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# House Ag Committee Approves Oversight Agenda
- URL: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/02/house-ag-committee-approves-oversight-agenda/
- Published: 2011-02-11T01:59:07.000Z
- Updated: 2011-02-11T01:59:07.000Z
- Author: Helena Bottemiller
- Tags: Recalls, catfish, egg rule, Farm Bill, Food Safety Modernization Act, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2025-11-25 09:53

The House Agriculture Committee Thursday approved an agenda of oversight hearings that covers a broad range of issues, from the Farm Bill to international food aid.

The 9-page laundry list of topics for the committee to consider–a reminder that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has a quite the variety of mandates and responsibilities–includes a section on food safety, which lists the following oversight priorities:

\-Review implementation of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act;

\-Review implementation of the recent FDA Egg Safety Rule;

\-Review USDA’s administration of meat and poultry inspection laws and the FDA’s food inspection activities to ensure the development of scientifically sound systems for food safety assurance;

\-Review USDA’s implementation of the catfish inspection program;

\-Review USDA’s efforts to educate consumers regarding safe food handling practices and streamline the assessment and approval of food safety technologies;

\-Review implementation of new protocols for meat, poultry, eggs, or seafood safety inspection; and

\-Review USDA’s enforcement of the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and humane handling regulations.

The committee also lists a few points specifically on biotechnology:

\-Review current regulations and research regarding animal and plant biotechnology;

\-Review the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) findings regarding cloned animal products and regulation of genetically engineered animals;

\-Assess USDA’s efforts to develop and promote benefits of biotechnology for increasing agricultural productivity and combating hunger globally; and

\-Review USDA”s management and controls over biotechnology-derived material.

According to the draft oversight plan, the Ag committee has a lot of heavy lifting planned. On top of food safety and biotech, the 2012 Farm Bill, international free trade agreements, conservation, energy, civil rights, and rural development are just a few of the subjects the committee plans to consider.