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Mar
26
Criminalizing Organic and Home Growers
Filed Under Organic, Police State
HR 875 The food police, criminalizing organic farming and the backyard gardener, and violation of the 10th amendment
UPDATE: Many people were unable to get the text for this bill, or it was simply unavailable. We have obtained the full text and can be disseminated here: http://blogs.healthfreedomalliance.org/h-r-875-food-safety-administration-full-text/
Tear it apart Freedom Fighters!
HR 875 http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c111:1:./temp/~c1112RD9bb:e11439:
This bill is sitting in committee and I am not sure when it is going to hit the floor. One thing I do know is that very few of the Representatives have read it. As usual they will vote on this based on what someone else is saying. Urge your members to read the legislation and ask for opposition to this devastating legislation. Devastating for everyday folks but great for factory farming ops like Monsanto, ADM, Sodexo and Tyson to name a few.
I have no doubt that this legislation was heavily influenced by lobbyists from huge food producers. This legislation is so broad based that technically someone with a little backyard garden could get fined and have their property seized. It will effect anyone who produces food even if they do not sell but only consume it. It will literally put all independent farmers and food producers out of business due to the huge amounts of money it will take to conform to factory farming methods. If people choose to farm without industry standards such as chemical pesticides and fertilizers they will be subject to a variety of harassment from this completely new agency that has never before existed. That’s right, a whole new government agency is being created just to police food, for our own protection of course.
The more people who read this legislation the more insight we are going to get and be able to share. Post your observations and insights below. Urge your members to read this legislation and to oppose the passage of this legislation.
Pay special attention to
- Section 3 which is the definitions portion of the bill-read in it’s entirety.
- section 103, 206 and 207- read in it’s entirety.
- Legally binds state agriculture depts to enforcing federal guidelines effectively taking away the states power to do anything other than being food police for the federal dept.
- Effectively criminalizes organic farming but doesn’t actually use the word organic.
- Effects anyone growing food even if they are not selling it but consuming it.
- Effects anyone producing meat of any kind including wild game.
- Legislation is so broad based that every aspect of growing or producing food can be made illegal. There are no specifics which is bizarre considering how long the legislation is.
- Section 103 is almost entirely about the administrative aspect of the legislation. It will allow the appointing of officials from the factory farming corporations and lobbyists and classify them as experts and allow them to determine and interpret the legislation. Who do you think they are going to side with?
- Section 206 defines what will be considered a food production facility and what will be enforced up all food production facilities. The wording is so broad based that a backyard gardener could be fined and more.
- Section 207 requires that the state’s agriculture dept act as the food police and enforce the federal requirements. This takes away the states power and is in violation of the 10th amendment.
Didn’t Stalin nationalize farming methods that enabled his administration to gain control over the food supply? Didn’t Stalin use the food to control the people?
Last word…… Legislate religion and enforce gag orders on ministers on what can and can’t be said in the pulpit, instituting regulations forcing people to rely solely on the government, control the money and the food. What is that called? It is on the tip of my tongue……….
I haven’t read any of the Senate’s version of the bill as I have been poring through the House’s version. Here is the link and I hope some of you can take a look and post your observations and insights below. One thing I am pretty sure of is that very few if any Senator’s have actually read the legislation and when it comes up for a vote they will more than likely take someone else’s word on how they should vote. The other thing I am pretty sure about is that the legislation was probably written by lobbyists and industry experts.
S 425 http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:s425:
Things you can do
- Contact your members at 202-224-3121 and ask them to oppose HR 875 and S 425. While you are at it ask them if they personally have read the legislation and what their position is? If they have not read the legislation ask them to read it and politely let them know that just because other representatives are not reading the legislation and voting on it does not mean they can do the same.
- Get in touch with local farmers and food producers by attending a local farmers market and asking them how business is.
- Attend a local WAPF meeting, this is a good start to learning about what is going on in farming and local & state initiatives . The website is http://www.westonaprice.org/localchapters/index.html
- Check out the Farmers Legal Defense Fund at http://www.ftcldf.org/index.html
- Find out who sits on your states agriculture and farming committee and contact them with your concerns.
- Continue to contact your elected officials and let them know your position on legislation and why.
- Get active at the local and state levels, this is the quickest way to initiate change.
