More aggressive civil and criminal prosecutions would have particularly dramatic effects, she said, in areas like mine safety, imported food, Clean Water Act violations and dirty coal-fired power plants.
Now, people like Mr. Kelly are hoping that Chinese demand can revive Australia's kangaroo meat industry, which has been struggling since a food-safety import ban was imposed in 2009 by Russia, the former leading importer.
The United States Department of Agriculture is charged with monitoring the safety of imported meat, poultry and eggs, which make up about 20percentt of all American food imports.
In the UK worries grow over the safety of imported commercial blood products from the US.
A third rule, to enhance the safety of imported food, has not budged.
Give the Bush administration credit for some sound thinking on how to enhance the safety of imported foods and goods.
To ensure the safety of imported drugs, the F.D.A. relies almost entirely on its own inspections of foreign plants.
Now, as Mr. Paulson prepares for the third round of the semiannual dialogue which begins here next week, the safety of imported goods is a priority, trumping broader economic concerns.
The commissioner, Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenbach, is awaiting recommendations from a presidential panel about how to better guarantee the safety of imported food and other products.
He said his administration was carefully studying the issue to see if the government could somehow ensure the safety of imported drugs.
But under a requirement in the new Medicare law, a panel of 13 administration officials is studying ways to ensure the safety of imported drugs.
