Public Policy

Important Dates for FY 2015 House and Senate Appropriations Committees Announced

Public Policy / Chris Kirksey

Even though the President has yet to submit his FY 2015 Budget Proposal, including his detailed requests for all agencies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have announced important dates for the submission of public statements to the Committees. These statements will become […]

Important Dates for FY 2015 House and Senate Appropriations Committees Announced Read More »

Farm Bill Redefines Dairy and Trade Activities

Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

By Nathan Fretz On February 7, the President signed the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the “Farm Bill”) into law. Over a series of blog posts, we will focus on various provisions within the Farm Bill, with a particular focus on some of the provisions that may not have received the level of media attention as

Farm Bill Redefines Dairy and Trade Activities Read More »

The 2014 Farm Bill: The Challenge for Farm Producers

Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

The 2014 Farm Bill creates a new environment for American agriculture far more friendly to producers who are experienced and comfortable using USDA’s Federal crop insurance program under the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC). Not only did Congress repeal many of the older crop programs administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency, including Direct Payments, Countercyclical

The 2014 Farm Bill: The Challenge for Farm Producers Read More »

Take Out the Trash Day, State-Legal Marijuana, and Banks

Public Policy / Chris Kirksey

In related announcements by Deputy Attorney General James M. Cole, the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), and the State of Washington Department of Financial Institutions, new guidance was issued that “should enhance the availability of financial services for, and the financial transparency of, marijuana-related businesses.” FIN-2014-G001, “BSA Expectations Regarding Marijuana-Related Businesses.” The announcements

Take Out the Trash Day, State-Legal Marijuana, and Banks Read More »

I Filed My Comment on FDA’s Proposed FSMA Regulations – Now What Do I Do?

FDA, Public Policy / Chris Kirksey

The comment periods for many of FDA’s proposed regulations implementing the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) have closed or are soon slated to end. Hundreds of companies and trade associations have filed comments with the agency; some believe that is the end of the public participation process. Nothing could be further from reality. Filing a

I Filed My Comment on FDA’s Proposed FSMA Regulations – Now What Do I Do? Read More »

Hidden Gems in the Farm Bill

EPA, FDA, Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

By Nathan Fretz After three years of work, Congress passed the Agricultural Act of 2014 (the “farm bill”), which the President signed into law on Friday, February 7. Despite a tumultuous and partisan 2012 and summer of 2013, the farm bill conference report was approved by conferees and sailed through the House and Senate with

Hidden Gems in the Farm Bill Read More »

The 2014 Farm Bill: A Challenge for Federal Crop Insurance AIPs

2 Comments / Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

Content Area

The 2014 Farm Bill: A Challenge for Federal Crop Insurance AIPs Read More »

Washington Post Recognizes OFW Law’s FDA Regulatory Practice

FDA, OFW Law News, Public Policy / Chris Kirksey

Today, the Washington Post recognized OFW Law for being a leader in U.S. Food and Drug Administration law, and food safety regulatory matters. We are proud of the role we have played in advancing public health through the development of food safety statutes and regulations. As a result of our involvement, we are intimately familiar

Washington Post Recognizes OFW Law’s FDA Regulatory Practice Read More »

Former Minority Counsel to House Ag Committee, Nathan Fretz, Joins OFW Law

1 Comment / OFW Law News, Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

We are pleased to announce that Nathaniel “Nathan” Fretz, Esq., formerly with the House Agriculture Committee staff, will be joining OFW in the practice of law. Fretz, who will join our Government Relations Practice, also served in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. Please click the announcement, below, to enlarge it.

Former Minority Counsel to House Ag Committee, Nathan Fretz, Joins OFW Law Read More »

John Block: U.S. Corn and China’s Bad Faith Collide

Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

By John R. Block, as published in the Des Moines Register As complex as the world trading system has become, it still fundamentally relies on something as simple as trust — that nations and people will be as good as their word. Most basically, it requires that those who enter into mutually agreed upon contracts will

John Block: U.S. Corn and China’s Bad Faith Collide Read More »

Wheat: The Staff of Life

Public Policy / Chris Kirksey

By Marshall L. Matz with Molly O’Connor, as published in Agri-Pulse When the subject of agriculture comes up, the focus usually starts with corn. It is the price of corn or the genetic modification of corn, ethanol (food vs. fuel), trade or the regulatory process here in the United States and its synchronization with other countries. Just last

Wheat: The Staff of Life Read More »

