The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced plans to reestablish the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee charged with examining the array of issues faced by the industry and providing suggestions on ways that USDA can tailor its programs to better meet the industry’s needs. A minimum of 25 committee slots need to be filled for two-year terms. Written nominations must be received on or before July 1, 2009. See Federal Register, May 18, 2009.
Category Archives Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a website designed to inform and welcome input about President Barack Obama’s Food Safety Working Group. The group, chaired by the secretaries of USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services, is charged with upgrading food safety laws for the 21st century, fostering coordination throughout government, and designing and enforcing laws to keep the American people safe.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the first wide-scale survey of organic farming to ascertain how the growth of such practices is changing the face of American agriculture. The Organic Production Survey will examine organic farming that took place during the 2008 calendar year, including production and marketing practices, income and expenses. “This is an opportunity for organic producers to share their voices and help ensure the continued growth and sustainability of organic farming in the United States,” USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said. Survey results will apparently help shape future farm policy, funding allocations, availability of goods and services, community development, and other key issues. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will mail the survey in early May 2009 to all known U.S. organic producers, who are asked to respond by June 17, 2009. Participants can also complete the survey online. NASS will publish results in winter 2009.…
The Office of the Acting Deputy Undersecretary for Food Safety, U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Food and Drug Administration have announced a public meeting on April 29, 2009, to discuss draft U.S. positions for the 18th Session of the Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF) slated for May 11-15, 2009, in Natal, Brazil. CCRVDF works to (i) establish “priorities for the consideration of residues of veterinary drugs in foods”; (ii) “recommend maximum levels of such substances”; (iii) “develop codes of practice as may be required”; and (iv) consider methods of sampling and analysis for the determination of veterinary drug residues in foods.” The session will include agenda items related to (i) the “registration of veterinary medicinal products”; (ii) “draft guidelines for the design and implementation of national regulatory food safety assurance programs”; and (iii) a “draft priority list of veterinary drugs requiring evaluation or reevaluation.”…
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have announced the third meeting of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee charged with revising the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. Slated for April 29 and 30, 2009, the online meeting will include (i) presentations on topics such as “eating environment, economics, nutrient adequacy, and effects of various macronutrient meal plans on weight status”; (ii) progress updates from individual subcommittees; and (iii) plans for future work of the committee. Written comments pertinent to this meeting must be received by 5 p.m. on April 23, although comments will be accepted throughout the committee’s deliberation process. See Federal Register, April 14, 2009.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service has announced a public meeting on April 29 and 30, 2009, in Riverdale, Maryland, to address a proposed rule involving the interstate movement and environmental release of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms. The comment period on the proposed rule has been extended to June 29, 2009. See Federal Register, April 13, 2009.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has amended swine health protection rules to clarify that regulations regarding the treatment of garbage consisting of industrially processed materials are subject to the same treatment requirements of other regulated garbage except for materials that meet the definition of “processed product.” The action ensures that garbage fed to swine has been treated to inactivate disease organisms that pose a risk to the U.S. swine industry. Comments must be received by June 2, 2009. See Federal Register, April 3, 2009.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently updated its news information services by establishing RSS feeds and Twitter accounts for some of its major divisions, including the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) and Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES). The department has joined several other government agencies in revamping its media outreach efforts, responding in part to the availability of new social networking sites in which a wide spectrum of consumers, interested citizens and industry stakeholders are participating. In what the White House web blog has described as “a smart match,” FSIS has thus far used its Twitter account to “tweet” about recalled products, the importance of food safety precautions during natural disasters and newly available resources. See Meatingplace.com, March 30, 2009.
The Agricultural Research Service has requested nominations for individuals to serve two-year terms on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and 21st Century Agriculture. The committee is charged with examining the long-term impacts of biotechnology on the U.S. food and agriculture system. A minimum of 12 committee slots need to be filled, including the chairperson’s. Written nominations must be received by fax or postmarked on or before April 29, 2009. See Federal Register, March 30, 2009.
According to a news source, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has elected not to change its position on the deregulation of genetically modified (GM) sugar beets. The Center for Food Safety and Earthjustice apparently requested that USDA reconsider its deregulation decision pertaining to Monsanto’s Roundup Ready® sugar beets, and the agency’s lawyers apparently chose to “stand by” its decision. Center for Food Safety lawyer Zelig Golden was quoted as saying, “This certainly is not the ‘change’ the Obama administration promised. We’re very disappointed that the USDA and Secretary [Tom] Vilsack did not take this important opportunity to reverse the Bush administration’s flawed position on [genetically modified organisms], and take steps to safeguard public health, environment and farmers’ livelihoods.” Critics of GM crops are particularly concerned about the contamination of non-GM and organic crops. See Foodnavigator-USA.com, April 1, 2009.
