COVID-19: Regulatory Changes Impacting Food Production and Distribution
Topic:
While much of the economy is shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, the food and agriculture sector is critical infrastructure that must continue to operate to keep grocery stores and retailers supplied. These unprecedented circumstances have required the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and other federal regulatory agencies to make numerous changes to ensure consumers continue to have an adequate supply of safe food. These agencies are also actively engaged in relaying communications on the latest advice on best practices to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus in manufacturing and retail environments and the general public.
This webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of the federal regulatory changes that have been implemented to respond to the pandemic. This includes changes in USDA and FDA inspections, enforcement of regulations related to transporting food, and worker safety. The webinar will also discuss guidance from USDA, FDA, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Center for Disease Control on promoting a safe food supply and healthy workforce in light of these challenging circumstances. It will also direct participants to resources to help them learn more about best practices to understand and respond to the outbreak.
Participation:
This webinar was recorded on April 22, 2020. To listen to a recording of the webinar, please click here.
Presenter:
John Dillard, Principal Attorney, Olsson Frank Weeda Terman Matz PC
John Dillard is a principal at OFW Law. He provides regulatory counsel, general counsel, and litigation services to clients in the agriculture and food industries.
In his regulatory practice, John provides advice to companies and trade associations on diverse topics affecting clients in the food and agriculture industries. This includes food labeling and food safety matters before USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). John advises meat packers, poultry processors, restaurant chains, and animal food manufacturers on food safety and labeling matters. He also regularly advises clients on compliance with the Packers and Stockyards Act, the National Bioengineered Foods Disclosure Standard, and the National Organic Program. John is also a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) for human and animal foods and has completed the FSPCA PCQI Lead Instructor training for animal food facilities.
John also provides general counsel services to several food and agricultural trade associations, such as the American Feed Industry Association, the National Association of Wheat Growers, and the National Institute of Oilseed Products. In this role, he provides advice on corporate governance, contract drafting and evaluation, antitrust, director fiduciary responsibilities, and employment matters.
John also represents clients in litigation in state and federal civil matters and USDA administrative enforcement proceedings. John has litigated cases involving Clean Water Act disputes, livestock nuisance odor torts, Packers and Stockyards Act enforcement, Animal Welfare Act enforcement, biotech seed patenting, country-of-origin labeling requirements, and Native American agriculture. John has also represented the interests of trade association clients that have participated in several high-profile agricultural law cases.
Research & Materials: