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Food safety bill advances
The Senate has voted 74 to 25 to bring to the floor the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. That means debate on the legislation now begins and the bill will not be filibustered.
According to DTN, negotiations continue over the final language of the bill, including an amendment by Montana Senator Jon Tester that would exclude small farmers and processors from some of the inspection, costs and paperwork provisions. Depending on those talks, a vote on a final bill could come yet this week, but Washington insiders say it is more likely to be delayed until Senators return after Thanksgiving.
More than 30 major agricultural groups have written a letter to Senators stating their support for the bill, but opposing any exemptions for smaller operations. For his part, Tester says he doesn’t want the food safety legislation to harm the local food movement, which he says helps small producers and the rural economy.
Tags: Congress, FDA, food safety
If local food is so healthy, local food producers and marketers should have any problem complying with new regulations. If it is a cost of compliance issue, the cost should be shifted to the consumer. The fact that food is consumed close to where it is grown doesn’t make it any safer. The food should be subject to the same inspections, testing etc.