RECENT MEETINGS
PhotoDisc
American Time Use Survey Early Results Conference
In December 2005, ERS, the University
of Maryland, and the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services cosponsored the “American Time
Use Survey Early Results Conference” in Bethesda,
Maryland. The Bureau of Labor Statistics American
Time Use Survey (ATUS) collects information on how
Americans use their time, and survey data show the
range of detailed activities performed daily, including
weekdays versus weekends, the amount of time spent
on each activity, and the daily schedule of activities.
Using ATUS data, researchers presented 15 papers
and 27 posters on a variety of topics, including
time spent on child care, elder care, travel, food
preparation and consumption, sleeping, and exercising.
ERS presented details about its Food & Eating
Module questions, which were added to the ATUS in
October 2005. These questions were designed to examine
relationships between time use; food purchases,
preparation, and consumption; and obesity. Conference
papers are available at: www.atususers.umd.edu/papers/.
Karen Hamrick
Roundtable on Food Safety Insurance and Risks
In December 2005, ERS and the Risk
Management and Decision Processes Center, Wharton
School, University of Pennsylvania conducted a roundtable
on the role of private insurance and third-party
certification in monitoring food safety performance
and managing food safety risks. The ERS/Wharton
roundtable brought together representatives from
the insurance industry, third-party certifiers,
food manufacturers and distributors, government
regulators, as well as legal experts and economists
to examine the evolution of third-party food safety
certification in the U.S. Fred
Kuchler
European Union Food Regulations and Standards
In November 2005, ERS and Farm
Foundation cosponsored a workshop, “European
Union Food Regulations and the Emergence of Private
Standards: Implications for International Trade.”
The new EU food regulations are increasingly complex,
geared toward process verification and traceability,
while private standards play an increasing role.
These developments have significant cross-border
implications, affecting both U.S. and global food
trade. Speakers from Europe and the U.S., representing
the food industry, regulatory experts, and academics,
along with over 100 participants, gathered to explore
the key challenges and opportunities for the U.S.
food industry posed by the new EU food regulatory
environment. Speakers’ presentations are available
at the Farm Foundation website. Aziz
Elbehri
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