This is disturbing news.

Backtracking a bit, the way this topic came into my field of radar was through my wife, Joy. A friend in one of her online networks left her a comment about signing a petition to stop this bill, that if passed, could be used as a tool to suppress or, even eradicate, organic farming, small farms, community gardens, backyard gardens, farmer's markets, etc. Indeed, it was a most disturbing and alarming piece of news to receive. Now when we began searching for more data about this topic we weren't finding anything current. All the stories, comments, forum discussions, etc. were dated in March of this year. And, most everything being said in March was of an alarming nature. So, not finding any current news on the two bills, Joy contacted the company <a href="http://www.seedsforchange.com/">Seeds For Change</a> to find out what their view was on this matter. Their response is below. ................... Dear Joy Thank you for your contact and for the opportunity to comment on HR 875 and S 425. We do not believe these bills will outlaw organic farming or backyard gardening. These are food safety bills, which is a political necessity now. The bills do not make statements about chemical inputs, organics, seed supplies or gardening, it calls for min standards for production, processing (slaughtering etc), distribution and preparation of food. These standards do NOT call for the use of chemicals, but do call for standards in terms of soil fertility (does not say to use fertilizers....), hygiene, processing, packaging, storage etc. The rule also calls for traceability, already a big part of organics and one of our inherent advantages in our process based system. The rule calls for foreign food production to meet the same standards, and be subject to US accredited certification. This is the exact same system as we use in organics already, and frankly, if offshore food production needs to meet more strict quality standards, this in theory will increase US food production, which has been on the decline for many years. Reversing this trend and maintaining high food quality standards (based on processes, not only testing) is a good thing, and we are already doing that in organics. Obviously, one area of potential concern could be if the standard includes for instance mandatory irradiation of food (banned under the organic law). Another area of concern could be combination production practices of animals and plants. Historically common, scientifically useful, but when the numbers get excessive, a problem. The problem is the numbers, not the practice perse. Raw milk, free range eggs etc, could all also be subject to new and more stringent food safety and 'treatment' regs. However, none of this is stated and would be subject to review A solution to the above would be in the clause allowing for variances, which these folks would have to apply for. We feel these bills use common sense and need (we must look at food safety, which should be the concerns in organics as well...some of the recent peanuts were organic) and are an opportunity for organics as a process based, traceable and scientific system, to be proactive and to grow the use of sustainable, organic crop/food production. The Folks at Seeds of Change The following website gives an overview also of the food safety issues; http://foodandwaterwatch.org/food/foodsafety/background-on-h-r-875/?searchterm=875 <b><u>Note:</u></b> this response from <a href="http://www.seedsforchange.com/">Seeds for Change</a> is, to date, the most non-emotional, non-alarming view of these two bills that I have seen expressed. And, if you know what kind of company that <i>Seeds for Change</i> is and what they do, then it makes sense that this is a business that would be watching these two bills very closely. That being said, I still intend to read the bills for myself and keep a close eye on this matter. My concern is that there may be ambiguity in the language of the bills that could open the door and inadvertently make possible a perversion in its enforcement. Also, I'm very interested to learn if what is going to be required of the smaller farmer/rancher in the way of compliance, due to the passage of these two bills, is going to place an overwhelming financial obstacle upon the small farm/ranch that might act to cause such operations to become non-viable. In any case, this is far from being a closed topic.