Bill H.R. 875 Controlling our Food Supply
Target:
House Committee on Agriculture
Request to not approve Bill H.R. 875 now in House Committees. Four issues after reading HR875: 1) Redundant, expensive, government activity 2) Redundant regulations of Federal, state and local regulations already in place 3) Yet another way legislation set up that can be used to drive out small farms and give more unfair advantages to large Corporate Farms. Legislation that in the future will have indirect and direct control over another fundamental aspect of our daily lives. 4) Pushing our country as having the right to police, and impose themselves into other countries. There are international organizations already established for the U.S. to work within to address agricultural and food processing issues on a global scale. There are Federal, State and local Agencies already established that are suppose to be doing what is stated in this bill. However, this bill is so broad and vague enough that it could be used to get a strangle hold on our whole food supply chain, from anyone growing or raising anything that can be classified as food, distributors, to the grocery store, to any eating establishment and then to top it off, the right to go, physically, into any country and police them as well. The responsibility is to the American people, our wishes and best interest within our own country without nicking away at our freedoms. Instead of yet another Agency and redundant regulations, improve the USDA, FDA, Federal Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the EPA and Import Inspectors, these are the jobs they are already suppose to be doing. Participate more actively in the World Health Organization's Food Safety Department and/or the 4 other international organizations.
Request to not approve Bill H.R. 875 now in House Committees. Four issues after reading HR875: 1) Redundant, expensive, government activity 2) Redundant regulations of Federal, state and local regulations already in place 3) Yet another way legislation set up that can be used to drive out small farms and give more unfair advantages to large Corporate Farms. Legislation that in the future will have indirect and direct control over another fundamental aspect of our daily lives. 4) Pushing our country as having the right to police, and impose themselves into other countries. There are international organizations already established for the U.S. to work within to address agricultural and food processing issues on a global scale. There are Federal, State and local Agencies already established that are suppose to be doing what is stated in this bill. However, this bill is so broad and vague enough that it could be used to get a strangle hold on our whole food supply chain, from anyone growing or raising anything that can be classified as food, distributors, to the grocery store, to any eating establishment and then to top it off, the right to go, physically, into any country and police them as well. The responsibility is to the American people, our wishes and best interest within our own country without nicking away at our freedoms. Instead of yet another Agency and redundant regulations, improve the USDA, FDA, Federal Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the EPA and Import Inspectors, these are the jobs they are already suppose to be doing. Participate more actively in the World Health Organization's Food Safety Department and/or the 4 other international organizations.
We the undersigned request you not approve Bill H.R. 875 now in House Committees. Four issues after reading HR875: 1) Redundant, expensive, government activity 2) Redundant regulations of Federal, state and local regulations already in place 3) Yet another way legislation set up that can be used to drive out small farms and give more unfair advantages to large Corporate Farms. Legislation that in the future will have indirect and direct control over another fundamental aspect of our daily lives. 4) Pushing our country as having the right to police, and impose themselves into other countries. There are international organizations already established for the U.S. to work within to address agricultural and food processing issues on a global scale. There are Federal, State and local Agencies already established that are suppose to be doing what is stated in this bill. However, this bill is so broad and vague enough that it could be used to get a strangle hold on our whole food supply chain, from anyone growing or raising anything that can be classified as food, distributors, to the grocery store, to any eating establishment and then to top it off, the right to go, physically, into any country and police them as well. The responsibility is to the American people, our wishes and best interest within our own country without nicking away at our freedoms. Instead of yet another Agency and redundant regulations, improve the USDA, FDA, Federal Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the EPA and Import Inspectors, these are the jobs they are already suppose to be doing. Participate more actively in the World Health Organization's Food Safety Department and/or the 4 other international organizations.
