Congressional Research Service Reports - 489 Matching Results
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- Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 108th Congress
- This report provides information about the Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 108th Congress. fish and marine are important resources in the open ocean and nearshore coastal areas.
- Sugar Policy Issues
- No Description Available.
- Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 108th Congress
- This report provides information about the Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 108th Congress. fish and marine are important resources in the open ocean and nearshore coastal areas.
- Agricultural Export and Food Aid Programs
- This report discusses projected agricultural imports and exports for FY2004, as well as legislation that deals with federal programs in support of agricultural exports and federal aid dedicated to farms and agricultural reform.
- Meat and Poultry Inspection Issues
- No Description Available.
- Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 108th Congress
- This report provides information about the Fishery, Aquaculture, and Marine Mammal Legislation in the 108th Congress. fish and marine are important resources in the open ocean and nearshore coastal areas.
- Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods
- This report provides information about the Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods.Federal law requires most imports informing the "Ultimate purchaser" of their country of origin.
- Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods
- 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 until then. USDA on October 8, 2002, issued guidelines for the voluntary labeling program.
- Importing Prescription Drugs — Comparison of the Drug Import Provisions in the Medicare Reform Bills, H.R. 2427, and Current Law
- This report discusses the debate to permit the importation of FDA-approved drugs from less expensive foreign sources as the prices of prescription drugs has risen, considering issues such as cost, safety, policy, consumer protections, and international ramifications.
- Comparing Quota Buyout Payments for Peanuts and Tobacco
- The purpose of this analysis is to provide a generally consistent comparison of the benefits provided to peanut quota holders and producers and proposed benefits concerning tobacco. It is not the intention of this analysis to attempt to determine the appropriate size of these buyout payments.
- Genetically Engineered Soybeans: Acceptance and Intellectual Property Rights Issues in South America
- 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.
- Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), Including "Mad Cow Disease": Public Health and Scientific Issues
- 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 foundation for these initiatives. Updated March 1, 2004.
- Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs), Including "Mad Cow Disease": Public Health and Scientific Issues
- 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 foundation for these initiatives. Updated March 1, 2004.
- Older Americans Act Nutrition Program
- 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.
- Agricultural Biotechnology: Overview and Selected Issues
- This report considers the issues surrounding genetically engineered (GE) crops or GMO's (genetically modified organisms). Moreover, the report debates the consequences of GE crops on the environment, food safety, and labeling. The report also debates the merits of regulation on the market the crops have entered.
- Agricultural Export and Food Aid Programs
- This report discusses projected agricultural imports and exports for FY2004, as well as legislation that deals with federal programs in support of agricultural exports and federal aid dedicated to farms and agricultural reform.
- Child Nutrition and WIC Programs: Background and Funding
- Federally supported child nutrition programs and related activities — including school meal programs and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (the WIC program) — reach over 37 million children and almost 2 million lower-income pregnant/postpartum women. In FY2004, anticipated spending on these programs is $16.6 billion, and the FY2004 appropriations law (P.L. 108-199) supports this spending level (although with new appropriations of a lesser amount, some $16 billion). The Administration’s FY2005 revised budget request envisions spending a total of $17.15 billion, supported by new appropriations of $16.47 billion. The House FY2005 appropriations bill (H.R. 4766) would support spending of $16.97 billion with new appropriations of $16.29 billion.
- Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods
- No Description Available.
- Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods
- The 2002 farm bill (P.L. 107-171) as modified by the FY2004 USDA appropriation (P.L. 108-199) requires country-of-origin labeling (COOL) for fresh produce, red meats, and peanuts starting September 30, 2006, and for seafood starting September 30, 2004. The House Agriculture Committee approved on July 21, 2004, a bill (H.R. 4576) to make COOL voluntary. Some lawmakers still support a mandatory program, especially after recent discoveries of “mad cow” disease in a Canadian and a U.S. cow (the latter from Canada). Others counter that COOL is a marketing, not an animal or human health, issue and should be voluntary.
- Meat and Poultry Inspection Issues
- 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.
- Food Safety Issues in the 108th Congress
- This report provides an overview of federal food safety activities and issues of concern to congress.
- Agricultural Export and Food Aid Programs
- This report discusses projected agricultural imports and exports for FY2004, as well as legislation that deals with federal programs in support of agricultural exports and federal aid dedicated to farms and agricultural reform.
- Agricultural Biotechnology: Overview and Selected Issues
- This report considers the issues surrounding genetically engineered (GE) crops or GMO's (genetically modified organisms). Moreover, the report debates the consequences of GE crops on the environment, food safety, and labeling. The report also debates the merits of regulation on the market the crops have entered.
- Iraq: Oil-For-Food Program, International Sanctions, and Illicit Trade
- This report discusses the "oil-for-food" program (OFFP) as the centerpiece of a long-standing U.N. Security Council effort to alleviate human suffering in Iraq while maintaining key elements of the 1991 Gulf war-related sanctions regime. The program, in operation from December 1996 until March 2003, is detailed.
