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Food, Ag, & Trade Outlook in the Incoming Trump Administration

FDA, Agriculture & Agribusiness, Customs and Trade, Food Distribution & International Trade, For Export, Government Relations, Health Care, Healthcare, USDA, USTR /

The food, agriculture, and trade sectors are aware the Trump Administration could bring myriad policy changes that could have a significant impact on business.    OFW Law provides an initial outlook at the new administration’s approach to food, agriculture, and trade, which will be influenced by individual cabinet and other executive branch appointments who will […]

Food, Ag, & Trade Outlook in the Incoming Trump Administration Read More »

OFW Adds Seasoned Advocate to Government Relations Practice

Government Relations, OFW Law News /

Washington, DC, July 24, 2024 – OFW is pleased to announce Eric Steiner has joined Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Matz’s (OFW) Government Relations team as a Senior Policy Advisor.   Steiner has previously led in-house government relations work at Kraft Foods, Elanco Animal Health, and on behalf of industry groups, including the National Association of

OFW Adds Seasoned Advocate to Government Relations Practice Read More »

The Emerging Legal Impacts of Generative AI on Patents and Trademarks: A Symposium with the USPTO and U.S. Copyright Office

FDA, Food Manufacturing, Processing, and Marketing, Government Relations, USDA /

As generative artificial intelligence (AI) systems become increasingly powerful and widespread, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is beginning to evaluate the legal implications for intellectual property rights and protection. On March 27th, the USPTO and the U.S. Copyright Office jointly held a public symposium to explore the emerging challenges AI presents across

The Emerging Legal Impacts of Generative AI on Patents and Trademarks: A Symposium with the USPTO and U.S. Copyright Office Read More »

OFW’s Szemraj Discusses Farm Policy Dynamics

Government Relations /

On January 12th, 2024, during an interview with Agri-Pulse (found here), OFW’s own Roger Szemraj discussed farm policy dynamics on Capitol Hill and what he’s watching in the weeks ahead.   Szemraj noted that the spending figures agreed to for the FY 2024 Appropriations bills were largely in line with Fiscal Responsibility Act, but allocation across

OFW’s Szemraj Discusses Farm Policy Dynamics Read More »

June Food and Agriculture Regulatory Recap

Agriculture & Agribusiness, FDA, Government Relations /

OFW’s Food & Agriculture team regularly monitors announcements and policy issuances from FDA, USDA, and other agencies to keep our clients apprised of regulatory developments that may impact their business. Here are a few of the developments from June that should be highlighted. If you have any questions or would like more information, please do

June Food and Agriculture Regulatory Recap Read More »

FDA Issues First Draft Guidance on Clinical Trials with Psychedelic Drugs

Agriculture & Agribusiness, Cannabis, FDA, Government Relations /

On Friday, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released its first draft guidance on the conduct of clinical trials for psychedelic drugs. The Draft Guidance for Industry, Psychedelic Drugs: Considerations for Clinical Investigations, if finalized, will guide researchers investigating psychedelics as potential treatments for medical conditions.  There has been significant media, marketing, and legislative interest

FDA Issues First Draft Guidance on Clinical Trials with Psychedelic Drugs Read More »

Hemp Now Included in Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC)

Agriculture & Agribusiness, Cannabis, Government Relations, USDA, USTR /

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will include ‘Hemp’ in the title of one of the six Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees (ATACs) – noting a significant evolution in both agriculture and cannabis policy. Specifically, ‘Hemp’ has now earned a place within the ATAC titled ‘Tobacco, Cotton, Peanuts, and Hemp.’ The ATACs were established under

Hemp Now Included in Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee (ATAC) Read More »

OFW Law’s Ackerman Discusses AFIDA in Agri-Pulse

Agriculture & Agribusiness, Food Distribution & International Trade, Food Manufacturing, Processing, and Marketing, Government Relations, OFW Law News, USDA /

OFW Law’s Ken Ackerman was featured in an Agri-Pulse article discussing the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA). In the article, “While Foreign Purchases of US Land Surge, USDA’s Reporting Penalties Plunge,” Mr. Ackerman discussed his experience in representing clients on AFIDA matters. AFIDA is a law administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Under

OFW Law’s Ackerman Discusses AFIDA in Agri-Pulse Read More »

FDA’s Woodcock Holds Meeting on Regulatory Pathways for Hemp and CBD

FDA, Agriculture & Agribusiness, Cannabis, Government Relations /

On November 1, 2022, the Principal Deputy Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Janet Woodcock had a virtual meeting on “Regulatory Pathways for Hemp Products, including Cannabidiol (CBD)” with representatives of the U.S. Health and Human Services Office of the Secretary and the Executive Office of the President. This meeting was announced

FDA’s Woodcock Holds Meeting on Regulatory Pathways for Hemp and CBD Read More »

Federal Cannabis Updates: New Cannabis Policy Expert at FDA and Executive Announcement on Marijuana Reform 