H.R. 875, good intentions maybe. Will it affect every citizen and cost every citizen? Yes, absolutely, because it will increase the cost of food, which has already sky rocketed and very likely limit the choice of available foods. It will be paid for, same as all government agencies, by the taxpayers of course. If you grow plants or are buying seeds, you will be affected because somewhere within the process the Federal government will have had control of the process. Vegetable seeds are considered 'food' by our government. The saving/storing/banking of seeds is 'processing' which will fall under the purview of the new laws. You may find next year you can no longer get those favorite Heirloom Tomato seeds you love because some Federal Agent didn't approve of the collection process or the small grower didn't have the fees or forgot to register with this new agency or the seeds come from Canada and Canadian seeds have been ban. Too much of a very slippery slop to give one Federal Agency so much control over our food supply chain, especially when there are already Federal, state and local agency that are suppose to ensure food is safe for consumption.
Please understand all the ramifications. We need to ask what if the new agency goes to the extreme, if and how the regulations can be used abusively and do they take yet another part of our freedoms under the calls of being for our own good and safety. We want our food products to be safe but not at the expense of giving up our responsibilities or freedom of choice. Help us stay informed so we can make our own choices. We want to have little Kitchen Gardens, local Farmers Markets, and Organic Foods without worrying if a Federal Agency is going require we are Federal Registered and pay fees we cannot afford and more taxes we cannot afford either. Support the small farmer and encourage more of them. This country, not so long ago, could feed the world 3 times over, all grown on family farms. The bigger problems are coming from %u201CCorporate Farms%u201D. We now are importing more and more food. Why? Make the USDA, FDA, FDHHS, CDC, EPA and Import Inspectors do their jobs, as the current laws and regulations require them. If these agencies are not or cannot do their jobs improve and modernize them. Do not create another Federal Agency with such broad and vague power over our food supply chain.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this petition. We know it is only one of many being reviewed in committee but our hopes are with you to hear and know the voice of the citizens.
We signed the "Bill H.R. 875 Controlling our Food Supply" petition!
# 2,793:
3:19 pm PST, Nov 3,
Constance Filar, Michigan
Keep government out of our personal lives. We are entitled to live our lives making our own choices. When government steps in only the people in the government who suggest all these outrages ideas benefit because you can be sure that they intend to make a lot of money by cheating the American people and lining their own pockets. Leave us alone and just protect from all foreign enemies. We are mature enough to make our own decisions.
Keep government out of our personal lives. We are entitled to live our lives making our own choices. When government steps in only the people in the government who suggest all these outrages ideas benefit because you can be sure that they intend to make a lot of money by cheating the American people and lining their own pockets. Leave us alone and just protect from all foreign enemies. We are mature enough to make our own decisions.
# 2,792:
9:50 am PST, Nov 3,
Stephen Grotticelli, New York
Food laws should be decided for the benefit of the people, not strictly for the bottom line of big agribusiness. My right to access the type of food I desire should not be hampered by federal regulations. Let the people's money decide what should happen, not bills designed to crush small, local and organic farmers at the wishes of Monsanto and their various cronies. No bill should seek to hamper consumer freedom in this area.
Food laws should be decided for the benefit of the people, not strictly for the bottom line of big agribusiness. My right to access the type of food I desire should not be hampered by federal regulations. Let the people's money decide what should happen, not bills designed to crush small, local and organic farmers at the wishes of Monsanto and their various cronies. No bill should seek to hamper consumer freedom in this area.
