Obama Request for Authority to Reorganize Federal Government Sparks Concerns on Impact on Trade Agency

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1 Volume 64, Number 2,... MF Global Customers Reminded of Jan. 31 Deadline for Filing Claims Former MF Global Inc. customers are reminded that the deadline for submitting claim forms is Jan. 31. Claims from former commodity futures customers and former securities customers of MF Global Inc. must be received administering distribution of MF Global Inc. assets to customers under authority of the Securities Investor Protection Act (SIPA). Former customers who have already received distributions or noted that claimants will not be penalized for incomplete forms, as long as they make a good-faith effort to complete them. to have a better indication of the extent of the shortfall that NGFA Newsletter electronically The trustee has urged Obama Request for Authority to Reorganize Federal Government Sparks Concerns on Impact on Trade Agency USDA Releases Blueprint for Closure of Agency Offices; Early Retirements Hit FSA Commodity Operations Division President Obama s Jan. 13 announcement that he will request legislative authority from Congress to reorganize the federal government drew an immediate and strong reaction concerning th century governmental st century economy. From the he said. Commerce s core business and trade functions; the Small (Continued on page 5)... National Grain and Feed Association, 1250 Eye St., N.W., Suite 1003, Washington, D.C Phone: (202) , Fax: (202) , Web Site:

2 by Todd Kemp Dir. of Mkting./Treas. Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Invites NGFA to Participate in MF Global Review NGFA Task Force to Begin Evaluating Changes Administration Committee and other sectors of the NGFA s of many suggestions for change that have been discussed. The Committee and Finance and Administration Committee at the NGFA s 116 th House Ag Committee Approves Changes to Dodd-Frank Law Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). According to a statement issued by Committee Chairman of the committee s oversight efforts of the Commodity Futures They have shared consistent concerns that the CFTC is establish a de minimis Peterson said....

3 by Beth Elliott and by Ryan Bennett Director of Legislative Affairs Manager of Public Policy Relations Congress Returns to Election-Year Agenda focus will be on whether Congress can reach agreement to forestall scheduled automatic budget cuts to domestic Senate Agriculture Committees indicate they will conduct enacted. The NGFA s farm bill focus will be on reforming and move to the full chamber for consideration later in the congressional districts. Renewable energy legislation also may emerge this NGFA Grain and Feed PAC Continues to Grow, But More Needed! Senate Ag Committee Chair to Headline Convention PAC Breakfast well as to initiate fundraisers in individual congressional districts. Grain and Feed PAC again will host several in- NGFA Newsletter. th annual NGFA s Grain and Feed PAC also will be offering several items for a silent auction during the convention. auction conducted on-site at the convention. For more information on how you can be more involved Public Policy Relations Ryan Bennett at rbennett@ngfa.org...

4 by Charles M Delacruz General Counsel and Secretary cdelacruz@ngfa.org... Supreme Court Upholds Broad Federal Authority in Animal Processing, Arbitration Cases National Meat Association v. Harris, Attorney General of California contained in FMIA. designed to address the safety of meat and the humane handling (FSIS) administers the law through extensive regulations ante-mortem animal brought to a slaughterhouse. Non-ambulatory animals post-mortem the animal. (Continued on page 5)... requirements on swine slaughterhouses regarding the handling of non-ambulatory animals.. Arbitration Case: In an unrelated case decided earlier this established under the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA). In this case [CompuCredit Corp. v. Greenwood] (CROA). The federal district court and the U.S. Court of the terms of the FAA are broad enough to require the arbitration agreement to be enforced. enforce arbitration agreements according to their terms even mandate has been overridden by a contrary congressional the equivalent to a right to bring an action in a court of law. In

5 by Charles M Delacruz General Counsel and Secretary cdelacruz@ngfa.org... (Continued from page 4) that Congress intended this construction. But they the terms of the CROA were intended by Congress to under the FAA. This decision demonstrates that at least a strong. Feb. 15, 2012: NGFA Safety, Health and Environmental Quality Committee Marriott St. Louis Airport, St. Louis, Mo. Feb. 16, 2012: NGFA Grain Grades and Weights Committee Marriott St. Louis Airport, St. Louis, Mo. March 18-20, 2012: NGFA 116th Annual Convention Charleston Place Hotel, Charleston, S.C. by Randall C. Gordon V.P., Communications/ Gov't Relations... ("Government Reorganization" continued from page 1) Other Potential Consolidation Proposals: coordinating the many different entities within the U.S. (Continued on page 6)...

