NOGALES, Ariz. – In keeping with a strong tradition of focused, proactive dialogue between regulators and industry, the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas continues its annual Spring Policy Summit, March 3-4, 2015.
“The Spring Policy Summit, which had been on hiatus the past three years as FPAA co-hosted the America Trades Produce Conference, signals a commitment to a focused meeting format that results in honest, open dialogue between members of the industry and regulators, such as representatives from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, SENASICA, SAGARPA and others,” said FPAA President Lance Jungmeyer.
“Over the years, FPAA has developed a reputation for hosting meetings where industry and government can have frank discussions and meaningful talks that result in a better understanding of industry and smarter application of regulation,” Jungmeyer adds.
The meetings kick off Tuesday, March 3, with a tour of Nogales-area warehouses, with an emphasis on food safety efforts. Later on March 3, the U.S.-Mexico Produce Food Safety Working Group will meet, to be followed by a welcoming reception that is open to all.
The bulk of the FPAA Spring Policy Summit occurs Wednesday, March 4, at the nearby Tubac Golf Resort.
Invited speakers include Mike Taylor, Deputy Commissioner for Foods at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Hugo Fragoso, Director General of Agriculture Food Safety at SENASICA, among others.
“Once again, the FPAA team has put together an outstanding set of meetings,” said FPAA Chairman Matt Mandel of SunFed. “What I like most about the format is the ability to talk one-on-one with government representatives, so they can understand my business and I can understand what they are trying to accomplish. I truly believe the format leads to smarter, more effective regulation.”
Following is the complete agenda.
FPAA Spring Policy Summit – Tubac Golf Resort
Complete Schedule of Events (including invited speakers)
Tuesday, March 3, 2014
10-noon – Tour of FDA Nogales office, including warehouse visit to view inspection processes
1-4 pm US-Mexico Produce Food Safety Working Group
4 pm registration desk opens
5-8 pm – Welcoming reception, Tubac Golf Resort
Wednesday, March 4, 2014
8:30 am – registration desk opens
10 am – Welcome and opening remarks – Lance Jungmeyer, President, FPAA
10:15 – 11:45 – Opening general session – Invited speakers Mike Taylor of FDA and Hugo Fragoso of SENASICA update their collaborative working relationship and outline opportunities for the future. Meanwhile, Domenic Veneziano and Samir Assar of FDA describe emerging elements of the Food Safety Modernization Act.
Noon -1:30 – Lunch panel: Building a Legacy in Social Responsibility – Moderated panel, featuring representatives of the International Fresh Produce Social Responsibility Alliance, and buyers for major foodservice and retail outlets, among others.
1:45 – 2:45 USDA and SAGARPA reveal findings of the 2014 Border Efficiencies Study – With Q&A. In 2014, USDA and SAGARPA undertook a study to identify bottlenecks to two-way trade at the U.S.-Mexico border, and to highlight potential solutions.
3:00 – 4:00 – Arizona and Mexico Building Trade Ties – From the launch of the Arizona Transportation and Trade Corridor Alliance, to Arizona opening a Mexico City office, it is clear that the state has an aggressive stance to boost trade with Mexico. In kind, Mexico is pumping $1 billion into Highway 15, the route that feeds West Mexico produce into Nogales. Invited speakers include Anna-Luisa Fajer of SRE and noted Arizona political strategist Luis Ramirez.
About the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas:
The FPAA is a nonprofit trade association headquartered in Nogales, Arizona, that represents over 120 U.S. member companies involved in growing, packing, sales and transportation of fresh fruits and vegetables grown in Mexico. The FPAA leverages the efforts of private companies and partner-associations to increase the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetable from Mexico. The Mariposa Port of Entry located in Nogales, Arizona, is the largest port of entry for fresh produce imported into the U.S. from Mexico.
Source: Fresh Produce Association of the Americas