Bill HR 875 anyone?

[Amy]

So, I caught some scuttlebutt about a bill in the House of Representatives that is supposed to protect us as consumers. Not sure about how it will protect producers though, at least not the small ones. I just printed off the bill to try and read it (I killed a tree) and I hope to make sense of it. It's in committee now. It would help me a great deal if some great minds here could read up on it and help out with the interpretation.

On the surface it sounds like knee jerk food safety legislation.

Will read more and try to report back.

[Janet Jinkner]

I haven't read it in detail, but I've heard enough about it by now that I'm planning for the black market. I already have a friend selling black market milk. I've sold fruits, veggies and eggs at the local farmers market for a couple of years. I'm told that my eggs for sale in the fridge on the porch will be subject to inspection and certification and will have to be registered or face a $1M fine. Now it looks like eggs, fruits and veggies will also become black market items.

Between the proposed Food Safety Act and and the National Animal ID System (NAIS), I think we will all be either black market or stuck with Monsanto & co.

[Amy]

Thanks Janet,

this was the first I was hearing about this bill. I'm really disturbed by the fact that some pretty smart legislators from my state are co-sponsoring this.

[Janet Jinkner]

Send them an e-mail with your opinions about the bill. AND have your friends also send them e-mail.

I just a day or so ago sent an email to the senator for my area telling her I wanted her to support a bill coming up supporting Oregon Sovereignty. I don't know what state you're in, but I discovered here that you can get on a list to get email newsletters from your senators and representatives, and be able to e-mail them directly with your opinions.