H.R. 875 and s. 475
These Bills........ include small farmers who just sell their fruits and vegetables at farmer’s markets
Anyone engaged in food growing, or “holding food for consumption” in the U.S. would have to register annually, and create and maintain extensive records of the foods they grow and/or store
The definitions of who this law pertains to are so broad and loosely defined that they could potentially even include your personal backyard fruit or vegetable garden, even if you don’t sell anything but grow them for personal consumption
It appears it could dictate how all food growers would have to grow their food, including potentially the necessity to use certain pest control measures, for example
Authorities would have the ability to inspect any food production facility at random to make sure it’s operating in compliance with the food safety law, and again the definition of “food production facility” is so loosely defined it could apply to your personal orchard, vineyard, or vegetable garden, as long as it produces something edible
After the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and representatives of State departments of agriculture will promulgate regulations to establish “science-based minimum standards for the safe production of food” by food production facilities. Meaning, no one even knows what the food production standards are yet, but whatever they turn out to be will have to be followed
It is prohibited to: fail to register; refuse to permit access to an inspector; refuse to allow copying of all records; fail to establish or maintain any record required under the law
Should you fail to comply with any of the rules and regulations, there are both civil and criminal penalties, going as high as $1 million per violation, something that could clearly wipe out any small farmer in a blink of an eye.
Read on and do some research......
Thursday, April 9, 2009
This bill was introduced by a senator whose husband works for Monsanto.
H.R. 875
FOOD SAFTEY MODERNIZATION ACT
2/4/2009--Introduced.
Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 - Establishes in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the Food Safety Administration. Assigns all the authorities and responsibilities of the Secretary of Health and Human Services related to food safety to the Administrator of Food Safety.
Transfers to the Administration all functions of specified federal agencies that relate to the administration or enforcement of food safety laws. Renames the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the Federal Drug and Device Administration.
Directs the Administrator to: (1) administer a national food safety program; and (2) ensure that persons who produce, process, or distribute food prevent or minimize food safety hazards. Sets forth requirements for the Administrator to carry out such duties, including: (1) requiring food establishments to adopt preventive process controls; (2) enforcing performance standards for food safety; (3) establishing an inspection program; (4) strengthening and expanding foodborne illness surveillance systems; (5) requiring imported food to meet the same standards as U.S. food; and (6) establishing a national traceability system for food.
Requires the Administrator to: (1) identify priorities for food safety research and data collection; (2) maintain a DNA matching system and epidemiological system for foodborne illness identification, outbreaks, and containment; (3) establish guidelines for a sampling system; (4) establish a national public education program on food safety; (5) conduct research on food safety; and (6) establish a working group on foodborne illness surveillance.
Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop the Food-Borne Illness Health Registry.
Directs the Comptroller General to report on the federal resources being dedicated to foodborne illness and food safety research.
Sets forth provisions regarding prohibited acts, recalls, penalties for violations of food safety laws, whistleblower protections, and civil actions.
H.R. 875
FOOD SAFTEY MODERNIZATION ACT
2/4/2009--Introduced.
Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 - Establishes in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the Food Safety Administration. Assigns all the authorities and responsibilities of the Secretary of Health and Human Services related to food safety to the Administrator of Food Safety.
Transfers to the Administration all functions of specified federal agencies that relate to the administration or enforcement of food safety laws. Renames the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) the Federal Drug and Device Administration.
Directs the Administrator to: (1) administer a national food safety program; and (2) ensure that persons who produce, process, or distribute food prevent or minimize food safety hazards. Sets forth requirements for the Administrator to carry out such duties, including: (1) requiring food establishments to adopt preventive process controls; (2) enforcing performance standards for food safety; (3) establishing an inspection program; (4) strengthening and expanding foodborne illness surveillance systems; (5) requiring imported food to meet the same standards as U.S. food; and (6) establishing a national traceability system for food.
Requires the Administrator to: (1) identify priorities for food safety research and data collection; (2) maintain a DNA matching system and epidemiological system for foodborne illness identification, outbreaks, and containment; (3) establish guidelines for a sampling system; (4) establish a national public education program on food safety; (5) conduct research on food safety; and (6) establish a working group on foodborne illness surveillance.
Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to develop the Food-Borne Illness Health Registry.
Directs the Comptroller General to report on the federal resources being dedicated to foodborne illness and food safety research.
Sets forth provisions regarding prohibited acts, recalls, penalties for violations of food safety laws, whistleblower protections, and civil actions.
This Is Scary stuff......
These bills can change the face of america.... Small independent farmership could be a way of the past!!!!
" The Socialist Revolution in the US cannot take place because there are too many small independent farmers there. Those people are the stability factor. We here in Russia must hurry while our government is stupid enough to not encourage and support the 'independent farmership.'"
- V. Lenin, the founder of the Russian revolution
Quote provided by Anna Fisher
GovTrack.us
The next meeting of the Senate is Apr 20, 2009; the House next meets Apr 21, 2009.