# 2,791:
6:59 am PST, Nov 3,
Marguerite Harrington, Illinois
I am an American citizen and am cocerned that our rights are being stripped away little by little. I love my country because of our freedom but fear that it will not be the same country if we continure to let this happen. Please help us keep America free! Thankyou
I am an American citizen and am cocerned that our rights are being stripped away little by little. I love my country because of our freedom but fear that it will not be the same country if we continure to let this happen. Please help us keep America free! Thankyou
# 2,790:
6:15 pm PST, Nov 2,
Joanne Langbeen, Michigan
Please Vote AGAINST Bill H.R. 875 that controls our food supply. I am an American citizen concerned about the health and welfare of our children,our citizens, and the elderly and this is a blatant attack on the health and well being of our country. Vote NO. Thank you. Joanne Langbeen
Please Vote AGAINST Bill H.R. 875 that controls our food supply. I am an American citizen concerned about the health and welfare of our children,our citizens, and the elderly and this is a blatant attack on the health and well being of our country. Vote NO. Thank you. Joanne Langbeen
# 2,789:
4:52 pm PST, Nov 2,
Charles Filar, Michigan
Charles Filar
Charles Filar
# 2,788:
6:21 pm PST, Nov 1,
Kyla McGroarty, Alaska
As a gardener and a supporter of Organic Farming this bill has the ability to wipe out freedoms that I consider incredibly important. Seed diversity is an essential aspect of the production of healthy vegetables and as a result healthy Americans. By controlling seed diversity and promoting corporate farms this bill will hurt the small farms that produce healthy organic foods for the American People.
As a gardener and a supporter of Organic Farming this bill has the ability to wipe out freedoms that I consider incredibly important. Seed diversity is an essential aspect of the production of healthy vegetables and as a result healthy Americans. By controlling seed diversity and promoting corporate farms this bill will hurt the small farms that produce healthy organic foods for the American People.
# 2,787:
6:20 pm PST, Nov 1,
Edward Filar, Michigan
I agree wholly with this petition.
I agree wholly with this petition.
Yes
# 2,786:
10:16 am PST, Nov 1,
Rebecca Chapman, North Carolina
To the House Board of Agriculture, The bill, HR 875 is one of the most frightening prospects that I have ever read over or heard of. Not only is it unnecessarily redundant and expensive and in obvious VIOLATION OF THE 10TH AMENDMENT, but it seems yet another attempt of big business to tell the government (by the people for the people, supposedly) what to do. I have lived my entire life in Western North Carolina and I love my home. The locals here (as I'm sure is true of the locals in many areas) have supplemented their diets for generations with home grown, often times organic, produce and meat from animals hunted legally in the surrounding mountains. The broad, vague terms in HR 875 are alarming to me. The potential for federal interference on a local level and in individual lives seems to be great and probable. I grew up thinking of this country's small family farms as being one of our major life bloods. I believe that there is no nobler task than producing healthy, good quality food to feed your friends and neighbors. All of this may sound idealistic in our modern world of factory farming and the large scale transportation of food all around the country, but I grew up (and only 21 years ago!) knowing it to be true. When I was a child, everyone had a back yard garden! In fact, I have always dreamed of owning and operating a small, organic farm. It seems to me that MONSANTO and the rest make enough money selling their genetically modified food to the majority of Americans who are all too happy to buy and consume it. It is unfair and unconstitutional for the government to say what the citizens can and can't eat (for I believe that is exactly what this bill will do), can and can't grow on their land (Isn't private ownership one of the tenants of capitalism?!) I am not a college graduate, I am just an average citizen of this country that I still call wonderful even though I see it's founding principals of democracy, equality and FREEDOM daily being flushed down the toilet by a government that is more interested in special interests and putting another dollar in the pocket of big business than it is in protecting the rights of it's people. PLEASE hear the cries of the people and vote NO on HR 875.
