permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <lflj@bellsouth.net>]

      --- On Fri, 6/26/09, Weston A Price Foundation <info@westonaprice.org> 
wrote:


        From: Weston A Price Foundation <info@westonaprice.org>
        Subject: HR 2749 Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009
        Date: Friday, June 26, 2009, 5:55 PM



        Dear Members,

        HR2749, the "Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009" has passed out of committee and is now on the floor of the 
house.  As you can see from the FAQs below, this bill would be an absolute disaster for small farms and artisan food 
production.

        Defeating this bill is our most urgent priority at the moment.  Please take a moment to read the Frequently 
Asked Questions below and then proceed with the Action items as best you are able.  We will need the concerted efforts 
of thousands to defeat this dismal piece of legislation.

        More HR 2749 information is posted through links at 
http://tinyurl.com/mnm34s

        Anyone with additional questions is encouraged to contact the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund directly by 
calling 703-208-3276 or emailing info@farmtoconsumer.org
        Sincerely,
        Sally Fallon Morell

        ACTIONS TO TAKE

        1.  Call Your Representatives
        Personal contact is an effective way to change hearts and minds. To find your representatives, use the finder 
tool at www.Congress.org  or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. When contacting your representatives, use 
examples from the FAQs to explain your opposition to HR 2749.

        2.  Sign the Petition
        HR 2749 has been moving quickly through Congress. If you have not already done so, please send a personal 
message to your legislators through the online petition "Oppose HR 2749" at   http://tinyurl.com/lwble7

        3.  Donate to the Fund
        Help the Fund continue its valuable service - helping small farmers and protecting your access to quality food. 
http://tinyurl.com/lja2vj

        ======
        FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
        HR 2749 - Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009

        NOTE:  Answers are based on the June 17 Waxman version that was accepted by voice vote of the House Committee 
on Energy and Commerce.  Page references are noted per this version posted at  http://tinyurl.com/na33dz


        Q1:  Does FDA have jurisdiction over INTRAstate commerce?

        A1:  As a federal agency, the FDA has jurisdiction over INTERstate commerce. For example, the prohibited acts 
regarding adulteration and misbranding in the current Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) all refer to 
INTERstate commerce. However, the existing law states that "in any action to enforce the requirements of [FFDCA] . . . 
the connection with INTERstate commerce required for jurisdiction in such action shall be presumed to exist." [1a] 
Combined with court decisions addressing the connection between INTRAstate and INTERstate commerce, it is unclear what 
kind of showing defendants would have to make to rebut the presumption and avoid federal regulation. The agency's 
regulatory power is limited to commerce, however, so non-commercial activities (such as growing your own vegetables for 
personal consumption) are not regulated.

        Under current law, a business qualifying as a "food facility" must register with FDA, even if that business 
only engages in INTRAstate commerce. [1b]  In addition, the agency can inspect the records of a business that engages 
solely in INTRAstate commerce if there is a "reasonable belief that an article of food is adulterated and presents a 
threat of serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals." [1c]

        [1a]  21 USC 379(a)
        [1b]  21 USC 350(d)
        [1c]  21 USC 350(c)

        Q2: Would HR 2749 expand the FDA's regulation of INTRAstate commerce?

        A2: Yes. Under HR 2749, FDA's regulatory control over INTRAstate commerce would grow considerably.  The bill 
would allow for inspections of firms whose business is strictly within a State. [2a]  It would impose, among other 
requirements, a mandate for all firms in the food business to comply with national performance standards for various 
foods set by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). [2b]  It would also require most firms in the food 
business to establish a traceback system for their products, even if those products never cross State lines. [2c]

        [2a]  Section 105(a)-pp. 42-43
        [2b]  Section 103(b)-pp. 36-37
        [2c]  Section 107(c)-p. 54

        Q3:  I have a garden and sell produce at a road-side stand on my 
property.  Would HR 2749 apply to me?