S. 425:
111th Congress
This is a bill in the U.S. Congress originating in the Senate ("S."). A bill must be passed by both the Senate and House and then be signed by the President before it becomes law.
Bill numbers restart from 1 every two years. Each two-year cycle is called a session of Congress. This bill was created in the 111th Congress, in 2009-2010.
2009-2010
Food Safety and Tracking Improvement Act
A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for the establishment of a traceability system for food, to amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspections Act, the Egg Products Inspection Act, and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for improved public health and food safety through enhanced enforcement, and for other purposes.
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(About the paid content on GovTrack)
See S. 425 on THOMAS for the official source of information on this bill or resolution.
Summaries
Congressional Research Service Summary
The following summary was written by the Congressional Research Service, a well-respected nonpartisan arm of the Library of Congress. GovTrack did not write and has no control over these summaries.
2/12/2009--Introduced.
Food Safety and Tracking Improvement Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a traceability system for all stages of manufacturing, processing, packaging, and distribution of food through which the Secretary can retrieve the history, use, and location of each article of food shipped in interstate commerce.
Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act to require a person (other than a household consumer) who has reason to believe that any meat, poultry, egg, or egg product handled by such person is adulterated or misbranded to notify the Secretary of Agriculture of the identity and location of the article. Directs the Secretary, upon finding that the article is adulterated or misbranded and there is a reasonable probability that human consumption would present a threat to public health, to: (1) provide all appropriate persons an opportunity to cease distribution of the article, make appropriate notifications, and recall the article; and (2) require an immediate cessation of distribution if voluntary action is not taken.
Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) refuse to provide, or to withdraw, inspections of an establishment for willful or repeated violations of the respective Act; (2) deny or suspend inspection in the public interest to protect the health or welfare of consumers or to ensure the effective performance of an official duty under the respective Act; and (3) assess civil penalties for violations.
Amends the FFDCA to require a person (other than a household consumer or other individual who is an intended consumer) who has reason to believe that an article of food introduced into interstate commerce is adulterated or misbranded in a manner that, if consumed, may result in illness or injury to notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Directs the Secretary, upon finding that to be the case, to: (1) provide all appropriate persons an opportunity to cease distribution of such article, make appropriate notifications, and recall the article; and (2) require an immediate cessation of distribution if voluntary action is not taken. Allows the Secretary to assess penalties for prohibited acts.
To cite this information, click a citation format for a suggestion: Bibliography Wikipedia.
GovTrack.us. S. 425--111th Congress (2009): Food Safety and Tracking Improvement Act, GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)(accessed Apr 9, 2009)
{{cite web
url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-425&tab=summary
title=S. 425 Because the U.S. Congress posts most legislative information online one legislative day after events occur, GovTrack is usually one legislative day behind.
operations@govtrack.us, but I can't do your research for you, nor can I pass on messages to Members of Congress. This site is "copyleft": You are encouraged to reuse any material on this site. Developers: GovTrack is open source and supports open knowledge.
This Information was copied from ustrack.us
These bills can change the face of america.... Small independent farmership could be a way of the past!!!!
" The Socialist Revolution in the US cannot take place because there are too many small independent farmers there. Those people are the stability factor. We here in Russia must hurry while our government is stupid enough to not encourage and support the 'independent farmership.'"
- V. Lenin, the founder of the Russian revolution
Quote provided by Anna Fisher
GovTrack.us
The next meeting of the Senate is Apr 20, 2009; the House next meets Apr 21, 2009.
S. 425:
111th Congress
This is a bill in the U.S. Congress originating in the Senate ("S."). A bill must be passed by both the Senate and House and then be signed by the President before it becomes law.
Bill numbers restart from 1 every two years. Each two-year cycle is called a session of Congress. This bill was created in the 111th Congress, in 2009-2010.
2009-2010
Food Safety and Tracking Improvement Act
A bill to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for the establishment of a traceability system for food, to amend the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspections Act, the Egg Products Inspection Act, and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to provide for improved public health and food safety through enhanced enforcement, and for other purposes.
window.google_render_ad();
(About the paid content on GovTrack)
See S. 425 on THOMAS for the official source of information on this bill or resolution.
Summaries
Congressional Research Service Summary
The following summary was written by the Congressional Research Service, a well-respected nonpartisan arm of the Library of Congress. GovTrack did not write and has no control over these summaries.
2/12/2009--Introduced.
Food Safety and Tracking Improvement Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a traceability system for all stages of manufacturing, processing, packaging, and distribution of food through which the Secretary can retrieve the history, use, and location of each article of food shipped in interstate commerce.
Amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, and the Egg Products Inspection Act to require a person (other than a household consumer) who has reason to believe that any meat, poultry, egg, or egg product handled by such person is adulterated or misbranded to notify the Secretary of Agriculture of the identity and location of the article. Directs the Secretary, upon finding that the article is adulterated or misbranded and there is a reasonable probability that human consumption would present a threat to public health, to: (1) provide all appropriate persons an opportunity to cease distribution of the article, make appropriate notifications, and recall the article; and (2) require an immediate cessation of distribution if voluntary action is not taken.
Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) refuse to provide, or to withdraw, inspections of an establishment for willful or repeated violations of the respective Act; (2) deny or suspend inspection in the public interest to protect the health or welfare of consumers or to ensure the effective performance of an official duty under the respective Act; and (3) assess civil penalties for violations.
Amends the FFDCA to require a person (other than a household consumer or other individual who is an intended consumer) who has reason to believe that an article of food introduced into interstate commerce is adulterated or misbranded in a manner that, if consumed, may result in illness or injury to notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Directs the Secretary, upon finding that to be the case, to: (1) provide all appropriate persons an opportunity to cease distribution of such article, make appropriate notifications, and recall the article; and (2) require an immediate cessation of distribution if voluntary action is not taken. Allows the Secretary to assess penalties for prohibited acts.
To cite this information, click a citation format for a suggestion: Bibliography Wikipedia.
GovTrack.us. S. 425--111th Congress (2009): Food Safety and Tracking Improvement Act, GovTrack.us (database of federal legislation)
{{cite web
url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-425&tab=summary
title=S. 425 Because the U.S. Congress posts most legislative information online one legislative day after events occur, GovTrack is usually one legislative day behind.
operations@govtrack.us, but I can't do your research for you, nor can I pass on messages to Members of Congress. This site is "copyleft": You are encouraged to reuse any material on this site. Developers: GovTrack is open source and supports open knowledge.
This Information was copied from ustrack.us
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Pretending to care is almost like really caring!
The Mission:
Help the NHTI campus save water, save money, and plant more trees!
How? You may be asking yourself. What is it that I can do? I am but flesh and blood…. one person on this planet…… Fear not Brave souls! For the answer lies at your feet.
Ask yourself these few simple questions
Do you take 20 minutes showers????
Do you leave the water running while you brush your teeth????
Do you walk by a sink that is dripping and not correct the issue?????
THE GOAL:
Reduce the water consumption on campus through the month of March. Use the money saved to plant Trees that will shade your deserving souls….. Then smile because you now know the truth. Pretending to care is Almost like really caring.
The Mission:
Help the NHTI campus save water, save money, and plant more trees!
How? You may be asking yourself. What is it that I can do? I am but flesh and blood…. one person on this planet…… Fear not Brave souls! For the answer lies at your feet.
Ask yourself these few simple questions
Do you take 20 minutes showers????
Do you leave the water running while you brush your teeth????
Do you walk by a sink that is dripping and not correct the issue?????
THE GOAL:
Reduce the water consumption on campus through the month of March. Use the money saved to plant Trees that will shade your deserving souls….. Then smile because you now know the truth. Pretending to care is Almost like really caring.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Un-Fun Facts
For the first time in history, humanity must face the risk of unintentionally destroying the foundations of life on Earth. The global scientific consensus is that if the current levels of environmental deterioration continue, the delicate life-sustaining qualities of this planet will collapse. -- Daniel Sitarz, editor, Agenda 21 (1994)
- · Half the world lives on less than $2 a day.
(Globewatch) - The USA's electricity consumption per capita is 12,343.098 kWh per year and 71.4 % of that electricity is generated via fossil fuel. Australia's consumption is 10,252.432 kWh per capita, with 90.8 % fossil fuel dependent. German consumption is 6,366.428 kWh per capita with only 61.8 % of that fossil fuel generation dependent. (NationMaster)
· - Vast destruction of the world's forests is contributing to the spread of the world's deserts, increasing the loss of biodiversity and hampering the ability of the Earth's atmosphere to cleanse itself.
· - The food we eat now typically travels between 1,500 and 3,000 miles from farm to our dinner plate. The distance had increased by up to 25 percent between 1980 and 2001. Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University
· - National average for all uses on a yearly basis: 183 gpcd (gallons per capita daily) (http://www.ci.oswego/)
· - Below is a list of common water uses and the average amount used for each.
- Toilet Flush 3 to 7 Gallons
- Shower 25 to 50 Gallons
- Hand Washing 2 Gallons (with tap running)
- Brushing Teeth2 Gallons (with tap running)
- Outdoor Watering 5 to 10 Gallons per Minute
- Automatic Dishwashing 10 Gallons
- Dishwashing By Hand 20 Gallons
- Tub 36 Gallons
- On the average nationwide, 183 gallons of water is treated for each person every day.
·
Below is a breakdown of how that water is used.
Residential Use:
- Bathing, Cooking, Washing, etc.70Gallons
- Industrial Use: Factories 50 Gallons
- Office BuildingsCommercial Use: 35 Gallons
- Hospitals, Restaurants, SportsPublic Use 10: Gallons
- Parks, Fighting Fires Lost or Unaccounted for Water 18 Gallons
(http://www.ci.oswego/)
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