To the House Board of Agriculture, The bill, HR 875 is one of the most frightening prospects that I have ever read over or heard of. Not only is it unnecessarily redundant and expensive and in obvious VIOLATION OF THE 10TH AMENDMENT, but it seems yet another attempt of big business to tell the government (by the people for the people, supposedly) what to do. I have lived my entire life in Western North Carolina and I love my home. The locals here (as I'm sure is true of the locals in many areas) have supplemented their diets for generations with home grown, often times organic, produce and meat from animals hunted legally in the surrounding mountains. The broad, vague terms in HR 875 are alarming to me. The potential for federal interference on a local level and in individual lives seems to be great and probable. I grew up thinking of this country's small family farms as being one of our major life bloods. I believe that there is no nobler task than producing healthy, good quality food to feed your friends and neighbors. All of this may sound idealistic in our modern world of factory farming and the large scale transportation of food all around the country, but I grew up (and only 21 years ago!) knowing it to be true. When I was a child, everyone had a back yard garden! In fact, I have always dreamed of owning and operating a small, organic farm. It seems to me that MONSANTO and the rest make enough money selling their genetically modified food to the majority of Americans who are all too happy to buy and consume it. It is unfair and unconstitutional for the government to say what the citizens can and can't eat (for I believe that is exactly what this bill will do), can and can't grow on their land (Isn't private ownership one of the tenants of capitalism?!) I am not a college graduate, I am just an average citizen of this country that I still call wonderful even though I see it's founding principals of democracy, equality and FREEDOM daily being flushed down the toilet by a government that is more interested in special interests and putting another dollar in the pocket of big business than it is in protecting the rights of it's people. PLEASE hear the cries of the people and vote NO on HR 875.
# 2,785:
6:38 am PST, Nov 1,
Russell Slagle, Illinois
We do need the government giving more advantages to large companies in America. Please vote against this bill.
We do need the government giving more advantages to large companies in America. Please vote against this bill.
# 2,784:
9:00 pm PDT, Oct 31,
Lisa Slagle, Illinois
How bout doing something good for us for a change, looking out for us and caring about our health and safety, instead of being so hung up on the almighty $$ and how it might benefit YOU. Ingredients and the chemicals that are used are a big concern for me. I am a L'bri Pure and Natural Distributor, so i am well aware of the harm that toxic chemicals can bring forth. www.lslagle.lbri.com
How bout doing something good for us for a change, looking out for us and caring about our health and safety, instead of being so hung up on the almighty $$ and how it might benefit YOU. Ingredients and the chemicals that are used are a big concern for me. I am a L'bri Pure and Natural Distributor, so i am well aware of the harm that toxic chemicals can bring forth. www.lslagle.lbri.com
# 2,783:
10:12 am PDT, Oct 31,
Name not displayed, Florida
The government has no busines controlling our food supply. The government already has more than they can truly take care of.
The government has no busines controlling our food supply. The government already has more than they can truly take care of.
# 2,782:
9:32 am PDT, Oct 31,
Tammy Adkins, Illinois
The The Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 should not pass. It is not good for people or the environment. Looks like it is only good for big business.
The The Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 should not pass. It is not good for people or the environment. Looks like it is only good for big business.
no
# 2,781:
5:49 am PDT, Oct 30,
John Dorobek, Wisconsin
Please don't let another freedom dissappear.
Please don't let another freedom dissappear.
# 2,780:
8:10 pm PDT, Oct 29,
John Tambornino, Wisconsin
Please do not pass this Bill - you are taking our Freedoms away daily.
Please do not pass this Bill - you are taking our Freedoms away daily.
# 2,779:
4:03 pm PDT, Oct 29,
Juan Walston, Wisconsin
This is not a good bill. Please do not Pass it.
This is not a good bill. Please do not Pass it.
# 2,778:
10:20 am PDT, Oct 27,
Bob Nunyadambidness, Texas
This is yet another farce brought upon us by the monsanto "better living through chemicals" mega lobby. The sad thing is that our esteemed elected officials are so greedy and stupid they will actually believe the BS and think they are doing good .....
This is yet another farce brought upon us by the monsanto "better living through chemicals" mega lobby. The sad thing is that our esteemed elected officials are so greedy and stupid they will actually believe the BS and think they are doing good .....
# 2,777:
10:03 am PDT, Oct 22,
Darcy Kashmark, Minnesota
# 2,776:
4:17 am PDT, Oct 19,
Laura Hovland, California
# 2,775:
7:50 pm PDT, Oct 18,
JennyLynn Werner, Arizona
Let's have good government, all the good government it takes, but not redundant and ineffective government. And stop supporting or pushing or defending or enabling factory farms. Instead, take all the tax breaks from big farms and big companies and funnel ALL the tax breaks to clean, humane, small farms and businesses. Now is a good time to get that done - we're watching.
