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[armedandsafe]

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.p...w&pageId=92002

GROUND CONTROL
Lose your property for growing food?
Big Brother legislation could mean prosecution, fines up to $1 million

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Posted: March 16, 2009
8:56 pm Eastern


By Chelsea Schilling
© 2009 WorldNetDaily


Some small farms and organic food growers could be placed under direct supervision of the federal government under new legislation making its way through Congress.

Food Safety Modernization Act


House Resolution 875, or the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009, was introduced by Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., in February. DeLauro's husband, Stanley Greenburg, works for Monsanto – the world's leading producer of herbicides and genetically engineered seed.

DeLauro's act has 39 co-sponsors and was referred to the House Agriculture Committee on Feb. 4. It calls for the creation of a Food Safety Administration to allow the government to regulate food production at all levels – and even mandates property seizure, fines of up to $1 million per offense and criminal prosecution for producers, manufacturers and distributors who fail to comply with regulations.

Michael Olson, host of the Food Chain radio show and author of "Metro Farm," told WND the government should focus on regulating food production in countries such as China and Mexico rather than burdening small and organic farmers in the U.S. with overreaching regulations.

"We need somebody to watch over us when we're eating food that comes from thousands and thousands of miles away. We need some help there," he said. "But when food comes from our neighbors or from farmers who we know, we don't need all of those rules. If your neighbor sells you something that is bad and you get sick, you are going to get your hands on that farmer, and that will be the end of it. It regulates itself."

The legislation would establish the Food Safety Administration within the Department of Health and Human Services "to protect the public health by preventing food-borne illness, ensuring the safety of food, improving research on contaminants leading to food-borne illness, and improving security of food from intentional contamination, and for other purposes."

Federal regulators will be tasked with ensuring that food producers, processors and distributors – both large and small – prevent and minimize food safety hazards such as food-borne illnesses and contaminants such as bacteria, chemicals, natural toxins or manufactured toxicants, viruses, parasites, prions, physical hazards or other human pathogens.

Under the legislation's broad wording, slaughterhouses, seafood processing plants, establishments that process, store, hold or transport all categories of food products prior to delivery for retail sale, farms, ranches, orchards, vineyards, aquaculture facilities and confined animal-feeding operations would be subject to strict government regulation.

Government inspectors would be required to visit and examine food production facilities, including small farms, to ensure compliance. They would review food safety records and conduct surveillance of animals, plants, products or the environment.

"What the government will do is bring in industry experts to tell them how to manage all this stuff," Olson said. "It's industry that's telling government how to set these things up. What it always boils down to is who can afford to have the most influence over the government. It would be those companies that have sufficient economies of scale to be able to afford the influence – which is, of course, industrial agriculture."

Farms and food producers would be forced to submit copies of all records to federal inspectors upon request to determine whether food is contaminated, to ensure they are in compliance with food safety laws and to maintain government tracking records. Refusal to register, permit inspector access or testing of food or equipment would be prohibited.

"What is going to happen is that local agriculture will end up suffering through some onerous protocols designed for international agriculture that they simply don't need," Olson said. "Thus, it will be a way for industrial agriculture to manage local agriculture."

Under the act, every food producer must have a written food safety plan describing likely hazards and preventative controls they have implemented and must abide by "minimum standards related to fertilizer use, nutrients, hygiene, packaging, temperature controls, animal encroachment, and water."

"That opens a whole can of worms," Olson said. "I think that's where people are starting to freak out about losing organic agriculture. Who is going to decide what the minimum standards are for fertilization or anything else? The government is going to bring in big industry and say we are setting up these protocols, so what do you think we should do? Who is it going to bring in to ask? The government will bring in people who have economies of scale who have that kind of influence."

DeLauro's act calls for the Food Safety Administration to create a "national traceability system" to retrieve history, use and location of each food product through all stages of production, processing and distribution.

Olson believes the regulations could create unjustifiable financial hardships for small farmers and run them out of business.

"That is often the purpose of rules and regulations: to get rid of your competition," he said. "Only people who are very, very large can afford to comply. They can hire one person to do paperwork. There's a specialization of labor there, and when you are very small, you can't afford to do all of these things."

Olson said despite good intentions behind the legislation, this act could devastate small U.S. farms.

"Every time we pass a rule or a law or a regulation to make the world a better place, it seems like what we do is subsidize production offshore," he said. "We tell farmers they can no longer drive diesel tractors because they make bad smoke. Well, essentially what we're doing is giving China a subsidy to grow our crops for us, or Mexico or anyone else."

Section 304 of the Food Safety Modernization Act establishes a group of "experts and stakeholders from Federal, State, and local food safety and health agencies, the food industry, consumer organizations, and academia" to make recommendations for improving food-borne illness surveillance.

According to the act, "Any person that commits an act that violates the food safety law … may be assessed a civil penalty by the Administrator of not more than $1,000,000 for each such act."

Each violation and each separate day the producer is in defiance of the law would be considered a separate offense and an additional penalty. The act suggests federal administrators consider the gravity of the violation, the degree of responsibility and the size and type of business when determining penalties.

