Congressional Research Service Reports - 490 Matching Results

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The 1996 Farm Bill: Comparisons of Selected Provisions with Previous Law: Final congressional approval was given to H.R. 2854, the Federal Agricultural Improvement and Reform (FAIR) Act, otherwise known as the "1996 farm bill," on March 28, 1996. President Clinton signed the bill into law on April 4, 1996 (P.L. 104-127). In tabular format, this CRS report lays out in descriptive, rather than legislative language, the major provisions of the new farm bill in contrast to preceding law.
World Health Organization: A Fact Sheet: The World Health organization (WHO), established in 1948, is the United Nations system's authority on international public health issues. It assists governments in improving national health services and in establishing worldwide standards for foods, chemicals, and biological and pharmaceutical products. WHO concentrates on preventive rather than curative programs, including efforts to eradicate endemic and other widespread diseases, stabilize population growth, improve nutrition, sanitation, and maternal and child care. WHO is not an operational agency. It works through contracts with other agencies and private voluntary organizations.
Pesticide Legislation: Food Quality Protection Act of 1996: The 104th congress enacted significant changes to the Federal Insecticide, fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), governing U.S. sale and use of pesticide products, and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), which limits pesticide residues on food. The vehicle of these changes was H.R. 1627, the "Food Quality Protection Act of 1996" (FQPA), enacted August 3, 1996, as Public Law 104-170. Under FIFRA, the new law will facilitate registrations and reregistrations of pesticides for special (so-called"minor") uses and authorize collection of maintenance fees of support pesticide reregistration. Food safety provisions will establish a single standard of safety for pesticide residue on raw and processed foods; provide information through large food retail stores to consumers about the health risks of pesticide residues and how to avoid them; preempt state and local food safety laws if they are based on concentrations of pesticide residues below recently established federal residue limits(called"tolerances"); and ensure that tolerances protect the health of infants and children.
The World Food Summit: Governments participating in the 1996 World Food Summit will examine how to deal with world hunger and malnutrition and achieve the goal of food security for all. There is broad agreement on the desirability of the Summit's goal, but controversy has developed over such issues as the relationship of trade liberalization and food security, the advisability of declaring a legal right to food, the link between population stabilization and reproductive health and food security, and responsibility within the UN system for Summit follow-up.
Food and Agriculture: Prospective Issues in the 105th Congress: Implementation of major farm and food program changes enacted last year under omnibus farm (P.L.104-127) and welfare (P.L.104-193) measures is likely to draw the attention of the 105th Congress. The size and cost of these programs also could make them a target for reductions in congressional efforts to balance the budget.
Food and Agriculture Provisions in the FY1997 Supplemental Appropriations Act: This report addresses Food and Agriculture provisions in the FY1997 Supplemental Appropriations Act.
Food and Agriculture Provisions in the FY1997 Supplemental Appropriations Act: Report providing an overview of provisions and funding related to food and agriculture program as a part of a supplemental appropriations bill (P.L. 105-18, H.R. 1871).
Food Safety Agencies and Authorities: A Primer: No Description Available.
Food Safety Agencies and Authorities: A Primer: Several federal agencies, in cooperation with state governments, are responsible for regulating the safety of the U.S. food supply. In the wake of an outbreak of foodborne illness and the largest recall of suspected contaminated meat in U.S. history in August 1997, several policymakers have reopened the debate on creating a single, independent, federal food safety agency. They assert that this would provide more effective regulatory control over the entire farm-to-table food production and marketing system by eliminating the overlapping and occasionally competing for objectives of multiple agencies. As background for further discussion on this and related food safety issues, this report describes the roles of the primary federal and cooperating state agencies responsible for food safety and enumerates the major legislative authorities currently governing them.
Food and Drug Administration: Selected Funding and Policy Issues: No Description Available.
Child Nutrition Issues in the 105th Congress: This report covers proposed and enacted legislative initiatives to change child nutrition programs (including the WIC program) during 1997 and 1998.
Food Stamp Benefits for Legal Immigrants in P.L. 105-185: No Description Available.
Food Stamp Benefits for Legal Immigrants in P.L. 105-185: The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA; P.L. 104-193) established significant new restrictions on the eligibility of legal immigrants, or "qualified aliens," for needs-based public assistance.' Previously, legal immigrants were eligible for public assistance on much the same basis as citizens. Food stamp eligibility will be provided for approximately 250,000 legal immigrants under P.L. 105-185, the "Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998," at a cost of $818 million for FY1999-FY2003. The food stamp eligibility provisions took effect on November 1, 1998.
