Revised Food Safety Law Predicted This Year - Wisconsinagconnection

Revised Food Safety Law Predicted This Year - Wisconsinagconnection
USAgNet - 03/22/2010

Speaking at Reuters Food and Agriculture Summit 2010, US Rep. DeLauro said she expects Congress to pass food safety law this year, which would include meat and poultry inspection. The bill could be held up because of trade implications but new trade deals should include food safety provisions. An expert panel of scientists should look at USDA system, she said.

Congress will pass a new law to overhaul the antiquated US food safety system by the end of the year, U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro, an influential House lawmaker, said last week at Reuters Food and Agriculture Summit 2010.

The first major reform of the system in 50 years could be followed by another close look at how meat and poultry are inspected, and the changes may create friction with trade partners, said the chairman of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee.

"I have every confidence that we are going to pass food safety legislation and this legislation is going to get to the president for a signature and that that's going to happen this year," said Connecticut Democrat, DeLauro, who was speaking at the Reuters Summit.

The House passed its bill last July. But a companion Senate bill has been held up by work on health-care and financial regulatory reform. It also has been stalled by the Trade Representative's office, which wants to ensure reforms do not contravene trade agreements, DeLauro said.