Comments
102 Responses to “Criminalizing Organic and Home Growers”
Leave a Reply
I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose HR 875 and S 425. I would also request that you personally read the legislation I would like to know what your position is? I know that some of your collegues have not read this legislation, and I would ask that you urge them to do so. I believe that (just like some other things that you were all urged to sign without reading) anyone who does give this a full and fair reading, will be as appalled as I was at the possibilities for abuse available in it; and the dangers to small and independenet farmers, as well as organic farmers, not to mention other industries.
If I can understand this (and I am just a housewife, not a farmer, politician or legislator), then I’m sure anyone reading it can. Please help your colleagues to stop and read them before they vote, and stop them passing. Thank You!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Chapman
[Reply]
admin Reply:
March 28th, 2009 at 12:30 am
This is a great model for others to follow! Thanks Lisa!
[Reply]
I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose HR 875 and S 425. I would also request that you PERSONALLY READ the legislation. I would like to know what your position is. I know that some of your collegues have not read this legislation, and I would ask that you urge them to do so. I believe that (just like some other things that you were all urged to sign without reading) anyone who does give this a full and fair reading, will be as appalled as I was at the possibilities for abuse available in it; and the dangers to small and independenet farmers, as well as organic farmers, not to mention other industries.
If I can understand this (and I not a farmer, a politician, nor a legislator), then I’m sure anyone reading it can. Please help your colleagues to stop and read them before they vote, and stop them from passing. Thank You!
[Reply]
I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose HR 875 and S 425.
I would also request that you personally read the legislation…..I CANNOT imagine anyone NOT reading the bills that are even going to affect YOU!!!!
I would like to know what your position is?
PLEASE tell your colleagues to read this legislation,………I ask that you URGE them to do so.
I believe that (just like some other things that you were all urged to sign without reading) anyone who does give this a full and fair reading, will be as appalled as I was at the possibilities for abuse available in it; and the dangers to small and independent farmers, as well as organic farmers, not to mention other industries.
I wonder if there are any of you with honor anymore!! We all die and will be accountable for our choices while on this earth!!
I truly feel that most of you in Washington need to be hooked up to a SANITY-METER!!!!
If I can understand this, what is YOUR PROBLEM!?????
STOP THIS MADNESS………….PLEASE do the honorable thing and READ THIS and VOTE AGAINST IT!!!!
Thank You!
[Reply]
I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose HR 875 and S 425.
I would also request that you personally read the legislation…..I CANNOT imagine anyone NOT reading the bills that WILL affect YOU and YOUR FAMILY as well!!!!
I would like to know what your position is?
PLEASE tell your colleagues to read this legislation,………I ask that you URGE them to do so.
I believe that (just like some other things that you were all urged to sign without reading) anyone who does give this a full and fair reading, will be as appalled as I was at the possibilities for abuse available in it; and the dangers to small and independent farmers, as well as organic farmers, not to mention other industries.
I wonder if there are any of you with honor anymore!! We all die and will be accountable for our choices while on this earth!!
I truly feel that most of you in Washington need to be hooked up to a SANITY-METER!!!!
If I can understand this, what is YOUR PROBLEM!?????
STOP THIS MADNESS………….PLEASE do the honorable thing and READ THIS and VOTE AGAINST IT………….NOW!!!!
Thank You!
[Reply]
james Reply:
April 7th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
this bill sounds lethal to all health striving indviduals,what is their eveil plan for us i feel like i will be in trouble for growing my own food we have a serious problem here and need to react asap
[Reply]
Where can one read this bill? Can someone post the link? The one above does not work.
Thanks!
[Reply]
Adalia Reply:
March 30th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
I’m not sure if i have the exact link but if you go to thomas.gov and if it’s not spelled that way then tomas.gov it takes you to the library of congress and you can simply type in the bill number or even key words into the search engine and it will take you right to it. I’ve done this multiple times when I’ve heard rumors about different bills comming to the floor or being voted on.
[Reply]
Adalia Reply:
March 30th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
I’m not sure which link your tried but if you simply type in thomas.gov it will take you to the library of congress and you can search by bill number or key words and it will take you right there. I’ve done this many times when I’ve heard things such as this about new legislation being pushed through.
[Reply]
Actually, you best stock up immediately if not sooner on Heritage seeds and for this year get your potato seedlings early since its my understanding there is little if any available.
