NBWA to join national security debate

Modern Brewery Age, June 23, 2003

National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) President David Rehr recently participated in the International Conference Foundation's 2003 Symposium entitled, "Homeland Security in America: What Next?"

The symposium was held in St. Paul, Minnesota, and focused on "significant aspects of homeland security such as the change in the way business is conducted, protecting America's food supply and workplaces and the responsibility of American citizens to shape society in the future." The Symposium's keynote speaker was U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge.

"It is an honor to be chosen to participate in this important and timely discussion," said Rehr. "Homeland security is more than strengthening our military and keeping citizens on alert, it has far reaching implications into almost every facet of American business--including the licensed beverage industry."

Rehr will participate in a panel discussion of "The Political Impact of Homeland Security," along with Michael Barone, senior editor at U.S. News and World Report; Tony Blankley, editorial editor at The Washington Times and Stu Rothenberg, editor of The Rothenberg Political Report and CNN commentator. The panel will discuss the unavoidable and often unintended political consequences that have arisen with homeland security issues.

Specifically, beer wholesalers are concerned about the unintended implications of the Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, which allows the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) additional jurisdiction over various aspects of food processing and distributing in response to potential terrorist threats to food supplies.

FDA has interpreted the law to include the licensed beverage industry.

NBWA believes this is duplicative, since the industry is already regulated by the TTB.

"NBWA supports federal agencies in their efforts to guard against potential terrorist attacks and possible contamination of our food supplies," said Rehr. "However, bureaucracies should not take advantage of this opportunity to extend their reach and ensnarl American businesses in red tape. Now is the time for the nation to focus all possible resources on keeping our citizens safe."