S. 2716, the “Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act” would prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars to support vertebrate animal experiments in certain foreign countries, including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. The bill was introduced by Senator Joni Ernst and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Issue 206
This Week's Spotlights
Legislative Spotlights
Bill Would Prohibit Taxpayer Funded Animal Experiments in Certain Foreign Countries
Bill Would Prevent WIC Recipients from Electing to Receive Plant-Based Milk
H.R. 5383, the “Giving Increased Variety to Ensure Milk into the Lives of Kids Act” or “GIVE MILK Act,” would enable participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (“WIC”) to elect nonfat, low-fat, reduced fat, or whole dairy milk. It would preclude WIC recipients from electing plant-based milk under the program. The bill was introduced by Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson and Abigail Spanberger and referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
H.R. 5383, the “Giving Increased Variety to Ensure Milk into the Lives of Kids Act” or “GIVE MILK Act,” would enable participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (“WIC”) to elect nonfat, low-fat, reduced fat, or whole dairy milk. It would preclude WIC recipients from electing plant-based milk under the program. The bill was introduced by Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson and Abigail Spanberger and referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Agency Spotlights
DOI Announces Cancellation of Oil and Gas Leases in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced that it has canceled oil and gas leases covering at least 365,000 acres in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The same announcement also detailed a proposed rule that would provide new protections, including limitations on development and oil and gas leasing, on more than 13 million acres in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). According to DOI, that area of NPR-A is “globally significant intact habitat for wildlife, including grizzly and polar bears, caribou and hundreds of thousands of migratory birds.” The lease cancellations and new protections are part of a broader plan to protect these areas and fulfill the Biden-Harris Administration’s conservation and climate agenda. The Administration is accepting public comment on each action.
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced that it has canceled oil and gas leases covering at least 365,000 acres in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The same announcement also detailed a proposed rule that would provide new protections, including limitations on development and oil and gas leasing, on more than 13 million acres in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). According to DOI, that area of NPR-A is “globally significant intact habitat for wildlife, including grizzly and polar bears, caribou and hundreds of thousands of migratory birds.” The lease cancellations and new protections are part of a broader plan to protect these areas and fulfill the Biden-Harris Administration’s conservation and climate agenda. The Administration is accepting public comment on each action.
Legislative Updates
Pending Federal Actions
Bill Would Prohibit Taxpayer Funded Animal Experiments in Certain Foreign Countries
S. 2716, the “Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act” would prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars to support vertebrate animal experiments in certain foreign countries, including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. The bill was introduced by Senator Joni Ernst and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
S. 2716, the “Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act” would prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars to support vertebrate animal experiments in certain foreign countries, including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. The bill was introduced by Senator Joni Ernst and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Bill Would Prevent WIC Recipients from Electing to Receive Plant-Based Milk
H.R. 5383, the “Giving Increased Variety to Ensure Milk into the Lives of Kids Act” or “GIVE MILK Act,” would enable participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (“WIC”) to elect nonfat, low-fat, reduced fat, or whole dairy milk. It would preclude WIC recipients from electing plant-based milk under the program. The bill was introduced by Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson and Abigail Spanberger and referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
H.R. 5383, the “Giving Increased Variety to Ensure Milk into the Lives of Kids Act” or “GIVE MILK Act,” would enable participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (“WIC”) to elect nonfat, low-fat, reduced fat, or whole dairy milk. It would preclude WIC recipients from electing plant-based milk under the program. The bill was introduced by Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson and Abigail Spanberger and referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Case Law Updates
Federal Court Updates
Conservation Groups Allege that FWS and Forest Service Violated the ESA with Approval of Timber Harvest and Burning Near Yellowstone
The Center for Biological Diversity, Alliance for the Wild Rockies, and Council on Wildlife and Fish delivered a 60-day notice of intent to sue the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under the citizen suit provision of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in connection with timber harvest and burning on 16,462 acres in the Custer-Gallatin National Forest near Yellowstone National Park. The conservation groups allege that the agencies violated the ESA in the Biological Opinion and Biological Assessment issued on the effects of the project on grizzly bears and Canada lynx, as well as in a related 2022 Biological Opinion and Incidental Take Statement issued. According to the groups, “[t]he Agencies’ actions . . . represent an unlawful departure from its [sic] legally binding mandate to protect and recover threatened species and their habitats.”
The Center for Biological Diversity, Alliance for the Wild Rockies, and Council on Wildlife and Fish delivered a 60-day notice of intent to sue the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service under the citizen suit provision of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in connection with timber harvest and burning on 16,462 acres in the Custer-Gallatin National Forest near Yellowstone National Park. The conservation groups allege that the agencies violated the ESA in the Biological Opinion and Biological Assessment issued on the effects of the project on grizzly bears and Canada lynx, as well as in a related 2022 Biological Opinion and Incidental Take Statement issued. According to the groups, “[t]he Agencies’ actions . . . represent an unlawful departure from its [sic] legally binding mandate to protect and recover threatened species and their habitats.”
Department of Labor Seeks Emergency Injunctive Relief Against Mississippi Fish Farm That Allegedly Is Interfering in a Fair Labor Standards Investigation
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is seeking an emergency temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to prevent a Mississippi fish farm from interfering with its investigation, discriminating against current and former workers, threatening migrant workers with retaliation for their participation in a DOL investigation, or terminating or causing any workers to be deported. The DOL alleges that Battle Fish North and Magnolia Processing, Inc. “have repeatedly and directly interfered” with an agency investigation into potential violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and have “employed systemic threats of retaliation to chill workers from cooperating with the . . . investigation.”
