Food safety legislation will be priority in 2009

http://southwestfarmpress.com:80/news/1008-food-safety/

Food safety legislation is coming, and the agricultural industry must watch for it and be involved in shaping it. Otherwise, agriculture could be over-regulated with little improvement for consumers, says Cathleen Enright, Western Growers Association.

Currently, 30 or more bills in various stages of development in Congress propose changes to food safety programs. Changes include:

– Recognition of food safety responsibilities.

– Improved oversight and certification with recall authority.

– Standards and practices for producers, processors and retailers.

– Traceability systems (electronic).

– Improved ability to sample and detect.

Enright said some bills have been revamped. One in particular “was horrible for the industry. It’s being reworked.”

She said funding remains an issue. “As much as $1 billion is needed to get food safety on track. The administration proposal is for $42 million to $49 million.”

Enright said mandatory recall authority “is coming. That’s not as scary as it sounds and will be used only if voluntary recall doesn’t work.” Authorizing export certificates is another possibility. “Traceability is coming, too,” she said.

Enright said action on these or other bills likely will not occur until 2009. “Food safety will be a priority for the next Congress.” She said funding questions remain. “We need fixes but where will the money come from?”

She also said the industry is in a good position to shape policy. “The industry has gained credibility over the last nine months. Congress is listening and that will help us get better legislation.”

actually, some of the grower associations have stepped up. The FDA couldn't find the toxic tomatoes, but it was growers and states that finally supplied the answers. They put in their own track back systems and it was why some of the early growing states like CA were declared safe. Seeing how much money and business was lost, more may step up. Iirc, some big producers/food places wouldn't use ingredients without trace back capabilities.

I think the last hold outs will be the big multi national brands, but large restaurant chains and smaller businesses in all areas can't take the big risks. Many growers fit in the mid-sized as suppliers for the multi nationals, so they also need to create their own risk protection as the multi nationals will just dump them. Multi nationals can still place the blame on their suppliers, but even WalMart is realizing that's becoming less of an option, so maybe down the road, the multi nationals will be forced to change. We got Monsanto out of milk hormones, so let's keep pushing! And don't let up on the congress critters that are listening!

Remember, Ag states have a lot to lose. CA, NY, WI etc gain by supplying safe product. I'm sure that's partly why Clinton/Feingold proposed the dairy COOL. With the economy in the tank, building US suppliers is a win for us all and a chance to make them conform to OUR standards. If we don't buy the poo poo products, they lose and we win.

yes, I'm on a mission!