I just received word that HR 2749 — the so-called “Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009″ – failed to receive the 2/3 vote that it needed for passage under the special rules — but it failed by only SIX VOTES. So there is a simple majority in the House that supports the bill.
I also just received word that the House Rules Committee had an emergency meeting this afternoon to reschedule the bill for a regular vote. There will be debate and amendments, but I think it is unlikely that the bill will be improved to the point where it will not be a danger to our communities’ food security.
So while we won one battle today, we are not out of the woods yet. Here is what we need to do:
1. Find out how your congressperson voted. If he or she voted against it, THANK them. Ask him/her to continue to oppose the legislation when it comes up for a vote again.
If he or she voted FOR it, explain the consequences for farmers. It is not prudent to give the FDA — which knows nothing about agriculture — any authority to regulate the production, harvesting, and sale of vegetables. Imagine that nightmare!
The bill is loaded with other negativities. It would allow meat processors to use CARBON MONOXIDE to preserve the red color of meat. It creates major new record keeping burdens for farmers and may even require that they buy expensive technology to file those reports. It creates new fees, fines, and even criminal penalties for farmers and artisan food processors.
2. Please contact friends and family that you may have in other areas of the nation and tell them about this dangerous legislation. Encourage them to contact their members of Congress to vote “No” when the bill comes up again for debate and vote.
You can find your congressperson’s email and fax number by going to http://www.house.gov and entering your zip code in the form in the upper left corner of the screen.
This bill may come up again quickly, so don’t let the grass grow under your feet on this. We must continue to act with great resolution and fortitude against this legislation or our producers may be driven out of business.
Don’t be confused by an email going around that says that attempts were being made to amend the bill so that it is less harmful to small producers. Those amendments didn’t make it into the bill.
Thanks to everyone who took time to do their civic duty today and to all who will continue to stand for what is right against those who are trying to destroy our rights to produce and consume local foods.
I want a flag with a cabbage on it that says — “Don’t tread on me!”