        A3:  Yes, you would now have to follow federally-established standards for growing produce. [3a] Produce not 
grown as required by these standards would be considered as adulterated under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act 
(FFDCA). [3b] Further, you would be required to make your business records available to FDA inspectors. [3c] The 
inspectors would have the power to show up unannounced without a warrant to search your records without any evidence 
whatsoever that you have committed a violation of the law.  If you refuse to let the inspector see your records, you 
would be guilty of adulteration under FFDCA. [3d]

        [3a]  Section 104(b)-pp. 38-41
        [3b]  Section 104(a)-p. 38
        [3c]  Section 106(a)-p. 48
        [3d]  Section 207(a)-pp. 119-120

        Q4:  I sell produce from my garden at a local farmers market, under HR 2749 would I have to register as a "food 
facility" with FDA?

        A4:   Farms are exempt from the registration requirement under current law. [4a]  HR 2749 would not eliminate 
this exemption.  "Farm" is narrowly defined under current regulations [4b]; so, it is possible that many farms that have 
not registered in the past, could be required to do so if FDA has more resources at its disposal to enforce registration.

        For example, a farm that sells vegetables straight from the garden (i.e., no processing) would not be a "food 
facility".  If FDA strictly interprets the definition of "farm", a farm that sells canned vegetables at the market would 
be a "food facility" because canning is considered "processing" under the law. [4c]  Under federal regulation, a farm 
that processes food would not be considered a "farm" for purposes of the registration requirement unless ALL of the 
processed food is consumed ON the farm. [4d]

        Under HR 2749, those who sell vegetables from the garden at farmers markets would be required to follow federal 
standards for growing produce [4e]; and their business records would be subject to random warrantless searches by FDA 
inspectors even if the agency has no evidence of any violation of the law.  [4f-see Q3/A3 above]

        [4a]  21 USC 350d
        [4b]  21 CFR 1.227(3)
        [4c]  21 CFR 1.227(6)
        [4d]  21 CFR 1.227(3)
        [4e]  Section 104(b)-pp. 38-41
        [4f]  Section 106(a)-p. 48

        Q5:  I own a bakery and sell my goods at a local farmers market, how 
would HR 2749 apply to me?

        A5:  HR 2749 would apply to you in the following ways:

        1 - Your bakery would qualify as a "food facility" and you would need to register with FDA each year [5a] and 
pay an annual fee ($500 in 2010 [5b], and increasing in future years as indexed for inflation [5c]).
        2 - You would have to register in electronic format. [5d]
        3 - You would be required to have a unique facility identifier 
number. [5e]
        4 - You would be required to conduct an analysis identifying potential hazards at your food facility; and you 
must implement controls to prevent those hazards from occurring as well as a plan for what to do in the event that any 
do occur. [5f]
        5 - If your products cross state lines, you must develop a FOOD 
SAFETY PLAN. [5g-also see Q6/A6 below]
        6 - You would also be required to establish and maintain a system for tracing the food you produce.  It is 
uncertain at this point what this traceability system will require, but the requirements are likely to be extensive.
        [5h]

        [5a]  Section 101(b)-p. 6 [4b]  Section 101(b)-p. 13
        [5c]  Section 101(c)-p. 14
        [5d]  Section 101(b)-p. 7
        [5e]  Section 206(a)-p. 118
        [5f]  Section 102(a)-p. 21
        [5g]  Section 102, sec 418A(a)-p. 28
        [5h]  Section 107(c)-p. 54-58

        Q6:  What will a FOOD SAFETY PLAN involve?

        A6:  Your FOOD SAFETY PLAN would have to include a hazard analysis that identifies potential hazards in your 
operation.  The plan must also include descriptions of a variety of procedures you follow to prevent hazards from 
occurring and corrective actions to take if any does occur.  In addition, you would need to describe your procedures for 
recordkeeping, conducting recalls, and traceback.  Further, the plan must include how you ensure a "safe and secure food 
supply chain" for the items and ingredients you use as well as how you implement any science-based performance standards 
required by FDA. [6a]

        [6a]  Section 102, sec 418A(b)-pp. 29-30

        Q7:  I have read a summary of HR 2749 and am alarmed by the provision giving the Department of Health and Human 
Services (HHS) the power to quarantine any geographic area within the country.  How broad is this power?

