Find links to more information about key advocacy issues related to natural and organic food and wellness.
The food safety amendment, S.510, as written, offers a one-size fits-all approach that would place a heavy burden on smaller food producers. The Tester-Hagan Amendment (Jon Tester, D-MT and Kay Hagan D-NC) would exempt small farms and processing facilities from federal regulations, instead they would continue to be regulated by state standards.
S.510 is slated for a cloture vote on November 17th when Congress reconvenes after the election. Now is the time to contact members of Congress to ask them to add the Tester Amendment (and Manager’s Amendment) language to S.510. Find more info below.
Brief History
The pending Food Safety Modernization Act (S.510) was crafted in March 2009 in response to growing concerns over food safety. The main goal of this bill, still being considered by the Senate, is to give the FDA new authorities and resources to prevent food safety issues. S.510. While there is broad agreement on the need to improve food safety and support for much of the bill, the bill threatens small and mid-size farmers and processors due to its one-size-fits all approach.
Ferd Hoefner, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) policy director, emphasized the need for size appropriate regulation in NSAC’s October 20 press release, “It is critical that as we ramp up food safety protections we do not inadvertently create economic havoc for our family farmers or shut down new investments in local and regional food systems that are vital to economic recovery, public health, and nutritional wellbeing.”
The Tester Amendment, introduced by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) and co-sponsored by Senator Kay Hagan’s (D-NC), proposes size appropriate alternative for farmers and processor. Many organic and sustainable food and farming advocates support adding the Tester Amendment language to S.510 as well as the Manager’s Amendment.
For more information, please find the following resource(s):
More info to be posted as it becomes available.
September 1, 2010 – Action Alert from the Center for Food Safety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on August 25, 2010 that it will potentially approve the long-shelved AquAdvantage transgenic salmon as the first genetically engineered (GE) animal intended for human consumption. The GE Atlantic salmon being considered was developed by AquaBounty Technologies, and genetically engineered to produce growth hormones year-round, creating a fish the company claims grows at twice the normal rate. This could allow factory fish farms to crowd the salmon into pens and still get high production rates.
Please note: CFS is asking consumers to take action now! The hearing for approving the salmon is scheduled for Sunday, September 19, and no public comment period has been established for the approval of genetically engineered fish outside of this meeting, so this may be the only chance to oppose this approval! Only a public comment period on labeling of the GE fish has been opened.
Find additional details in the action alert from the Center for Food Safety.
The order bans planting or sale of the controversial genetically engineered beet crop. The court denies Monsanto’s request to allow continued planting. Find additional details in the press release from the Center for Food Safety.
The Supreme Court ruled June 21, 2010 in Monsanto v. Geerston Farms, the first genetically modified crop case ever brought before the Supreme Court. While the Court did reverse the original injunction, it also ruled that the ban on GMO alfalfa remains, and it is still illegal to plant or sell GMO alfalfa. This is a huge victory for Center for Food Safety as well as NCGA and others who signed on to an amicus brief in support of this case, but most importantly for the farmers and consumers we represent. The court ruled that an injunction was unnecessary since under CFS’s earlier Federal Court victory (which ruled that USDA violated NEPA and other environmental laws when it approved Roundup Ready alfalfa) the crop became a regulated item and illegal to plant. Please find more info in the CFS press release on the Center for Food Safety’s website.
June 23, 2010 Press Release
WASHINGTON – Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), joined by 49 other representatives and five other senators, are asking U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to retain the regulated status of genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa.
Please find the full press release on Senator Patrick Leahy’s site.
Read NCGA’s comments to USDA
Read National Organic Coalitions’s comments to USDA
Recent research and government findings have revealed new concerns about the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) found in polycarbonate plastics and possible negative effects on human health.
Read on overview on the BPA issue
Read the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Draft Brief on BPA
Read the NTP Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction Expert Panel Report on BPA
Read The Work Group for Safe Markets report on BPA in baby bottles
Thanks to NCGA for sharing this compiled information.
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