TIA, SFA Present Legislative Fly-In Day on Capitol Hill
The Tortilla Industry Association and Snack Food Association, both of Arlington, Va., have joined forces to present
Legislative Fly-In Day, a legislative summit where tortilla and
flatbread producers can make their voices heard by meeting with
representatives on Capitol Hill.
The Tortilla Industry Association (TIA) and Snack Food Association (SFA), both of Arlington, Va., have joined forces to present Legislative Fly-In Day, a legislative summit where tortilla and flatbread producers can make their voices heard by meeting with representatives on Capitol Hill.
This event is scheduled for May 10 at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Key issues at hand include:
Preserving independent contractors’ rights
Many tortilla companies rely on independent operators as part of their distribution operations, but there have been efforts to reclassify independent operators as employees. The Obama Administration is developing proposed rules that would also place new and onerous paperwork requirements on anyone using independent contractors. Plus, the Department of Labor and the IRS have announced plans to more vigorously enforce classification of workers. TIA opposes actions that place unreasonable burdens on member-companies and wants to preserve your ability to use independent contractors.
Reinforcing snacks in SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, puts food on the table for some 43.5 million people. Now there are efforts to ban certain foods, including some snack foods, from the SNAP program. While TIA supports efforts to educate consumers about nutrition, it opposes revisions that would limit choice by restricting certain foods, including snack foods, from SNAP. Limiting food choice would be against the basic intent of SNAP, which is to reduce hunger, improve diets and support families in difficult times.
High commodity prices, biofuels policy
The UN reports world food prices gained 3% in February, and are 28% higher than a year ago. The U.S. domestic biofuels policy contributed to this increase, and the USDA projects that more than 35% of the current corn crop will be diverted from the food for use into ethanol. This diversion of food to fuel is supported by direct subsidies, tax credits, regulatory exemptions, an import tariff on ethanol and the mandated Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). TIA supports efforts to reduce the impact biofuels have on food costs and opposes approval of e-15.
Other issues affecting the tortilla industry
Other issues affecting the tortilla industry are as follows:
• The Employee Free Choice Act
• Implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act passed in January
• Reforming the sugar subsidy program through the 2012 Farm Bill
• Transportation/distribution issues
• Driver hours-of-service
• New motor carrier safety compliance program
• The Mexican/U.S. truck tariff issue
To reserve a hotel room or receive more information about Legislative Fly-In Day, contact Jim Kabbani, TIA’s executive director, at 800-944-6099, ext. 206, or jkabbani@tortilla-info.com.
The Tortilla Industry Association (TIA) and Snack Food Association (SFA), both of Arlington, Va., have joined forces to present Legislative Fly-In Day, a legislative summit where tortilla and flatbread producers can make their voices heard by meeting with representatives on Capitol Hill.
This event is scheduled for May 10 at the L’Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Key issues at hand include:
Preserving independent contractors’ rights
Many tortilla companies rely on independent operators as part of their distribution operations, but there have been efforts to reclassify independent operators as employees. The Obama Administration is developing proposed rules that would also place new and onerous paperwork requirements on anyone using independent contractors. Plus, the Department of Labor and the IRS have announced plans to more vigorously enforce classification of workers. TIA opposes actions that place unreasonable burdens on member-companies and wants to preserve your ability to use independent contractors.
Reinforcing snacks in SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, puts food on the table for some 43.5 million people. Now there are efforts to ban certain foods, including some snack foods, from the SNAP program. While TIA supports efforts to educate consumers about nutrition, it opposes revisions that would limit choice by restricting certain foods, including snack foods, from SNAP. Limiting food choice would be against the basic intent of SNAP, which is to reduce hunger, improve diets and support families in difficult times.
High commodity prices, biofuels policy
The UN reports world food prices gained 3% in February, and are 28% higher than a year ago. The U.S. domestic biofuels policy contributed to this increase, and the USDA projects that more than 35% of the current corn crop will be diverted from the food for use into ethanol. This diversion of food to fuel is supported by direct subsidies, tax credits, regulatory exemptions, an import tariff on ethanol and the mandated Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). TIA supports efforts to reduce the impact biofuels have on food costs and opposes approval of e-15.
Other issues affecting the tortilla industry
Other issues affecting the tortilla industry are as follows:
• The Employee Free Choice Act
• Implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act passed in January
• Reforming the sugar subsidy program through the 2012 Farm Bill
• Transportation/distribution issues
• Driver hours-of-service
• New motor carrier safety compliance program
• The Mexican/U.S. truck tariff issue
To reserve a hotel room or receive more information about Legislative Fly-In Day, contact Jim Kabbani, TIA’s executive director, at 800-944-6099, ext. 206, or jkabbani@tortilla-info.com.
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