Fwd: HB 875

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From Local Harvest

 

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Over the last couple of weeks, I've also received a barage of emails about

the " Food Safety Modernization Act " , or HB 875. The tone of these was

somewhere between concerned and hysterical. From what we have learned, HB

875 is not the horror story it has been made out to be. It would not, for

example, result in " totalitarian control " or " the planned elimination of

farmers " as one oft-forwarded email put it. It actually contains some sound

ideas. But for some reason, myths and misinformation about this bill have

taken root and spread like a noxious weed.

It got me to thinking. First, truth be told, it made my head spin. All this

justifiable jubilance stuffed in next to that screeching panic felt

downright disorienting. The administration could not publicly promote

organic gardening, and then sign off on a bill that would " criminalize

organic farming and outlaw home gardening. " It's absurd.

But what does it mean, to have so much exuberance in the locavore community

on the one hand, and so much fear and loathing on the other? I think it

comes down to this: food, and the ability to grow it honestly, is

fundamental to our well-being. We celebrate when we see the food we love,

and the values behind it, being respected by influential people. And if we

feel that our right to grow that food without undue interference is

threatened, we react strongly.

That said, it seems to me that we need to take a breath and put both of our

hands to work. We can, each of us, sow at least one seed this spring. If the

First Lady thinks pulling a few weeds is a good activity for her family,

it's probably good for ours too - and it is. We can, each of us, also follow

the food safety bills as they make their way through Congress, writing to

our representatives to tell them how important small scale, organic

agriculture is to us and to our communities.

It turns out that HB 875 is unlikely to go anywhere. And that's not

necessarily great news, given that it contained some ambitious, positive

changes. Our friends at the Cornucopia Institute tell us that 875 has been

passed over for another food safety bill, HB 759. They, and others like Food

and Water Watch think that we will need to make our voices heard as HB 759

moves forward, to ensure that the bill that is eventually passed includes

exemptions for small food processing facilities and the same kind of smart,

risk-based inspection processes that are contained in HB 875. We'll keep you

posted.

Meanwhile, enjoy the rest of the newsletter, take good care, and eat well.

Erin Barnett, LocalHarvest