Monsanto: A bill to outlaw organic farming next week?

[Conguero]

Did anyone else see this? Surprising to say the least. Disregard if this was posted already.

US House and Senate are about (in a week and a half) to vote on bill that will OUTLAW ORGANIC FARMING (bill HR 875). There is an enormous rush to get this into law within the next 2 weeks before people realize what is happening.

Main backer and lobbyist is (guess who) Monsanto (aspartame maker) - chemical and genetic engineering giant corporation. This bill will require organic farms to use specific fertilizers and poisonous insect sprays dictated by the newly formed agency to "make sure there is no danger to the public food supply". This will include backyard gardens that grow food only for a family and not for sales.

If this passes then NO more heirloom clean seeds but only Monsanto genetically altered seeds that are now showing up with unexpected diseases in humans.

There is a video on the subject. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thE54K3PaTY

And another one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeWVkTU1s1E

The name on this outrageous food plan is Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 (bill HR 875).

THIS IS REAL, FOLKS! PASS THIS ALONG TO ALL CONCERNED ON YOUR MAILING LISTS & CALL YOUR SENATE REPRESENTETIVES TODAY! Get on that phone and burn up the wires. Get anyone else you can to do the same thing. The House and Senate WILL pass this if they are not massively threatened with loss of their position.... They only fear your voice and your vote.

The best thing to do is go to <http://www.house.gov/writerep http://www.house.gov/writerep all you have to do is put in your zip and it will give you your congressperson and how to get in touch with them. When you call their office someone will answer the phone, just tell them (politely) that you are calling to express your views on HR 875. Tell them your views, they'll take your name and address and pass your comments along to the congressperson. The following linkhttp://<http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm >www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm is a list of the U.S. senators and their contact info.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-875

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

[sport]

Did anyone tell Michelle Obama that her new garden is in danger.

[iluvmangos]

Did anyone tell Michelle Obama that her new garden is in danger.

I bet hers isn't.

[RawKnitster]

Saw it and sent an email to my Representative. Here is the letter I got back from him.

Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 875, the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

As you know, recent outbreaks of food contamination have revived food safety issues in Congress and in the public debate, but this is not a new issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year about 76 million people contract a food-borne illness in the US. Out of those about 5,000 cases are fatal. H.R. 875 is one of several proposals that have been introduced in the 111th Congress that aim to prevent such outbreaks. It is my hope that solutions will recognize the effect of regulations for small produce growers and distributors.

H.R. 875 would require regulators to provide additional technical assistance and support to small businesses and tailor illness-prevention controls to the particular situation faced by a food establishment. There is also a provision that requires the Administrator to account for the needs of small business when setting timetables for new regulations. It is important to note that H.R. 875 specially excludes all not-for-profit agriculture activities, including back-yard and community gardens and subsistence farming activities.

It is my understanding that as introduced, H.R. 875 does not contain any language dictating the choices of pest or contagion control methods and seed stock that farmers may or may not use. While I hope to add some reforms to our food safety system, I do not believe federal policy should have the adverse impact of limiting the diversity and freedom of our many agrarian traditions and innovations. As a cosponsor of the "Genetically Engineered Right to Know Act," I have advocated the disclosure of vital information regarding the genetically-engineered nature of many mass-distributed vegetable products.

H.R. 875 has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, on which I sit, as well as the House Agriculture Committee, on which I do not sit. Because H.R. 875 does contain some provisions that would bring needed reforms to the regulatory regime for food safety it is my hope that the issues you raise regarding authorities of a proposed safety administration will be examined and debated through the Committee hearings and the legislative process. I look forward to having the opportunity to work over the provisions of food safety legislation in some form in a Committee proceeding in the coming months, and I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind.

[cherrypie]

this is just unbelivable, outragous, atrocious and I'm speechless.
i posted earlier today in this forum a link to a brand new film about monsanto and their practices as well as their involvment in the FDA such as former Monsanto employees are now high in key positions in the FDA and vice versa.

I highly recommend that film and to join Green peace or any other organisation that fights these corporate outlaws

[spicyfull]

Thanks for Sharing.

[Coolexplosion]

Saw it and sent an email to my Representative. Here is the letter I got back from him.

Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 875, the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009. I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue.

As you know, recent outbreaks of food contamination have revived food safety issues in Congress and in the public debate, but this is not a new issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year about 76 million people contract a food-borne illness in the US. Out of those about 5,000 cases are fatal. H.R. 875 is one of several proposals that have been introduced in the 111th Congress that aim to prevent such outbreaks. It is my hope that solutions will recognize the effect of regulations for small produce growers and distributors.

