Last week, former Food Safety News Washington, D.C., correspondent Helena Bottemiller Evich reached a bold conclusion — namely that the Obama administration has missed out on the opportunity to include food safety in any legacy it can claim. Writing now for POLITICO Pro Agriculture, Helena turned out a “must-read” piece
Continue Reading Letter From the Editor: Legacy or Not, FSMA Funds Needed Now
President Obama
Congress Gives President Obama Fast-Track Authority for Trade Deals
A contentious trade bill passed the U.S. Senate on Wednesday and is headed to the president’s desk. The Senate voted 60-38 to renew Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which gives trade deals a “fast track” through Congress where lawmakers would only get an up-or-down vote without being able to add amendments.
Continue Reading Congress Gives President Obama Fast-Track Authority for Trade Deals
President Declares Federal Policy for ‘Responsible Use’ of Antibiotics in Food Production
According to a memorandum signed by President Obama on Tuesday, it is now the policy of the federal government to encourage responsible use of antibiotics in the production of meat and poultry. The memorandum supports the supply chain for these products by directing federal departments and agencies to create a…
Continue Reading President Declares Federal Policy for ‘Responsible Use’ of Antibiotics in Food Production
Critics Call White House Antibiotics Action Plan a ‘Missed Opportunity’ on Farms
The White House released its National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria on Friday, but some critics say it doesn’t do enough to tackle antibiotic use on farms. “Antibiotic resistance is one of the most pressing public health issues facing the world today. It causes tens of thousands of deaths…
Continue Reading Critics Call White House Antibiotics Action Plan a ‘Missed Opportunity’ on Farms
FDA’s Taylor: Proposed 2016 Funding Critical for FSMA Implementation
This year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was allocated an additional $27.5 million for food safety activities, and, under the president’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2016, the agency would get another $109.5 million. In a Tuesday FDA blog post, Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine Michael…
Continue Reading FDA’s Taylor: Proposed 2016 Funding Critical for FSMA Implementation
Obama’s 2016 Budget: $1.6 Billion for Food Safety, Single Food-Safety Agency
President Obama’s $3.99-trillion budget proposal for fiscal year 2016, released Monday, would allot $1.6 billion to food-safety work. With all of the major Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rules set to be finalized by the end of FY 2016, a lot of the focus is on Food and Drug…
Continue Reading Obama’s 2016 Budget: $1.6 Billion for Food Safety, Single Food-Safety Agency
White House Wants to Nearly Double Funding for Antibiotic Resistance Fight
President Obama wants to nearly double — to more than $1.2 billion — federal funding for combating and preventing antibiotic resistance. The administration is expected to release its full 2016 budget proposal next week, but a fact sheet released Tuesday provided a blueprint for investments in fighting antibiotic resistance —…
Continue Reading White House Wants to Nearly Double Funding for Antibiotic Resistance Fight