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NCA ramps up efforts
to clip impact of California Proposition 65 on U.S. coffee industry
NCA Press Release
August
8, 2013
New York, NY (August
8, 2013) - To enhance the
National Coffee Association's vigorous Government Affairs efforts to nullify
ill effects of California's Proposition 65 on U.S. coffee commerce, the
Association has engaged Political Solutions LLC, a Sacramento-based Public
Affairs firm. Bringing the added dimension of local presence and expertise,
the firm expands the tools available to NCA as it deploys a comprehensive
strategy to curtail the impact of Proposition 65.
"California's
Proposition 65 has created a toxic business environment for the coffee
industry and other businesses, and NCA has been leading the charge to roll
back its scope and impact," said Robert F. Nelson, NCA president
&CEO. "Engaging Political Solutions adds highly specialized
expertise as well as eyes, ears and boots on the ground in the California
state capitol to heighten the impact of NCA's comprehensive, ongoing policy
initiatives to neutralize the statute."
Political Solutions is
one of Sacramento's top lobbying firms, with a strong track record of
legislative success. The firm is built around its partners' broad expertise
in the intricacies of California's legislative process and strong bipartisan
relationships in the halls of state government. The firm also covers federal
issues in Washington, DC, where California's Congressional delegation
includes former state senators and assembly members. The firm is also the
only women-owned lobbying firm in the state.
NCA Efforts
NCA has been actively
engaged in finding solutions to industry challenges set in motion by
Proposition 65. Coffee manufacturers and retailers are currently embroiled in
legal action in the state based on allegations of failure to warn of the
presence of a compound created naturally in the roasting process. NCA has
been providing comprehensive member support to those involved in the cases,
as well as keeping the entire industry well informed.
As a public
referendum, Proposition 65 can only be amended by a two-thirds vote of the
California legislature or a new voter initiative. However, NCA recently
jumped on a rare opening for reform when legislative proposals in the state
legislature dovetailed with a call for change by the state's governor.
NCA has been engaged
full throttle with the governor's office, legislators, the state health
agency, and other trade associations to influence the outcome in a way most
favorable to eliminating the law's unintended burden on commerce. NCA is
actively working with all involved parties to support genuine reform,
including the drafting of legislative language to trim the statute's impact
in a viable and effective way. The engagement of Political Solutions will
enhance NCA's efforts with targeted knowledge, perspective and active daily
presence daily in the state capitol.
As shared by other
industries, Proposition 65's challenges stem from the statute's requirement
of a consumer warning when a manufacturer is aware of the presence, whether
naturally occurring or added, of state-determined quantities of more than 800
compounds purported by the state's health agency to cause cancer or
reproductive harm. Passed in 1986 as a voter referendum aimed at preventing
contamination of the water supply, the statute has become the vehicle for
rampant legal actions by plaintiffs' attorneys when any listed chemical is
detected in foods and other consumer products.
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Contact:
Joe DeRupo 212-766-400
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Related materials:
About Proposition 65: http://oehha.ca.gov/prop65/acrylamideqa.html
NCA's position on Proposition 65: http://www.roastmagazine.com/currentissue/currentissue/labelundeserved.html