H.R. 875 would require regulators to provide additional technical assistance and support to small businesses and tailor illness-prevention controls to the particular situation faced by a food establishment. There is also a provision that requires the Administrator to account for the needs of small business when setting timetables for new regulations. It is important to note that H.R. 875 specially excludes all not-for-profit agriculture activities, including back-yard and community gardens and subsistence farming activities.

It is my understanding that as introduced, H.R. 875 does not contain any language dictating the choices of pest or contagion control methods and seed stock that farmers may or may not use. While I hope to add some reforms to our food safety system, I do not believe federal policy should have the adverse impact of limiting the diversity and freedom of our many agrarian traditions and innovations. As a cosponsor of the "Genetically Engineered Right to Know Act," I have advocated the disclosure of vital information regarding the genetically-engineered nature of many mass-distributed vegetable products.

H.R. 875 has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee, on which I sit, as well as the House Agriculture Committee, on which I do not sit. Because H.R. 875 does contain some provisions that would bring needed reforms to the regulatory regime for food safety it is my hope that the issues you raise regarding authorities of a proposed safety administration will be examined and debated through the Committee hearings and the legislative process. I look forward to having the opportunity to work over the provisions of food safety legislation in some form in a Committee proceeding in the coming months, and I will be sure to keep your thoughts in mind.

Calling is about five times better than emailing. Emailing does nothing. Vote them out of office next time and make sure all of your friends do as well. Who is it out of curiosity? I recommend a call. If you can get other people to call as well, influencing the Energy committee is HUGE if you can.

My Rep. will not be voting for this.

[iwuvmydoggy]

i did a search at yahoo answers for monsanto & found this: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArqIsVgabKS1XMInIezpQZsjzKIX;_ylv=3?qid =20071116041336AADvz5W

seems they are partly responsible for killing bees as well (or so the answer made it look like!)

THIS IS HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:mad::mad::mad::mad::m ad:

[glamazon]

oh shyzza I just posted this same thread LOL well glad to see we all on same page!!! Make sure you let our voices be heard where they count...do what needs to be done people! We can make a change.

Have a great weekend!!

[RawKnitster]

Calling is about five times better than emailing. Emailing does nothing. Vote them out of office next time and make sure all of your friends do as well. Who is it out of curiosity? I recommend a call. If you can get other people to call as well, influencing the Energy committee is HUGE if you can.

My Rep. will not be voting for this.

I discovered that another Representative from my state is a cosponsor of this bill. I have sent him a letter asking why he is backing this bill. I also sent a that letter to my Representative asking him to clarify his position and how he intends to vote. I have suggested he not only vote against it, but argue passionately for his fellow Democrats to also vote against it.

It seems to be a pet project of far-left liberal Democrats :confused:

I beg to differ that sending an email is not as effective as calling. They both end up as a tally in a poll. The only form of communication that is disregarded are form letters. However, I will also call to register my complaints.

[HolyGuacamole]

Calling is about five times better than emailing. Emailing does nothing.

Mathematically, if emailing = 0, then calling is 5 x 0, which is also 0. :p

[glamazon]

Holy G...cant fight mathematics hahahha BUT we all do owe it to ourselves and the ones we love to stand up and be counted---no pun intended!!

On another site I stalk :D another raw peep posted a comment in regards to this same thread about the proposed bill....thought it was very thoughtout, knowledgeable and kinda enlightening...little lengthy BUT worth the read for sure.

HR 875 is indeed a bad bill because it burdens small farms, conventional or organic, and makes it more expensive and difficult for them to compete. In times when we should all understand the importance of supporting small farms, especially organic farmers, that is reason alone to express opposition to the bill. On the up side, it's primary purpose to ensure the ability to trace tainted foods back to their source, which is not a bad thing. However, almost everything presented as "fact" by those opposing the bill is propaganda.

Opponents of this bill are using the same lies and manipulative scare tactics Monsanto would ordinarily use. Perhaps they realize the practical truth does not motivate the average person. Sadly, they are probably right. It seems that unless proposed legislation is perceived as the fore-horse of the apocalypse, most of us just can't be bothered.

The statement that Monsanto is behind the bill is based on the assertion that Stanley Greenburg, husband of the the bill's sponsor, Democratic Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, is a Monsanto employee. That is not true and even if it were, that certainly doesn't mean Monsanto sponsored the bill. It is a well-publicized fact that Greenburg is not a Monsanto employee. Greenburg runs/owns a successful research/polling firm that specializes in election-related issues. The falsity is spun from the fact that 10+ years ago Greenburg's firm conducted a public opinion poll for Monsanto. That is like saying that because I purchased a bottle of kombucha from Earth Fare this morning I must be in business with them.

