Category: Department of Agriculture
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USDA to Track Swine Viruses
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that it will require reporting of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDv) and Swine Delta Coronavirus infections to curb the spread of the diseases. In addition, USDA will track “movements of pigs, vehicles, and other equipment leaving affected premises.” Hog farms in 29 states have already reported incidents…
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D.C. Circuit Upholds COOL Regulations in Preliminary Injunction Context
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a lower court ruling denying the motion for preliminary injunction filed by meat producer interests in litigation challenging U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations requiring retailers of “muscle cuts” of meat to list the countries of origin and production (country-of-origin labeling or COOL) as to each step…
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Upcoming Codex Meeting to Address Pesticide Residues
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency have announced an April 10, 2014, public meeting in Arlington, Virginia, to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft U.S. positions for discussion during the 46th Session of the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues of…
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NOSB Meeting to Address National List Changes
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) has announced an April 29-May 2, 2014, public meeting in San Antonio, Texas, to discuss the work of its six subcommittees and receive input on proposed changes to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List), which governs what may be used in…
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Black Farmers Not Included in Settlement Denied Reconsideration
A federal court in Washington, D.C., has reportedly refused to reconsider its denial of hundreds of claims by African-American farmers who alleged that they were owed a share of the $1.25-billion settlement fund established to compensate a class of farmers allegedly discriminated against by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) loan application process. In re…
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HHS/USDA Postpone Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Meeting
Due to the recent government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have rescheduled the second meeting of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee for January 13-14, 2014. Among those on the agenda are HHS, USDA and Institute of Medicine representatives, committee members and Food Systems Consultant…
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USDA Terminates National Leafy Green Marketing Agreement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has terminated proceedings on a proposed marketing agreement that sought to regulate the handling of fresh leafy green vegetables in the United States. Modeled after a 2006 initiative pioneered by California growers in the wake of an E. coli outbreak linked to fresh spinach, the National Leafy Green Marketing…
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FSIS Reopens Comment Period on Labeling for Mechanically Tenderized Beef
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has reopened the comment period on a proposed rule concerning the description designation for needle- or blade-tenderized beef. First published in the June 10, 2013, Federal Register, the proposed rule would require “the descriptive designation ‘mechanically-tenderized’ on the labels of raw or partially-cooked needle-…