NPPC blocks FDA pork regulation

The National Pork Producers Council successfully blocked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's new on-farm regulation of pork operations as they are already overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and state agencies, according to a report.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee amended the Food Safety and Enhancement Act of 2009, H.R. 2749, thereby relieving livestock and poultry farms from the new food-safety legislation and FDA’s increased authority over food producers.

However, the law allows FDA to conduct on-farm inspections, quarantine geographic areas over food safety issues, create a tracking system for all food and stipulate additional records. The provision applies to the grain side of diversified livestock and grain operations.

The bill fails to clarify whether FDA can conduct on-farm inspections or quarantine the livestock side of a diversified operation that has a food safety issue with the grain side of its business. Though an offer to ban the use of certain antibiotics in livestock was withdrawn, it could herald a ban of antibiotics in future. NPPC opposes restrictions on animal health products.