Opposition to the bill claims that it gives Monsanto incredible power, criminalizes seed-banking and home gardens, mandates what to feed/treat organic produce/animals, mandates 24-hour GPS farm animal tracking, requires the seizure of violator's property (understood as real estate by the average person), and gives government the right to conduct warrantless searches of property. These statements are either blatant falsities or gross misinterpretations.

Monsanto is not mentioned in the bill and no "powers" are conferred on them.

A text search of the bill finds that the words "seed," "seeds," and "banking" are not mentioned in the bill. The definitions section does not include a term that would substitute for seeds. The bill does criminalize intentional food-safety violations that lead to a serious illness or death. There doesn't seem to be any half-truths or basis to the seed-bank falsity, other than the knowledge that if people think they can't grow their own food anymore they would become frightened and defiant. Obviously such disinformation serves a purpose.

The proposed record-keeping regulations apply to all food production facilities, which is defined as "any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation." The seizure of property seems to be limited to any food product deemed to be "unsafe, is adulterated or misbranded, or otherwise fails to meet the requirements of this the food safety law." Both instances include language that could be improved upon. I am not afraid that my backyard tomatoes will be confiscated.

The Department of Agriculture already has the right to define what constitutes "organic" food so they can already tell farmers what to feed organic produce/animals. Nothing new there, but I don't even see where that is mentioned in this bill.

The words "GPS," "global," or "satellite" do not appear in the text either. I assume this was twisted out of the authority in the bill to "establish the national traceability system under this section to be consistent with existing statutes and regulations that require recordkeeping or labeling for identifying the origin or history of food or food animals." Seems like a good idea that if tainted food products are discovered in the marketplace we should be able to identify where they came from and how they got that way. This in no way mandates the 24-hour GPS tracking of farm animals.

Although I didn't see anything in the proposed bill having to do with warrantless searches, perhaps opponents think that is the same thing as the right to inspect a food facility pursuant to the bill. Despite that, government already has numerous opportunities to search private property without a warrant thanks to the US Supreme Court. For all intents and purposes, whatever was left of the Fourth Amendment was done away with under the Patriot Act. Now when government wants to violate your rights, they just fabricate an issue connecting you to terrorism and everybody falls in line.

According to Congresswoman DeLauro, she introduced the bill to deal with recent food-safety issues experienced during the last administration with spinach, tomatoes, peppers, and now peanut butter. Evidently, she was unaware Republicans slashed the food inspection budgets to such levels that yearly inspections were no longer possible. According to the FDA, they did not have the budget to inspect these facilities once every 10 years. Obama has promised to raise the FDA food-inspection budgets by app. 1.1 billion dollars annually.

Another concern I have with the bill is that while those injured by violations are given a right to sue, they can only get actual damages, perhaps attorney fees, and no punitive damages. This often creates a disincentive for an attorney to take a case on a contingency basis. When that happens, it basically means it takes away a consumer-victim's right to sue while protecting corporations from damages for intentional conduct. By example, it is like when a surgeon is jacked up on meth while performing a surgery and amputates some one's leg "by mistake," he only has to pay for the cost of the lost leg and no more. Many doctors have been protected this way under state "tort reform" laws. If this bill applied to medical malpractice, the injured patient would not be able to get punitive, or punishment" fines from the surgeon as a means of dissuading that surgeon and others from performing surgery while high. Furthermore, unless I misinterpreted the language, whistleblowers who turn in those violating the law, can get actual damages, but appear to be exempted from the Federal Whistleblower's Act, which means they are afforded little protection and therefore little incentive to blow the whistle. Screw the honest, concerned, or injured citizen while covering corporate ass. That's the American way anymore.

For those of you who want to be informed based on your own interpretation of the bill, here is the link: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-875.

[Coolexplosion]

I discovered that another Representative from my state is a cosponsor of this bill. I have sent him a letter asking why he is backing this bill. I also sent a that letter to my Representative asking him to clarify his position and how he intends to vote. I have suggested he not only vote against it, but argue passionately for his fellow Democrats to also vote against it.

It seems to be a pet project of far-left liberal Democrats :confused:

I beg to differ that sending an email is not as effective as calling. They both end up as a tally in a poll. The only form of communication that is disregarded are form letters. However, I will also call to register my complaints.

Good ideas all around.