        A7:  Under HR 2749, the HHS Secretary would have the power to prohibit ALL MOVEMENT of ALL FOOD within a 
geographic area.  No court order is needed to exercise this power.  The Secretary only has to notify the appropriate 
official of the State(s) affected and issue a public announcement. [7a]

        [7a]  Section 133(b)-pp. 98-99

        Q8:  I am a raw milk consumer.   Is it true that under HR 2749 would give FDA the power to institute a complete 
ban on the sale of raw milk?

        A8:  Yes, HR 2749 requires the HHS Secretary to issue "science-based performance standards . . . applicable to 
foods or food classes."  The Secretary is to "identify the most significant foodborne contaminants and the most 
significant resulting hazards . . . and to minimize to an acceptable level, prevent or eliminate the occurrence of such 
hazards." [8a]  FDA would have the power to make pasteurization of all raw milk a performance standard.  Based on both 
its public statements and its record of taking enforcement actions against farmers, FDA is vehemently opposed to the 
consumption of raw milk and would like to ban its distribution.

        Even if FDA does not issue a performance standard requiring pasteurization, the likelihood is that if HR 2749 
passes into law, the agency will be increasing its enforcement actions against raw milk producers whose products cross 
state lines.  FDA has indicated that raw milk is a priority item with the agency; with the passage of HR 2749, it would 
have much greater resources to go after raw milk than it did before.  FDA could take enforcement action directly or 
through state agencies funded by FDA.

        The way to stop this threat is to support HR 778, a bill that would, in effect, end the ban on raw milk for 
human consumption in interstate commerce. [8b]  If you have not already done so, contact your Representative and 
Senators asking them to co-sponsor and/or vote for HR 778.  You may send a message to them through the petition service 
by clicking on "Support HR 778 Now" at http://tinyurl.com/lwble7

        [8a]  Section 103(b)-p. 37
        [8b]  21 CFR 1240.61

        Q9:  I purchase products from an Amish producer who has said he would not register his facility because the 
electronic filing requirement violates his religious beliefs.  What are the criminal and civil penalties he could be 
facing if he is charged with violating the law?

        A9:  Under HR 2749, failing to register a food facility would constitute "misbranding." [9a] If any of the 
"misbranded" products are introduced or "delivered for introduction into interstate commerce", the producer could be 
sentenced to up to ten years and be assessed criminal fines. [9b] Under HR 2749, anyone knowingly violating certain 
prohibitions contained in the FFDCA such as the prohibition against introducing adulterated or misbranded food in 
interstate commerce, could face these penalties.

        In addition, the Amish producer could be facing substantial civil penalties.   Under HR 2749, any individual 
who knowingly violates a provision of section 331 of FFDCA (prohibited acts) relating to food, can be fined up to 
$100,000; a corporation can be fined up to $7.5 million. [9c]

        [9a]  Section 101(a)-p. 6
        [9b]  Section 134-p. 100
        [9c]  Section 135(a)-p. 101

        Q10:  I'm a farmer who sells products direct to consumers.  I want to protect the privacy of those who purchase 
from me and do not want to turn over to FDA any customer information I have in my records.  What are the potential 
penalties if I refuse?

        A10:  Under HR 2749, FDA would have access to all records relating to the food producer's distribution of 
products.  Failing to provide records to FDA would constitute adulteration. [10a]   The criminal penalty for refusing 
access to records would be up to ten years imprisonment. [10b]  The civil fines could be up to $100,000 for an 
individual and $7.5 million for a corporation. [10c]

        [10a]  Section 207(a)-pp. 119-120
        [10b]  Section 134-p. 100
        [10c]  Section 135(a)-p. 101

        More HR 2749 information is posted through links at 
http://tinyurl.com/mnm34s

        Anyone with additional questions is encouraged to contact the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund directly by 
calling 703-208-3276 or emailing info@farmtoconsumer.org


        Our postal address is
        PMB #106-380
        4200 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
        Washington, District of Columbia 20016
        United States