We support food safety but....

Kansas cattlemen also are among those with reservations on HR 875, the Food Safety Modernization Act. From the High Plains Journal.

 

However, there are new concerns that proposed legislation aimed to promote food safety would only hinder U.S. production. HR 875, The Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009, will establish the Food Safety Administration within the Department of Health and Human Services. This legislation would provide the Food and Drug Administration with the authority to visit and inspect U.S. farms and ranches. The FDA would be responsible for setting practice standards for production agriculture and be responsible for monitoring and conducting surveillance of animals and the environment.

If enacted, this legislation would require the establishment of a national traceability system that enables the FDA to retrieve the history, use, and location of an article of food through all stages of its production and require producers to keep and maintain records for traceability. Producers would be required to provide the Administrator with access to and the ability to copy all records (paper or electronic) not only to determine whether the food is contaminated, adulterated, or otherwise not in compliance with the food safety law, but also to track the food in commerce. This essentially creates a mandatory animal Identification system. Providing the Food and Drug Administration with jurisdiction over farms and ranches is unrealistic. Transferring oversight from the USDA only hinders U.S. production. USDA offices located in rural communities provide tremendous resources for producers, and USDA has a better understanding of production agriculture and the general practices of farmers and ranchers. To establish a mandatory animal ID system is unfeasible Lastly, this legislation would place authority over production agriculture by a government entity that has little understanding of agriculture. It would provide government surveillance over every farmer and rancher, and it will increase consolidation of the U.S. food supply to larger corporate companies and force smaller U.S. producers out of business. There are many opportunities to provide additional food safety measures in the United States, and Kansas Cattlemen's Association will be proactive to create and provide input on the most effective strategies that will increase and promote domestic production and invigorate consumer confidence.

 

More headlines tonight..

Report outlines Salinas Valley path to sustainability Monterey County Weekly

A report by the prestigious Rocky Mountain Institute outlines a multi-faceted road map for making the Salinas Valley sustainable, from  developing a regional composting program to restoring Carr Lake in Salinas.

Surviving the locavore challenge The Star

TK: When it comes to locavore, why ask why?

Local eggs cook up fluffy in the office microwave, but I miss ketchup. Creamy cottage cheese, a pressed variety by the Foodland Ontario-approved Western Creamery, more than makes up for it. It reminds me that local eating isn't just about the environment but also about quality and flavour. Coffee is a big no-no. But just like last year, I take advantage of a major loophole in the locavore diet and down bottles of Diet Pepsi, which is manufactured in Mississauga.It took me several Google searches to find Ying Ying Soy Foods, a tofu company that uses organic Ontario soybeans. But I forgot my tofu sandwich at home and all I've got is Toronto Sprouts mixed bean sprouts, carrot sticks and an apple. Good, but hardly filling.There's free cake dished out mid-afternoon. I resist, even though I'm starving.Home around 7 p.m., I'm too hungry to cook, so I eat the forgotten sandwich. It's dry and bland, because I can't use any of the condiments in my fridge. I pour on the salt – it's legal, thanks to a mine in Goderich – and try not to worry about high blood pressure. One week can't do much harm, can it?

Japanese growers dump damaged apples The Daily Yoimiuri Online

Does an apple a day really keep an apple away? Examiner

The apple peel of is also very healthy for you. The peel of the apple is rich in quercetin which can reduce the risk of sun damage to the skin. Research studies show quercetin may help prevent cancer, especially prostate cancer. Quercetin may also help reduce symptoms of fatigue, depression, arthritis pain and anxiety.

Consumers Reports rates the supermarkets KC Star

More coverage Consumer Reports survey oriented toward KC market

EPA: Proposal to require reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors of the economy

Though I haven't googled for news stories on this yet, I found this new, far-reaching proposed rule on www.regulations.gov. Here is the link to the federal docket.


SUMMARY: EPA is proposing a regulation to require reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors of the economy. The rule would apply to fossil fuel suppliers and industrial gas suppliers, as well as to direct greenhouse gas emitters. The proposed rule does not require control of greenhouse gases, rather it requires only that sources above certain threshold levels monitor and report emissions.

Comments must be received on or before June 9, 2009. There will be two public hearings. One hearing was held on April 6 and 7, 2009, in theWashington, DC, area (One Potomac Yard, 2777 S. Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202). One hearing will be on April 16, 2009 in Sacramento, CA (Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95814). The April 16, 2009 hearing will begin at 9 a.m. local time.

TK: This proposed rule has implications for processors of fruits and vegetables and livestock operations, but I"m not sure how this relates to fruit and vegetable growers, based on a cursory reading... More to come, I'm sure