World Grain - December 2021 - 41

Republican, introduced the Ocean
Shipping Reform Act, which would
require ocean carriers to adhere to
minimum service standards that
meet the public interest and certify
that demurrage charges comply
with federal regulations.
Other
Mexico has been the largest
regulatory relief sought
by the millers includes an increase
in axle tolerance for trucks.
Specifically, grain shippers are disadvantaged
by a limit of 34,000
pounds per axle in combination
with a total 80,000 pounds per
truck limit. Because grain slides
forward when a truck goes downhill
and does not immediately level
out, more than 34,000 pounds are at
times carried by the forward axle, resulting in fines at
weigh stations (bulk trucks carrying fluids do not have
such problems). The millers are seeking a 10% increase
in the axle restriction for dry-bulk goods, so long as
the 80,000-pound rule for the truck is honored. Such a
shift could be effected without " causing any damage to
roadways, " NAMA said.
Labor issues are of concern to millers, as is the case
with the entire business sector, DeMarchi said. No
specific position has been taken on a White House
Executive Order mandating workforce vaccination at
larger companies. NAMA remains actively engaged in
Washington, DC, US, to keep its members updated on
guidance from the administration.
" There is a great deal of uncertainty over what regulations
will look like, when they will come out or
whether they will be stopped with lawsuits, " she said.
Mexico's anti-GM corn stance
Among topics addressed at NAMA division meetings,
none was more pressing than the precarious outlook
for exports of corn and corn products to Mexico,
DeMarchi said.
The grain, commercial seed and corn milling industries
were caught off guard last Dec. 31 when Mexico's
president Andres Manuel Obrador issued a decree indicating
the country would phase out the use of glyphosate
and genetically modified corn for food use by
January 2024.
" There are a couple different issues, " DeMarchi
said. " They also have stopped approving biotech traits
in Mexico. The concern from the grower perspective
is a potential massive loss of market. Then you have
new variety releases and new technology releases in
the US that could be delayed because they are waiting
on Mexican approval. "
World-Grain.com / World Grain / December 2021
buyer of US corn each of the last
five years, importing an average
of 14.7 million tonnes per year
through 2019-20, according to the
US Department of Agriculture.
" For our milled products going
to Mexico, there would potentially
be an outright ban, " DeMarchi said.
" There isn't enough non-GMO
corn in the US to serve that market.
It would be so detrimental to the
Mexican consumers. "
Describing the situation as " highly
political, " DeMarchi said negotiations
have involved the highest
level of engagement in Washington.
To date, no substantive progress is
thought to have been made. The Mexican government has
not been forthcoming with details and timelines for implementation,
beyond the January 2024 compliance date.
Safety concerns
Numerous food safety issues have hit the NAMA radar
screen in recent years, including the presence of heavy
metals in the food supply. DeMarchi said Congress is
taking a close look at the matter while the Food and
Drug Administration has " laid out a methodical process
to look at mechanical contamination. "
She said there is a possibility Congress will seek to
preempt the FDA and try to move more quickly.
She noted that rice cereal, previously a baby food
mainstay, largely has disappeared from store shelves
because of anxiety about arsenic. With concerns emerging
about heavy metals and other grains, the FDA or
congressional actions could have adverse effects on
oats and other grains, she said.
Having completed the first in-person NAMA annual
meeting since she joined the association in 2020
as president, DeMarchi said attendance was lower than
past annual meetings due to ongoing corporate travel
restrictions but still exceeded staff and board expectations.
Total attendance topped 100.
" We were pleasantly surprised by registration numbers, "
she said. " We had no idea what was going to happen.
While we have been glad to offer virtual participation
in past NAMA events, the annual meeting allowed
the industry to reconnect after two years apart. "
Josh Sosland is editor of Milling & Baking News, sister publication of
World Grain. He may be reached at jsosland@sosland.com.
We want to hear from you - Send comments and inquiries
to worldgrain@sosland.com. For reprints of WG articles,
email reprints@sosland.com.
41
NAMA
President
Jane
DeMarchi
participated
in her first inperson
annual
meeting since
joining the
organization
in 2020.
http://www.World-Grain.com
World Grain - December 2021

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