Federal Premium Ammunition Hosts 2013 Industry/Agency Coalition Summit in Minnesota
OutdoorHub 05.24.13
Federal Premium Ammunition is proud to be host of the Industry/Agency Coalition’s annual meeting on May 22 to 23, 2013 at the company’s Anoka, Minn. manufacturing facility.
The Industry/Agency Coalition, coordinated by the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, brings state and federal agencies together with members of the archery, hunting, shooting sports, boating and sport fishing industries. The group’s mission includes assessing program funding strategies, improving participant recruitment and retention practices, and raising public awareness of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation.
A large percentage of conservation funding in the U.S. comes from the collection of an excise tax on manufactured hunting, shooting and angling products. This excise tax was a direct result of the Pittman-Robertson Act, also known as the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration of 1937. The Industry/Agency Coalition was formed in 2006 to help the industry members paying the tax and the agency representatives spending it work together to better preserve this “user pay, public benefit” model.
“Industry and wildlife agencies depend on each other, and it’s important for government agencies to have an understanding of what businesses like Federal Premium
Ammunition are dealing with,” said John Frampton from the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “That is why it’s so beneficial for Federal Premium to host this kind of a meeting, and bring approximately 50 agency and industry leaders together to see their operation firsthand.”
Each spring, the Industry/Agency Coalition has met to foster and enhance these relationships, discuss important legal and legislative issues and share ideas on how the industries and agencies can better work together to spend tax dollars wisely. Their progress helps ensure the future of hunting, fishing, shooting, boating and the industries which rely upon opportunities and access to these activities.
“The excise taxes on ammunition are significant and are a critical part of the funding mechanism for wildlife management across North America,” said Ryan Bronson, Senior Manager of Conservation and Public Policy for Federal Premium Ammunition. “Maintaining relationships with wildlife agency leaders is critical to the future of our sport and has a direct benefit to our shared customers–hunters and shooters nationwide.”
The Federal Premium plant opened its doors in 1922. Attendees to the 2013 Industry/Agency Coalition Summit were able to tour the facility which has grown to more than 500,000 square feet and operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More than 1,400 people are currently employed on location. In its 90-year history, the company has grown from a small ammunition manufacturer to a world leader in centerfire, rimfire and shotshell production and technology.
“The Coalition told us that the invitation to visit our ammunition plant increased overall attendance,” Bronson said. “We are certainly proud to help out in this way.”
