The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Office of Inspector General (IG) has issued an audit report criticizing USDA agencies for lacking coordinated oversight of regulations behind research and development of genetically engineered (GE) animals and insects. The agencies conduct and fund research into how GE animals can enhance the productivity of food animals and how GE insects can reduce problems posed by agricultural pests, according to the report. Among its criticisms, the report faults the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for not developing regulations for GE animals and insects that pertain specifically to their introduction for “import, interstate movement, or field release.” Noting that “APHIS program units focusing on biotechnology and animal health, respectively, had not coordinated with one another to prioritize the development of a regulatory framework for GE animals and insects,” the report states that consequently “the requirements that apply to these organisms were not clear…
Category Archives Department of Agriculture
German authorities have finally narrowed the field of suspects in an E. coli outbreak affecting Europe, where a reported 31 people have died from a rare strain of the disease. Speaking at a June 10, 2011, press conference, Robert Koch Institute President Reinhard Burger confirmed that an organic bean sprout farm is the likely epicenter, putting to rest widespread public confusion as officials worked frantically—and sometimes erroneously—to pinpoint the source. Although it lacked a set of definitive test results, the institute apparently based its conclusion on evidence showing that people who consumed the bean sprouts at one restaurant were nine times more likely to contract the illness, which has been linked to renal and neurological complications in approximately 700 out of 3,000 total cases. Authorities have since quarantined the Lower Saxony farm, but tomato, cucumber and lettuce farmers implicated at the outset are already seeking compensation for plummeting prices and…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reportedly found at least 34 unapproved pesticides on cilantro samples during routine testing. According to the agency’s recently issued 2009 Pesticide Data Program report, 94 percent of the 184 samples tested in a rotating selection of produce came up positive for at least one pesticide. With no definite answers as to why the cilantro samples contained pesticide residues, government researchers have suggested that growers may have confused guidelines for cilantro with those for flat-leaf parsley, which is approved for more pesticides. Asserting that they will take follow-up action, some industry leaders are equally puzzled. “It’s something we need to look into,” Kathy Means of the Produce Marketing Association was quoted as saying. “We need to determine: Why this year, why this crop? What’s going on?” See Chicago Tribune, May 31, 2011.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a new food icon aimed at helping consumers make healthier food choices. By replacing the pyramid guide to healthy eating with a plate divided into fruit, vegetable, grains, protein, and dairy food groups, USDA reportedly hopes the MyPlate icon will “prompt consumers to think about building a healthy plate at meal times.” New York University Professor Marion Nestle was among those who praised the icon as an easy-to-understand nutrition guide. “The new plate icon makes it clear that healthy eating means lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, and for that alone it is a big step forward,” she said. “You don’t need a computer to use it. It lets you fill your plate with whatever foods you like without worrying about portion numbers. Best of all are the messages that come with it. Enjoy your food!” See USDA Press Release, June…
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has filed a citizen petition “requesting that the administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) . . . issue an interpretive rule declaring certain delineated strains of antibiotic-resistant [ABR] Salmonella, when found in ground meat and ground poultry, to be adulterants” under federal law. In re: CSPI Petition, No. __ (USDA FSIS, filed May 25, 2011). Noting that FSIS declared E. coli an adulterant in 1994, the petition contends, “Scientific and medical research demonstrates that contamination of meat and poultry by ABR strains of Salmonella poses grave public health dangers that are comparable to those posed by E. coli 0157:H7 in 1994.” According to the petition, several ABR strains in ground meat and poultry products have resulted in recalls, outbreaks and deaths. Seeking expedited review, CSPI claims that 36 documented outbreaks, causing thousands of illnesses and some deaths, were…
A federal court in the District of Columbia has issued an order granting preliminary approval of a settlement agreement involving a class of African-American farmers who “submitted late-filing requests under Section 5(g) of the Pigford v. Glickman Consent Decree on or after October 13, 1999, and on or before June 18, 2008,” but had not yet obtained a determination on the merits of their discrimination complaints. In re: Black Farmers Discrimination Litig., No. 08-0511 (D.D.C., filed May 13, 2011). The order certifies the class and sets a “cost cap” of $35 million with payment of up to $3.5 million for class counsel fees and costs. Class members are enjoined from bringing any other claims arising out of section 14012 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. These lawsuits alleged that the U.S. Department of Agriculture systematically discriminated against African-American farmers on the basis of race. The court has scheduled…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has announced two public meetings on a proposed rule requiring mandatory FSIS inspections of imported and domestic catfish and catfish products. The meetings will be held May 24 in Washington, D.C., and May 26 in Stoneville, Mississippi. The proposed rule was highlighted in Issue 383 of this Update. See Federal Register, May 9, 2011.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) has evidently declined to revisit a final rule published February 17, 2010, that dealt with access to pasture requirements for livestock. In addition to establishing “a pasture practice standard for ruminant animals,” the rule established conditions for organic slaughter stock at “finish feeding” operations, where cattle is typically fed grain crops to improve the grade of beef. In particular, NOP exempted these animals from a provision requiring organically raised ruminants to derive “not less than an average of 30 percent of their dry matter intake (DMI) requirement” from grazing. The agency then solicited comments addressing (i) whether NOP should consider infrastructural and regional differences in finish feeding operations; (ii) the length of the finishing period; and (iii) the use of feedlots for finishing organic slaughter stock. Based on the 500 individual and 14,000 form letters received in response to this request,…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched an Internet mapping tool that locates “food deserts” in the country. Designed to help policy makers, community planners and researchers bring nutritious food to low-income communities that lack accessibility to grocery stores, the Food Desert Locator is part of first lady Michele Obama’s initiative addressing the childhood obesity epidemic. “With this and other Web tools, USDA is continuing to support federal government efforts to present complex sets of data in creative, accessible online formats,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was quoted as saying. See USDA Press Release, May 2, 2011.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) will hold meetings in four states “to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to offer their input on a new framework being developed for the bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis programs in the United States.” The May 19, 2011, meeting will be held in Lansing, Michigan; the May 24 meeting will be held in Atlanta, Georgia; the June 1 meeting will be held in Bozeman, Montana; and the June 6 meeting will be held in Amarillo, Texas. The agenda includes discussion of topics included in a draft regulatory framework developed by federal, state and tribal governments, involving such matters as herd management and epidemiological investigations, animal importation, indemnity, and approval of diagnostic tests and laboratories. Written comments on meeting topics are requested by June 20. See Federal Register, May 6, 2011.
