9/27/07

Prescription Drug Act signed

President Bush signed into law the Food and Drug Administration Amendments Act of 2007 which includes the reauthorization and expansion of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act. The reauthorization of PDUFA will significantly broaden and upgrade the agency's drug safety program, increase resources for review of television drug advertising, and facilitate more efficient development of safe and effective new medications for the American public.

5/19/07

Prescription Drug User Fee Act
to be amended

An amendment composed by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) has been approved by the Senate and is awaiting approval from the House of Representatives. The
amendment, which is part of the Prescription Drug User Fee Act, gives the
Food and Drug Administration the authority to establish an early warning and notification system for human and pet food products, creates a food registry for imported and domestically produced food, and establishes federal standards for better labeling of pet food. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) is including the same amendment in the House version of the bill. The two
members of Congress met earlier this month with FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach and Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong from China to secure a commitment that safety inspection of food and drug products traded between the U.S. and China would be improved. The two countries currently do not have a binding agreement on food and drugs, and there are no equivalency standards for food and drug safety. Last month Durbin and DeLauro found that the contaminated Chinese food products that ended up in the recalled pet food were industrial grade and not for animal and human consumption. The Chinese government says it has detained the shippers of tainted wheat gluten and rice protein, and they acknowledge the ingredients were improperly labeled.

5/3/07

Bush signs animal fighting bill

President Bush recently signed the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act (Bill H.R. 137), which will create felony penalties for the trafficking or purchase of animals used in illegal fighting rings. The new law, which was approved by the senate in April, will make it a federal offense to promote or sponsor animal fighting events, giving law enforcement agents more power when enforcing dog and cockfighting. Animal fighting is a popular underground sport often linked to gangs and drug trafficking and is considered inhumane, often resulting in injuries or fatalities for the animal participants. Lately cockfighting has become a major player in the spread of bird flu, often brought on by exposure to birds in tight quarters. By raising this issue to a federal level supporters and legislators hope to crack down on the industry and put an end to the cruelty it bestows upon animals. The law has been in the works for six years and the final approval from President Bush shows action is being taken to thwart future inhumane fights. Violators of the new law could potentially receive fines up to $250,000 and could face up to three years in prison. For more information on the pending bill visit Congress.gov.

4/19/07

Legislative Alert: Haley’s Act

On April 19, H.B. 1947 was introduced into the House of Representatives. The bill, also known as Haley’s Act, was composed in honor of Haley Hilderbrand, who died in 2005 while having her photo taken with a normally well behaved Siberian tiger at an animal sanctuary in Mound Valley, Kansas. The tiger was shot and killed by area police. The bill aims to prohibit direct contact between the public and big cats–a measure that would protect the lives of humans and the animals in captivity. Currently the United States Department of Agriculture has jurisdiction over wildlife sanctuaries, but it does not have the authority to prevent the general public from coming into direct contact with the animals. The bill also calls for a $10,000 fine for violating the Animal Welfare Act. To find out more about the bill or to express your support, visit House.gov.