In This Week’s Edition:
- USDA New Organic Poultry and Livestock Rule
- USDA’s Economic Research Service’s 2022 Household Food Security in the U.S. Report
- Addition of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal to the List of Regions Affected by African Swine Fever
- Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses
- USDA Releases Assessment on Agriculture and Forestry in Carbon Markets
- Walnuts Grown in California; Decreased Assessment Rate
- Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program; Near-Term Strategies for Implementation
- Responsibilities of Federal Employees Regarding Drug Use
- FDA Releases FY 2021 Pesticide Residue Monitoring Report
- FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
- FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
- FDA Import Alerts
- FDA Warning Letters
USDA New Organic Poultry and Livestock Rule
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack previewed the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards final rule. This new rule establishes new standards for organic livestock and poultry production including:
- Outdoor space requirements: OLPS sets minimum outdoor space requirements for organic poultry and requires ready access to the outdoors. Outdoor areas must be at least 75 percent soil and include vegetation to the degree possible.
- Indoor and outdoor living conditions: Shelters must have sufficient space for livestock to lie down, stand up, turn around, fully stretch their limbs or wings and express natural behaviors, such as rooting in pigs and scratching in chickens. Bedding areas must be sufficiently large and comfortable to keep livestock hygienic (for the species), dry and free of lesions.
- Poultry stocking densities: The rule sets specific requirements for indoor and outdoor stocking densities to align with advisory board recommendations, third-party animal welfare standards and public comments from organic stakeholders.
- Preventative health care practices: Producers must maintain preventative health care practices that include sufficient nutrition and comprehensive parasite prevention plans. Animals must be treated with allowed medicines to minimize pain, stress and suffering. All necessary treatment must be administered, even if the animal loses its organic status.
- Physical alterations and euthanasia: Physical alterations are permitted only for identification purposes or the safety of the animals, and certain alterations are prohibited altogether. Alterations must be performed at a young age for the species and in a manner that minimizes the animal’s pain and stress. Humane euthanasia may only be used if treatment is not an option.
- Transport, handling and slaughter: Operations must describe how organic management and animal welfare will be maintained for transport that exceeds eight hours. Animals must be fit for transport. The mode of transport must be seasonally appropriate to protect livestock from cold or heat. Operations must adhere to USDA (FSIS) humane slaughter standards.
USDA’s Economic Research Service’s 2022 Household Food Security in the U.S. Report
USDA’s Economic Research Service released the Household Food Security in the United States in 2022 report, which examined American households’ ability to access sufficient food last year. The report found that the vast majority – 87.2 percent – of U.S. households were food secure throughout 2022, meaning they had consistent, dependable access to enough food for active, healthy living. However, 17 million households were food insecure at some point during the year, including 6.8 million households that reported very low food security. The study also found statistically significant increases across categories from 2021.
Addition of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal to the List of Regions Affected by African Swine Fever
USDA is advising the public that they have added the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service list maintained on the APHIS website of regions considered to be affected with African swine fever. USDA has taken this action because of the confirmation of ASF in the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.
Pesticide Product Registration; Receipt of Applications for New Uses
EPA has received applications to register new uses for pesticide products containing currently registered active ingredients. Pursuant to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, EPA is hereby providing notice of receipt and opportunity to comment on these applications which include new uses for corn, spearmint, citrus and more.
USDA Releases Assessment on Agriculture and Forestry in Carbon Markets
USDA released “A General Assessment of the Role of Agriculture and Forestry in the U.S. Carbon Market”, a comprehensive look at current market activity, barriers to participation, and opportunities to improve access to carbon markets for farmers and forest landowners. The report is the first of USDA’s deliverables under the Growing Climate Solutions Act, which was signed into law on December 29, 2022, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023.
Walnuts Grown in California; Decreased Assessment Rate
This proposed rule would implement a recommendation from the California Walnut Board to decrease the assessment rate established for the 2023-2024 and subsequent marketing years. The proposed assessment rate would remain in effect indefinitely unless modified, suspended, or terminated.
Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program; Near-Term Strategies for Implementation
EPA is announcing the availability of and soliciting comment on the near-term strategies described in this document to help the Agency meet its obligations and commitments under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which requires, among other things, that EPA screen for and protect against endocrine disrupting effects in humans.
FSIS: Responsibilities of Federal Employees Regarding Drug Use
This FSIS notice reminds all FSIS employees that, as Federal employees, they are required to follow all Federal laws regarding the use of illegal drugs, including cannabis, also commonly known as marijuana. FSIS employees are not
FDA Releases FY 2021 Pesticide Residue Monitoring Report
FDA made available its annual Pesticide Residue Monitoring Program Report for Fiscal Year 2021, summarizing findings from FDA testing of human and animal foods for approximately 750 different pesticides and selected industrial compounds from October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021.
FDA CORE Outbreak Investigation Status Update
This week’s updates are:
- An Outbreak Advisory was issued for the outbreak of Salmonella Thompson (ref #1190) linked to recalled Gills Onions-brand diced onions. An onsite inspection and sample collection have been initiated. Additional information is available in the Outbreak Advisory.
FSIS Updates Lists of Foreign Establishments Eligible to Export to U.S.
FDA Import Alerts
The latest FDA import alerts include food products due to the presence of Salmonella, raw agricultural products for pesticides, and more.
FDA Warning Letters
Cajun Vapes LLC |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Trippy Drips LLC |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
FF Vapors, LLC |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |
Abbott Laboratories |
Dietary Supplement/Adulterated |
Suther Feeds, Inc. |
CGMP/Medicated Feeds/Adulterated |
Golden Natural Products |
Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) |
Embryll Life Sciences, Inc. |
Unapproved New Animal Drug/Adulterated |
The Juice Bar |
Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act/Adulterated/Misbranded |