Senate Apparently Doesn't Care About Food Safety

by David Orr · 2010-06-03 17:30:00 UTC
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What is it with the U.S. Senate and its blatant disregard for food safety? After a 19-month vacancy, the Senate finally took the first step in confirming the nominee for the position of Under Secretary for Food Safety at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). But it was only the first of several steps, and no plans have been set to move forward.

Last week, the Senate Agricultural Committee held a hearing on the nomination of Elisabeth Hagen to head the Food Safety and Inspection Service at USDA, which oversees meat, poultry and eggs — approximately 20 percent of the food supply. Hagen currently serves as the chief medical officer at the agency.

Typically, confirmation hearings are followed by a committee vote, which then goes to the full Senate for a floor vote. Not in this case, though. There appears to be no timeline set to hold a vote, even though Hagen's confirmation is almost certain. And once that vote does actually happen, there will still be a further wait for the floor vote to be scheduled. Leaving the position vacant this long makes me question whether the administration really takes issues of food safety seriously.

It's widely speculated that the delay is a result of Committee Chair Blanche Lincoln's (D-AK) extended time on the campaign trail from her bruising primary battle. That, and her frustration with a delayed USDA regulation on catfish that would help Arkansas catfish farmers recover from a flux of cheap Asian imports. During the hearing, Senator Lincoln pressed Hagen repeatedly on the regulation until she indicated that, if confirmed, she would make it a top priority. Maybe Hagen should have made a stronger promise.  If you need evidence on the power wielded by committee chairs, there it is.

The Senate isn't the only one to blame, though. President Obama took a full year to submit a nomination for this position. And for an administration supposedly concerned with reforming the food safety system, allowing a prolonged lack in leadership in one of the key oversight organizations doesn't demonstrate much commitment.

Also, let's not forget the Senate is continuing to delay a vote on S. 510, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. It was widely speculated that the bill would be voted on before the Memorial Day recess, but that didn't happen. It's been 10 months since the House of Representatives passed their version of the bill, and seven months since the bill was approved in the Senate committee. This country's food safety system is badly in need of reform, and tangible, meaningful changes are just a vote away. The Senate needs to get to work instead of continuing to drag its heels.

Photo Credit: lazlo-photo

David Orr is a sustainable cook, writer and activist.
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