Congressional Research Service Reports - 23 Matching Results
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- Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods
- 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.
- Agricultural Biotechnology: Background and Recent Issues
- Since the first genetically engineered (GE) crops (also called GM [genetically modified] crops, or GMOs, genetically modified organisms) became commercially available in the mid-1990s, U.S. soybean, cotton, and corn farmers have rapidly adopted them. As adoption has spread, there have been policy debates over the costs and benefits of GE products. Issues include the impacts of GE crops on the environment and food safety, and whether GE foods should be specially labeled. Congress generally has been supportive of GE agricultural products, although some Members have expressed wariness about their adoption and regulation. The 109th Congress will likely continue to follow trade developments, particularly the U.S.-EU dispute, as well as U.S. regulatory mechanisms for approving biotech foods.
- Food Stamps and Nutrition Programs in the 2002 Farm Bill
- This report gives an overview of food stamps, nutrition programs, and activities covered in the 2002 farm bill.
- International Food Aid: U.S. and Other Donor Contributions
- This report provides three indicators of the U.S. contribution to global food aid: 1) shipments of major donors compiled by the International Grains Council, 2) U.S. contributions to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), and 3) the U.S. commitment under the Food Aid Convention (FAC).
- Food Safety: Federal and State Response to the Spinach E. coli Outbreak
- This report details the events as they unfolded, and includes the number of cases, the detention of the first case, and the process by which relevant agencies acted as subsequent cases were reported.
- Department of Defense Food Procurement: Background and Status
- This report will describe the origin, authority, policy, and military food acquisition process.
- The “Farm Bill” in Brief
- 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.
- The “Farm Bill” in Brief
- 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.
- Sugar Policy Issues
- No Description Available.
- Federal Food Assistance in Disasters: Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
- No Description Available.
- Farm and Food Support Under USDA’s Section 32 Program
- This report provides information about the Farm and Food Support Under USDA’s Section 32 Program which is funded by a permanent appropriation of 30% of previous year' s custom receipts to support the farm sector.
- Horse Slaughter Prevention Bills and Issues
- More than 90,000 U.S. horses were slaughtered for human food in 2005, mainly for European and Asian consumers. Congress voted to limit the use of FY2006 appropriated funds for such slaughter, but USDA anticipates that the practice will continue, funded by industry user fees. This report examines the debate, which has focused on the acceptability of horse slaughter, and how to care for and eventually dispose of such horses if they no longer went for human food.
- Agricultural Export and Food Aid Programs
- This report discusses projected agricultural imports and exports for FY2006, as well as legislation that deals with federal programs in support of agricultural exports and federal aid dedicated to farms and agricultural reform.
- Agricultural Export and Food Aid Programs
- This report discusses projected agricultural imports and exports for FY2002, as well as legislation that deals with federal programs in support of agricultural exports and federal aid dedicated to farms and agricultural reform.
- Harvey v. Veneman and the National Organic Program: A Legal Analysis
- This report describes the OFPA, discusses those holdings where the court determined that a provision of the Final Rule was inconsistent with the OFPA, and analyzes the most recent legislative action as well as new regulations from the USDA.
- Agricultural Export and Food Aid Programs
- This report discusses the recent development in different programs administered by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with the goal to promote agricultural exports and to provide food aid. These programs include direct export subsidies, export market development, export credit guarantees, and foreign food aid.
- Federal and State Laws Regarding Pharmacists Who Refuse to Distribute Contraceptives
- No Description Available.
- Animal Identification and Meat Traceability
- U.S. animal agriculture is seeking to improve its ability to trace the movement of livestock from their birthplace to slaughter. The livestock and meat industries are working with the U.S. government to develop a national animal identification (ID) plan for livestock disease tracking purposes. This report focuses on animal ID and, to a lesser extent, on meat traceability.
- The Emergency Food and Shelter Program
- No Description Available.
- Emergency Contraception: Plan B
- On August 24, 2006, the Food and Drug Administration announced the approval of an application to switch to Plan B, an emergency contraceptive, from a prescription-only drug to an over-the-counter drug for women 18 years of age and older. This report contains information on the background of the emergency contraceptive, FDA approval, legal issues, state policies, and related information.
- International Efforts to Control the Spread of Avian Influenza (H5N1) Virus: Affected Countries' Responses
- This report examines the efforts of overseas governments to combat the spread of avian influenza H5N1 which first appeared in birds and humans in Hong Kong in 1997, causing 100 reported human deaths from Vietnam to Turkey and appearing in birds in Africa and Europe.
- U.S. Assistance to North Korea: Fact Sheet
- This report summarizes U.S. aid to the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea (DPRK, also known as North Korea).
- Horse Slaughter Prevention Bills and Issues
- This report examines more than 90,000 U.S. horses which were slaughtered for human food in 2005, mainly for European and Asian consumers. Congress voted to limit the use of FY2006 appropriated funds for such slaughter, but the practice continues, funded by industry user fees. Debate continues on the acceptability of horse slaughter, and how to care for and/or humanely dispose of horses if they no longer went for human food. On September 7, 2006, the full House approved a bill (H.R. 503) to ban horse slaughter.