This report discusses law and proposed changes related to Country-of-Origin labeling for Foods.

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This report discusses funding and policy issues regarding the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which is responsible for ensuring the safety of foods, drugs, medical devices, cosmetics, and other products.

One direct result of the terrorist attacks of September 11 is that the cost of domestic security has risen. That increased cost is likely to be in the form of increased outlays on the military, as well as increases in spending for domestic law enforcement, public safety, and private security services. This report briefly discusses the economic effects of this increased cost looks into how security affects GDP.

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This report contains the changing composition of the federal research and development portfolio.

This report debates agricultural subsidies given out by the World Trade Organization (WTO). Moreover, the report provides statistical information on this specifically from the European Union (EU) and the United States.

This report considers the current dispute between the research-based pharmaceutical industry, on one hand, and certain foreign governments, patient advocacy groups and generic manufacturers, on the other, regarding patented HIV/AIDS pharmaceuticals. It then describes contemporary international controversies regarding patents on HIV/AIDS drugs and the potential consequences of these disputes for entrepreneurial drug companies.

This report is on Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Free Trade, and the 2001 Summit in Shanghai.

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This report provides an overview of the 2002 farm bill and an update status of the farm bill.

The Senate authorizes funds for two years for each of its committees (except appropriations and ethics) through an omnibus resolution, recommended by the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, and adopted by the full Senate at the beginning of each Congress.

Energy security, a major driver of federal energy efficiency programs in the past, came back into play as oil and gas prices rose late in the year 2000. Also, the electricity shortages in California have brought a new emphasis to the role that energy efficiency and energy conservation may play in dampening electricity demand.

Since 1990, Congress has faced an annual, contentious decision on whether, and under what conditions, to renew normal trade relations (NTR) status with China for another year. This annual exercise occurred because under U.S. law, China's NTR status is temporary, and the President has to recommend its renewal each year by June 3. In 2000, the 106th Congress considered and passed H.R. 4444, which would eliminate the annual NTR renewal process and grant permanent NTR to China. The President signed the bill into law on October 10, 2000, as P.L. 106-286. But this Act only grants permanent NTR to China once it joins the World Trade Organization. Although this was expected to occur by late 2000, it has not yet happened and is now unlikely to occur until the end of 2001. Consequently, the President again this year will be compelled to recommend another temporary extension of China's NTR status for one year if this status is to continue uninterrupted. The NTR renewal is subject to enactment of a joint resolution of disapproval by Congress.

Growing populations and changing values continue to place increasing demands on water supplies and river systems, resulting in water use and management conflicts throughout the country. Recent conflicts are particularly evident in the West, where the population is expected to increase 30% in the next 20-25 years and where agricultural needs are often in direct conflict with urban needs, as well as with water demand for threatened and endangered species, recreation, and scenic enjoyment.

The Everglades, a unique network of subtropical wetlands, is now half its original size. Many factors have contributed to its decline, including flood control projects and agricultural and urban development. As part of a larger restoration program for South Florida, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other federal, state, tribal, and local agencies collaborated to develop the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP or the Plan). CERP focuses on increasing storage of wet season waters to provide more water during the dry season for the natural system, and urban and agricultural users

The 107th Congress is expected to consider new "fast track" (or, Presidential trade promotion) authority, which could enable the Administration to submit trade agreements negotiated with foreign countries to Congress for consideration under expedited procedures. Many agricultural and food industry interests are among the export-oriented enterprises that support fast track authority, arguing that foreign trading partners will not seriously negotiate with an Administration that lacks it. However, some agricultural groups argue that fast track ultimately will lead to new agreements that deliver more benefits to foreign than to U.S. producers, at least in some commodity sectors.

This report provides an overview of the full funding of state formula of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Federal law requires most imports, including many food items, to bear labels informing the “ultimate purchaser” of their country of origin. Various bills have been introduced to impose expanded country-of-origin labeling requirements on meats and on several other agricultural products. Such proposals have attracted attention for a number of reasons. One is that they are viewed (by some advocates) as a way to help U.S. producers dealing with low farm prices. Also, some perceive that food products from certain countries might pose greater risks than those from the United States.

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U.S.-China economic ties have expanded substantially over the past several years. China is now the third largest U.S. trading partner, its second largest source of imports, and its fourth largest export market. However, U.S.-China commercial ties have been strained by a number of issues, including a surging U.S. trade deficit with China, China's refusal to float its currency, and failure to fully comply with its World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments, especially its failure to provide protection for U.S. intellectual property rights (IPR). This report explores these issues in detail, especially concerning the lack of protection for U.S. IPR.