Cannabis, FDA, Government Relations /

At the end of September, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hired cannabis policy expert Norman Birenbaum as a Senior Public Health Advisor at FDA’s Center for Regulatory Programs. Mr. Birenbaum comes to FDA with a deep background in regulation in several state cannabis departments.  Most recently, in New York State he served

Federal Cannabis Updates: New Cannabis Policy Expert at FDA and Executive Announcement on Marijuana Reform  Read More »

Food Security a Priority at UN

Public Policy, Agriculture & Agribusiness, Food Distribution & International Trade, For Export, Government Relations /

Today, September 21, 2022, at the United Nations General Assembly, President Biden announced $2.9 billion in assistance to address global food insecurity and urged other countries to follow suit.  President Biden stressed: “If parents cannot feed their children, nothing else matters.”    This announcement comes as the Biden administration is taking serious steps to combat

Food Security a Priority at UN Read More »

Summary of Senate’s Hearing “Decriminalizing Cannabis at the Federal Level: Necessary Steps to Address Past Harms”

FDA, Cannabis, Food Manufacturing, Processing, and Marketing, Government Relations, Miscellaneous, Public Policy /

On July 26, 2022, the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Criminal Justice and Terrorism held a hearing on “Decriminalizing Cannabis at the Federal Level: Necessary Steps to Address Past Harms.” The hearing largely addressed the recently introduced S. 4591, “Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act” (the “CAOA”). The witnesses included: Malik Burnett, Medical Director, Maryland Department

Summary of Senate’s Hearing “Decriminalizing Cannabis at the Federal Level: Necessary Steps to Address Past Harms” Read More »

White House Announces Nutrition Conference

Government Relations, Public Policy /

The White House announced the long-awaited White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, to be held in Washington this September, with the specific date yet to be announced. As the White House announcement said: “The Biden-Harris Administration has set a goal of ending hunger and increasing healthy eating and physical activity in the U.S. by 2030

White House Announces Nutrition Conference Read More »

Declaration of a National Emergency Extended; Important Beyond Protecting the Public from the Risks of COVID-19

FDA, Food Manufacturing, Processing, and Marketing, Government Relations, Health Care /

On February 23, 2022, the Administration published in the Federal Register a Notice of “Continuation of the National Emergency Concerning Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic” to extend the national emergency declaration from  March 13, 2020.  The 2020 Declaration was due to expire on March 1, 2022 and, with this Administrative Order, the national emergency continues,

Declaration of a National Emergency Extended; Important Beyond Protecting the Public from the Risks of COVID-19 Read More »

Farmers and Ranchers Can Now Access Online Reporting Portal to Report Potentially Unfair and Anticompetitive Practices

Agriculture & Agribusiness, Food Manufacturing, Processing, and Marketing, Government Relations, USDA /

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) launched an online reporting portal, located at USDA’s Farmer Fairness website, to advance the goals of the “Biden-Harris Administration’s Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain” (the Action Plan).   By way of review,

Farmers and Ranchers Can Now Access Online Reporting Portal to Report Potentially Unfair and Anticompetitive Practices Read More »

FTC Proposes Rulemaking to Limit Impersonation Scams

Miscellaneous, Government Relations /

On December 23th, 2021, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPR) targeting impersonation scams. Impersonation scams generally involve the scammer impersonating a trusted source to convince targets to send money or personal information. These scammers often pretend to be a part of government or well-known businesses.  To add legitimacy,

FTC Proposes Rulemaking to Limit Impersonation Scams Read More »

Israeli Minister for Agriculture Forer discusses Israeli-US Partnerships in U.S. Visit

Government Relations, Food Distribution & International Trade, Miscellaneous /

On December 2, 2021, the Israeli Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Oded Forer concluded a three-day trip to Washington D.C. to strengthen Israel’s strategic partnership with the U.S. and other regional partners on agricultural issues. This trip included meetings with Senators, the USDA Deputy Secretary Dr. Jewel Bronaugh, and senior executives at the World

Israeli Minister for Agriculture Forer discusses Israeli-US Partnerships in U.S. Visit Read More »

Federal Vaccine Mandates – Where Things Stand

Litigation, Government Relations, Health Care, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Public Policy /

Updated on December 7, 2021 All federal vaccine mandates stayed pending Court action   On September 9, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 14042: Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors which mandated that employees of federal contractors be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, following recommendations of the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force. In early November 2021,

Federal Vaccine Mandates – Where Things Stand Read More »

6th Circuit Selected in Lottery to Hear Lawsuits against OSHA ETS Vaccine and Testing Mandate

Agriculture & Agribusiness, CPSC, EPA, FDA, Government Relations, Health Care, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Public Policy, USDA, USDA FSIS /

On November 16, 2021, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, through a lottery system, drew the 6th Circuit as the U.S. Court of Appeals that will hear the consolidated lawsuits against the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) published in the Federal Register on November 5, 2021. The OSHA ETS, which