Criminal sanctions may be imposed if contaminated food causes serious illness or death, and offenders may face fines and imprisonment of up to 10 years.

"It's just frightening what can happen with good intentions," Olson said. "It's probably the most radical notions on the face of this Earth, but local agriculture doesn't need government because it takes care of itself."

Food Safety and Tracking Improvement Act

Another "food safety" bill that has organic and small farmers worried is Senate Bill 425, or the Food Safety and Tracking Improvement Act, sponsored by Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio.

Brown's bill is backed by lobbyists for Monsanto, Archer Daniels Midland and Tyson. It was introduced in September and has been referred to the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee. Some say the legislation could also put small farmers out of business.

Like HR 875, the measure establishes a nationwide "traceability system" monitored by the Food and Drug Administration for all stages of manufacturing, processing, packaging and distribution of food. It would cost $40 million over three years.

"We must ensure that the federal government has the ability and authority to protect the public, given the global nature of the food supply," Brown said when he introduced the bill. He suggested the FDA and USDA have power to declare mandatory recalls.

The government would track food shipped in interstate commerce through a recordkeeping and audit system, a secure, online database or registered identification. Each farmer or producer would be required to maintain records regarding the purchase, sale and identification of their products.

A 13-member advisory committee of food safety and tracking technology experts, representatives of the food industry, consumer advocates and government officials would assist in implementing the traceability system.

The bill calls for the committee to establish a national database or registry operated by the Food and Drug Administration. It also proposes a electronic records database to identify sales of food and its ingredients "establishing that the food and its ingredients were grown, prepared, handled, manufactured, processed, distributed, shipped, warehoused, imported, and conveyed under conditions that ensure the safety of the food."

It states, "The records should include an electronic statement with the date of, and the names and addresses of all parties to, each prior sale, purchase, or trade, and any other information as appropriate."

If government inspectors find that a food item is not in compliance, they may force producers to cease distribution, recall the item or confiscate it.

"If the postal service can track a package from my office in Washington to my office in Cincinnati, we should be able to do the same for food products," Sen. Brown said in a Sept. 4, 2008, statement. "Families that are struggling with the high cost of groceries should not also have to worry about the safety of their food. This legislation gives the government the resources it needs to protect the public."

Recalls of contaminated food are usually voluntary; however, in his weekly radio address on March 15, President Obama announced he's forming a Food Safety Working Group to propose new laws and stop corruption of the nation's food.

The group will review, update and enforce food safety laws, which Obama said "have not been updated since they were written in the time of Teddy Roosevelt."

The president said outbreaks from contaminated foods, such as a recent salmonella outbreak among consumers of peanut products, have occurred more frequently in recent years due to outdated regulations, fewer inspectors, scaled back inspections and a lack of information sharing between government agencies.

"In the end, food safety is something I take seriously, not just as your president but as a parent," Obama said. "No parent should have to worry that their child is going to get sick from their lunch just as no family should have to worry that the medicines they buy will cause them harm."

The blogosphere is buzzing with comments on the legislation, including the following:

Obama and his cronies or his puppetmasters are trying to take total control – nationalize everything, disarm the populace, control food, etc. We are seeing the formation of a total police state.

Well ... that's not very " green " of Obama. What's his real agenda?
This is getting way out of hand! Isn't it enough the FDA already allows poisons in our foods?

If you're starving, no number of guns will enable you to stay free. That's the whole idea behind this legislation. He who controls the food really makes the rules.

The government is terrified of the tax loss. Imagine all the tax dollars lost if people actually grew their own vegetables! Imagine if people actually coordinated their efforts with family, friends and neighbors. People could be in no time eating for the price of their own effort. ... Oh the horror of it all! The last thing the government wants is for us to be self-sufficient.

They want to make you dependent upon government. I say no way! already the government is giving away taxes from my great great grandchildren and now they want to take away my food, my semi-auto rifles, my right to alternative holistic medicine? We need a revolution, sheeple! Wake up! They want fascism ... can you not see that?

The screening processes will make it very expensive for smaller farmers, where bigger agriculture corporations can foot the bill.

If anything it just increases accountability, which is arguably a good thing. It pretty much says they'll only confiscate your property if there are questions of contamination and you don't comply with their inspections. I think the severity of this has been blown out of proportion by a lot of conjecture.

Don't waste your time calling the criminals in D.C. and begging them to act like humans. This will end with a bloody revolt.

The more I examine this (on the surface) seemingly innocuous bill the more I hate it. It is a coward's ploy to push out of business small farms and farmers markets without actually making them illegal because many will choose not to operate due to the compliance issue.

This is another step to take over our lives and put us under the thumb of the .gov. This will cover trade and barter acts, also. Don't be taken in by the "interstate commerce" language in the bill. If the seed or root stock you are using came across state lines at any time in its linage, it is covered.

