Posted on 03/17/2009 4:05:03 AM PDT by Man50D
Some small farms and organic food growers could be placed under direct supervision of the federal government under new legislation making its way through Congress.
House Resolution 875, or the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009, was introduced by Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., in February. DeLauro's husband, Stanley Greenburg, works for Monsanto – the world's leading producer of herbicides and genetically engineered seed.
DeLauro's act has 39 co-sponsors and was referred to the House Agriculture Committee on Feb. 4. It calls for the creation of a Food Safety Administration to allow the government to regulate food production at all levels – and even mandates property seizure, fines of up to $1 million per offense and criminal prosecution for producers, manufacturers and distributors who fail to comply with regulations.
Michael Olson, host of the Food Chain radio show and author of "Metro Farm," told WND the government should focus on regulating food production in countries such as China and Mexico rather than burdening small and organic farmers in the U.S. with overreaching regulations.
"We need somebody to watch over us when we're eating food that comes from thousands and thousands of miles away. We need some help there," he said. "But when food comes from our neighbors or from farmers who we know, we don't need all of those rules. If your neighbor sells you something that is bad and you get sick, you are going to get your hands on that farmer, and that will be the end of it. It regulates itself."
(Excerpt) Read more at worldnetdaily.com ...
If you grow more veggies than you can eat or can, will the government now consider you a small farm for selling your surplus at the local farmer’s market? I would say yes.
Wickard v. Filburn “reinterpreted” the commerce clause to greatly expand federal power. It is the foundation of ALL federal gun control among many other abuses.
That reminded me of a search that I did on the IRS website a few years ago. I wanted to know if I was avoiding or evading taxes by growing my own veggies. According to their definition of income from any source, I figured that the sun and earth are the sources therefore I owed taxes on them.
Since then, I've been throwing every tenth tomato in a pile, but they never seem to come around for them. Go figure : )
bump
Where are you Big_Harry? I could use some help plowing.
By the time the tomatoes are ready it will be real hot and we will be drinking iced tea. So take a mug of cold tea along with the ‘mater sandwich when you protest.
You probably will be arrested for not sharing your ‘mater sandwich with an ACORN type person.
Charlotte, NC. I’m restricted to what the old iron mule can do (old Craftsman Tiller), but I’ll be glad to help if you are local.
“Where I live it is illegal to grow food in your front yard: must be flowers and lawn only.”
There are a number of fruits and vegetables that look like flowers to the untrained eye, might those be an option?
HA....we just transplanted a pine type tree into our median out front...I plan on planting either pole beans or Zucchini so that it grows UP that tree this summer....screw the "police"....Just tell them you LIKE THE FLOWERS....
chard and kale might work
I am not sure how much the law is enforced, keeping the garden neat will go a long way
YEP...and you can EAT squash flowers too
Darn, I’m in Wisconsin. Ah well, I’ll just have to see if I can charm one of my neighbors. Maybe with some home-made cookies ;)
I wonder if we could plant ultra-rare varieties and claim we’re protecting an endangered species?
>>Control the food, control the people.
“The Appetite of Tyranny is seldom far removed from the Tyranny of the Appetite.”
Not good... now I’m going to have to take my strawberries underground with my weed (that’s a joke, y’all).
"Better get the word to the boss man
A wire from the industry spy
Tell him that they’re over the border
Trying out the White House for size
The selling of America
Is going on now town by town
The selling of America
You better keep it underground..."
--Big Country, The Selling of America
ping
I haven’t seen the other thread that specifically shows how it affects home gardens, that I know of.
I have been doing research on this bill for the past week or so. I don’t believe it affects home gardens or, as some claim, will put organic farms out of business.
I do think it has the potential to be the kiss of death for small farmers, farmer’s markets, CSAs, etc., b/c of the over burdensome registration requirements, fees, and penalties.
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