6th Circuit Selected in Lottery to Hear Lawsuits against OSHA ETS Vaccine and Testing Mandate Read More »

USTR/USDA Holds Open Meeting to Discuss China Decrees 248 and 249

Agriculture & Agribusiness, Food Distribution & International Trade, Food Manufacturing, Processing, and Marketing, For Export, Government Relations, USDA, USDA FSIS, USTR /

On Tuesday, November 16th, 2021, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) held an informal informational meeting on the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China’s (GACC) Decrees 248 and 249 affecting U.S. agricultural exports. The Decrees, which were published in 2019, set out new

USTR/USDA Holds Open Meeting to Discuss China Decrees 248 and 249 Read More »

Biden to Nominate Dr. Robert Califf as FDA Commissioner

FDA, Government Relations, Health Care, Healthcare /

On Friday November 12, 2021, President Biden nominated former United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf, a cardiologist by training, to again be FDA Commissioner, replacing acting Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock. Califf, 70, was the FDA Commissioner for a year at the end of the Obama Administration. He garnered broad support

Biden to Nominate Dr. Robert Califf as FDA Commissioner Read More »

UPDATE: Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate

Agriculture & Agribusiness, FDA, Food Manufacturing, Processing, and Marketing, Government Relations, Health Care, Healthcare, USDA, USDA FSIS /

Federal Contractors are being given additional time and flexibility to address the vaccination mandate – Employees must be fully vaccinated by January 18, 2022.   The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Contracting Officers Have Enormous Discretion To Add Vaccine Mandate Clause to Product Contracts.  

UPDATE: Federal Contractor Vaccine Mandate Read More »

OSHA Releases ETS on Vaccine and Testing Mandate

FDA, Government Relations, Health Care, Healthcare /

On November 4, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) released the prepublished version of its expected new emergency temporary standard (ETS). The OSHA ETS (interim final rule; request for comments) was published in the Federal Register on November 5, 2021. The OSHA ETS requires employers with 100 or more employees to mandate that all their

OSHA Releases ETS on Vaccine and Testing Mandate Read More »

FTC to Issue Final Rule to Combat “Made in USA” Fraud

Food Distribution & International Trade, Agriculture & Agribusiness, FDA, Food Manufacturing, Processing, and Marketing, Government Relations, USDA, USTR /

On July 1st, the Federal Trade Commission voted 3-2 to publish the final Made in USA Labeling Rule in the Federal Register.  The rule is consistent with – and essentially codifies – its prior 1997 Enforcement Policy Statement on U.S. Origin Claims, and provides the agency with enforcement tools to combat fraudulent claims.   The rule

FTC to Issue Final Rule to Combat “Made in USA” Fraud Read More »

Bob Dole and George McGovern: A Nutrition Legacy that Continues

Agriculture & Agribusiness, Government Relations, Public Policy, USDA /

For many years in the Senate, Senator Bob Dole (R-KS) teamed up with Senator George McGovern (D-SD) to create a legacy of bipartisan leadership on nutrition.  Working together in the 1970s, they completely reformed the Food Stamp Program (now SNAP); established the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations; with Senator Humphrey, created the Women’s Infants

Bob Dole and George McGovern: A Nutrition Legacy that Continues Read More »

Samantha Powers

What to Know Ahead of Samantha Power’s Committee Vote Tomorrow

Government Relations /

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee will finally be voting on the nomination of Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power, for Administrator of the US Agency of International Development tomorrow. Power had her hearing on March 23 before the Senate Spring recess and her confirmation has been waiting to move forward. If confirmed,

What to Know Ahead of Samantha Power’s Committee Vote Tomorrow Read More »

OFW Law Mourns the Loss of George Braley (1948-2021)

Government Relations /

On Sunday, March 28, 2021, George Braley, passed away from congestive heart failure.   Braley spent his career working to feed the hungry. Braley worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture as Deputy Administrator of the Food and Nutrition Service and later became the Senior Vice President at Feeding America for Government Relations and Public Policy.

OFW Law Mourns the Loss of George Braley (1948-2021) Read More »

Health Groups Sue HHS in Response to Trump Administration’s “Sunset Rule”

Healthcare, Government Relations, Public Policy /

On March 9, several health groups including the American Lung Association and the Center for Science in the Public Interest joined Santa Clara County, California and other advocacy groups in a lawsuit against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over the Trump administration’s “sunset rule” in the U.S. District Court for the Northern

Health Groups Sue HHS in Response to Trump Administration’s “Sunset Rule” Read More »

President Biden Revokes Trump Administration’s Executive Orders

Government Relations /

On February 26, President Biden issued Executive Order (EO) 14018, which revoked a number of EOs and Declarations issued during the Trump Administration.  The orders revoked include: Executive Order 13772—Core Principles for Regulating the United States Financial System.  This EO outlined the Trump Administration’s financial regulatory principles and required the Department of Treasury to review

President Biden Revokes Trump Administration’s Executive Orders Read More »

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