For example, even in the midst of gridlock in 2012, Democrat Barbara Boxer of California and Republican Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma reached agreement on a major transportation bill, and Democrat Tom Harkin of Iowa and Republican Mike Enzi of Wyoming forged compromises to produce a far-reaching food safety legislation.

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The House passed food-safety legislation more than a year ago.

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With a great management team, growing consumer demand for food safety, new legislation, and a rock-solid balance sheet, I believe NEOG has a strong chance for superior growth over the next five years.

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It said priorities have changed since and the legislation needs to better reflect modern food safety, new technologies and rules on the traceability of food.

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And legislation designed to consolidate the confusing network of agencies responsible for the safety of America's food into a single body is likely to end up where its predecessors did: in the dustbin.

ECONOMIST: Food poisoning