Thursday, March 12, 2009

New Food Bill Heading to Congress Could Outlaw Farms Like Ours


Dear Fellow Veggies,

Please click on the link to review the new food safety modernization act that is heading to Congress.


Unfortunately Sheila Bird Farms falls under two of their categories. As a food processor and also as a food production facility.

Obviously we are concerned about food safety but the possible new regulatory framework may make it too expensive to remain a going concern. Which of course is the goal of the supporters of the bill, large agribusiness companies. For instance we may be forced to build a special building and install expensive washing equipment. No more bringing veggies to market in coolers. The unfortunate part of the bill is that the rules are yet to be made, which leaves the rulemaking to some potentially influenced individual or group of individuals.


The regulations will encompass all aspects from seed production to market. We are deeply concerned that government will now intervene in your local farmers markets. This act encompasses ALL those that sell ANY kind of food at the farmers markets. There are no exceptions for "small" or "organic". Just the open-air venue may be potentially deemed hazardous. Remember the rules are yet to be made. Certainly if a food borne illness is traced back to a farmers market sometime in the future, you can kiss the whole farmers market idea goodbye. Potentially it could even affect selling produce to friends in the backyard.


Contact your congress people.

Wyoming

Gov. Dave Freudenthal (D) 307-777-7434


Sen. Mike Enzi (R) Fax: 202-228-0359

Sen. John Barrasso (R) Fax: 202-224-1724

Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-At Large) Fax: 202-225-3057


Stay tuned.

We’ll post more when we can.


Here are some links for your perusal:





Please pass these links along to whoever you think may be interested.


Cheers, Ricky and Danielle

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