American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) President and CEO Kraig R. Naasz today issued the following statement applauding House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.) for including the "Safe and Efficient Transportation Act" (SETA) (H.R. 763) in a broader "Highway Bill" that provides long-term funding to support the nation's surface transportation infrastructure.
"SETA responsibly increases federal truck weight limits, meaning it will take fewer trucks and less fuel to transport our nation's freight. This important legislation will result in safer roads, reduced vehicle emissions, less congestion on our highways and lower freight transportation costs.
"Our industry's ability to ensure American consumers have ready access to a variety of healthy and affordable frozen foods depends on the safe, efficient and economical use of transportation technology. We thank Chairman Mica for including SETA in his Highway Bill and look forward to working with him and the members of his committee to enhance freight transportation safety and efficiency."
Recently AFFI and a coalition of food and agriculture groups urged Chairman Mica to include SETA in his Highway Bill. In a January 27 letter to the chairman, the groups emphasized that SETA "will safely improve transportation efficiency, facilitate economic growth and bring much needed improvements to the American food supply chain."
Joining AFFI on the letter were the American Beverage Association, American Fruit and Vegetable Processors and Growers Coalition, American Meat Institute, California League of Food Processors, Frozen Potato Products Institute, International Dairy Foods Association, Grocery Manufacturers Association, Midwest Food Processors Association, National Confectioners Association, National Frozen Pizza Institute, Northwest Food Processors Association, Shelf-Stable Food Processors Association, Snack Food Association and the United Fresh Produce Association.
A copy of the food and agriculture coalition letter is available at http://www.affi.org/public-policy/transportation-logistics.
The American Frozen Food Institute is the national trade association promoting and representing the interests of all segments of the frozen food industry.AFFI works to foster industry development and growth, and advocates before legislative and regulatory entities on the industry's behalf.More information can be found at www.affi.org.
Contacts:
American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI)
Corey Henry, 703-821-0770
