In the last several months, there has been a lot of attention on a number of separate issues and events which impact global food security across a range of activities, yet they have not been drawn together. From Pope Francis’ visit to the United States and the announcement of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development
Global Food Security: Next Steps Read More »
By former USDA Secretary John R. Block After six years of negotiations with 11 Pacific Rim nations, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement has been approved. Regulations will be harmonized and tariffs reduced. Trade will expand between the countries. The nations involved represent 40 percent of the global economy. That is huge. However, it’s not done
Consumer Product manufacturers that offer warranties should take note of new options available to them under the E-Warranty Act of 2015 (S. 1359, 114th Cong. § 3 (2015)), signed into law by President Obama on September 24, 2015. The new law amends the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act of 1975 to allow manufacturers to make their warranties
E-Warranty Act Changes Landscape for Consumer Product Warranties Read More »
By former USDA Secretary John R. Block There is nothing more exciting, exhilarating, or rewarding than bringing in the harvest. After a whole year of planning, buying seed, plant protection chemicals, working the soil, applying fertilizer and planting the crops, then you pray for rain when needed and pray that rain stops before the river floods
John Block: Farm vs. D.C. Read More »
By former CPSC Commissioner Nancy Nord, as published on The Hill’s Congress Blog The legislative agenda of the 114th Congress shows a growing concern that regulatory activities of both independent and executive branch agencies have pushed the envelope with respect to both their legal authority and sound regulatory policy. The Regulatory Accountability Act (S. 2006),
Regulatory Reform Bills Could Improve Agency Rulemaking Read More »
By Marshall Matz and Jolyda O. Swaim, as published in Agri-Pulse We love our pets! There are approximately 80 million dogs in the United States and a similar number of cats. More than half of all American households share their home with at least one cat or dog. Evidence is conclusive that pets contribute to our well-being, both
Pets Are Us: Safety First Read More »
Today, Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) announced to House Republicans that he is retiring from Congress at the end of October. Boehner, now in his fifth year as Speaker of the House, faced a challenge no other House Speaker had faced in over a century: A Motion to Vacate the Chair spearheaded by a small, conservative
House Speaker John Boehner Announces Retirement, Ending Motion to Vacate the Chair Read More »
By former USDA Secretary John R. Block We have a long agenda of actions that need to be taken and not much time to do the job. The federal government’s fiscal year ends this month. The Congress needs to approve the level of spending for next year. They aren’t going to get that done – not
John Block: This and That Read More »
By Marshall Matz and Bill Imbergamo, as published in Agri-Pulse It’s another hot, dry summer, and another several million acres of public forests are going up in flames. As the end of August approaches, over 7 million acres have burned – including almost a million acres of National Forests, and those losses should concern all
National Forests on the Brink Read More »
Officials at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) have an opportunity to reiterate vital guidance on moderate drinking of alcoholic beverages with the coming new edition of Dietary Guidelines for Americans. USDA and HHS are putting the final touches on the new Guidelines, which are revised and
The Dietary Guidelines and Moderate Alcohol Consumption Read More »
The debate over agriculture biotechnology (aka genetic engineering (GE), genetic modification (GM), and GM organisms (GMOs)) was front and center in July. First, the White House issued an Executive Memorandum (“the Memorandum”) entitled “Modernizing the Regulatory System for Biotechnology Products.” The Memorandum, issued by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Council
The Agriculture Biotechnology Riddle Read More »
As President Obama signed Trade Promotion Authority into law, he removed a major stumbling block to completion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiation when chief negotiators, and then Ministers, meet in Maui July 24-31. However, a sticking point for many of the countries in the negotiation may be Canada’s reluctance to nix their protectionist
Inclusion in the TPP May Come at a Cost for Canada Read More »
On Thursday, the full U.S. House of Representatives will vote on H.R. 1599, which is officially titled “The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015.” The bill (full text here) would establish a federal standard for when foods containing genetically-engineered ingredients would be labeled as such and would preempt all state laws that pertained
House to Vote on GMO-Labeling Preemption Bill Tomorrow Read More »
OFW Law founding principal Richard L. Frank fills in for former USDA Secretary John R. Block: Today’s Quiz: What has more alcohol – a 12 oz can of beer? A 5 oz glass of wine? Or, a mixed drink with 1.5 oz of spirits? Answer – they all have the same amount of alcohol. 0.6 fl oz. With
John Block Reports: Let’s Keep A Strong Alcohol Section in the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Read More »
On July 2nd, the White House issued an executive memorandum on “Modernizing the Regulatory System for Biotechnology Products.” The modernization effort will apply to “biotechnology products” defined as “products developed through genetic engineering or the targeted or in vitro manipulation of genetic information of organisms, including plants, animals, and microbes.” It will not affect regulation
Policy wonks could say that they have been thrilled these past two weeks. Congress spent a great deal of time dealing with specific issues related to nutrition standards, and finished with a historic joint committee hearing that focused on the interplay between the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other public assistance programs with the
Food Policy: Lots to Do with a Limited Number of Legislative Days Read More »
I am honored to be a new addition to the talented legal team here at OFW Law. Since joining the firm two weeks ago, I have been amazed at the breadth, depth and diversity of the talent here. Since the firm includes not only exceptional lawyers and policy advisors, but also scientists, doctors and other
Not Worried About the CPSC? Better Think Again! Read More »
Last month, legislation that would affect, among other things, FDA’s regulation of medical devices and the manufacturers of such devices took a considerable step forward when it was introduced and then unanimously approved by the House Energy and Commerce Committee by a vote of 51-0 on May 21. Known as the 21st Century Cures Act (“Act”),
Device Firms: What You Should Know About The 21st Century Cures Act Read More »
In the month of May, Texas received over 35 trillion gallons of rain. See the graphic, below, to put that into perspective. Many prayers were answered as we went from extreme drought to an overabundance of rainfall. Truly a blessing! It is much more difficult to do without water than deal with having too much.
