The objective of the 2011 NASDA Annual Meeting is to provide information on current and emergingfeed and food safety issues impacting agriculture, and to build consensus among the states on regulatoryapproaches to these issues. The plenary speakers will give state regulators an opportunity to hear anational perspective on feed and food safety, something to which they may not be exposed in theirrespective states.At recent meetings NASDA members have stressed the fact that there must be continuous efforts made onthe part of FDA and NASDA members to collaborate and cooperate in discussions on emerging FDAtopics that directly and indirectly affect agriculture. The states and FDA share similar authorities,missions and responsibilities, and the partners have been working to improve communications. Thepassage of the Food Safety and Modernization Act has created a plethora of issues to be discussed andresolved as we seek to establish an integrated federal-state food and feed safety system. The need forconversation and decision making cannot be overstated.NASDA has two membership meetings a year. One is the annual meeting in the state of the currentpresident; the other is a 'midyear meeting' held in Washington, DC. The focus of the meetings islegislative and regulatory issues of interest to the members. These two occasions and one additionalmeeting, held regionally, are the opportunities for NASDA members to converse on issues, make contactswith each other and other leaders, set priorities and goals for the coming year and meet face-to-face withNASDA staff and FDA officials. As a result of the November 2010 elections, NASDA has 21 newmembers that have yet to attend a full round of NASDA meetings. The annual meeting presents theperfect opportunity for these new members to get acquainted with NASDA staff and key FDA leaders thatare dealing with feed and food safety and regulatory issues in their state, and promote partnerships toensure program success.The meeting this September is four days long, and the agenda includes committee meetings and plenarysessions and speakers. NASDA has a Food Regulation & Nutrition Committee that meets during this timeto discuss topics focusing on FDA program areas such as the Produce Safety Alliance, Milk Residueproject, and the Food Safety and Modernization Act. In addition, NASDA Members and key FDAleadership find time during the meeting for mini-conferences on issues of interest and concern. All stateshave cooperative agreements with the Food & Drug Administration.The conference will be held at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City, UT from September 14-19,2011. The number of participants is anticipated to be approximately 200 people. The meeting attendeesconsist of US representatives of state and federal regulatory agencies charged with feed and food safetyresponsibilities, the regulated industries, and university and research institution professionals.
The objective of the 2011 NASDA Annual Meeting is to provide information on current and emerging feed and food safety issues impacting agriculture, and to build consensus among the states on regulatory approaches to these issues. The plenary speakers will give state regulators an opportunity to hear a national perspective on feed and food safety, something to which they may not be exposed in their respective states.
