Next Steps on GMO Disclosure Implementation

Promoting and Advancing Petroleum Marketing, Retail Grocery, and Convenience Stores in West Virginia

Driving Local Business and Community Growth Across West Virginia

Our Purpose and Commitment

OMEGA is a West Virginia-based organization dedicated to supporting and advancing the business interests of the state’s petroleum marketing, retail grocery, and convenience store industries.

As a network of over 225 locally owned businesses, OMEGA actively promotes cooperation, advocates for favorable legislation, and provides education and resources to its members. With over 50,000 employees, OMEGA members significantly contribute to the state’s economy, generating more than 10% of all state taxes and supporting local communities through scholarships, charitable donations, and civic involvement.

OMEGA is committed to fostering industry growth while serving West Virginians with essential services like fuel, food, and convenience.

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Join a Community that Champions, Connects, and Elevates!

Your Essential Connection in West Virginia

OMEGA offers three types of membership: Convenience Store Members, Petroleum Marketer Members, and Grocer Members, all of which play a vital role in providing fuel, food, and essentials across West Virginia. As a liaison with state and national agencies, OMEGA works closely with organizations like NACS, PMAA, FMI, and the N.G.A. to advocate on behalf of its members.

We keep members informed through newsletters, legislative updates, an online resource hub, and educational seminars. Additional member benefits include access to the Encova Workers’ Compensation Discount Program and participation in our annual Trade Expo and fundraising efforts for children’s charities. OMEGA is here to support, advocate, and enhance the success of our industry members.

FMI recently held its State Issues Retreat in Middleburg, Virginia, hosting grocery state associations and representatives from several FMI member companies. Among the speakers at the meeting, participants heard from Doug McKalip, Senior Advisor to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who has responsibility within USDA for the GMO disclosure issue. He provided an overview of the agency’s potential framework for implementation of the recently passed bioengineered food disclosure legislation (P.L. 114-216).

By: Jennifer Hatcher, Senior Vice President, Government and Public Affairs, Food Marketing Institute <img src="http://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/usda-building.tmb-large-350-.jpg?sfvrsn=1" data-displaymode="Thumbnail" alt="USDA Building" title="USDA Building" style="float: right; margin: 10px;" /> FMI recently held its <a href="http://www.fmi.org/forms/meeting/Microsite/state-issues-retreat-2016">State Issues Retreat</a> in Middleburg, Virginia, hosting grocery state associations and representatives from several FMI member companies. Among the speakers at the meeting, participants heard from Doug McKalip, Senior Advisor to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who has responsibility within USDA for the GMO disclosure issue. He provided an overview of the agency’s potential framework for implementation of the recently passed bioengineered food disclosure legislation (<a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/764">P.L. 114-216</a>).   USDA sent a letter to all 50 states and territories, indicating that preemption contained in the law became effective immediately after President Obama signed the legislation on July 29, 2016. McKalip indicated that the agency determined that USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will have the lead in implementing the law and that USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will assist, particularly as it relates to the ingredient listing. He also mentioned that USDA wants this process to be open and transparent; a <a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/gmo">website</a>, phone line and email address, <a href="mailto:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.</a>, have already been created. USDA intends to publish responses to questions that they receive on this site. The agency also has plans to have listening sessions and anticipates publishing an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) this fall to raise some of these questions directly to the public. Thank you to those of you who have already put in the many hours of work over the past several months on the legislative side, but we still need your expertise as the regulatory process is only just beginning. FMI expects to play an active role in the law’s implementation, working closely with USDA as the rulemaking begins, and we will reach out for feedback and information from FMI members in several key areas to further enhance our efforts. We appreciate all of the hard work that has gotten us to this point in the policy rulemaking process, and we will provide additional updates as they develop. Photo Credit: Diego Delso [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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Supporting West Virginia Communities

OMEGA members play a vital role in West Virginia, supporting communities through substantial tax contributions and a wide-reaching presence across the state. With over 55% of the population living in border counties, our members are dedicated to serving both local and regional needs. Beyond business, we’re proud to give back, having contributed over $3.1 million to children’s charities since 2003, reflecting our commitment to making a positive difference.