HR 875 could criminalize organic and backyard farming

[Pecan_Pie]

Hey everyone,

I don't think that the government would even try to pass a bill outlawing organic farming, but rather I fear that when this department is created they will make a push to enforce hardcore regulations on herbs and homeopathy. While it is pathetic that the government doesn't make sure that these products are what they say they are and/or safe, it is not in the people's best interest to turn these products into over-the-counter prescriptions. First of all, the implications of doing this would make every herb that is widely available through gardening and/or wild-harvest illegal, and worst of all prevent these safe (there are a couple of herbs that are dangerous, aphedra is one of them, but it is also an amazing herb when used in a responsible manner. I.E. Not for weight loss) plants from being used. Every 10 years or so the government makes a push for this and the health food industry bucks back enough that it doesn't happen. My mom owns a health food store and so this is a major concern for my family, including myself, for both financial and health reasons.

 

The outlawing of organic farming for small businesses is already a concern though because of the enormous price that the government has put on allowing a farmer to consider their produce certified organic. I think the fee is something like two thousand dollars a year and that is a whole lot of money for any small farmer. I've worked on organic farms for the last 3 or 4 years and I can't imagine it being outlawed. I have watched organics over the last few years gain momentum that I never thought was possible for better or worse. There are too many yuppies, hippys, fundamentalists, and just normal folk out there supporting these products for the government to even consider making a run (other than increasing the certified organic price tag) at the health food industry.

 

Shanti,

Charlie

[Winston Legthigh]

You would probably be charged currently if you sold someone feces for human consumption.

How does Arby's get away with it then? BAM!

[cryptique]

I think you would only be charged if you sold poop but labeled it as haricot vert. if you labeled it as poop, you'd probably be ok.

Only if it's pasteurized. Don't let them catch you selling raw poop.

[NightOfJoy]

The Feds will have to pry my hoe from my cold dead hands before I stop planting.

 

Gardeners of the world, unite!

[austrya]

http://ecochildsplay.com/2009/03/10/could-...-organic-farms/

[miss jayne]

This is such a complex issue. I know this, if we think the guys with the money were greedy wait til we realize what the EPA and the FDA and their corporate sponsors have been up to. Pesticides and corporate farming are huge money making businesses. Just take a look at Monsanto's record around GMO 's and seeds.Here is a link to one film about this:

 

http://www.thefutureoffood.com/synopsis.htm

 

It is a fact that the food we eat is no longer filled with the nutrients we need. GMO seeds and the injection of pesticides into seeds to make them resistant to disease and pests is so mind blowing that I can't wrap my mind around it. Everyday I talk to folks about how to grow their own food. It is the biggest trend/movement I have every seen.

As to poop, Milorganite (http://www.acohardware.com/836.html) is sewage from Milwaukee! See you can sell people poop...and apparently it keeps away rabbits. Which makes sense because ultimately you must use natural deterrents with all critters if you want success in your garden.

 

Pecan Pie and Night of Joy are right...the revolution will happen in the garden . Thank the Goddess.

[TimRoss]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: March 20, 2009

FROM: THE NATIONAL INDEPENDENT CONSUMERS AND FARMERS ASSOCIATION (NICFA)

RE: BILL TO INDUSTRIALIZE FAMILY FARMS

CONTACT: Deborah Stockton 434.295.7176 info@nicfa.org

 

Washington DC-A bill creating a Food Safety Administration authorized to oversee management of every family farm in the United States is under consideration in Congress. HR 875, the "Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009" sponsored by Rep. Rosa De Lauro (D-CT), also has a companion bill, S510 in the Senate. Because the new Administrator would be authorized to micromanage even the smallest farm, many see the bill as a vehicle to industrialize, or eliminate, family farms.

 

The industrial food system is failing. Outbreaks, recalls, food-borne illnesses and deaths that are the result of industrial production and processing facilities are the excuse for this dragnet bill that also mandates a "national traceback system," which is the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) put into law. But rather than address the principle causes of food danger-centralized production, centralized processing, and long distance transport-this bill and others like it would impose on small farmers the same requirements as for large industry. The record keeping alone would consume so much time that the average family farmer would no longer be able to sustain his operation.

 

This could have the net effect of shifting the cost and liability away from the processors to the small producer despite the fact that direct marketed goods-what most small farms sell-involve little processing and are immediately traceable to the seller. Family farmers and ranchers are being discriminated against because of their occupation.

[jenbobblehead]

is that the whole press release? If so, it is a terrible one.