New Food Safety Rule Threatens Small Farms Again
News from National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition: New Food Safety Rule Threatens Small Farms Again
Remember the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that passed last year? We won a hard fought battle, securing appropriate food safety rules for small-to-midsized farms and processors producing fresh and healthy food for local and regional markets.
Now, out of left field, a marketing agency – the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) — has issued a proposed national food safety rule for spinach, lettuce, and cabbage, despite the fact that AMS does not have food safety jurisdiction or staff.
And the protections for the small and medium sized farms that make up our nations vibrant local food system? …. Not there.
The most powerful “Big Ag” players in the leafy green industry are pushing the National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (NLGMA) and there is little trust among small-to-medium, diversified, and organic farmers that this will serve them well. The sellers, processors, or distributors that sign on to the rule will compel farmers they purchase from to comply with its standards. The rule adds a second and conflicting layer of food safety standards and audits on top of FDA food safety rules.
This confusing and duplicative rule could effectively shut small and mid-sized farmers out of the leafy greens market.
Tell the AMS to withdraw their unnecessary and confusing rule
Your Privacy Choices
I would like to see a link to the actual new proposed rule and see the wording for myself before deciding if it is good or bad. It would just make it a lot easier to have all of the information necessary in one place to make that decision a lot faster.
Stephanie,
It’s 45 pages of three column text. Even I skimmed parts of it and I’m kind of a wonk, but if you’re up for it I really appreciate the interest. Would love your feedback.
Here you go: https://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5090647
Taylor
The most recent information I found is from 2009. Did you see something more timely? Thanks.
NSAC works with Congress every day. They wouldn’t put out an alert if something wasn’t imminent. Here are two news stories dated May 4th of this year: https://green.tmcnet.com/news/2011/05/04/5484965.htm and https://smart-grid.tmcnet.com/news/2011/05/04/5484965.htm that confirm AMS has put in a formal proposal.