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 »
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
By John R. Block I was on the farm last week and early this week. My timing was right. I wanted to be there for the corn planting. We finished and started on soy beans. I have never seen the seeds go in the ground under better conditions. That rich, black dirt was not cloddy, not
John Block: Down on the Farm 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 »
By Barbara J. Masters, D.V.M. How many of you have ever sat in a public location, such as the airport, and watched the number of people that enter the restroom talking on their cell phone? Creepy, huh? Not nearly as creepy as the same number of people that exit a very short time later still talking
Hand Washing: A Simple Step Read More »
By Barbara J. Masters, D.V.M. One of the goals of the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s Strategic Plan is to “ensure that facilities implement safeguards and systems to protect food from contamination by people who might try to intentionally and maliciously harm consumers.” The Agency has a FY 2015 target of 90% of all establishments having a
Food Defense Plans Read More »
On behalf of the Agriculture practice group at OFW Law, here is a copy of our Spring newsletter. We hope you find it useful. To receive this periodic newsletter by e-mail, please contact Carrie Morgan at [email protected].
Regulatory Round-Up Newsletter, Spring 2015 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 »
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 »
Trade policy may present an opportunity for the Obama Administration and the Congress to work together in a bipartisan manner but it is sure not unanimous. While Agriculture Secretary Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative’s Chief Agriculture Negotiator Darci Vetter are making the case for Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), Senator Ron Wyden, the Senior Democrat on
Trade is Critical to Rural America; Agriculture is Key to TPA Read More »
Mention the word “drone” and most people think of our nation’s military activities in the Middle East. However, over the last few years, unmanned aircraft is finding its way into new civilian applications. Small drones, which are also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS), when equipped with sophisticated cameras, can
The Drones are Coming! FAA Releases Proposed Rule on Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Read More »
The State of California has a reputation for leading in many ways – especially in the area of government regulations. Now, they have bit off almost more than they can chew. Certainly, the disadvantaged will not be chewing on many eggs since the State has more than doubled the price of eggs. A dozen eggs now
John Block: Chickens and Eggs Read More »
Contact: Marshall Matz (202) 789-1212; [email protected] or Marion Watkins (202) 654-4863; [email protected] “As co-author with Senator George McGovern of the original 1977 ‘Dietary Goals for the United States’ report, I commend the USDA, HHS and its Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee for continuing to focus attention on human nutrition. The Committee’s recently-released report notes the staggering numbers of
Statement by Senator Bob Dole on Nutrition Report Read More »
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recently posted on its website a Summary of Recall Cases in Calendar Year 2014. Comparing this summary with the summaries from 2013 and 2012, a few things immediately stand out. On a positive side, meat and poultry product recalls for pathogens (Shiga toxin-producing E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and
The Global Child Nutrition Foundation is proud to announce Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack as the recipient of the 2015 Gene White Lifetime Achievement Award for Child Nutrition. Please join the Global Child Nutrition Foundation (GCNF) and its partners in honoring Secretary Vilsack for his remarkable achievements in child nutrition at GCNF’s Annual Gala Reception. Now
Global Child Nutrition Foundation to Honor Secretary Vilsack on April 16th Read More »
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Nina Fedoroff, a renowned plant molecular biologist, has joined OFW Law as Senior Science Advisor focusing on agriculture policy, global food security and government affairs. The former Science and Technology Adviser to the Secretary of State, Dr. Fedoroff has long been involved in regulatory issues surrounding genetic modification of organisms (GMOs)
Dr. Nina Fedoroff Joins OFW Law as Senior Science Advisor Read More »
Last year in January, I presented my wish list for 2014. Let’s take a look at how that worked out. Wish No. 1: “Get a farm bill passed.” To my surprise, we did. Wish No. 2: “Deal with our immigration problem.” Well, the Congress didn’t, but President Obama did a little bit. The fact is
John Block: Wish List Read More »
How many of you out there think that we would be well-advised to spend some money repairing our roads and bridges? What about our locks and dams and seaports that carry our grain to countries around the world? Are you aware that our Federal Highways Trust Fund will be running out of money this spring?
