OCTOBER 2005 / Issue 8
President's Message
By Andrew Messinger
President, APPMA
APPPA member companies of all sizes are facing a growing level of government regulation on the federal, state, and local levels. The impact of new regulations can be very difficult to deal with, and individual companies are not always able to understand such changes. We are fortunate that APPMA provides extraordinary resources to help our member companies navigate the complexities of government regulations that might affect our daily activities.
Of course, all members can contact APPMA’s Government Affairs department by telephone or email to get guidance on any number of issues. However, the first stop should always be APPMA.org, our interactive website. This site contains detailed information on product safety, labeling, Bioterrorism Act requirements, exporting and importing as well as updates on pending legislative issues that can have an effect on business. Using the site can yield a quick understanding of a problem and direct the APPMA member to specific agencies or other resources for more information.
Recently my company had a situation in which a State’s enforcement of labeling regulations was particularly troublesome. We turned to APPMA to help interpret some AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) regulations and for suggestions on how to resolve the situation. By following APPMA’s recommendations, we were able to find a solution.
In the last several years, APPMA has grown in visibility with government agencies and the result is a high level of credibility and the ability for APPMA to work together with regulators to solve problems. For over ten years APPMA has led the industry’s effort on Minor Use Minor Species to work with the FDA to find a solution on how to market remedies for these minor species of pets. Also, APPMA’s staff has continued to cooperate closely with PIJAC to understand how that organization is working to ensure that government regulation does not affect the ability to keep pets.
With increasing Homeland Security and Bioterrorism concerns, we should expect the level of government regulations to continue to grow. The role of APPMA in helping member companies deal with these issues will also continue to grow. We can be confident that the Association’s professional staff will work hard to reduce the impact of such regulations. APPMA’s Government Affairs efforts represent a valuable member service capability. I recommend that you keep up with changes through e-updates and APPMA.org in order to more effectively manage your business.