6 by Randall C. Gordon V.P., Communications/ Gov't Relations... (Continued from page 5) Vilsack Announces Blueprint for USDA Reorganization: changes. Farm Service Agency (FSA): receiving the NGFA Newsletter electronically may here Food Safety and Inspection Service: Five FSIS district showing the closures at FSIS. Agricultural Research Service (ARS): fact sheet showing the changes at ARS. USDA Retirements Continue: a result of the latest offer. The NGFA has learned that the most recent early Uniform Grain and Rice Storage Agreement contract with Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS): service. Tim Murray Dr. Talari Jude Patricia Barrett manager. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): Natural Resources Conservation Service (NCRS): remain in service. sheet on closures at NCRS. Patricia Jennings Nancy Heintzelman Bill Turbitt...

7 by David A. Fairfield Director of Feed Services AAFCO Proposes Changes to Ingredient-Definition Process for many years to facilitate the availability of feed ingredients in commerce. feed industry members and staff serving as non-voting advisers declaration for a feed ingredient to the agency for review. If the conducting reviews for the remaining nine determinations. within the (OP). Such a listing is AAFCO. AAFCO Envisions New Ingredient-Definition Process: AAFCO 5) recognized methods for chemical analysis; 6) international listing within the. For feed ingredients already listed within the AAFCO is necessary. (Continued on page 8)...

8 (Continued from page 7) by David A. Fairfield Director of Feed Services Importantly the meeting that the two organizations will grant a request the industry-requested extension of the MOU by AAFCO and Other Issues: AAFCO meeting included the following: Feed Labeling minimum and maximum selenium guarantees on all feeds require maximum sulfur guarantees on all feeds containing AAFCO meeting. Presenters during the day-long event that attracted both industry and feed regulators included NGFA AAFCO s Model Bill and Regulations committee include such authority within the AAFCO Model... Civil Penalties: will further discuss this issue at future meetings. Pet Food Calorie Statements on Labels: AAFCO s Pet calorie-content statements on dog and cat food labels. The Committee for action. The Pet Food Committee also foods per se Mineral Contaminant Guidelines: The Feed and Feed committee at the next AAFCO meeting. Feed Inspector Training: AAFCO Feed Inspector s Manual manual also serves as an excellent resource for feed industry NGFA Newsletter electronically may access and download the current manual free of charge by.

9 by Ryan Bennett Manager of Public Policy Relations State Department Analysis of Keystone XL Oil Pipeline Projects Transportation Impacts demand. concluding sentence that conveying the volume of crude oil that as the southwest corner of the Northwest Territories. Of the Prospects for Reconsidering Keystone Pipeline Petition: by the Congressional Research Service evaluated the legality Commission. Members receiving the NGFA Newsletter electronically may to access Terry s legislation. Ag Transportation Summit Delayed to 2013 The organizers believe that the additional time will be this year s summit....

10 ... It s February Frenzy Time! Major Membership Drive and Major Prize! by Rebecca Grubbs Mgr. of Meetings and Event Marketing It s that time again! themselves into a frenzy of recruiting activity. That s a convention each year. Membership Dues Reduced!!!! As announced by Active-member dues by an average 14 percent! That Big Prize details. reach him by either at or by calling National Grain and Feed Association 1250 Eye St., N.W., Suite 1003 Washington, D.C TIME SENSITIVE...