- 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.
- Meat and Poultry Inspection Issues
- 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.
- Farm Commodity Programs: Honey
- 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
- The Private Testing of Mad Cow Disease: Legal Issues
- 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.
- The Private Testing of Mad Cow Disease: Legal Issues
- 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.
- Agricultural Biotechnology: Overview and Selected Issues
- This report considers the issues surrounding genetically engineered (GE) crops or GMO's (genetically modified organisms). Moreover, the report debates the consequences of GE crops on the environment, food safety, and labeling. The report also debates the merits of regulation on the market the crops have entered.
- Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods
- This report details the information related to country-of-origin information on fresh fruits and vegetables, red meats, seafood, and peanuts. The contents include the background, meat, and poultry inspection provisions, history of Congressional Action for the implementation
- Exempting Food and Agriculture Products from U.S. Economic Sanctions: Status and Implementation
- This report includes information background and analysis regarding exemption for and agriculture products from United States economic sanctions. This report also details debates, enacted provisions, sales, and developments regarding this subject.
- Influenza Vaccine Shortages and Implications
- This report concerns the shortage of flu vaccine in the fall of 2004 renewed discussion of the fragility of the nation's system for providing this potentially life-saving product. Some have expressed concern that this situation bodes ill for national preparedness for an influenza pandemic or a large-scale bioterrorism event. This report will describe the current system of flu vaccine production and delivery, the causes of supply problems, and options for improvement.
- Meat and Poultry Inspection Issues
- 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.
- Asian Soybean Rust: Background and Issues
- This report discusses the background and issues regarding Asian soybean rust (ASR) that was discovered in the United States in an experimental field in Louisiana. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is coordinating a plan to deal with ASR that encompasses various USDA agencies, state land-grant universities, and industry participants. The arrival of ASR has implications for several public policies including pest control research (particularly the development of resistant varieties), pesticide regulation, disaster assistance, and crop insurance.
- Charitable Contributions of Food Inventory: Proposals for Change
- Early in the 109th Congress, both S. 6, the Family and Community Protection Act of 2005, and S. 94, the Good Samaritan Hunger Relief Tax Incentive Act, have been introduced to encourage gifts of food by businesses for charitable purposes. While current law provides a deduction only to C corporations, these bills would expand the tax break to all business entities. The value of the existing deduction is the corporation’s basis in the donated product plus one half of the amount of appreciation, as long as that amount is less than twice the corporation’s basis in the product.
- Food Safety Issues in the 109th Congress
- This report provides an overview of federal food safety activities and issues of concern to Congress
- Clinical Trials Reporting and Publication
- In 2004, concerns arose that certain antidepressants, other medicines, and medical devices, had been marketed to consumers despite unresolved safety issues. Data from clinical trials conducted both before and after a product goes to market are central to assessing its safety and effectiveness, but there is currently no centralized system for reporting results. This report includes information on recent events as related to clinical trial reporting as of the writing of this report and legislation introduced on the subject in the 108th Congress.
- Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunamis: Food Aid Needs and the U.S. Response
- This report discusses the implementation of United States global food aid in response to tsunamis in the Indian Ocean region, including the FY2005 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act. Funding and resources are compared based on affected country and previous congressional actions.
- 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.
- Sugar Policy Issues
- No Description Available.
- The Canadian Hog Trade Dispute
- United States and Canada's hog industry, noting how live Canadian hogs do not affect the U.S hog business.
- Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami: Food Aid Needs and the U.S. Response
- This report discusses the implementation of United States global food aid in response to tsunamis in the Indian Ocean region, including the FY2005 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act. Funding and resources are compared based on affected country and previous congressional actions. This report was updated on April 8, 2005.
- Agricultural Export and Food Aid Programs
- This report discusses projected agricultural imports and exports for FY2005, as well as legislation that deals with federal programs in support of agricultural exports and federal aid dedicated to farms and agricultural reform.
- Meat and Poultry Inspection Issues
- No Description Available.
- 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).
- Agricultural Export and Food Aid Programs
- This report discusses projected agricultural imports and exports for FY2005, as well as legislation that deals with federal programs in support of agricultural exports and federal aid dedicated to farms and agricultural reform.
- Exempting Food and Agriculture Products from U.S. Economic Sanctions: Status and Implementation
- This report provides an overview of status and implementation of exempting food and agriculture products from the U.S. economic sanctions.
- Federal Protection for Human Research Subjects: An Analysis of the Common Rule and Its Interactions with FDA Regulations and the HIPAA Privacy Rule
- No Description Available.
- Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods
- This report provides information about the Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods. Federal law requires most imports, including many food items to bear labels informing the "ultimate purchaser" of their country of origin.