How Much Rain Has Fallen In Texas? Read More »
By Marshall, as published in Agri-Pulse In a surprise upset, Dr. Akinwumi (Akin) Adesina was elected to be the next President of the African Development Bank (ADB), defeating seven rivals in six rounds of voting. Adesina holds a PhD in agriculture economics from Purdue and has been serving as the Minister of Agriculture in Nigeria since
Why Adesina’s Election is Important for Agriculture Read More »
We are pleased to announce that Nancy Nord, former Acting Chair of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, has joined OFW Law as Of Counsel. Nord is a nationally recognized expert on safety regulation and corporate compliance with a wealth of experience in both the public and private sectors. Please click the announcement, below,
Former Consumer Products Safety Commissioner Nancy Nord Joins OFW Law Read More »
By John R. Block We can’t seem to silence or satisfy the loud scream of opposition to GE crops. The reason probably is that up until now we have ignored them. It’s time to stand up and set the record straight. GE food is safe and even beneficial according to 88% of scientists. We have conducted
John Block: GMOs Under Assault Read More »
By John R. Block As a farmer, we understand that if you have something that doesn’t work, you fix it. It will just cost you money if you ignore the problem. Somehow, the federal government doesn’t seem to understand that common sense fact. The Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) law was first passed in 2002. Canada
John Block: “COOL” Isn’t Cool Read More »
Yesterday, FDA released a Draft Guidance for Industry on Compounding Animal Drugs from Bulk Drug Substances (Draft Guidance). The Federal Register notice accompanying the Draft Guidance can be found here. The agency also withdrew its previous Compliance Policy Guide (CPG) 608.400, Compounding of Drugs for Use in Animals. Though FDA has been actively implementing Title
FDA Releases Draft Guidance on Compounding Animal Drugs Read More »
By Marshall L. Matz, as published in Agri-Pulse Michael B. Jandreau, the visionary leader of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe in South Dakota for almost 40 years, passed away last month at the age of 71. Known to all as “Mike” he believed that Indian Tribes had to establish a private sector economy on the Reservations if
Tish Eggleston Pahl will be speaking on May 19 at a webinar on dispenser obligations under the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). The webinar is sponsored by the Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA). This “DSCSA Overview for Dispensers” continues HDMA’s education and outreach on the pharmacy and hospital–related implementation requirements under the DSCSA. Particular focus
May 19 Webinar on the Drug Supply Chain Security Act Read More »
By John R. Block The U.S. Supreme Court decides a lot of very serious, high-profile cases – gay marriage for example. However, recently, they heard one about raisins. Yes – raisins. The Raisin Program dates back to the Great Depression of the 1930s. President Roosevelt cut the production of many farm products to reduce surplus and
John Block: Raisins Read More »
Please join the Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF) and its partners in honoring Secretary Vilsack for his remarkable achievements in child nutrition. GCNF’s Annual Gala has become a signature Washington event, bringing together executives from industry as well as high-level officials from both government and NGO’s. It will take place tonight, from 5:30-7:30 PM, at the
Tonight: Global Child Nutrition Foundation Honors USDA Secretary Vilsack Read More »
The 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) submitted its report to the Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services last month and disbanded. It is now up to the USDA and HHS to take the DGAC’s conclusions and recommendations and issue a revised edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Interested persons may submit
2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Report Mixes Science and Policy Read More »
By Marshall L. Matz, as published in Agri-Pulse The March edition of the National Geographic Magazine, in its cover story entitled “The War on Science,” notes that “there’s no evidence that GMO’s are harmful to human health.” A recent Pew poll found that 90% of all scientists believe GMO’s are safe but only 37% of the public
The Vilsapp: Secretary Vilsack’s High Tech Solution to Labeling Read More »
On April 21, OFW Law’s Tish Eggleston Pahl will participate in a webinar being held by the Healthcare Distribution Management Association (HDMA) for dispensers on implementation of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) Register Today! Learn what is expected of dispensers as it relates to the DSCSA through a HDMA webinar on Tuesday, April 21 from 2:00–3:00
Webinar: Drug Supply Chain Security Act Overview for Dispensers Read More »
The news wires have been buzzing lately about the recently released scientific report of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. One of the hottest topics for discussion is how out of step the report is on a number of issues, including the Committee’s dive into political matters like sustainability, soda taxes, and “added sugar” labeling. These
Dietary Guidelines – Confused About Caffeine Read More »
The serious environmental problems caused by unchecked wild horse populations on western rangelands are well known to state and local governments, Native American tribes, ranchers and farmers. Efforts, however, to prompt the U.S. Department of Interior (“Interior Dept.”) and its Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) to address widespread environmental damage and other impacts caused by
No Horsing Around – Nevada Federal Judge Dismisses Burro Suit Against Interior Dept. Read More »
We know that people often disagree with any number of the different regulations that have been put in place for the administration of USDA’s programs – agricultural program operations, nutrition programs, rural development programs, energy programs, conservation programs, and the list goes on. Well, now is the chance to speak up. In the Federal Register
So Which USDA Regulations Would You Like to Change? Read More »