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is seeking an emergency temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to prevent a Mississippi fish farm from interfering with its investigation, discriminating against current and former workers, threatening migrant workers with retaliation for their participation in a DOL investigation, or terminating or causing any workers to be deported. The DOL alleges that Battle Fish North and Magnolia Processing, Inc. “have repeatedly and directly interfered” with an agency investigation into potential violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and have “employed systemic threats of retaliation to chill workers from cooperating with the . . . investigation.”
Agency Updates
FSIS Announces Conagra Brands Chicken Recall
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that Conagra Brands, Inc. is recalling approximately 245,366 pounds of frozen chicken strips that may be contaminated with pieces of plastic. The products were shipped to retail locations nationwide and sold online.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that Conagra Brands, Inc. is recalling approximately 245,366 pounds of frozen chicken strips that may be contaminated with pieces of plastic. The products were shipped to retail locations nationwide and sold online.
FSIS Announces Hillshire Brands Sausage Recall Due to Possible Bone Fragment Contamination
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that Hillshire Brands Company is recalling approximately 15,876 pounds of meat and poultry sausage products that may be contaminated with bone fragments. The products were shipped to retail locations in California, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that Hillshire Brands Company is recalling approximately 15,876 pounds of meat and poultry sausage products that may be contaminated with bone fragments. The products were shipped to retail locations in California, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
FSIS Announces Recall of Uninspected Pork Products
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that Georgia-based AJC International is recalling approximately 17,428 pounds of frozen, raw pork products. The products were not presented for import reinspection into the United States.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that Georgia-based AJC International is recalling approximately 17,428 pounds of frozen, raw pork products. The products were not presented for import reinspection into the United States.
DOI Announces Cancellation of Oil and Gas Leases in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced that it has canceled oil and gas leases covering at least 365,000 acres in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The same announcement also detailed a proposed rule that would provide new protections, including limitations on development and oil and gas leasing, on more than 13 million acres in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). According to DOI, that area of NPR-A is “globally significant intact habitat for wildlife, including grizzly and polar bears, caribou and hundreds of thousands of migratory birds.” The lease cancellations and new protections are part of a broader plan to protect these areas and fulfill the Biden-Harris Administration’s conservation and climate agenda. The Administration is accepting public comment on each action.
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced that it has canceled oil and gas leases covering at least 365,000 acres in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The same announcement also detailed a proposed rule that would provide new protections, including limitations on development and oil and gas leasing, on more than 13 million acres in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). According to DOI, that area of NPR-A is “globally significant intact habitat for wildlife, including grizzly and polar bears, caribou and hundreds of thousands of migratory birds.” The lease cancellations and new protections are part of a broader plan to protect these areas and fulfill the Biden-Harris Administration’s conservation and climate agenda. The Administration is accepting public comment on each action.
FSIS Announces Recall of Pork Products that Were Not Inspected Upon Import from Mexico
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that Houston-based Empacadora Frape, USA LLC is recalling approximately 20,455 pounds of pork chicarrón and pork carnitas products that were not presented for import reinspection into the United States. The products were shipped to retail locations in California.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced that Houston-based Empacadora Frape, USA LLC is recalling approximately 20,455 pounds of pork chicarrón and pork carnitas products that were not presented for import reinspection into the United States. The products were shipped to retail locations in California.
USDA Announces Upcoming National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee Meeting
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced that the National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee will hold a meeting on October 4 and 5, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Washington, D.C. The meeting is open to the public, but there will be no opportunity for public participation. Written public comments will be accepted online through October 13, 2023.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced that the National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee will hold a meeting on October 4 and 5, 2023, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Washington, D.C. The meeting is open to the public, but there will be no opportunity for public participation. Written public comments will be accepted online through October 13, 2023.
Other Updates
Biden Administration Announces that India Has Agreed to Lower Tariffs on U.S. Poultry
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced that India has agreed to lower tariffs on certain U.S. poultry products, including frozen turkey and frozen duck, as well as several berry products. The action resolves the two countries’ last remaining trade dispute before the World Trade Organization.
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai announced that India has agreed to lower tariffs on certain U.S. poultry products, including frozen turkey and frozen duck, as well as several berry products. The action resolves the two countries’ last remaining trade dispute before the World Trade Organization.
International Updates
Portugal’s Parliament and European Commission Said to Be Considering Bans on the Practice of Culling Male Chicks
Portugal’s Assembly of the Republic (Parliament) will be discussing a potential ban on the practice of culling male chicks, who have no value to the egg industry, in response to calls from Portuguese animal protection organizations. The European Commission also is reportedly considering banning the practice of crushing or suffocating male chicks throughout the EU, a change that has already been implemented in Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and Austria.
Portugal’s Assembly of the Republic (Parliament) will be discussing a potential ban on the practice of culling male chicks, who have no value to the egg industry, in response to calls from Portuguese animal protection organizations. The European Commission also is reportedly considering banning the practice of crushing or suffocating male chicks throughout the EU, a change that has already been implemented in Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, and Austria.