Pops

[SaddleSarge]

And it just keeps getting better.....

http://www.infowars.com/fingerprints...me-in-chicago/

Fingerprints Required to Sell Home in Chicago

Infowars
March 13, 2009

It is billed as a way to prevent fraud — Chicago and Cook County homeowners will be required to give fingerprints in order to sell their homes. “The new law, which is set to go into effect June 1, 2009, will force anyone selling property in Cook County to provide a thumbprint from their right hand,” reports CBS 2 Chicago.

Chicagoans will pay to have the state intrude on their privacy. “The law specifies that consumers can be charged up to $25 to cover fingerprint processing costs.”

“We’re in favor of it. Fraud has been a big problem for title companies like us. We don’t think it will add too much of a burden on us,” said Joseph Rogul of the Professional National Title Network.

Chicago leads the nation in efforts to strip citizens of their rights.

Earlier in the week, a House committee in Illinois advanced a series of measures designed to increase gun control. “Among the restrictions approved by the House Executive Committee include an assault weapons ban and legislation allowing only one gun purchase a month. Chicago Mayor Richard Daley perenially pushes for such gun crackdowns due to continued violence in some city neighborhoods,” reported the Chicago Tribune. (emphasis added)

[bcj1755]

Sieg Heil!!!!

[pickenup]

Just when you thought it couldn't get any CRAZIER.

[bcj1755]

Well, this way Barry can keep the food flowing to his people, but those of us that won't partake of the tasty kool-aid, well, we'll get the honor of starving to death for the greater glory of Barry's socilaism.

[jim summers]

We ain't seen anything yet wait until the Anti-Christ gets on the scene.

[1shot1k]

Thanks for informative post(s)...

As times have progressed for however or whatever....and it is a fact that just a few or small number of "processors or distributors" can handle a volume of product in numbers large enough to very adversley affect so many of us at once....I strongly agree with proper safety measures and more stringent effects of enforcing exisitng safe practices....but as seen...we must be vigilant regarding "profiteers " and those with their own agenda's placed above the country's welfare.....

as for Illinois legislation...I have been to all states of this republic...and did two prisons in Poerte Rico.....and the history of Illinois political corruption speaks for itself......

As with all our fine states....so many good people.....unfairly led and gooned by so few........

[Vasily Zaytsev]

and all the media networks show SHelly Obama growing a garden at the white house.

Say everyone should do it.

Me thinks we live in two different countries.

and neither one is America

[RunningOnMT]

Is there no end? Next you'll have to get a license to plant a garden in your backyard, then they'll tax you for what you grow.

[glocknut]

Originally Posted by jim summers

We ain't seen anything yet wait until the Anti-Christ gets on the scene.

He's NOT on the scene yet?!!!! Surely you jest?????

mike
gn

[killbuck]

A female friend of mine belongs to a gardening forum (can't remember the name tho) and she says they are all over this item. Quite a few who admit they voted for Obozo now admit they made a big mistake.

[bcj1755]

Originally Posted by killbuck

A female friend of mine belongs to a gardening forum (can't remember the name tho) and she says they are all over this item. Quite a few who admit they voted for Obozo now admit they made a big mistake.

Quite a few gun owners here that voted for Obama now admit they made a mistake.

[USMC-03]

I can just see it now, instead of having to watch your step when out in the national forests for fear of blundering into an illegal pot grow and getting shot for it, we'll have to be wary of illicit gardens. Forget the black market for drugs, now there will be broccoli and cauliflower pushers hanging out on street corners...

[45nut]

Originally Posted by bcj1755

Quite a few gun owners here that voted for Obama now admit they made a mistake.

You're kidding right? Surely no Sane gun owner would vote for the forerunner of the Anti-Christ? That's like calling yourself a Christian and voting for the Pro-Abortion Democratic National Party!

Say it ain't so Joe!

[bcj1755]

Originally Posted by 45nut

You're kidding right? Surely no Sane gun owner would vote for the forerunner of the Anti-Christ? That's like calling yourself a Christian and voting for the Pro-Abortion Democratic National Party!

Say it ain't so Joe!

No, it's true...sadly. I've already mentioned on here about being in a gun store one day and some dumba** walks in wearing an Obama tshirt, then can't understand why the staff treated him like he had the bubonic plague. Or vehicles with Obama bumper stickers in the parking lot at one of the local ranges. It just defies logic.

[Marlin T]

For some reason I thought there was a vote coming up on this bill, but...

ALL ACTIONS:
2/4/2009: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
2/4/2009: Referred to House Energy and Commerce
2/4/2009: Referred to House Agriculture

[tireman7.62x54r]

I was worried about the anti's coming for my shotgun. I didn't think they would be coming to dig up my strawberry & raspberry plants too.

[ponycar17]

Originally Posted by bcj1755

No, it's true...sadly. I've already mentioned on here about being in a gun store one day and some dumba** walks in wearing an Obama tshirt, then can't understand why the staff treated him like he had the bubonic plague. Or vehicles with Obama bumper stickers in the parking lot at one of the local ranges. It just defies logic.

I wore my 'Come and Take It' shirt to the gun store last weekend and got treated just fine.