National Commission on Hunger

Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

Content Area

National Commission on Hunger Read More »

Happy New Year? Farm Bill Blues

Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

By Marshall L. Matz, as published by Agri-Pulse A few weeks ago Vice President Biden presented the George McGovern Award to Bob Dole for his effort in the fight against global hunger. The ceremony was sponsored by the World Food Program and held in the Senate Caucus Room. It was a wonderful and too rare evening

Happy New Year? Farm Bill Blues Read More »

OSHA Games the System to Target Small Farmers

Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

There is frequent tension between the spirit of the law versus the letter of the law. Obeying the “spirit of the law” means following the intent of those who drafted it. Following the “letter of the law” means following the law as written – verbatim. Oftentimes, there is daylight between the two. Using vagaries to beat the system is one

OSHA Games the System to Target Small Farmers Read More »

CPSC Proposes to Make Voluntary Recalls and Compliance Programs Legally Binding

Health Care, Public Policy / Chris Kirksey

On November 13, 2013, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a proposed interpretive rule concerning corrective action plans for “voluntary” recalls that may impact future voluntary consumer product recalls in two significant ways. First, CPSC proposes to make voluntary recall agreements that companies negotiate with CPSC legally binding. Second, CPSC proposes to permit

CPSC Proposes to Make Voluntary Recalls and Compliance Programs Legally Binding Read More »

OFW Law’s MMXIII in Retrospect

FDA, Health Care, OFW Law News, Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

As MMXIV starts, it’s time for a retrospective look at MMXIII. What follows is a list of noteworthy events from MMXIII in our food, drug, medical device, and agriculture corner of the universe, focusing on matters that were of particular interest to OFW Law’s attorneys and Senior Policy Advisors and our clients. We start, of

OFW Law’s MMXIII in Retrospect Read More »

John Block: Our Water Transportation

Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

Happy New Year. I threw away my 2013 calendar and hung up the new one. There is a lot to get done in the new year. But, today I want to talk about one specific project. We need to modernize our water transportation system. Our locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi are old and

John Block: Our Water Transportation Read More »

10 Ag-Related Items to Watch in 2014

EPA, Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

By John G. Dillard, as published on his AgWeb.com Blog – Ag in the Courtroom With 2013 nearly in the books and the holiday season nearly behind us, its time to prepare for the challenges that face us in the coming year. While I am no expert on forecasting long-range weather patterns, commodity market fluctuations, or predicting the

10 Ag-Related Items to Watch in 2014 Read More »

U.S. Farm Income

Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

A Congressional Research Service (CRS) report from earlier in the month revealed that national net farm income—a key indicator of U.S. farm well-being—is forecast at a record $131 billion in 2013, up 15% from last year, and about $13 billion above 2011’s previous record. In addition to record net farm income, farm wealth is also at record levels.

U.S. Farm Income Read More »

John Block: What’s In The Farm Bill?

Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

The obvious issues in the farm bill are nutrition programs, crop insurance, and farm safety net supports. However, there are some important sections in the bill that could be almost as important that don’t get much attention. The first one deals with trade. Trade accounts for 25 percent of U.S. farm receipts. When we plant

John Block: What’s In The Farm Bill? Read More »

John Block: Free Trade With Europe

Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

We should get a farm bill in January. It appears that we now have a budget. That helps because now the Ag Department will know how much money the Department has to spend. Let’s keep the pressure on to get it done. The subject that I want to focus on today has not had enough

John Block: Free Trade With Europe Read More »

The Budget Agreement and Some Thoughts About Next Steps

Public Policy / Chris Kirksey

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Patty Murray (D-WA) announced a two-year budget agreement that, in their words, “reduces the deficit—without raising taxes…it cuts spending in a smarter way…prevent(s) another government shutdown and roll(s) back sequestration’s cuts to defense and domestic investments in a balanced way.” While this budget

The Budget Agreement and Some Thoughts About Next Steps Read More »

Missouri AG Plans to Sue California Over Egg Import Restrictions

Public Policy / Chris Kirksey

Missouri’s Attorney General, Chris Koster, used the Missouri Farm Bureau’s annual meeting to announce that he intends to sue the State of California to overturn a law that will limit most commercially-produced eggs from entering the state. Such a lawsuit was only a matter of time as many of the country’s egg producers are forced to either

Missouri AG Plans to Sue California Over Egg Import Restrictions Read More »

And They’re Off! FDA Wastes No Time in Implementing its New Compounding Authority

FDA, Health Care, Public Policy / Chris Kirksey

Content Area

And They’re Off! FDA Wastes No Time in Implementing its New Compounding Authority Read More »

John Block: Cabinet Meetings

Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

We all know that Republicans and Democrats are at each others’ throats and we can’t seem to get anything done. It also appears that President Obama has not demonstrated the kind of leadership to move things along. No one wants to take responsibility. Sometimes, “the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing.”