As the 114th Congress begins in earnest, there is rough sledding ahead this winter over the gulf between the governing philosophies of the President and the new Congress. Not to belabor the obvious, but early indications are that Republican victories have altered the President’s willingness to deal only very modestly, if at all. With just
114th Congress – What to Expect in Ag and Food Read More »
Before Christmas, I hosted the annual Cabinet Secretaries lunch at the famous Blair House. The Blair House is right across the street from the White House. It provides overnight lodging for dignitaries visiting the President. In fact, the Blair House is where President Reagan held his first Cabinet meeting in January 1981 before he had
John Block: Cabinet Luncheon 2014 Read More »
Dr. Janey Thornton, the USDA Deputy Under-Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, has resigned her post effective at close of business Friday, January 9, 2015. She will be returning to Kentucky to turn her attention to important family needs. Also, Sam Kass has left the White House as Executive Director of Let’s Move! and
Two Obama Nutrition Leaders Move On Read More »
Year 2014 is history now. It seemed like a lot of bad things happened. After fighting in the Middle East for more than a decade to neutralize the terrorists and bring stability to Iraq, overnight Islamic State militants took over half of Syria and Iraq. The sacrifices made over there have gone up in flames.
John Block: Look Back at 2014 Read More »
As we say goodbye to 2014 and welcome 2015, it’s time for a little backward and forward looking. Here’s what we saw in the 2014 rear view mirror in our little corner of the Universe devoted to the regulatory aspects of foods, drugs, medical devices, agriculture, and the like. In January, the Food and Drug
2014 was certainly an interesting year to be involved in agriculture. We got to see supply and demand in full effect. Good weather sent grain prices tumbling while continuing tight supplies have kept cattle prices soaring. The Republicans made strong gains and will enter 2015 with control of both the House and Senate. While I
10 Things to Watch in 2015 Read More »
By Marshall L. Matz, as published in Agri-Pulse The United Nations-Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has declared 2015 the International Year of Soils. The year kicked off on December 5, 2014, with events in Rome, New York and Chile, all in an effort to raise awareness and promote more sustainable use of this critical resource. “Healthy soils
2015: The Year of Soils Read More »
Getting ready for holiday “get togethers”, one often finds themselves in a rush or behind on preparing the food for the party. Don’t let tardiness be the reason the party attendees end up with a case of foodborne illness. Don’t rush cooking of product; I am certain the guests would rather wait a few minutes
Don’t Rush the Holiday Preparations – Make Certain the Meat is Properly Cooked Read More »
Congress has completed action on the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2015 (the Act), which funds eleven of the twelve regular Appropriation bills through September 30, 2015, the balance of fiscal 2015. Funding for the Homeland Security bill is provided under a Continuing Resolution through February 27. The House approved the Act on Thursday, December 11,
OFW Law’s John Dillard will be kicking off this year’s Ohio Food, Agriculture and Environmental Law Webinar Series with a discussion on two cutting-edge topics affecting agriculture: agricultural drones and “big data.” Mr. Dillard’s webinar will provide a brief primer on the current and potential applications for drone technology in agriculture. He will also discuss
Free Webinar on Big Data and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Read More »
By Nina Fedoroff, Ken Cassman and Marshall L. Matz, as published in the Des Moines Register The Ghost of Christmas Future is the most fearsome character in “The Christmas Carol,” Charles Dickens’ beloved Christmas story, giving Scrooge a glimpse of his bleak future. Horrified, Scrooge changes his selfish lifestyle in a heartbeat. An abundant Thanksgiving 2014 is
The Ghost of Thanksgiving Future Read More »
It is that time of year again. I don’t cook –and I continue to provide food safety advice for those of you that do. Ah, it must be Thanksgiving. Last year I provided some tips on thawing and cooking your Thanksgiving turkey. I encourage you to review those tips if you have any questions on