Let's have good government, all the good government it takes, but not redundant and ineffective government. And stop supporting or pushing or defending or enabling factory farms. Instead, take all the tax breaks from big farms and big companies and funnel ALL the tax breaks to clean, humane, small farms and businesses. Now is a good time to get that done - we're watching.
We can't afford corrupt government any more. We're paying attention, and we're writing and emailing and calling, and we're demanding better. We expect to see improvement or we'll vote our conscience in 2010.
# 2,774:
4:19 am PDT, Oct 18,
Mary Foley, Ireland
# 2,773:
9:10 pm PDT, Oct 16,
Carol Kinsey, Maine
As Director of SeedTree, I have a professional as well as personal responsibility to protect biodiversity. This bill is a dire threat to biodiversity and the wealth of life wisdom contained in naturally evolving species on earth. This bill is invites crime against LIFE on earth.
As Director of SeedTree, I have a professional as well as personal responsibility to protect biodiversity. This bill is a dire threat to biodiversity and the wealth of life wisdom contained in naturally evolving species on earth. This bill is invites crime against LIFE on earth.
# 2,772:
12:14 pm PDT, Oct 16,
Name not displayed, Oregon
# 2,771:
11:57 am PDT, Oct 16,
Deepa Chetty, Oregon
We need to stop this bill at any cost. This will only benefit giants like Monsanto. Monsanto has already made lot of farmers life a living hell. Farmers not using their GM seeds have already been targeted. this is not in the best interest of citizens of this country.STOP supporting such companies. We had enough of it. All we need is organic and local farming.
We need to stop this bill at any cost. This will only benefit giants like Monsanto. Monsanto has already made lot of farmers life a living hell. Farmers not using their GM seeds have already been targeted. this is not in the best interest of citizens of this country.STOP supporting such companies. We had enough of it. All we need is organic and local farming.
# 2,770:
4:45 pm PDT, Oct 15,
Tierney Grinavic, Maryland
# 2,769:
9:31 am PDT, Oct 9,
Patricia Ching, New Mexico
I strongly object to passage of this bill. Regulate carcinogens that are dumped into our water, soil and air. Organic farming does NOT need your attention.
I strongly object to passage of this bill. Regulate carcinogens that are dumped into our water, soil and air. Organic farming does NOT need your attention.
# 2,768:
2:46 am PDT, Oct 6,
Benjamin Clarke, California
Please do not pass this bill. The slowburn of American liberties must cease. Food production is surely an inalienable right. We cannot allow corporations to gain complete control of our food supply.
Please do not pass this bill. The slowburn of American liberties must cease. Food production is surely an inalienable right. We cannot allow corporations to gain complete control of our food supply.
# 2,767:
3:59 pm PDT, Oct 5,
Name not displayed, Kansas
# 2,766:
8:31 am PDT, Oct 3,
Hussain Abdul-Zahir, Ohio
This bill is down right criminal. Forcing citizens to make corporations rich and destroying the basic survival needs for us all is evil. Stop this bill
This bill is down right criminal. Forcing citizens to make corporations rich and destroying the basic survival needs for us all is evil. Stop this bill
# 2,765:
6:14 pm PDT, Oct 2,
Eric Pace, Kentucky
This bill must be stopped! The people aren't speaking up on this bill because they are UNAWARE of it. Please do NOT pass!
This bill must be stopped! The people aren't speaking up on this bill because they are UNAWARE of it. Please do NOT pass!
