| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Jen |
Posted - Feb 12 2008 : 11:44:47 AM
Wildlife habitat, water quality and diverse family farms are under threat with a new proposed provision to the Farm Bill (HR 2419.EH § 10106).
Although supposedly intended to protect our nation’s food supply from pathogens such as E. coli 0157, this amendment would unfairly place the blame on fruit and vegetable growers, and in particular, disadvantage small farms. Despite compelling evidence that E. coli emanates from other sources, such as cattle, and that such contamination has been largely found in bagged mixed greens, the Farm Bill provision would force farmers to eradicate wildlife habitat on their farm in the name of food safety. Moreover, the provision fails to mandate changes to the likely contributors of such pathogens upstream, such as animal feedlots, and run-off into waterways. Subsequently, organic food growers, and other farmers intent on enhancing natural vegetative systems on the farm, are being unfairly targeted to solve a larger public health problem that results from an unwieldy industrial food production system.
We urge Congress to oppose to the specialty crop marketing order provision included in the House version of the Farm Bill (HR 2419.EH § 10106).
Instead, Congress needs to take a comprehensive look at produce-related food safety issues by addressing fecal contamination problems and handling practices that allow for the spread of pathogens in the first place. Attempting to use producer-directed marketing orders instead of addressing the source of E. coli contamination will be environmentally disastrous and ultimately ineffective in ensuring a safe food supply.
Contact your Senators and House Representative and urge them to drop this misguided provision in the 2008 Farm Bill.
If you go to the URL below you can check
out what is at stake and send your own AUTOMATIC online message directly to the relevant decision makers.
http://ga3.org/campaign/scmp?rk=3pBc2A9qzSgpW
Jen
Farmgirl Sisterhood Member #9
The View From My Boots: www.bovesboots.blogspot.com
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