Krys Cail wrote: > Thanks, Miranda. And thanks, Miranda and Krys!
> I would also direct people to the NOFA (Northeast Organic Farmers' > Association) Interstate Council Policy Report at: > http://nofa.org/policy/nofapolicy.php and the Organic Consumers' > Association's report at > http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_17355.cfm > <http://www..organicconsumers.org/articles/article_17355.cfm> . Or, to > Congressman Hinchey's staff-- Hinchey is a long-time friend of > sustainable farming and green energy.... and a co-sponsor on this bill. > Because it does not do what people are afraid it does, but something else. That was my take as well. I'd really like to see the federal government develop a multi-layered approach to food processing, but this bill isn't the place to do it. I worry that the large food processors, who've profited from lax regulations for a long time, are the ones pushing this story. Large-scale agribusiness has hidden behind the family farm for decades now, and this feels to me like the processors pulling the same trick by stirring up grassroots activists. > Something must be done about food safety-- there is a public uproar > about the many outbreaks of food-borne illness, and the public is > demanding more oversight and inspection, particularly of foods coming in > from overseas, where many protections in place in the US are not in > effect. Yes, definitely. > There have been internet-based alarms raised over this bill, > but the most well-informed policy and advocacy groups are not the > source of those panicked emails insisting that the bill will "outlaw > organic farming" and so on. Please, please, consider the credibility of > the source when you think about weighing in with lawmakers on this. > There are big multinational companies with a lot to lose from tighter > regulations on food importing-- might they possibly start a viral > internet rumor? Call me paranoid, but that's my feeling too. > Oh, and BTW-- the sponsor's husband runs a PR and > market research firm, which does business with a great many companies, > not just Monsanto. There's plenty of reason to worry about market research firms and their customers. I just don't think this is one of them. Thanks, -- Simon St.Laurent http://simonstl.com/ _______________________________________________ FLX Permaculture Network listserv RSS, archives, subscription & listserv info: http://www.flxpermaculture.net Support the list host by donating to: http://www.mutualaid.org
