Congressional Research Service Reports - 213 Matching Results

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Federal Regulatory Structure for Egg Safety: Fact Sheet

Description: This report discusses the federal role in regulating egg safety. Although the egg industry is primarily responsible for ensuring the safety of its products, four federal agencies hold statutory responsibilities for egg safety.
Date: September 21, 1999
Creator: Vogt, Donna U.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Federal Food Assistance: Hurricane Katrina

Description: This report discusses the federal food assistance programs for those affected by Hurricane Katrina, making them automatically eligible for maximum benefits. It also is providing substantial amounts of direct food aid drawn from its commodity stocks.
Date: September 13, 2005
Creator: Richardson, Joe
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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How the Food Stamp Program Works

Description: This report briefly describes the present operation of the Food Stamp program, reflecting legislative revisions through 1982.
Date: October 7, 1982
Creator: Richardson, Joe
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The "Farm Bill" in Brief

Description: Federal farm support, food assistance, agricultural trade, marketing, and rural development policies are governed by a variety of separate laws. Many of these laws periodically have been evaluated, revised, and renewed through an omnibus, multi-year farm bill. This report discusses the "farm bill" and it's components.
Date: December 19, 2005
Creator: Becker, Geoffrey S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Food Stamps: 1982 Legislation

Description: This report discusses legislative issues regarding food stamp appropriations. Authorization for food stamp appropriations was to have expired at the end of FY82; in addition, the FY83-85 budget resolution assumed substantial savings in food stamps. As a result, and with the potential of an FY82 food stamp funding shortfall averted by the appropriation of a $1 billion supplemental, Congress acted to reauthorize appropriations and limit program costs in the 1982 budget reconciliation process.
Date: January 10, 1983
Creator: Richardson, Joe
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Farm Commodity Programs: Honey

Description: This report discusses the honey price support program, which was first created by the Agricultural Act of 1949 (P.L. 81-439) to provide market price stability for honey producers and to encourage maintenance of sufficient bee populations for pollination
Date: December 3, 2004
Creator: Canada, Carol
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Federal Food Assistance in Disasters: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

Description: This report discusses federal food assistance in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Food Stamp program, child nutrition programs, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (the WIC program), and federally donated food commodities delivered through relief organizations provide major support in disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Existing laws authorize the Agriculture Department to change eligibility and benefit rules to facilitate emergency aid… more
Date: September 23, 2005
Creator: Richardson, Joe
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Meat and Poultry Inspection: Background and Selected Issues

Description: This report discusses the responsibility of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for inspecting most meat, poultry, and processed egg products for safety, wholesomeness, and proper labeling.
Date: December 12, 2005
Creator: Becker, Geoffrey S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Food Labeling: Allergy Information

Description: Media attention to food allergies is the result of the recent tracking of food allergy sufferers and a clear rise in the number of affected individuals. Several efforts are underway to improve the ability of individuals who have a food allergy to avoid products that cause symptoms that can range from mild to serious. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Allergy Issues Alliance each have released guidelines to address the issues of labeling and cross-contamination. Nine state atto… more
Date: September 19, 2005
Creator: Porter, Donna V.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Genetically Engineered Fish and Seafood

Description: Genetic engineering techniques allow the manipulation of inherited traits to modify organisms. Genetically modified (GM) fish and seafood products are currently under development and may offer potential benefits such as increasing aquaculture productivity and addressing human health concerns. However, some critics of this rapidly evolving field are concerned that current technological and regulatory safeguards are inadequate to protect the environment and ensure public acceptance of these produ… more
Date: July 1, 2005
Creator: Borgatti, Rachel & Buck, Eugene H.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Genetically Engineered Soybeans: Acceptance and Intellectual Property Rights Issues in South America

Description: This report discusses issues regarding genetically engineered soybeans in South America. U.S. soybean growers and trade officials charge that Argentina and Brazil–the United States’ two major export competitors in international soybean markets–gain an unfair trade advantage by routinely saving genetically-engineered (GE), Roundup Ready (RR) soybean seeds from the previous harvest (a practice prohibited in the United States) for planting in subsequent years.
Date: October 17, 2003
Creator: Schnepf, Randy
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Horse Slaughter Prevention Bills and Issues

Description: This report discusses the debate in Congress on whether to ban horse slaughter and the acceptability of this practice.
Date: November 7, 2005
Creator: Becker, Geoffrey S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Infant Formula: National Problems