Yeah, far-left Democrats want centralized power to the government. Far left also equals Socialism. Don't get me wrong, Republicans aren't much better, but at least on this bill they are expressing some opposition. I'm a Libertarian/Ron Paul supporter anyway.

In speaking with a Congressional Aid, that is how he described it. "I can respond with letters closely resembling each other if it is via email, but if it is a call, that is usually not possible. Additionally, callers tend to be more assertive than those who email. The last thing the Congresswoman wants is a disgruntled voter setting up a coalition against her." ~ NOT EXACT QUOTE, but you get the point.

Guac: Politics laughs at math, just look at earmarks. They come up with those numbers via dartboard.

Glamazon: At the most basic level, the bill adds several new layers of rules to farmers. As everyone knows, industries and big corporations will find loopholes or use put their money into the pockets of influential people to by-pass the regulations. Small farmers, however, will receive the burden of the rules and be forced out of business. Centralizing power in the government, especially in terms of food, is not a good thing.

"Control oil and you control nations; control food and you control the people." -Henry Kissinger, 1970.

[kaybee]

ok, i know im stating something thats obvious to all of us, but i still cant help but point it out: the response that raw knitster got, that claims that it doesnt affect non-profit, backyard, or community or subsistence gardening... well, thats great and all, but what about the fact that the majority of people today dont have the space or whatever to grow ALL of their own food....??? even people with allotments are unlikely to be able to grow all of their own produce....and many people dont/cant grow any of their own at all. i noticed he DIDNT say that farmers at farmers markets or anything are exempt either...which means that anything you cant grow yourself is going to be subject to whatever these laws are...which means most of most peoples food...


ARGH!

[RawKnitster]

HR 875 is indeed a bad bill because it burdens small farms, conventional or organic, and makes it more expensive and difficult for them to compete. In times when we should all understand the importance of supporting small farms, especially organic farmers, that is reason alone to express opposition to the bill. On the up side, it's primary purpose to ensure the ability to trace tainted foods back to their source, which is not a bad thing. However, almost everything presented as "fact" by those opposing the bill is propaganda.

Another concern I have with the bill is that while those injured by violations are given a right to sue, they can only get actual damages, perhaps attorney fees, and no punitive damages. This often creates a disincentive for an attorney to take a case on a contingency basis. When that happens, it basically means it takes away a consumer-victim's right to sue while protecting corporations from damages for intentional conduct. Furthermore, unless I misinterpreted the language, whistleblowers who turn in those violating the law, can get actual damages, but appear to be exempted from the Federal Whistleblower's Act, which means they are afforded little protection and therefore little incentive to blow the whistle.

Glam, thanks for posting that over here. This seems like the kind of reasoning that might get some attention from our lawmakers. I sent two Representatives from my state another email paraphrasing most of this. If the bill is going to pass, which it appears it will, I want them to make changes to address these concerns, as well as some of the other authority issues my Representative is concerned about.

[Coolexplosion]

ok, i know im stating something thats obvious to all of us, but i still cant help but point it out: the response that raw knitster got, that claims that it doesnt affect non-profit, backyard, or community or subsistence gardening... well, thats great and all, but what about the fact that the majority of people today dont have the space or whatever to grow ALL of their own food....??? even people with allotments are unlikely to be able to grow all of their own produce....and many people dont/cant grow any of their own at all. i noticed he DIDNT say that farmers at farmers markets or anything are exempt either...which means that anything you cant grow yourself is going to be subject to whatever these laws are...which means most of most peoples food...


ARGH!

That is typical political speak. A politician won't just come right out and attack a voter, they will use the age-old argument "the language doesn't intend that" or a derivative.

While I don't think they will begin attacking you or me for having a baby garden that grows a few items, they will begin targeting small, family farms. Basically, they want food to be traceable. If I buy a red pepper, the government wants to be able to know when I bought it, from who, and when I'm going to eat it. That way, if I get sick, they know who to go after.

Like the Organic Consumer's Association says, their intention is good (giving them the benefit of the doubt, of course), but the bill isn't. This law targets people who live healthfully while rewarding those who get their food from packaged or industrial sources.

[steveoregon]

You might want to see what snopes.com says about this issue before you accept all the information in the original post. In fact, it's a good idea to double and triple check the facts of anything that says "pass this along".

www.snopes.com/politics/business/organic.asp (http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/organic.asp)

.

[Conguero]

I contacted both of my reps and emailed this to everyone in my address book both online and local. Ironically this is probably one of many agendas that are detrimental to our planet and ourselves that is happening that we were fortunate to learn about. I wonder how many other modifications are happening to our food sources we would be shocked to learn.