Iraq: Humanitarian Needs, Impact of Sanctions, and the “Oil for Food” Program. August 1998: This report discusses these shortages, and what the "oil for food" program, established by the U.N. Security Council, is doing to alleviate them.
Organic Foods and the Proposed Federal Certification and Labeling Program: In mid-December 1997, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published in the Federal Register a proposed rule to establish national standards for the marketing of organically produced foods. 1 The purpose of the rule is to give consumers confidence in the legitimacy of all products sold as organic, permit legal action against these who use the term fraudulently, and increase the supply and variety of available organic products, especially of meat and poultry products,
Pesticide Legislation: Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-170): This report discusses the 104th Congress' significant changes to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) governing the U.S. sale and use of pesticide products, and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), which limits presticide residues on food, made under the "Food Quality Protection Act of 1996" (FQPA).
U.S.-European Agricultural Trade: Food Safety and Biotechnology Issues: The European Union (EU) is the second largest market for U.S. agricultural exports. The EU's ban on meat produced using growth-promoting hormones is a food safety issue that has been particularly contentious in U.S.-EU agricultural trade relations. EU policy on bio-engineered products has also been an issue. A World Trade Organization dispute settlement panel has ruled that the ban contravenes the EU's international obligations under the WTO, but left open the option to the EU to conduct a risk assessment of hormone-treated meat. Rules governing trade in bio-engineered products may become an issue in WTO agricultural trade negotiations scheduled to begin in 1999. This report will be updated as events warrant.
Science Behind the Regulation of Food Safety: Risk Assessment and the Precautionary Principle: Although Congress, the President and agency administrators support the use of science as a basis for food safety regulatory activities, there are controversies about how science can best be used for this purpose. Supporters of science-based regulations regard conclusions from well-designed scientific studies as largely impartial and fair;
Federal Regulatory Structure for Egg Safety: Fact Sheet: 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.
WIC Food Package: History of the Sugar Cap: This report provides a historic review of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) food package and the controversy over the sugar cap on cereals allowed in the program.
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.
Food and Drug Administration: Selected Funding and Policy Issues for FY2000: This report discusses funding and policy issues regarding the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is responsible for ensuring the safety of foods, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, and other products.
Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods: Congressional interest in the labeling of genetically modified foods (GM foods) has been rising. So far, two bills have been introduced to mandate that all foods from genetically modified crops (GM crops) be labeled as such. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its current GM food labeling policy in May 1992. At that time, the agency determined that it would regulate GM foods no differently than foods created by conventional means because FDA considered them substantially equivalent to traditional foods and decided that no special label would be needed. In the intervening period, extensive public debate surrounding the genetic modification of foods has led some consumers to call for labeling of such products. A label would permit customers to choose to avoid purchasing or consuming them. Others oppose labeling because to make such labels "truthful and not misleading" all commodities would need to be segregated and tested, and the label would not have room to impart information that could not be distributed in other ways. The federal government's role in regulating these foods is explained in CRS report RL30198, Food Biotechnology in the United States: Science, Regulation, and Issues. This report focuses specifically on views surrounding the labeling of GM foods. It will be updated periodically as new legislative proposals are introduced.
Military Personnel and Food Stamps: This report discusses estimates of food stamp program eligibility and participation in the U.S. armed services. Related legislation and policy considerations are also addressed.
Meat and Poultry Inspection Issues: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is responsible for inspecting most meat, poultry, and processed egg products for safety, wholesomeness, and proper labeling. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for ensuring the safety of all other foods, including seafood.
Food Safety Issues in the 106th Congress: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released in September new estimates showing that each year in the United States 76 million people get sick, 325,000 are hospitalized, and 5,000 die from food-related illnesses. Food-borne illness is a serious public health problem. Often, people do not seek medical help and their illness is not officially reported. Yet, consumers have become aware of the serious consequences of illnesses linked to a growing variety of foods, produced domestically or imported. Consumers want the government to regulate the food supply, and industry is interested in producing foods that are safe at a reasonable price. As a result there is congressional interest in oversight and legislation in this area.
FOOD STAMPS: BACKGROUND AND FUNDING: This report gives an overview of the background and funding of the food stamps program.
Fruits and Vegetables: Ongoing Issues for Congress: The FY2001 appropriations for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and related agencies (P.L. 106-387/H.R. 4461) was signed into law on October 28, 2000. The act addressed agricultural emergency assistance (disasters and market losses) for specific fruits, vegetables, and nursery; contingency funding for APHIS to control crop diseases; funding for the methyl bromide transition program; and funding for the National Organic Program. It also would provide for the establishment of a marketing order for Hass avocados, and would redirect the duties charged foreign countries for dumping to injured farmers, ranchers, and others.
