CLFP conducted its First Annual Washington, D.C. Fly-In on March 17-19, 2015.A delegation of CLFP members representing The Morning Star Packing Company, Musco Family Olive Co., Olam Spices & Vegetable Ingredients, Ingomar Packing Company, Kraft Foods, and Campbell Soup Supply Company met with the California Central Valley Congressional delegation on issues relating to water and food labeling.
In particular, CLFP members urged Congress to pass bipartisan legislation such as the Pompeo-Butterfield Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act (113thCongress), to create national "GMO" labeling uniformity while also addressing questions consumers might have about the safety of "GMO" food ingredients and providing consistent information to consumers about "non-GMO," "GMO," and "natural" food labels. Such legislation would also strengthen the Food and Drug Administration’s premarket safety review process for new GM seeds by making it mandatory.
CLFP also voiced concerns about the drought and urged their Congressional Representatives to support regulatory reforms to address both the long and short-term needs of growers and processors in California to deal with the extraordinary drought conditions. In the short-term, CLFP members requested: (1) water operation flexibility and efficiency in order to maximize the water supplies available, (2) a streamlined process for agriculture-to-agriculture voluntary water transfers, and (3) maximized assistance from USDA. In the long-term, CLFP members requested increased water supply certainty as well as ongoing funding for water storage projects.
Article written by Trudi Hughes, California League of Food Processors, Government Affairs Director
California League Of Food Producers