I try to frequently visit both http://www.naturalnews.com/ and http://www.organicconsumers.org/ regularly (the latter being the original source of this post). It’s sad and many times I guess we can’t help but to feel ineffective in causing a rift or change for the better.

[Conguero]

Of interest...

http://www.leavemyfoodalone.org/

Welcome to LeaveMyFoodAlone.org
This website is a petition designed to stop HR 875. In its current form, the bill could prevent small local organic farms and community gardeners from growing and selling you nutritious, truly fresh, organic produce. It would crush our small local food producers by imposing heavy government regulation that only large corporations could adhere to. Imagine:

No more farmers markets.
No more garden fresh, seasonal ingredients from the local farmer at your favorite restaurant.
No more roadside stands with fresh picked sweet corn, juicy ripe tomatoes, or refreshing
watermelons in the summer.
Americans would essentially be forced to only eat corporately manufactured, chemically treated, hermetically sealed, irradiated fruits and vegetables. Stop this abomination now.

To prevent this bill, act now by signing the petition below!

To learn more about this ridiculous and misguided bill, click here.

[glamazon]

Conguero...I went to that link and sent this letter.

There are alot of issues with this proposed bill...especially the wording which is an obvious way to leave loop-holes for big business and people that still have excess money to sway people in power. Meanwhile the majority of the population are struggling financially and more worried about a roof over their children's head and having ANY food on their tables at this very moment to voice opinions about this bill. Sadly, there are MANY people in out country that are just unaware of this bill or any other bills. I think majority of the time our government banks on that fact!

According to Congresswoman DeLauro, she introduced the bill to deal with recent food-safety issues experienced during the last administration. Although she is actually IN and a participant of the political arena she somehow is unaware Republicans slashed the food inspection budgets to such levels that yearly inspections were unable to be done. According to the FDA, they did not have the budget to inspect these facilities once every 10 years let alone once yearly!! Now President Obama has promised to raise the FDA food-inspection budgets by approximately $1.1 billion dollars annually. But I'm concerned that as with the LOOPHOLES from the "bank" bailout that the bigger fish in the FDA will get the money intended to FIX/STOP food contamination and disperse as they see fit. Let's face it, Food and Drugs should never have been a JOINT DEPARTMENT in the first place.

Another concern with the bill is that while those injured by violations are given a right to sue, they can only get actual damages, perhaps attorney fees, and no punitive damages. This often creates a disincentive for an attorney to take a case on a contingency basis. Sadly we are all to aware there aren't many Erin Brockovich's still roaming around nowadays.

This bill basically takes away a consumer/victim's right to sue while protecting corporations from damages for intentional conduct. By example, it is like when a surgeon is high on coke [not the cola...altho its sugar content can get ya high as well..another FACT the FDA minimalizes with their propaganda] while performing a surgery and amputates some one's leg "by mistake," he only has to pay for the cost of the lost leg and no more. Many doctors have been protected this way under state "tort reform" laws. If this bill applied to medical malpractice, the injured patient would not be able to get "punitive, or punishment" fines from the surgeon as a means of dissuading that surgeon and others from performing surgery while high.

Furthermore, so-called whistleblowers who turn in those violating the law, can get actual damages, but appear to be exempted from the Federal Whistleblower's Act, which means they are afforded little protection and therefore little incentive to blow the whistle. Screw the honest, concerned, or injured citizen while covering corporate ass. That's the American way anymore. Then because of fear based coercion, big business/government again get away with horrific tactics and manipulations that mainstream Americans will only be privy to 20-30 years later when all the damage is long past and people that were involved are no longer around or made accountable for!!!

If the Bill's regulations were applied in a one-size-fits-all manner to certified organic and farm-to-consumer operations, it could have a devastating impact on small farmers, especially RAW milk producers who are already unfairly targeted by state food-safety regulators. Although this Bill seems somewhat well-intentioned, we are calling on Congress to focus its attention on the real threats to food safety: globalized food sourcing from nations such as China where food safety is a joke and domestic industrial-scale and factory farms whose collateral damage includes pesticide and antibiotic-tainted food, mad cow disease, E.coli contamination and salmonella poisoning. And, of course, Congress and the Obama Administration need to support a massive transition to organic farming practices." I'm sure Michelle Obama would be very interested in this whole proposed bill, especially now that she went on national news and showed the area on the White House grounds that her future garden will be located. History has shown, whatever the First Lady embarks on, many Americans tend to follow suit. Thankfully we now have people in that seem genuinely concerned about health and wellness in our country!