
Contact Person: Marie Zhang
P: 678.966.3303 F: 678.966.3135

NEW SEMA ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

HARMON DENNIS BRADSHAW, INC.

As the insurance agent for customers in the meat and poultry industry since 1998, Harmon Dennis Bradshaw is familiar with the challenges that face meat and poultry packers, processors and distributors. Over the last few years, insurance premiums for virtually all businesses have increased due mainly to claim disbursements associated with the 9/11 tragedy and the decrease in premium investment income. These increased premiums can make the decision of purchasing optional insurance coverage like employment practices liability, product tampering liability and accidental contamination liability even more difficult. However, recently we’ve begun to see a slight downward shift in renewal premiums, mainly as a result of the improving economy. We are proud to be a new member of the Southeastern Meat Association and look forward to helping other members obtain fair and reasonable renewal insurance premiums without sacrificing coverage.

Please contact Charles Humphrey or Jennifer Hill at 334.273.7277 for more information.

UNIFIRST CORPORATION

UniFirst, a leading supplier of workwear for businesses large and small since 1993, provides a special program designed for assisting in HACCP compliance. Included are specialized garments and value-added education about HACCP needs. Also available are various floorcare products and restroom supplies. Serving over 175,000 customers throughout the U. S. and Canada, UniFirst put more than one million people in work clothes each business day, offering customers Rental, Lease and Purchase options to enhance their business images.

For more information contact Alex Dukeshire, Branch Manager at 407.667.9300

SEMA MEMBERS

The SEMA web site is for networking, if you have a press release or would like to put something in the classified section, it is a membership benefit (no charge). Just mail or e-mail and it will be put in the next edition of the newsletter and on the web site.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Chilton Consulting Group
Basic HACCP Workshop Gainesville, GA March 21
Advanced HACCP Workshop Gainesville, GA March 2
Food Safety Regulatory Essentials Workshop Gainesville, GA March 25

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS

Proprietary Foods, Inc. in Texas is looking for a processor to fully cook bulk chicken products and smoke chicken parts. Approx. starting volume of 200,000# per month. Contact Tom McWilliams at 770.993.2590 or e-mail profoods120@yahoo.com.

South Alabama Food Co-op, in Mobile, AL is looking for a processor to make private label products, supplies 1,500 families. Contact Linda Roland at 251.476.7808

Jonim Co., in Marietta, GA is looking for a supply of Danish Ribs, currently using 25 boxes a week. Contact Joseph Heggs at 770.891.2520 or e-mail mccantese@bellsouth.net.

EQUIPMENT WANTED

Kelly Foods in Orlando, FL is looking to purchase a 1,000# vacuum tumbler. Contact Dale Kelly at 407.654.0500 or e-mail dale_kelly@kellysfoods.com.

Register Meat Company in Cottondale, FL is looking for a good used roll-stock machine. Contact Al Kaempfer at 800.364.5790.

SEEKING EMPLOYMENT

Dianne Hartman is seeking employment in the Florida area. Dianne has over 6 years experience in meat packaging and production. If interested the SEMA office can send you a copy of her resume or you may contact Dianne at 609.230.8890.