China has increased tariffs by up to 25% on 128 U.S. products—including many food products—in response to the increased tariffs on steel and aluminum imports announced by President Trump last month. The new tariffs, effective April 2, include 25% on U.S. pork and 15% on certain wine products, fruits, and nuts. China issued a statement … Continue Reading
On January 19, 2018, USDA released a proposed rule called the “Modernization of Pork Slaughter” rule. The new rule – which has garnered significant industry support – aims to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal inspection process for pork and to allow for the rapid adoption of new food safety technologies in pork slaughter. … Continue Reading
Last week, we reported that the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) cleared USDA’s “Modernization of Pork Slaughter” rule. The new rule – which has garnered significant industry support – aims to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal inspection process for pork and to allow for the rapid adoption of new food safety technologies in … Continue Reading
Last year, we reported that USDA’s Food Safety & Inspection Service intends to move forward with plans to modernize swine slaughter inspections by way of a “Modernization of Pork Slaughter” rule. The new rule – which has garnered significant industry support – aims to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal inspection process for pork and … Continue Reading
Last week, Russia’s Rosselkhoznador, the Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance, announced that it would temporarily ban pork imports from Brazil beginning on December 1, 2017. This announcement comes after the feed additive ractopamine was identified in some shipments. Brazilian authorities have promised to conduct an internal investigation into the matter, and Brazilian and … Continue Reading
Argentina has blocked imports of American pork since 1992, citing animal health concerns. On August 17, 2017, the White House announced that the United States and Argentina have agreed to terms that will allow U.S. pork to enter the Argentine market for the first time since 1992. The agreement follows an August 15, 2017 meeting … Continue Reading
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has regulatory authority over both the import and export of livestock products. In the import context, APHIS works to ensure that products entering the U.S. meet the Agency’s entry requirements to exclude pests and diseases. In July 2014, USDA published … Continue Reading
Earlier this Spring, we reported that USDA’s Food Safety & Inspection Service intends to move forward with plans to modernize swine slaughter inspections by way of a “Modernization of Pork Slaughter” rule. The new rule – which has garnered significant industry support – aims to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal inspection process … Continue Reading
The USDA Antimicrobial Resistance Action Plan, released in 2015, recommended that USDA agencies perform enhanced monitoring of antimicrobial use in food-producing animals. In addition, as our readership is well aware, beginning on January 1, 2017, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiated policy changes regarding the use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals. These changes include: … Continue Reading
As our readership is well aware, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) regulates the production of meat, poultry, and egg products. To help achieve its enumerated food safety goals, FSIS is continuously seeking to develop and promote best practices at slaughter that may be used to prevent, eliminate, or reduce levels of potential microbiological contamination … Continue Reading
