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Vote against soymilk bill urged

7 years, 1 month ago by Jim Dewey

The American Soybean Association and the Soyfoods Association of North America have objected to draft legislation that would restrict the marketing of soymilk in a letter to Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

 The Dairy Pride Act, would prohibit the term “milk” from being used with soymilk and soymilk-based products, under the premise that the term “milk” is misleading to consumers.

 Noting that the term “soymilk” has been in commercial use since 1947 - the letter states that the legislation is unnecessary as no confusion in the market exists.

 It says “Consumers of soymilk clearly understand that the product is derived from soybeans rather than bovine milk, and a large percentage consume it for just that reason due to dietary choices or restrictions.”

 Rebutting the contention of marketplace confusion, the letter cited a 2006 Soyfoods Association study that found that out of more than 800 respondents, none believed cow’s milk to be an ingredient in soymilk.

 The letter underscored the dual nature of the soybean industry as both a supplier of feed for dairy cows, as well as a supplier of soybeans and soybean meal to soyfoods producers.

 This morning’s letter follows a separate letter to the Food and Drug Administration last week, in which the Soyfoods Association concluded that use of the name "soymilk" complies with FDA regulations on common or usual names, and noted that soymilk has been included in USDA materials dating back to 1963.

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 The national GMO labeling law passed by Congress may avoid the Donald Trump administration executive order against government regulations.

 The executive order calls for two regulations to be removed from the books for every regulation enacted in 2017.

 As Politico speculates, the GMO labeling law would be exempt from the order because it’s not projected to be completed until 2018.

 Although the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Act, which created the labeling law, is not out of the woods yet as Trump could choose to extend the executive order into 2018.

 Further complicating the GMO labeling law, the bill set a deadline for the Department of Agriculture to release rules for complying with the law by July 29th, 2018.

 The legislation requires the law to go into effect if the rulemaking process is not completed by that date.

 USDA was working to implement the law with an Advanced Notice of Proposed rulemaking this year, but those plans have been delayed because of the executive order.

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 Meanwhile - The Department of Agriculture has delayed the Farmer Fair Practices Rules under the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Act until April, 22nd.

 The delay allows time for the Trump administration to review the rules and is part of the White House order on government regulations.

 USDA claims the rules announced in December by the Obama administration seek to end harmful practices against farmers, and outlines protections to restore fairness and reduce the burden for farmers seeking justice under the Act.

 After having been delayed and obstructed for the past seven years, National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson says “it’s time to end the unnecessary delays” to the rule.

 Farmers Union is urging the Trump administration to complete the review process as quickly as possible.

 Opponents, however say the rule will lead to a flurry of lawsuits because of lighter proof requirements for competitive injury.

 USDA will accept comment on the rules until March 24th.

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