# 2,764:
6:50 am PDT, Oct 1,
Augusta Lamoree, Virginia
# 2,763:
3:19 pm PDT, Sep 30,
Linda Miller, Pennsylvania
# 2,762:
9:27 am PDT, Sep 30,
Melissa Mccranels, Colorado
# 2,761:
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7:39 am PDT, Sep 30,
Matthew Hill, Georgia
I believe that this bill is been written and proposed in bad faith. It is bad enough that we cannot say what we will or will not eat on tv anymore (think Oprah) but forcing these practices would only result in the further degradation of our food sources. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL FARMERS!!! |
# 2,760:
6:59 pm PDT, Sep 29,
Jodi S Bauter, Georgia
# 2,759:
1:39 pm PDT, Sep 29,
Gail Costic, Pennsylvania
# 2,758:
8:40 am PDT, Sep 25,
Eric Cameron, Maine
I want to let the federal gopvernment know that I want to be personally responsible for what I consume in the food supply and not have it dictated to me by the agribusiness industry.
I want to let the federal gopvernment know that I want to be personally responsible for what I consume in the food supply and not have it dictated to me by the agribusiness industry.
# 2,757:
9:06 pm PDT, Sep 23,
Jenny Zoppo, North Carolina
i am an organic farmer on a small orchard in western north carolina.
i am an organic farmer on a small orchard in western north carolina.
# 2,756:
9:55 am PDT, Sep 23,
Lynn Hickcox, Oregon
This bill is far too vague and brings about concerns on how it would be abused. As an individual who purchases from small local farmers of organic produce in my area and one who grows their own herbs in an organic garden. I find bills such as this quite offensive! This does not restrict regulations to large corporations or even to the home grower for that matter! I am completely against this bill!
This bill is far too vague and brings about concerns on how it would be abused. As an individual who purchases from small local farmers of organic produce in my area and one who grows their own herbs in an organic garden. I find bills such as this quite offensive! This does not restrict regulations to large corporations or even to the home grower for that matter! I am completely against this bill!
# 2,755:
7:03 pm PDT, Sep 22,
Marc Banks, North Carolina
I am a home gardener and cultivator. I support my local farmer's market and the small business entrepreneurs who constantly are at odds with the USDA, FDA, and other federal and local agencies who are woefully biased in favor of large companies. I find this bill to be abhorrent and will will further put small growers in danger of failing. If you want to make an impact on the economy, start with America's stomach. Our rules need to be reassessed, reformed, and standardized from the top down.
I am a home gardener and cultivator. I support my local farmer's market and the small business entrepreneurs who constantly are at odds with the USDA, FDA, and other federal and local agencies who are woefully biased in favor of large companies. I find this bill to be abhorrent and will will further put small growers in danger of failing. If you want to make an impact on the economy, start with America's stomach. Our rules need to be reassessed, reformed, and standardized from the top down.
# 2,754:
5:37 pm PDT, Sep 20,
Angela Azmitia, Florida
I am a raw vegan, and it is very important not only for my diet, but the diet of the people who wish to heal themselves of all the crap that is in our current food, and to have access to wholesome organic produce.
I am a raw vegan, and it is very important not only for my diet, but the diet of the people who wish to heal themselves of all the crap that is in our current food, and to have access to wholesome organic produce.
YES
# 2,753:
2:25 pm PDT, Sep 18,
Laura Reed, Missouri
This is supposed to be a free country. Then why is the government trying to take away a big part of one of the things that keeps us healthy, and for that matter, ALIVE! This country depends on small farmers to produce the best products possible for our nourishment and well-being. Coming from a chef, organics is the way to go and taking that away is just WRONG!
This is supposed to be a free country. Then why is the government trying to take away a big part of one of the things that keeps us healthy, and for that matter, ALIVE! This country depends on small farmers to produce the best products possible for our nourishment and well-being. Coming from a chef, organics is the way to go and taking that away is just WRONG!
# 2,752:
8:54 am PDT, Sep 18,
Darris Mikl, Arizona
http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=12671 http://www.natural-health-information-centre.com/codex-alimentarius.html
http://www.campaignforliberty.com/blog.php?view=12671 http://www.natural-health-information-centre.com/codex-alimentarius.html
# 2,751:
1:40 pm PDT, Sep 17,
Eduardo Lozano, Texas
