subject: Important: Tell Your Senators That You Oppose The "food Safety And Modernization Act" [print this page] If you follow my Facebook or Twitter pages you have likely seen my posts begging you to contact your senators and voice your opposition to S 510 which has now become an amendment to HR 3082. Why have I become such a persistent activist regarding this bill? This evil atrocity is about to pass and virtually outlaw organic gardening practices and eliminate the last of the small family farms. In other words, if HR 3082 passes, say good bye to farmer's markets and buying local because they will soon be wiped out of existence. I honestly detest being the bearer of bad tidings during a joyous holiday season, but this is so very important and if we don't act know we may seriously suffer some permanent damage. What is the problem with the 242 page Food Safety and Modernization Act? You can read it yourself here. I'd like to share some of my concerns with you nonetheless.
The Food Safety and Modernization Act creates a huge and costly bureaucracy which gives the FDA widespread authority over virtually every aspect of the food you eat from seed to table while handing over all control of food and farms in the United States to the Department of Homeland Security. It also imposes Codex Alimentarius on the United States' food supply. Codex Alimentarius is basically a global organization under the jurisdiction of the United Nations whose purpose is to control all aspects of the world's food supply. If you've heard about the proposed worldwide ban and regulation of nutritional, whole food, and herbal supplements, this is where it's coming from. I know, sounds like something straight out of Orwellian literature. If you are not familiar with Codex Alimentarius I suggest you read more about it and you can do so here at their official site: www.codexalimentarius.net. I agree, this sounds scary and I haven't even touched on some of the scariest parts yet!
The severe regulations of The Food Safety and Modernization Act regarding every aspect of food production basically preclude the right to grow, own, store, trade, transport, share, feed and eat homegrown and small farm grown foods. In other words, it eliminates the right of the individual to store and, thus own, seeds in the United States. If you choose to civilly disobey this provision, Homeland Security officers can show up at your door without a warrant and search your home for "records" regarding your garden, what it's produced, and whom you have shared or bartered with. Seriouly! Did I mention that it would be illegal for me to trade my tomatoes for your apples and that technically we shouldn't even be growing those tomatoes or apples without filing the appropriate government paperwork?
So here come the men in black to make sure your little farm is in compliance with the FDA' s new regulations and let's just say that you are. Well, now if said men in black determine that there is reasonable suspicion that your plants or milk cows may be producing food that might be harmful to animals or humans, all of your plants would be destroyed and/or your livestock would be slaughtered. HR 3082 would allow the government to mandate the use of antibiotics, hormones, slaughterhouse waste, pesticides and GMO foods. Thus, if the men in black notice that your grass fed cows should be eating genetically modified corn laced with hormones and antibiotics or that you are growing heirloom tomatoes from your own heirloom seeds rather than frost resistant tomatoes, they could kill all your cows and burn your crops and seed supply.
A good friend of mine who spent years in grassroots politics says the key is to always follow the money. Whoever is backing it, will benefit from it, and/or is lobbying for it says just as much if not more than the language itself. You guessed it, Monsanto will benefit tremendously if HR 3082 passes and Monsanto lobbyists are quietly milling about the Senate halls. Come on folks, you know it's got to be bad if it's benefiting Monsanto. What are you waiting for?
Remember, this bill is well over 200 pages and way too much to analyze in a blog. If just these few things that I have touched upon alarm you, I urge you to pick up your phone or open a new email window and take action now.
Get your senator's email, phone, and fax number here: http://www.contactingthecongress.org/
