Results

Since the firm's formation in 1985, Russell & Barron, Inc. has worked on hundreds of government relations issues including legislation, both appropriations and authorizations, as well as regulatory issues across the spectrum of the federal government. Below is a small sampling of government relations issues we have worked on. For more information on issues that may be of interest to you, please contact us at GR@lrbdc.com

Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL)

Issue

The 2002 Farm Security and Rural Investment Act (Farm Bill) contained a mandate that by September 30, 2004 certain commodities including beef, pork, fruits and vegetables, peanuts and fish sold at retail (excluding food service establishments) must carry a label providing consumers with the country-of-origin information. To comply with existing law, this mandate included a needlessly burdensome audit verification system that would have imposed hundreds of millions of dollars of compliance costs in the form of onerous recordkeeping, an overwhelming paper trail and the threat of large fines.

Outcome

Through annual agriculture appropriations legislation a coalition of affected industries accomplished a four-year implementation delay of mandatory Country of Origin Labeling to change label categories and amend the audit verification system saving these industries and consumers millions of dollars in compliance costs.

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

Issue

Our nation was born from agrarian roots, which explains why the oldest federal research agency centers on agricultural research. For the past thirty years the federal investment in agricultural research has been staggering at an average growth rate of only one percent. Some of today's great challenges including improved nutrition, protecting the environment and developing renewable energy can be met by agriculture but only if our nation is willing to make the investment. Right now the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invests $15 for every $1 invested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for research and development. For competitively awarded, peer-reviewed grants--- which attract the best science and the best scientists--- NIH outspends USDA 150 to 1. If this disparity continues, America’s farmers will lose their competitive advantage in the global marketplace. Moreover, American consumers will lose the promise of healthier foods, renewable fuels and a sustainable environment. Further, the costs of production will continue to rise, our natural resources will suffer and future farm program spending will escalate.

Outcome

Based on recommendations made by the 2004 U.S.D.A. Task Force on Research, Education and Economics, the National Institute for Food and Agriculture Act was introduced by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson to establish a national institute focused on fundamental agricultural research modeled largely after the success of the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Significant pieces of this legislation are included in the 2008 Farm Bill.

Conrail

Issue

In 1999 the Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) was divided between Norfolk Southern Corporation and CSX Transportation after these two Eastern rail competitors engaged in an aggressive takeover of the Conrail assets. Under the final agreement approved by the Surface Transportation Board, Norfolk Southern received 58% of the benefits and CSX received 42%.

Outcome

The acquisition of Conrail assets was ultimately approved after significant interest group outreach and in-depth economic analysis of the enhanced rail service ensured by this transaction. This helped improve rail service and competitive rates for the Eastern seaboard.

Renewable Energy

Issue

A large land management company located in Central and Southwest Florida sought one of six Department of Energy grants for the commercial demonstration of an integrated biorefinery system using advanced technologies to convert cellulose into ethanol. Florida ranks first in the nation for biomass availability because of its farms, forests, weather and climate.

Outcome

Developed and executed campaign designed to showcase the grant application with public support from the Governor, Agriculture Commissioner, members of Congress and the U.S. Senate, this land management company was selected as one of the six national grant recipients by the Department of Energy for the commercial demonstration of an integrated biorefinery system.

National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs

Issue

With constant media attention on the problem of obesity and related health problems, a top consumer priority is a preference to and a desire for a greater variety of health premium products. Nutritional science continues to point to increased consumption of whole grain products as one step toward improved health and wellness. Incorporating whole grain products into federal food assistance programs such as the National School Lunch Program and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children is a priority for federal policymakers.

Outcome

The 2004 Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act included provisions emphasizing the importance and established priorities for including whole grain products in the National School Lunch Program. More recently, the Interim Final Rule updating the WIC Food Package reflects new additions of whole grain foods into the WIC program.

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)

Issue

Various types of MAP have been used for food and drugs to prevent tampering and preserve freshness since the late 1970’s. A competitive technology and its developer sought Congressional intervention to lodge false complaints about MAP safety and then ban it legislatively.

Outcome

Provisions outlawing the use of MAP in comprehensive food safety legislation being considered by the House and Senate have been dropped preserving the right to use this tamper-proof, safe food packaging system.

Generic Drug Approval

Issue

Generic Drug Application review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been plagued by excessive backlogs costing consumers billions in potential healthcare savings from less expensive generic drug options. The backlog, numbering nearly 1,500 applications, is due in part to understaffing within the Office of Generic Drugs necessitated by funding constraints. Median review and approval time for those generic drug applications has swelled to over 21 months - - - more than a year longer than the statutory six-month review period allowed by federal regulations.

Outcome

On the verge of comprehensive health care reform, approving useful generic drugs in a timely manner will save Americans billions of dollars over the next decade as patents expire on brand name drugs totaling more than $100 billion in sales. FDA is uniquely positioned to deliver high quality care with real savings therefore the fiscal year 2010 FDA appropriations bill now being considered in Congress will add millions to the Office of Generic Drugs to ease the backlog and ensure future generic drugs reach consumers sooner.