A quick timeout from the battle over the weakness of Dems and what a loser and/or perfect creature Pres Obama is in the interest of small farms and food producers. Jon Tester & Kay Hagan Need you to support them by calling Your Senators and telling them to support the Tester-Hagan Amendment to S.501.
This is your chance to support some Dems who are fighting to support local sustainable agriculture. This is one where even if you have two crazy Republican Senators like me they might actually listen.
The Senate is considering the Protect Small Farms and Food Processors in the Food Safety Modernization Act maybe as soon as tomorrow.
America's preeminent author on sustainable agriculture Michael Pollen says ""S. 510 is the most important food safety legislation in a generation. The Tester amendment will make it even more effective, strengthening food safety rules while protecting small farmers and producers." Grist debate
the Food Safety Modernization Act (S.510) continues to be a threat to both farmers and consumers who care about local foods. This bill greatly expands FDA’s authority over both processed foods and fresh fruits and vegetables, and would give FDA authority to impose extensive, burdensome requirements on even the smallest processing facilities and farms who sell to local consumers.
Farm and Ranch freedom
S.510 authorizes FDA to issue standards for production and harvesting of fruits and vegetables. You can bet given its history that the regulations will discriminate against small, organic, and diversified farms.
ALL Farms--even the guy selling corn at a stand down the street are subject to the regulations.
There is no reason that food safety problems in the industrial food system, with its long, multi-sourced food supply chains that extend across thousands of miles and even international borders, can't be dealt with without harming the local food systems that provide an alternative for American consumers. One size fits all regulations imposed on small-scale, local food producers who have not contributed to the outbreaks that have prompted Congressional action would produce no benefits.
Please Call your Senators
Go to www.Senate.gov for their contact information or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121
Tell them you are a constituent and you want them to vote YES on the Tester-Hagan amendment to protect small-scale, direct-marketing producers from the imposition of burdensome new federal regulations. Learn more about S. 510 from Farm to table
Hell even Republicans should support this as Tester-Hagen is a stand against "too much guvmint"