NOBULL: FDA proposed new food safety regs – comment by Nov. 15, help us spread the word
Good morning to all
While we have all been busy with our lives and fighting the various battles which need to be fought, the powers that be in DC have been busy as well.
There was a new law passed by the elected elite in DC last year known as the Food Modernization Act. As you are well aware any name on something that is supposed to be good that originates in Washington DC will be at the very least deceiving. As always the devil is in the details. As the FDA is writing the rules for implementing this new law it seems to have it sights set on destroying the small farmers especially the sustainable and organic farmers. We need your help!
It is extremely important that we get as many people as possible to submit comments to the FDA on these new rules and regulations. Judith McGeary and Alexandra Landeros have done an excellent job of putting together the needed tools to fight this battle. If you would please circulate this email to your contacts, post it on your Facebook page, websites and anywhere else you can think of it would be greatly appreciated. PLEASE HELP TO SAVE OUR FAMILY FARMS!
Thank you and have a GREAT day!
Howard Vlieger
(712) 567-4151 Office
(712) 567-4351 Fax
(712) 441-3911 Cell
studentofthesoil
From: info [mailto:info] On Behalf Of Alexandra M. Landeros – Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2013 10:02 PM
To: Howard Vlieger
Subject: FDA proposed new food safety regs – comment by Nov. 15, help us spread the word
Dear Howard,
FDA has proposed food safety regulations that pose a significant threat to farmers and food producers of all sizes. The Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance has developed tools to make it easier for both producers and consumers to take effective action, and we want to reach out to you directly to help you protect our farms and our food.
In 2010, we won a major victory with the Tester-Hagan amendment to the food safety bill, exempting small-scale, direct-marketing producers from the new federal regulations. This victory happened because thousands of people spoke up in a powerful grassroots movement.
FDA’s proposed regulations threaten that victory, however, and thereby place even the smallest farms at risk. And, as we expected, the substance of the rules would be extremely harmful to those farmers and food producers who don’t qualify for the exemption.
Under these new rules, many farmers would be forced to comply with high-cost, industrial-scale regulations, and they will be unable to use traditional, sustainable growing practices such as manure or compost teas. Food hubs and local food businesses will be forced to deal with costly and burdensome paperwork. Ultimately, consumers will face increased food prices and reduced availability of locally and sustainably produced foods.
We have until November 15 to submit comments to the FDA and let them know the numerous problems with these regulations.
The regulations are 1,200 pages long, but we’ve developed resources to summarize the main issues and provide you with step-by-step instructions on what you can do to help.
· Latest Alert: Take Action on FDA’s Proposal Food Safety Regulations – please share this link on your social media networks
· Sample Comments to FDA on Food Safety Modernization Act – downloadable Word version to make it easy to personalize the comments for the greatest impact
· In-Depth Analysis of FDA’s Proposed Food Safety Regulations – for the people who really want to dig into the weeds
· Downloadable PDF Flyer – print and share with others in your organization or community!
You can access these resources here: http://www.farmandranchfreedom.org/federal-food-safety-action-resources
We are also happy to work with you to develop web and print materials customized for members of your organizations / fellow farmers and food producers / customers at your farmers market.
Please let us know if you have any questions – we appreciate you helping us spread the word about this important issue that seriously affects small farmers and our local food system. You can either contact me or Judith McGeary, executive director at judith / (254) 697-2661.
Thank you,
Alexandra