January 2006 / Issue 9
Legal Briefs
By Debora Eisen
Assistant Director of Legislative Affairs & Associate Counsel, APPMA
APPMA’s Government Affairs Catapults to National Level
APPMA continues to elevate its government relations by hosting its first-ever event honoring a member of Congress and by hiring new representatives that will advance the pet industry.
APPMA Honors Congressman Chris Shays. On December 2, 2005, APPMA hosted a reception in Greenwich, CT honoring US Congressman Chris Shays (R-CT), awarding him with a Certificate of Appreciation for his “commitment to the human–animal bond” and his “dedication towards the betterment of the care of America’s companion animals.” Congressman Shays is the representative for the district where APPMA’s offices are located and is the Co-Chair of the Congressional Friends of Animals Caucus.
Shortly after Hurricane Katrina, Congressman Shays responded to the problems associated with the evacuation of people and their pets, by introducing the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS) to require State and local emergency preparedness authorities to include how they will accommodate households with pets or service animals when presenting these plans to the Federal Emergency Planning Agency (FEMA).
The reception coincided with a meeting hosted by APPMA of the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), a coalition of animal-related organizations brought together to work on mutual goals regarding homeless companion animals. Many of the NCPPSP member’s organizations were also involved with rescuing pets left behind during Hurricane Katrina.
Meet APPMA’s New General Counsel. Ed Rod is APPMA’s new General Counsel and Associate Vice President of Legislative Affairs. Prior to joining APPMA, Ed served as Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary with Axel Johnson, Inc. He previously worked as Vice President and General Counsel of First Brands Corporation and prior to that he was an integral part of PepsiCo, Inc.’s legal team from 1982-1996. Ed is also familiar with the pet industry through work with Jonny Cat and SCOOP AWAY cat litters. As APPMA’s new General Counsel, Ed will direct all legal and government affairs activities of the association and help increase government affairs offerings to member companies.
APPMA goes to Washington. APPMA has opened a government affairs office in DC, retaining the services of the legal firm McKenna, Long and Aldridge. The McKenna firm is acting as consultants to APPMA and as an advocate on behalf of pet product manufacturers on Capital Hill. McKenna offers expertise in various areas, and has on staff experts in food and pesticide law, international trade, including a China specialist, intellectual property, Homeland Security, nonprofit association expertise, lobbyists and many other areas in which members face regulatory issues. An environmental consulting firm with toxicologists on staff is a subsidiary of the firm and specializes in the regulatory aspects of pesticides. With the retention of this firm, pet product manufacturers as well as the entire pet industry will have a greater voice in D.C.
APPMA Retains a Pet Food Nutritionist. For the first time APPMA has retained a pet food nutritionist to represent APPMA’s interests with the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Dr. Dave Dzanis has been retained as APPMA’s Pet Food Consultant and will be APPMA’s Advisor to AAFCO, as well as, provide advice members on pet food labeling issues. He is a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and consultant for the pet food and related industries in matters regarding nutrition, labeling and other regulatory issues. He is a former pet food expert with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where he served on the AAFCO Pet Food Committee and chaired the AAFCO Canine and Feline Nutrition Expert Subcommittees. He also is a Diplomate and Past-Chair of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, Past-President of the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition, and Member of the National Research Council Subcommittee on Dog and Cat Nutrition.