Ban Organic Farming

[Herby]

I got this e-mail today which warns of a Bill in America which bans organic farming in the interest of public health. Allegedly natural seeds contain germs that may be harmful to humans. Clean seeds from companies like Monsanto (which produce GMO products) should be used instead.

Below is the info I received:

House and Senate bills to kill all organic farms (FAST track bills in 2 weeks)
Food Safety Modernisation Act (HR 875): Criminalisation of Organic Farms

Bills are: House H.R. 875
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-875

Senate S 425
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-425

There is an enormous rush to get this into law within the next 2 weeks before people realise what is happening.

Main backer and lobbyist is Monsanto (company which makes GMO & fertilisers).

This Bill will require organic farms to use specific fertilisers and poisonous insect sprays dictated by the newly formed agency or be driven out of business by gigantic fines. They will also determine what animals are fed (GMO).

If this passes then NO more heirloom clean seeds will be allowed, only Monsanto genetically altered seeds that are now causing unexpected diseases in humans.

Here is a short video on the subject:
http://www.voteronpaul.com/newsDetail.php?Food-Safety-Modernization-Act-HR-875-Criminalization-of-Organic-Farms-222

[Herby]

I realise the title may not be the best, makes me sound like I'm for banning organic farms. Shouldn't have written it when I was tired. Tried changing the title - maybe a moderator could do this.

Basically the bill requires so much paperwork it won't be feasible for small businesses to continue.

[NigelWaring]

I cannot really imagine that the current US Administration would allow this to go through without full debate.

[Herby]

I hope not.

Obama made Tom Vilsack Secretary of Agriculture. Before he was sworn in there was some concern about this choice as some sites claimed Vilsack was a 'buddy' of Monsanto.

This is a link from November by the Organic Consumers Orginisation:

http://www.organicconsumers.org/arti...icle_15573.cfm

[NigelWaring]

Someone on another site found this for us:


from http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy...ming-440320604


Myths and Facts: H.R. 875 – The Food Safety Modernization Act from Myths and Facts: H.R. 875 – The Food Safety Modernization Act

MYTH: H.R. 875 "makes it illegal to grow your own garden" and would result in the "criminalization of the backyard gardener."
FACT: There is no language in the bill that would regulate, penalize, or shut down backyard gardens. This bill is focused on ensuring the safety of foods sold in supermarkets.

MYTH: H.R. 875 would mean a "goodbye to farmers markets" because the bill would "require such a burdensome complexity of rules, inspections, licensing, fees, and penalties for each farmer who wishes to sell locally - a fruit stand, at a farmers market."
FACT: There is no language in the bill that would result in farmers markets being regulated, penalized any fines, or shut down. Farmers markets would be able to continue to flourish under the bill. In fact, the bill would insist that imported foods meet strict safety standards to ensure that unsafe imported foods are not competing with locally-grown foods.

MYTH: H.R. 875 would result in the "death of organic farming."
FACT: There is no language in the bill that would stop organic farming. The National Organic Program (NOP) is under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Food Safety Modernization Act only addresses food safety issues under the jurisdiction of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

MYTH: The bill would implement a national animal ID system.
FACT: There is no language in the bill that would implement a national animal ID system. Animal identification issues are under the jurisdiction of the USDA. The Food Safety Modernization Act addresses issues under the jurisdiction of the FDA.

MYTH: The bill is supported by the large agribusiness industry.
FACT: No large agribusiness companies have expressed support for this bill. This bill is being supported by several Members of Congress who have strong progressive records on issues involving farmers markets, organic farming, and locally-grown foods (Barbara Lee, etc.). Also, H.R. 875 is the only food safety legislation that has been supported by all the major consumer and food safety groups, including:
• Center for Foodborne Illness Research & Prevention
• Center for Science in the Public Interest
• Consumer Federation of America
• Consumers Union
• Food & Water Watch
• The Pew Charitable Trusts
• Safe Tables Our Priority
• Trust for America’s Health

MYTH: The bill will pass the Congress next week without amendments or debate.
FACT: Food safety legislation has yet to be considered by any Congressional committee.

[Herby]

Thanks Nigel.

I knew the bill didn't specifically ban organic farming, but from what I had read on other sites the bill would of made it hard for smaller business and markets to continue operating due to the amount of paperwork.

Hadn't heard of the national animal ID system. Will have to check it out.

I also knew the bill hadn't been passed or would be in the very near future - it's only been referred to a committee.

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

The main reason I started this thread was to get people to become aware of issues concerning food. A lot of people I have talked to have never heard of Monsanto or know of the issues concerning GM food and pesticide use. I am well aware there is misinformation and denial on both sides of the debate. I hope this thread has prompted some people to look further into this issue.

[NigelWaring]

I've definitely heard of Monsanto and what they've done to farmers in some third world countries.