Link: H.R. 875 Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009

XXL TideFan · March 17th, 2009, 05:31 PM

Sounds good for the people, huh? I saw a couple of news blurbs about this bill and decided to check the bill itself out.

Section 3:14 states

	Quote:
	FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITY- The term `food production facility' means any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation.

That one little definition just gave the government the right to shut down your backyard garden or prevent you from ever raising a chicken or pig that you intend to slaughter yourself for your own consumption. It is just coincidental the the bills author is married to a Montsanto representative.

He who controls the food, controls you.

http://thomas.loc.gov

jthomas666 · March 17th, 2009, 05:38 PM

Big Food strikes again.

But is a garden legally a farm?
If your pig isn't tied up when he's fed, is it really a confined-feeding operation?

From a quick look, it looks as though as long as you are not selling what you grow/raise, you're in the clear.

Why can't they just broaden the FDA's mandate, rather than creating a new agency?

But yes, that's a lousy definition.

bayoutider · March 17th, 2009, 07:02 PM

Tide n True · March 17th, 2009, 08:10 PM

I was not happy with the expansion of government under GWB, and few people were. How can those people be happy with the expansion of government under Obama?

RhodeIslandRed · March 17th, 2009, 08:24 PM

It seems like this bill is aimed at commercial farmers. But small organic farmers are now liable for their food. It appears that they must keep accurate records and be open to inspections. Of course, these are the farmers who can afford it the least. It seems this will aid the big corporate farmers to help keep out competition due to added expense and expertise in keeping records and handling inspections. Again this is another run at centralization. This time it is with the food supply.