111th U.S. Congress - House Bill HR 2749

A new food safety bill is on the fast track in Congress--HR 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009. The bill needs to be stopped!

HR 2749 gives FDA tremendous power while significantly diminishing existing judicial restraints on actions taken by the agency. The bill would impose a one-size-fits-all regulatory scheme on small farms and local artisanal producers; and it would disproportionately impact their operations for the worse.

HR 2749 does not address underlying causes of food safety problems such as industrial agriculture practices and the consolidation of our food supply. The industrial food system and food imports are badly in need of effective regulation, but the HR 2749 does not specifically direct regulation or resources to these areas.

ALARMING PROVISIONS (see Talking Points):
 
* Power to Quarantine a Geographic Area; the FDA can also Halt All Movement of All Food in a geographic area.

* Warrantless Searches of Business Records.

* Establishing a Tracing System for Food.

* Severe Criminal and Civil Penalties.

* Annual Registration Fee ($500 for 2010).

* Regulation of How Crops Are Raised and Harvested. There is language specifically indicating the use of scientifically proven methods.

Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund works tirelessly to inform and educate rural consumers and farmers on legislation that is passing thru the Congress. Here is the website     http://www.ftcldf.org/index.html
 
Please call the Capitol Switchboard and ask Joe Donnelly to oppose HR 2749 and leave a few reasons why you oppose it. 
The number is 202-224-3121 and ask your Representitive's office.