U.S. European Agricultural Trade: Food Safety and Biotechnology Issues: This report discusses the differences over food safety measures and biotechnology between U.S. and European Union (EU) in agricultural trade, particularly the EU's ban on meat produced using growth-promoting hormones and resulting contention in the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods: This report focuses on views surrounding the labeling of genetically modified (GM) foods in consideration of the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) draft guidance for industry on voluntary efforts to label GM foods in 2001 following its GM food labeling policy of May 1992.
Peanuts: Policy Issues: The 1996 omnibus farm bill (P.L. 104-127) authorizes a peanut program for the 1996-2002 crops. The program supports the incomes of producers and aims to ensure that ample supplies of peanuts are produced for the U.S. market. To accomplish this, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) supports the farm price of peanuts primarily by limiting the amount of peanuts each eligible farm can sell for domestic food use ("quota" peanuts) at a specified "high" price level. Farmers are free to sell peanuts produced in excess of their quota ("additionals"), primarily for export and crushing into peanut oil and meal. Two levels of price support are available: a high level for "quota" peanuts, and a much lower rate for "additionals."
Food and Drug Administration: Selected Funding and Policy Issues: This report discusses funding and policy issues regarding the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is responsible for ensuring the safety of foods, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, and other products.
Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods: Current Law and Proposed Changes: This report discusses law and proposed changes related to Country-of-Origin labeling for Foods.
Country-of-Origin Labeling for Foods: Current Law and Proposed Changes: Federal law requires most imports, including many food items, to bear labels informing the “ultimate purchaser” of their country of origin. Various bills have been introduced to impose expanded country-of-origin labeling requirements on meats and on several other agricultural products. Such proposals have attracted attention for a number of reasons. One is that they are viewed (by some advocates) as a way to help U.S. producers dealing with low farm prices. Also, some perceive that food products from certain countries might pose greater risks than those from the United States.
Agriculture: Previewing the 2002 Farm Bill: This report discusses what a farm bill is and the process of renewing one every year. This report specifically covers the farm bill for 2002 and the issues that come with it. Moreover, the report highlights the importance of exports within the U.S. agricultural economy and how this is a key interest in the renewal of farm bills.
Sugar Policy Issues: No Description Available.
Pesticide Residue Regulation: Analysis of Food Quality Protection Act Implementation: This report discusses the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA) which amened the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), governing U.S. registration, sale, and use of pesticide products, and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) under which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets allowable pesticide residue levels for food (tolerances).
Nutrition Labeling: Fresh Meats: This report provides background information and a brief history of nutrition labeling information on the labeling issue of fresh meats proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on January 18, 2001.
Agricultural Export and Food Aid Programs: This report discusses projected agricultural imports and exports for FY2001, as well as legislation that deals with federal programs in support of agricultural exports and federal aid dedicated to farms and agricultural reform.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program and Emergency Feeding Needs: This report contains the emergency food assistance program and emergency feeding needs.
Food Safety Issues in the 107th Congress: This report gives an overview of food safety issues in the 107th Congress. It briefly discusses the president's several food safety initiatives and describes requested resources for federal funding and for cooperation among federal agencies involved in food safety activities.
The U.S.-European Union Banana Dispute: No Description Available.
Meat and Poultry Inspection Issues: This report discusses the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) responsibility for inspecting most meat, poultry, and processed egg products for safety, wholesomeness, and proper labeling while detailing the results of congressional action in reducing the presence of pathogens and food-borne illness in facilities and food products.
Sugar Policy Issues: No Description Available.
Fruits and Vegetables: Issues for Congress: This report discusses the issues for Congress related to fruits & vegetables. The contents include federal activities, programs, farm bill issues, & trade issues.
Fruits and Vegetables: Issues for Congress: This report discusses the Issues for Congress on Fruits and Vegetables.The primary law that exclusively serves the produce industry is the perishable agriculture commodities act in the 1930(PACA).
Meat and Poultry Inspection Issues: This report discusses the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) responsibility for inspecting most meat, poultry, and processed egg products for safety, wholesomeness, and proper labeling while detailing the results of congressional action in reducing the presence of pathogens and food-borne illness in facilities and food products.
Fruits and Vegetables: Issues for Congress: This report discusses the Issues for Congress on Fruits and Vegetables.The primary law that exclusively serves the produce industry is the perishable agriculture commodities act in the 1930(PACA).
Food Safety and Protection Issues in the 107th Congress: This report discusses Food Safety and Protection issues in the 107th Congress.
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.

Congressional Research Service Reports - 490 Matching Results

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