SEMA_________________________________

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

USER FEES

SEMA co-signed a letter opposing the new inspection fees, with over 40 organizations, including many state and regional organizations within the Meat Association Council. The letter was sent to all Members of Congress. The "user fees" for government mandated food safety inspection programs represent an additional $105 million tax on the meat, poultry and egg processing industries. These fees should not be included as an offset of revenue for USDA within the FY’07 Budget Resolution.

SEMA members are encouraged to contact their representatives to protest this action by the USDA. To help with writing a letter, contact the SEMA office for a generic "bullets points" sheet.

CARBON MONOXIDE PRO OR CON

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) office of Food Additive Safety Director Laura Tarantino said meat packaged with atmospheres containing Carbon Monoxide (CO) were no more likely to contain pathogens than meat packaged other ways and it does not reduce the safety of meat.

Kalsec, an ingredient supplier has sued FDA, claiming that CO in packaging is a deceptive practice. CO is used in low-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging to help ensure the product maintains a fresh red appearance that is appealing to consumers. The removal of oxygen from packaging extends the meat’s life by days and even weeks, being a benefit for the retailer and consumer. No more than 0.4% of an atmosphere can consist of CO and the FDA has recognized it as safe since 1980.

FSIS WORKING TO REDUCE SALMONELLA

The USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced a comprehensive initiative to reduce salmonella in raw meat and poultry products. Currently establishments receive results after the sample set is completed; now FSIS will provide the results of Salmonella performance standard testing to establishments as soon as they become available on a sample-by-sample basis. The initiative will include concentrating on establishments with higher levels of Salmonella. The effort is patterned after the successful FSIS initiative to reduce the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef.

SEMA CONVENTION
“ Charting the Course”
The Shores Resort & Spa
Daytona Beach, FL
June 2nd-4th

BILL TO BAN PACKER OWNERSHIP

Representative Leonard Boswell (D-IA-3) introduced legislation (H.R. 4713) that would prohibit packers from owning, feeding or controlling livestock intended for slaughter. The bill, which would amend the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, has been referred to the Committee on Agriculture. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH-10) and Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-WY-AL) co-sponsored the bill. Boswell introduced an identical measure in 2003, garnering 11 co-sponsors. NMA newsletter

COMPETITIVE MARKET BILL IN SENATE

A bipartisan group of Senators introduced "The Competitive and Fair Agricultural Markets Act of 2006" to give the USDA clout to enforce laws against unfair price manipulation in livestock markets, as well as strengthen the ability of farmers to bargain for prices from processors. The bill (S.2307) would reorganize the USDA to establish an Office of Special Counsel, which would investigate and prosecute violations on competition matters.

The bill strengthens the Packers and Stockyards Act, defining the unfair pricing practices banned by that law, according to Agriculture Online. Backers of the bill include Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Craig Thomas (R-WY). NMA newsletter

WAL-MART & TARGET FOCUS ON GROCERIES

Wal-Mart, after opening over 300 stores last year, now operates 3,200 stores nationwide and plans on opening more than 300 again this year. Wal-Mart has a full grocery section in its super centers and competes with neighbor stores with its Neighborhood Markets.

Most of Targets standard stores will be renovated to add 50% more space for food items. The company plans to add more deli and ready-to-eat items.

OSHA's Top 10 Violations for 2005

1. Scaffolding
2. Hazard Communication
3. Fall Protection--General Requirements (1926.501) with 5,504 violations. This standard
   appeared third in last year's list as well.
4. Respiratory Protection (1910.134) with 3,904 violations. This standard appeared fifth last year.
5. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147) with 3,711 violations. This standard moved from fourth last year.
6. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178) with 2,871 violations. This standard rose from eighth on last year's list.
7. Electrical--Wiring Methods, Components, and Equipment for General Use (1910.305) with 2,785 violations, down from sixth last year.
8. Machine Guarding--General Requirements (1910.212) with 2,743 violations, down from seventh on last year's list.
9. Electrical--General Requirements (1910.303) with 2,120 violations.
10. Ladders (1926.1053) with 2,054 violations

Make sure that your programs and practices are such that your company does not add to the statistics on this list for 2006. Provided by Chilton Consulting Group

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THINGS TO PONDER………………
Open your arms to change, but
don’t let go of your values.
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SEMA INDUSTRY NEWS

Kallis German Butcher Co. is back in business after being closed the last 14 months due to hurricane Charley. After being closed for so long, their customers had to find other suppliers but Manfred wants everyone to know he is back making the same quality products.

Jamison Door: Joe Clark will be honored at the President’s Council meeting in Las Vegas this month for having one of the top four sales offices. This will be Joe’s 11th and final council meeting, for he will be retiring from Jamison later this year. Jamison is celebrating its 100th anniversary this month.

M & Q Packaging: Bob Cullen has changed his e-mail address to racullen@adelphia.net.

Cryovac: Scott Harris has replaced George Ashmore as sales rep in Alabama and Mississippi. Scott is based in Birmingham, Alabama. Give him a call at 205.382.3056.

Kopco Graphics was honored in the International Label Manufacturers Institute’s 28th Annual Awards Competition. The international competition honors the finest labels produced by member converters in North, South and Central America, Europe and Australia.

The company won a second place award in the “paperboard/rigid packaging” category for its “Fisher’s Deli Thin Hard Salami” label. The award was presented at the TLMI Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, NV, on October 21, 2005.

For samples of the award winning printing, please contact Mike Hadsell at the Sarasota plant. Phone 866-743-4192 or email mikeh@kopcographics.com.

Tipper Tie, Inc.: Technology Days - May 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Tipper Tie will be showcasing new innovative equipment and factory best practices. Call today and reserve your preferred date. 919.362.8811 ext 290.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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and profit growth than companies that do not.