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Ethiopian Food Situation: International Response

Description: The United States has donated the largest share of the world-wide relief effort. Members of Congress nave passed legislation, the African Famine Relief and Recovery Act of 1985 (2.L. 99-8), authorizing emergency relief assistance to Ethiopia and other famine-stricken countries. Some observers favor trying to remove restrictions that prohibit long-term agricultural development assistance and other forms of economic aid to Ethiopia, but many continue to believe that aid to this Marxist-oriented n… more
Date: June 28, 1985
Creator: Barnes, Lafayette
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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International Efforts to Control the Spread of Avian Influenza (H5N1) Virus: Affected Countries' Responses

Description: 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.
Date: April 5, 2006
Creator: Chanlett-Avery, Emma; Cook, Nicolas; Dumbaugh, Kerry; Lum, Thomas; Manyin, Mark E.; Nichol, Jim et al.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Older Americans Act Nutrition Program

Description: This report discusses the elderly nutrition program of the Older Americans Act which provides grants to state agencies on aging to support congregate and home-delivered meals to persons 60 years and older. Funding and statistics of assistance are also addressed.
Date: April 29, 2004
Creator: O'Shaughnessy, Carol
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust: Background and Current Issues

Description: The Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust is becoming a critical component of the U.S. response to humanitarian food emergencies in Africa, Iraq, and elsewhere. The Trust, as presently constituted, was enacted in the 1998 Africa Seeds of Hope Act (P.L. 105- 385). It replaced the Food Security Commodity Reserve established in 1996 and its predecessor the Food Security Wheat Reserve of 1980. This report discusses the administration’s proposals to reduce food aid’s reliance on surplus commodities and an… more
Date: April 17, 2003
Creator: Hanrahan, Charles E.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Agricultural Biotechnology: Background and Recent Issues

Description: 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 b… more
Date: September 5, 2006
Creator: Becker, Geoffrey S. & Cowan, Tadlock
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 Private Testing of Mad Cow Disease: Legal Issues

Description: This report provides information on how most of the countries banned United States beef after a single report of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in a Canadian-born cow after the December 2003 U.S. report. Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, proposed to conduct BSE rapid tests to be able to do exports, but USDA rejected this proposal since it implies as consumer safety rather than animal health. Updated December 3, 2004.
Date: December 3, 2004
Creator: Vina, Stephen R
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), Including "Mad Cow Disease": Public Health and Scientific Issues

Description: This report provides information on how most of the countries banned United States beef after the first report of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in a Canadian-born cow after the December 2003 U.S. report. This explains all the steps USDA has taken to reduce the positive cases of BSE by starting special programs. The efforts to identify and stop the spread of BSE and related disorders in humans, as well as the known and alleged threats to human health. It also looks at the scientific fou… more
Date: March 1, 2004
Creator: Lister, Sarah A. & Johnson, Judith A.
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
open access

The Private Testing of Mad Cow Disease: Legal Issues

Description: This report provides information on how most of the countries banned United States beef after a single report of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in a Canadian-born cow after the December 2003 U.S. report. Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, proposed to conduct BSE rapid tests to be able to do exports, but USDA rejected this proposal since it implies as consumer safety rather than animal health. Updated December 3, 2004.
Date: December 3, 2004
Creator: Vina, Stephen R
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), Including "Mad Cow Disease": Public Health and Scientific Issues

Description: This report provides information on how most of the countries banned United States beef after the first report of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in a Canadian-born cow after the December 2003 U.S. report. This explains all the steps USDA has taken to reduce the positive cases of BSE by starting special programs. The efforts to identify and stop the spread of BSE and related disorders in humans, as well as the known and alleged threats to human health. It also looks at the scientific fou… more
Date: March 1, 2004
Creator: Lister, Sarah A. & Johnson, Judith A.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
open access

Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods

Description: The 2002 farm bill (P.L. 107-171) as modified by the FY2004 USDA appropriation (P.L. 108-199) mandates retail country-of-origin labeling (COOL) for fresh produce, red meats, and peanuts starting September 30, 2006, and for seafood starting September 30, 2004. Some in Congress still strongly support mandatory COOL, especially after discoveries since 2003 of “mad cow” disease in four Canadian-born cattle. Others counter that COOL is a marketing, not an animal or human health, concern and should b… more
Date: June 3, 2005
Creator: Becker, Geoffrey S.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods

Description: Federal law requires most imports, including many food items, to bear labels informing the “ultimate purchaser” of their country of origin. Meats, produce, and several other raw agricultural products generally have been exempt. The omnibus farm law (P.L. 107-171) signed on May 13, 2002, contains a requirement that many retailers provide, starting on September 30, 2004, country-of-origin labeling (COOL) on fresh fruits and vegetables, red meats, seafood, and peanuts. The program is voluntary unt… more
Date: January 28, 2003
Creator: Becker, Geoffrey S.
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
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