North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Kevin Moore <aleguy33@yahoo.com>]

Every year it seems, small farmers come under threat of extinction either by ruthless USDA regulation or by direct fire from congress. It seems that small farmers need a lobby to protect themselves from the so-called farm lobby that seems only to favor the big industrial guys. Too bad small farmers have to compete directly with Big AG. Where are all the foodies when you need them?

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From: "rharrison922@yahoo.com" <rharrison922@yahoo.com>
To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 6:30:45 AM
Subject: [NAFEX] Artisan Farming to Disappear by new Proposed Regulations?

Hi, folks!

   Many of you may not know that lawmakers now have a bill in committee in the US House of Representatives that proposes to Federally inspect all food for sale produced at the farm. A $500 registration fee up front is also proposed. If passed by the House, it COULD mean that artisan farming could disappear and fruit and vegetables could no longer be bought at small farms that couldn't afford the inspection fees. Produce stands could disappear. All of this would be in the name of food safety.(reminder: produce comes from foreign countries without any US food safety inspections)

    One link to read more about it is:

http://www.ftcldf.org/news/news-15june2009.htm

 

For Farmers and Consumers Defending the Right to Buy and Protecting the Right to Sell Nutritious Food Directly from the Farm   You may want to contact your US Representative after reading about it to urge that there be exceptions for small farms. Contact is needed now BEFORE the bill gets passed so it can be modified. One link contact your US Rep is: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/officials/congress/                                                                   Regards,                                  Richard Harrison, NW FL