A controversial food safety bill failed to win the two-thirds approval required for passage yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill is expected to be brought before the full House again this week under regular orders, which require only a simple majority for passage.
Earlier this week, House leaders agreed to language in the “Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009” that would exempt livestock from additional on-farm inspections conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). NCBA worked with congressional leaders to secure the livestock exemption. Livestock operations currently are under the jurisdiction of USDA.
Original language in the bill would have given FDA authority to create farm safety standards for manure use and animal control, among other items. FDA also would have been required to create a complete traceback system for all food, including meat. NCBA testified in early June granting additional oversight to FDA would create an economic burden for livestock producers, while failing to improve food safety.
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