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Policy Statement
Associated New York State Food Processors, established in 1885, is
currently comprised of 11 food processor members; 202 wine
producer members; 9 refrigerated warehouse members; and 40
supplier members who represent the suppliers of seeds, glass,
cans, cases, machinery, equipment and many other important
goods and services.
Although there has been a dramatic reduction in the number of
processors due to consolidations and closings, the tonnage
itself has remained relatively constant.
New York
State is a major producer of processed foods and wines.
Agriculture is one of New
York State’s largest industries. Total agricultural sector outputs are about $3.1
billion. New York ranks in the top ten nationally for many
agricultural products – 2nd in Apples and Cabbage,
3rd in Grapes & Wine and Snap Beans, 5th
in Tart Cherries and Peas, 6th in Sweet Corn. Wine
is now New York’s
fastest growing industry in the economic sectors of
agriculture and tourism. Our industry, therefore, continues
to play an important role in the state’s economy. The Association has a diversified product list. In addition to canned
and frozen fruits and vegetables and wines, an extensive
number of other items are available from our members.
Examples are many types of juices, various dry bean products,
sauces, syrups, cocktail sauces, puddings, pie fillings,
peanut butter, jams and jellies, and other specialty items.
In this day of increasing food prices, many consumers are not aware of
the fact that Americans spend a smaller proportion of their
take-home pay for food than any other major nation. Our industry is proud to be an important part of this achievement.
GENERAL INTEREST LEGISLATION
The food processing industry is important to the state's welfare. To maintain the benefits to the state, the industry must not encounter laws or regulations more restrictive or costly than competing processing areas. Laws and regulations concerning environmental issues, grower-processor relations, energy allocation, etc., are necessary to insure our quality of life and should be established on a federal level.
WE RECOMMEND THAT LAWS AND REGULATIONS BE ESTABLISHED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE COST VERSUS BENEFIT IN ORDER TO INSURE THE STRENGTH OF THE INDUSTRY.
LABELING
The Federal Government has passed the Food Nutritional Labeling & Education Act to insure uniformity of nutritional labeling requirements throughout the nation. Federal regulation have been formulated by the Food & Drug Administration.
WE RECOMMEND THAT ALL LABELING LAWS & REGULATIONS BE ESTABLISHED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
FACTORY LABOR
The inability to secure seasonal labor for fruit and vegetable processing in the state is currently approaching catastrophic proportions. In some cases, it has become difficult, if not impossible, to obtain sufficient local factory workers at time of harvest, making it necessary to utilize personnel from other than the continental U.S.A. Processors have continued to mechanize to reduce their needs but it cannot eliminate the problem.
WE URGE THAT LEGISLATION BE PASSED TO ENCOURAGE EMPLOYMENT IN THE STATE OVER WELFARE. ALSO, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROGRAMS BE CONTINUED TO ALLOW USE OF OFFSHORE WORKERS.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The agricultural industry, over the years, has proven its commitment to protection of the environment by making large capital investments in waste treatment facilities as well as assuming increasing regulatory fees used to support agency operating expenses. For most of this period an atmosphere of cooperation between industry and the Department of Environmental Conservation has facilitated achieving the environmental goals established by regulations. In the past, this relationship was jeopardized by overzealous activities of the investigative body of that agency. The department must continue to understand that long and expensive investigative efforts and litigation coupled with large fines for minor infractions are only a detriment to the development of New York State business.
WE RECOMMEND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION CONTINUE TO REVIEW ACTIVITIES TO INSURE EQUITABLE CONSIDERATION OF INDUSTRY INTENTIONS OR PERFORMANCE IN EVALUATING ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES.
GRAPE AND WINE PRODUCTS
Considering the vital importance to New York State's grape, grape juice and wine industries of the research and promotion programs of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation and the Foundation's record of accomplishments on behalf of those industries:
Increased support for the New York State Wine and Grape Foundation is needed to bolster wine country tourism, conduct major trade support programs in urban areas, increase consumer awareness of New York State wines and allow the industry to compete against highly subsidized foreign wines.
