S. 510: FDA Food Safety Modernization Act

I recently wrote a letter to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand:

Esteemed Mrs. Gillibrand,

It has come to my attention that you are a co-sponsor of the Food Safety Modernization Act (S. 510). As one of your constituents, I respectfully ask that you withdraw your support for this bill.

The language of the bill would make it difficult or impossible for farmers to set up roadside stands selling their produce. It would also imperil many farmers' markets.

If this were allowed to happen the availability of locally grown foods would be greatly reduced. The economic and environmental impact of this change would be large. As you know much of New York is rural with much farmland. Also, shipping food across the country and even around the world emits a large quantity of greenhouse gases.

I understand that the intent of this bill is to safeguard our food supply and ensure our well being. It seems, however, that our food supply is very safe as it is. I fear that this bill will only marginally improve our safety while jeopardizing both the economy of much of New York and sustainability efforts relating to the food supply around the nation.

Respectfully,

Brian Rowe

That pretty much sums up my position on this. Though those of you interested in Codex Alimentarius, and so forth, may be interested in looking here.