Food Safety Fails But We Still Need Action!

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Dear xxxxxx

 

No committee report, three different bill versions presented, last minute

closed-door negotiations … complete mayhem. Congress had no idea what they

were voting on! The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 (FSEA) did not

pass the House this afternoon. FSEA was scheduled on the House Suspension

Calendar for a vote today, which meant no amendments could be offered and

limited debate (40 minutes to be exact!).

 

But this process requires a two-thirds majority vote, and fortunately 150

members of Congress said ‘Stop!’ (The actual vote was 280 to 150.)

Complete confusion assisted in the defeat of FSEA. We still do not have the

committee report.

 

However, there is a strong likelihood that the bill will be taken up

tomorrow. This would happen if the Rules Committee permits another

vote—which

we see as a complete abuse of power. If this happens, the bill could be

brought to the House floor under a closed rule that prohibits amendments and

only requires a majority vote something highly unusual for this type of

legislation. We are unsure of what the Rules Committee will do or allow.

 

We need you to continue with your efforts—_call your representative AGAIN

_ (http://aahf.convio.net/site/R?i=IdBibAgAn9w9lY8f1WVKHQ..) to voice your

opposition over this bill and to attempts to bring it to the floor under a

process that prohibits amendments.

 

Our concerns remain:

 

1) the unprecedented and sweeping authority granted to FDA—access to

records without cause, the authority to regulate farming practices, and ability

to impose substantial criminal and civil fines without a showing of harm;

 

2) the lack of protection for small, organic and diversified farms—

regulations created for large industrial facilities will financially ruin

smaller

operations;

 

3) a flat $500 annual registration fee whether making jam in your kitchen

to sell within your community or if General Mills selling worldwide.

 

Thank you!