The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 (FSEA) is a poorly written bill, now before the US House of Representatives. Known as the Waxman-Dingell bill, it really isn't much about food safety at all. Previous food safety issues in the news were centered around large agri-corporations, but this bill places its harshest burdens on small food and supplement producers. New language is introduced along with criminal and civil penalties, including up to 10 years of jail time and fines up to $100,000 for individuals and $7.5 million for corporations, regardless of size.
The Food Safety Enhancement Act (FSEA):
• gives the US FDA unprecedented scope, authority and power over small farmers, food producers and supplement producers, including the power to use vague language to intimidate and threaten
• imposes unjustifiably harsh criminal and civil penalties, even for administrative violations
• places undue economic hardship on small and mid-sized farms and food facilities, organic and conventional, which could easily drive many of them out of business, and lead to monopoly of food by large corporations. (Monsanto, etc., and their GMO seeds.)
For more, go to:
PLEASE DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BILL!
If the FSEA passes, only big businesses and large corporate farms will matter. HR249 doesn't make any allowances for small to mid-sized farms or facilities, which could mean economic ruin, closure or dependence on large corporations or foreign food supply sources. If you own a roadside stand on your property, you would have to follow federally established standards for growing your produce -- or your food will be considered adulterated. You could not say anything about the scientific basis for organic produce being healthier than conventionally farmed produce.
You would be required to make your business records available to the FDA, who have the power to show up unannounced without a warrant to search your records, without any evidence that you have committed a violation of the law. If you refuse inspection, you would be guilty of adulteration.
What is happening to the high quality standards our country became known for globally and the freedoms we continue to fight and stand for as a nation of courageous people?
If you're a farmer who sells direct to consumers, you would be forced to give the FDA customer information, meaning NO MORE CUSTOMER PRIVACY. Should you refuse, you'd face up to 10 years imprisonment and the civil fines could be up to $100,000 if you're an individual or $7.5 million if you incorporated your family farm as a business.
Please take action immediately. Click here to be taken to our Action Alert and contact your Representative now:
OC
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.