Legislative+RegulationsReport
2021 Legislative Sessions Show Agendas for the Future BY ALEX WALSH
S
ome of the legislatures in the associations’ eightstate region, including New York, have concluded their regular business for the year. As the year continues, they may be called back for special votes, however, for the most part, legislative issues will be at a near standstill until lawmakers reconvene in January. Some states, such as New Jersey, do continue their legislative sessions throughout the calendar year. The Northeast Dairy Foods Association and the Northeast Dairy Suppliers Association have been extremely active and engaged on a wide variety of issues in New York, New Jersey and all of the New England states. A few major pieces of legislation were passed at the very end of sessions, which is usually the case, and a few were thwarted because of the efforts of the Northeast Dairy Foods and Northeast Dairy Suppliers associations. 8 • Northeast Dairy Foods Association, Inc.
BILL IN MAINE WALKS THE LINE BETWEEN RECYCLING AND COST
Let’s start in Maine, where the state passed the Extended Producer Responsibility Act, referred to as EPR. (Keep that term in mind, as you will see it mentioned more throughout this article.) This law stemmed out of two paralleling bills, an act to establish a Stewardship Program for Packaging, and An Act to Support and Improve Municipal Recycling Programs and Save Taxpayer Money. Sounds good on paper, right? Especially anything that has “save taxpayer money” in the title. Well, that can be misleading. At face value, this issue seems like it would be rather cut and dry. However, the Northeast Dairy Foods Association needed to take a delicate approach and be cautious as to not come off as insensitive when it comes to recycling issues. We all know that the dairy industry is a leader in and remains committed to sustainability practices and the environment. The
last thing the industry needs is bad PR because “we are the bad guys who don’t care about recycling.” Processors and manufacturers are taking more and more proactive approaches when it comes to their operations, including packaging. Companies are working more efficiently, continually developing new technologies, reviewing sourcing options, reducing energy consumption, conserving water and recycling or repurposing production waste. The dairy industry and members of the Northeast Dairy Foods and Suppliers associations devoted their willingness to be engaged, educate lawmakers, listen and learn about different viewpoints in order to show good faith and find common ground. The associations were relentless at reaching out to members of the Maine State Legislature and the governor’s office to find realistic and feasible solutions. Unfortunately, even after providing testimony, letters and communications with key officials, as well as opposition
