GMA President and CEO Pamela G. Bailey

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Food safety is not a ‘red’ or ‘blue’ issue and I am proud that we are working

on a bi-partisan basis with Senators Durbin (D-IL) and Burr (R-NC) to pass

the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. That bill will ensure that FDA can carry

out its food safety mission.

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affairs, government affairs and scientific practices.

In addition to strengthening our relationship with FMI and its mem-

bers, GMA will continue to provide the thought leadership, research

and studies that lead to wider adoption of industry best practices in

2009 and beyond. A great example is our “New Ways of Working

Together” initiative that establishes a roadmap for broader and more

effective interaction between manufacturers and their customers.

In 2009, GMA will continue its strong legacy of leadership on other

important issues, such as environmental sustainability. CPG compa-

nies have been quick to recognize that “going green” is not only

good for the environment, but that it can also be good for business.

GMA HAS ASSUMED A LEADERSHIP ROLE when it comes to protecting

and preserving our environment, working with manufacturers and

our retail trading partners towards developing industry metrics for

measuring CPG products’ energy, water and packaging impact on

the environment. And, we are also working with our member com-

panies and their retail trading partners to develop a “market basket”

that will show just how far the CPG industry has come in reducing

its environmental footprint with regard to common food, beverage

and consumer products.

As we move forward, the association will use its broad and deep

political expertise and resources to develop a common-sense leg-

islative and regulatory framework that ensures consumer confi-

dence, but that also does not unnecessarily restrict innovation and

business growth.

While product safety has always been an issue that is at the fore-

front of our industry’s agenda, it has taken on new meaning in

recent months with recalls of food and consumer products manu-

factured domestically or sourced overseas.

That is why GMA, working with its member companies, developed

its Commitment to Consumers proposal designed to improve the safety

of products and ingredients sourced globally by focusing on pre-

venting problems before they occur. We have also proposed the

mandatory adoption of good agricultural practices domestically to

cut down on the number of food-related illnesses.

Those proposals have formed the foundation of GMA’s bi-partisan

effort to strengthen America’s food safety net and restore consumer

confidence in the safety and security of the food supply. Food safety

is not a “red” or “blue” issue and I am proud that we are working on

a bi-partisan basis with Senators Durbin (D-IL) and Burr (R-NC) to

pass the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. That bill will ensure that

FDA can carry out its food safety mission, puts new mandates on

food manufacturers to ensure their products are safe and bolsters

food safety with the implementation of good agricultural practices.

We are working with both houses of Congress and the Obama

Administration to pass this important piece of legislation as

soon as possible.

ANOTHER DEBATE THAT AFFECTS CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IS ALSO ON

THE IMMEDIATE HORIZON –– CHEMICALS MANAGEMENT. This year,

Congress will most likely be looking to modernize the Toxic

Substances Control Act. In turn, GMA will be vigilant in advocating a

science- and risk-based approach to chemicals management, not

only in Washington but in the states, where unwarranted legislative

proposals are popping up more and more frequently.

As we begin the New Year, commodity and food prices remain

volatile, and GMA is promoting the rapid development and

deployment of advanced biofuels as one way to reduce cost pres-

sure on commodities. In fact, many lawmakers agree with GMA,

and have included $8 billion in funding for advanced biofuels and

other renewable energy as part of the economic stimulus plan cur-

rently pending in Congress.

OF COURSE GMA PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE ON A HOST OF OTHER ISSUES

AS WELL

, and we will continue to confront the challenges and

opportunities that face the food, beverage and CPG industry in

2009 and beyond. I am honored to have been chosen to serve as

president and CEO of GMA, following in the footsteps of great

leaders such as George Koch, Manly Molpus and Cal Dooley, and

I look forward to working with the GMA Board of Directors and

executives from our member companies to help this great industry

confront the challenges and opportunities facing us in the weeks

and months ahead.