Description: This report discusses congressional concerns regarding infant formula that was deficient in a required nutrient.
Date: April 27, 1984
Creator: Porter, Donna V.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The International Wine Market: Description and Selected Issues

Description: This report discusses the global trade in wine, which has increased rapidly during the past 25 years, steadily rising from under $1 billion in 1977 to over $7 billion in 2001. Reports of health benefits and rising global incomes have spurred increasing demand for wine, particularly in mid- to upper-income countries. In 2001, the United States was the world’s leading importer, just ahead of the European Union (EU). Together, they accounted for over 60% of global imports.
Date: August 7, 2003
Creator: Schnepf, Randy
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The International Wine Market: Description and Selected Issues

Description: This report discusses global trade in wine, which has Several important issues have emerged in recent years with respect to international wine trade, particularly between the EU and non-EU countries, including oenological (wine-making) practices and the use of “semi-generic” names for wines. The latter issue is encompassed under the debate on “geographical indications” at the World Trade Organization. Ongoing bilateral negotiations between the United States and the EU seek to resolve both of th… more
Date: August 7, 2003
Creator: Schnepf, Randy
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Meat and Poultry Inspection Issues

Description: This report discusses the responsibility of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for inspecting most meat, poultry, and processed egg products for safety, wholesomeness, and proper labeling.
Date: January 7, 2005
Creator: Becker, Geoffrey S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Meat and Poultry Inspection Issues

Description: This report discusses the responsibility of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for inspecting most meat, poultry, and processed egg products for safety, wholesomeness, and proper labeling.
Date: November 4, 2004
Creator: Becker, Geoffrey S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Meat and Poultry Inspection Issues

Description: This report discusses the responsibility of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) for inspecting most meat, poultry, and processed egg products for safety, wholesomeness, and proper labeling.
Date: August 3, 2004
Creator: Rawson, Jean M. & Becker, Geoffrey S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

The Federal Food Safety System: A Primer

Description: The combined efforts of the food industry and the regulatory agencies often are credited with making the U.S. food supply among the safest in the world. Nonetheless, many food-related health issues persist. At issue is whether the current U.S. regulatory system has the resources and structural organization to protect consumers from these dangers. Also at issue is whether the federal food safety laws themselves, first enacted in the early 1900s, have kept pace with the significant changes that h… more
Date: September 22, 2010
Creator: Johnson, Renée
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Food Safety on the Farm: Federal Programs and Legislative Action

Description: In recent years, major outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, product recalls, and reports about unsafe food imports have caused some to question the adequacy of the U.S. food safety system. Stakeholders appear to agree that an optimal system should encompass a comprehensive, preventive approach to food safety, focusing on those foods and points in the food system that pose the greatest public health risks, starting at the point of production - that is, on farms and ranches. This report discusses di… more
Date: October 5, 2010
Creator: Johnson, Renée
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Food Safety in the 111th Congress: H.R. 2749 and S. 510

Description: This report discusses whether the current food safety system has the resources, authority, and structural organization to safeguard the health of American consumers, who spend more than $1 trillion on food each year. Also at issue is whether federal food safety laws, first enacted in the early 1900s, have kept pace with the significant changes that have occurred in the food production, processing, and marketing sectors since then.
Date: November 16, 2010
Creator: Johnson, Renée; Lister, Sarah A.; Williams, Erin D. & Burrows, Vanessa K.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Food Safety in the 111th Congress: H.R. 2749 and S. 510

Description: This report discusses whether the current food safety system has the resources, authority, and structural organization to safeguard the health of American consumers, who spend more than $1 trillion on food each year. Also at issue is whether federal food safety laws, first enacted in the early 1900s, have kept pace with the significant changes that have occurred in the food production, processing, and marketing sectors since then.
Date: October 15, 2010
Creator: Johnson, Renée
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods

Description: This report briefly discusses the USDA's FY2006 appropriation, which postpones rules requiring many retailers to provide country-of-origin labeling (COOL) for fresh produce, red meats, and peanuts until September 30, 2008. The report also discusses related legislation.
Date: March 20, 2006
Creator: Becker, Geoffrey S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods

Description: This report briefly discusses the USDA's FY2006 appropriation, which postpones rules requiring many retailers to provide country-of-origin labeling (COOL) for fresh produce, red meats, and peanuts until September 30, 2008. The report also discusses related legislation.
Date: January 31, 2007
Creator: Becker, Geoffrey S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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