Electronic Marketing of Agricultural Commodities:
An Evolutionary Trend
RCED-84-97: Published: Mar 8, 1984. Publicly Released: Mar 12, 1984.
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In response to a congressional request, GAO reported on the efforts of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop electronic marketing for agricultural commodities, the benefits and problems of electronic marketing, and the status of electronic marketing in agriculture.
USDA is monitoring the use of electronic systems in marketing livestock, providing educational activities to persons interested in learning about electronic marketing systems, and funding pilot projects to demonstrate the feasibility of computerized electronic marketing. Overall, the projects demonstrated that agricultural commodities can be traded electronically and that electronic marketing is a feasible alternative to current marketing systems. However, the studies showed that, to be successful and economically viable, trading volume must be sufficient to cover the fixed and operating costs of an electronic market as well as to attract and keep traders in the system. The projects showed that electronic marketing improved market information, increased marketing efficiency, increased competition, and increased access to the market for both buyers and sellers. In addition, transportation costs are lower because an electronic market eliminates the need for central assembly of products prior to sale. Some of the problems associated with electronic marketing include concerns that: products cannot be adequately described, personal interchange will be lost, buyers and sellers will not perform according to the terms stipulated in the trade, and that electronic marketing is not cost-effective. In addition, some potential users are unwilling to participate or see no advantage in participating.
Apr 18, 2018
Food Safety:
USDA Should Take Further Action to Reduce Pathogens in Meat and Poultry ProductsGAO-18-272: Published: Mar 19, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 18, 2018.
Apr 16, 2018
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Food Safety:
Federal Efforts to Manage the Risk of Arsenic in RiceGAO-18-199: Published: Mar 16, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 16, 2018.
Apr 10, 2018
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U.S. Department of Agriculture:
Additional Data Analysis Could Enhance Monitoring of U.S. Cattle MarketGAO-18-296: Published: Apr 10, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 10, 2018.
Mar 5, 2018
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Food Safety and Nutrition:
FDA Can Build on Existing Efforts to Measure Progress and Implement Key ActivitiesGAO-18-174: Published: Jan 31, 2018. Publicly Released: Mar 5, 2018.
Nov 30, 2017
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WIC:
USDA's Review of Vegetables Available under the Program Followed Leading Research PracticesGAO-18-125R: Published: Nov 30, 2017. Publicly Released: Nov 30, 2017.
Nov 27, 2017
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Food Safety:
FDA Continues to Evaluate and Respond to Business Concerns about the Produce RuleGAO-18-85: Published: Nov 27, 2017. Publicly Released: Nov 27, 2017.
Nov 21, 2017
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Agricultural Promotion Programs:
USDA Could Build on Existing Efforts to Further Strengthen Its OversightGAO-18-54: Published: Nov 21, 2017. Publicly Released: Nov 21, 2017.
Oct 24, 2017
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Agricultural Promotion Programs:
Status of Freedom of Information Act RequestsGAO-18-55R: Published: Oct 24, 2017. Publicly Released: Oct 24, 2017.
Oct 2, 2017
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Imported Seafood Safety:
FDA and USDA Could Strengthen Efforts to Prevent Unsafe Drug ResiduesGAO-17-443: Published: Sep 15, 2017. Publicly Released: Oct 2, 2017.
Aug 24, 2017
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Crop Insurance:
Opportunities Exist to Improve Program Delivery and Reduce CostsGAO-17-501: Published: Jul 26, 2017. Publicly Released: Aug 24, 2017.
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