John Block: Cabinet Meetings Read More »

Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling: A Short-Sighted, Protectionist Scheme

Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

Content Area

Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling: A Short-Sighted, Protectionist Scheme Read More »

A SNAP It’s Not

Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

By Marshall L. Matz with Molly O’Connor, as published by Agri-Pulse The food stamp program, currently called SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) has exploded in size and may now be the biggest hurdle to a farm bill. As of August, some 48 million Americans participated in the program at a cost of almost $80 billion a year.

A SNAP It’s Not Read More »

John Block: Farm Bill Conflict

Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

We don’t have a budget yet. We don’t have a farm bill. House Ag Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) hopes to have a draft bill by week’s end. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Senate Ag Committee Chair, acknowledges there are a lot of differences to be worked out, but she has hope. They are both hoping. The

John Block: Farm Bill Conflict Read More »

Achievement Unlocked! Senate Passes Drug Quality and Security Act for a Safer, More Secure Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

FDA, Public Policy / Chris Kirksey

In a time when internecine conflicts within the Congress and between the legislative and executive branch stymie so much important work, the easy passage of the bipartisan Drug Quality and Security Act (DQSA) (H.R. 3204) is cause for celebration. Having passed the House of Representatives in September on a voice vote, the Senate overwhelmingly voted

Achievement Unlocked! Senate Passes Drug Quality and Security Act for a Safer, More Secure Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Read More »

Former Secretary Block Comments on Farm Bill

Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

Will we get a farm bill or won’t we get a farm bill? No one knows at this point. There are still a number of unanswered questions. The biggest fight is over how much to cut the spending on food stamps. We have 50 million people receiving food stamps now and growing. House Republicans want

Former Secretary Block Comments on Farm Bill Read More »

The Vatican Enters a GMO “Palaver,” Supports Use of Biotechnology

Public Policy / Chris Kirksey

By Marshall L. Matz with Peter Matz, as published by Agri-Pulse “Palaver” is a wonderful word used in Africa to mean a patient and thorough exploration of a major problem. It is a process that brings together all stakeholders to respectfully examine all facets of a complex issue. When Ambassador Ken Quinn selected the theme of “The

The Vatican Enters a GMO “Palaver,” Supports Use of Biotechnology Read More »

Bienvenue Aux Etats-Unis!

FDA, Health Care, Public Policy / Chris Kirksey

With so many of our respected friends and colleagues furloughed, federal agency budgets decimated, or wholly dependent on user fees to operate, and so much important business on hold due to the intransigent federal budget showdown, it’s not surprising that the States have stepped up to fill the vacuum. One example is the State of

Bienvenue Aux Etats-Unis! Read More »

Universities Salute World Food Prize Commitment to Sound Science & Biotechnology

Public Policy / Chris Kirksey

As I mentioned last week, a major coalition of farm, food and anti-hunger organizations joined 30 institutions of higher education in praising the World Food Prize Foundation for shining a spotlight on agricultural biotechnology with this year’s World Food Prize theme, “The Next Borlaug Century: Biotechnology, Sustainability and Climate Volatility.” This morning, three Universities followed up

Universities Salute World Food Prize Commitment to Sound Science & Biotechnology Read More »

Major Coalition, including Academia, Commends World Food Prize for Supporting Biotechnology

1 Comment / Public Policy / Chris Kirksey

A very broad coalition of 100 food and agriculture organizations, including 30 research universities and anti-hunger organizations, have sent a letter to World Food Prize Foundation in Iowa commending them for a focus on biotechnology this year. The letter says, in part, “Feeding a world population of nine billion people by 2050 in the face

Major Coalition, including Academia, Commends World Food Prize for Supporting Biotechnology Read More »

It Is “That” Time of Year

Public Policy, USDA / Chris Kirksey

No, it is not time to face the Christmas shopping crowds, the kids have their back to school supplies, and we have made our fantasy football selections. So what is it I am supposed to be dreading? Oh yes, final days for government budgets, continuing resolutions, and possible government shutdowns. What does this mean, how

It Is “That” Time of Year Read More »