WE RECOMMEND THAT THE STATE OF NEW YORK MAKE A LONG TERM FINANCIAL COMMITMENT TO THE INDUSTRY BY MAKING THE FOUNDATION AN ANNUAL "LINE ITEM" IN THE BUDGET AND BY PROVIDING MATCHING FUNDS SUFFICIENT TO KEEP THE NEW YORK INDUSTRY COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER STATES AND COUNTRIES.
SPECIAL PRIORITY ITEMS
PRIORITY 1
Increased state support for the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva, New York. For the New York State food processing industry to survive and prosper in the future, research is necessary to allow us to remain competitive. Our growers need to be able to produce high quality and cost competitive raw materials to supply our needs.
Similarly, we need supporting research to allow us to process those raw materials into
the highest quality marketable products in a cost effective
manner.
- Example: The recent E. coli crisis in apple cider was handled swiftly and comprehensively by the station in researching and educating cider producers to ensure minimum negative impact to the apple industry and at the same time ensure consumers healthy cider.
- Example:
Leadership in IPM has yielded millions of dollars in cost reductions for state farmers while at the same time significantly reducing the amount of pesticides applied to the environment. Everyone benefits.
- Example: New variety introductions have and will assist New York Food Processors to remain a viable production region in the future with improved yields, insect and disease resistance (reduced pesticide needs) and improved quality. Everyone benefits.
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Example: Rapid, accurate and cost effective assays
have and will continue to be developed at the Station to
detect harmful microorganisms and chemicals that could
inadvertently be introduced into food or beverage products
or deliberately introduced by terrorists. All of these
"contaminants" would have a severe economic impact on the
processing industry.
PRIORITY
2
NEW YORK STATE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
Increased promotion of the New York State agricultural
industry.
-
Example: We support the New York Wine and Culinary
Center as a means to enhance and expand public appreciation
for New York agricultural products, and urge that program
funds be made available through the new York Wine & Grape
Foundation.
- Example:
We support the Farm to School program to increase the use of
New York State products in public facilities such as
schools, hospitals, etc. This is part of the pride of
new York program administered by the New York State
Department of Agriculture and Markets. We urge that adequate
funding be provided for this Program.
PRIORITY
3
COST REDUCTION MEASURES
A. Further reduction of property taxes.
- Example: For one processor having businesses in both New York and Pennsylvania, when a standard property valuation is applied, the tax in New York is nearly double that of Pennsylvania.
- Example:
The two-thirds of gross income from farming requirement to be eligible for the school tax credit under the 1996 New York Farm Preservation Act excludes many small farmers who must have significant off-farm income to survive. The two-thirds requirement should be reduced.
B. New York should aggressively find ways to reduce the heavy energy costs to business in the state.
- Example: Why is it only when a business has another energy source option that the local utility will drop rates?
C. Consolidation of reporting requirements.
Reduce duplicate reporting requirements (Federal/State).
- Example: New York is the only state in the nation to require separate registration of new pesticide products. New York should accept US EPA product registration decisions as the sole basis for use in this state.
- Example:
Waste water/air emissions ask for the same information but on separate forms.
D.
New York continues to be higher in Workers' Compensation costs than competing areas.
More needs to be done.
We sincerely hope that, when legislation affecting these matters is discussed, legislators will consider these positions in making their decisions. The economy of the food processing industry in the State of New York is highly dependent on just and equitable legislation.
Code of Ethics
To assure the consuming public the best
processed food that scientific knowledge and human skill can
produce, and to establish relations with allied industries and
trades on a basis of justice and fairness, the Associated New
York State Food Processors, Inc. makes the following statement
of principles to govern its membership in the conduct of their
business and their relations with the public.
To use in the preparation of our products
only suitable materials which are sound and wholesome.
To employ sanitary and hygienic methods
and equipment in the operation of our plants, to comply with
all food laws and regulations.
To maintain the highest standards of
quality.
To truthfully describe and represent our
products.
To fulfill both the spirit and letter of
all contracts.
To recognize always a paramount
obligation to safeguard the interests of the consuming
public.
Adopted at Annual Meeting, December
14-15, 1944.
Reaffirmed at Annual Meeting, June 5, 1989.
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