Second Annual CLFP Washington, D.C., Fly-In a Success

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Second Annual CLFP Washington, D.C., Fly-In a Success

CLFP conducted its Second Annual Washington, D.C. Fly-In, March 15-17. A delegation of CLFP members representing Morning Star Packing Company, Horizon Nut, Olam Spices & Vegetable Ingredients, Ingomar Packing Company, Pacific Coast Producers and Campbell Soup Company met with the California Central Valley Congressional delegation on issues relating to water, trade and food labeling.

In particular, CLFP urged Congress to pass bipartisan legislation to preempt state-level efforts to enact mandatory GMO labeling laws. CLFP argued that a patchwork of state-by-state laws is detrimental to consumers and to producers.

CLFP also urged Congress to pass bipartisan drought relief legislation in 2016. The delegation encouraged Senator Dianne Feinstein and Senator Barbara Boxer to move a bill out of the Senate so the House and Senate proposals could be negotiated in a conference committee. CLFP argued that in order to respond to current and future water shortages, Congress must provide federal agencies with more flexibility under existing environmental laws and regulations to encourage a more cooperative approach toward achieving multiple goals.

In addition, CLFP urged Congress to approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement as soon as possible. This agreement offers an historic opportunity to advance American trade relationships with some of the world’s most dynamic economies, expand economic growth and create new jobs in the food processing industry. Food processing is a $25 billion dollar industry in California, and the state exports about $11 billion worth of processed food products per year, accounting for about 15 percent of all U.S. processed food exports. TPP offers significant opportunities for CLFP members. The agreement will reduce or eliminate tariffs on the majority of U.S. food and beverage exports and will strengthen TPP parties’ commitments to science-based, non-discriminatory regulations and technical standards.  

The delegation also had the opportunity to meet with the Federal Maritime Commission and expressed concerns about the port labor disputes and slowdowns.  

The delegation’s final meeting was with Sharon Bomer Lauritsen, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Agricultural Affairs and Commodity Policy in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The CLFP delegation discussed TPP, as well as trade barriers impacting exports.

Article written by Trudi Hughes, CLFP Government Affairs Director

 

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