This goes with the other manmade shortages of food and water that we are going to be facing. NO RIOTS please as they want MARTIAL LAW. They need it to complete their agenda.
Your also not going to stop this legislation the traditional way unless you can get a ground swell so huge you scare them into it.
Remember Cheney had a domestic assassination squad and Obama is not doing away with it. Our Congress is in prison as much as we are.
So, go underground…. the world as we have known it is now gone, so These kinds of laws will have to be ignored since they do not fit the definition of what laws mean and are in total violation of our right to determine our own health and food needs and to meet those needs..
[Reply]
Dear Lawmakers,
Please do not allow legislation to pass that would criminalize organic farmers and backyard growers. Our country was built on private enterprise, and to put the private organic growers out of business in favor of governmet control and loss of yet another freedom as to being able to choose natural, wholesome food to put in our bodies. This affects you, too, up close and personally. Do you really want to make it possible for us to literally be force fed anything a huge food conglomerate can dream up that will make more profit for them regardless of what it does to us and our children? Think about it, and please use plain common sense here.
[Reply]
stacey sims Reply:
March 30th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
To Whom It May Concern,
We would appreciate some common sense why do people have to ask to plant food and live pesticide free? We also need a change for the people wholesome food is a right. Try to do the right thing.
[Reply]
stacey sims Reply:
March 30th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
To Whom It May Concern,
We would appreciate some common sense why do people have to ask to plant food and live pesticide free? We also need a change for the people wholesome food is a right. Try to do the right thing. Say no to HR 875/S 425.
[Reply]
i appreciate your diligence and attention regarding legislation that affects us.
please hit spellcheck before sending out your information. when “crimminalize” is misspelled in the title and throughout the piece, it discredits actual information that you offer. other misspellings, too, do not serve you and do not serve the information here. and the information is indeed important.
i hope you don’t mind the comment. i only want to support the broader dissemination of this kind of information. thank you.
a supporter, sincerely, jeffry farrell
[Reply]
I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose HR 875 and S 425. I would also request that you personally read the legislation I would like to know what your position is? I know that some of your collegues have not read this legislation, and I would ask that you urge them to do so. I believe that (just like some other things that you were all urged to sign without reading) anyone who does give this a full and fair reading, will be as appalled as I was at the possibilities for abuse available in it; and the dangers to small and independenet farmers, as well as organic farmers, not to mention other industries.
If I can understand this (and I am just a housewife, not a farmer, politician or legislator), then I’m sure anyone reading it can. Please help your colleagues to stop and read them before they vote, and stop them passing. Thank You!
[Reply]
It seems really strange since Michelle Obama just planted a ‘Victory Garden’ at the White House: http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/17839
and Maria Shriver intends to do the same in California: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-garden27-2009mar27,0,5394564.story.
I will point this out to my legislators in the letters I send to them.
[Reply]
I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose HR 875 and S 425.
I would also request that you personally read the legislation…..I CANNOT imagine anyone NOT reading the bills that WILL affect YOU and YOUR FAMILY as well!!!!
I would like to know what your position is?
PLEASE tell your colleagues to read this legislation,………I ask that you URGE them to do so.
I believe that (just like some other things that you were all urged to sign without reading) anyone who does give this a full and fair reading, will be as appalled as I was at the possibilities for abuse available in it; and the dangers to small and independent farmers, as well as organic farmers, not to mention other industries.
I wonder if there are any of you with honor anymore!! We all die and will be accountable for our choices while on this earth!!
I truly feel that most of you in Washington need to be hooked up to a SANITY-METER!!!!
If I can understand this, what is YOUR PROBLEM!?????
STOP THIS MADNESS………….PLEASE do the honorable thing and READ THIS and VOTE AGAINST IT………….NOW!!!!
Thank You!
[Reply]
To any and all commitee members or Congress members who have a vote or any influence over the bills HR785 of S425:
I am requesting that if you have a vote, if you have a voice, that you vote NO on these bills.
Do not be fooled by the implied “Safety” concept in these bills. The bottom line is scary.
The health of my family and friends is at stake. The health of your family and friends is at stake. Rest assured, adding more chemicals to any recipe never made it any healthier.
I do not want to lose the right to feed my family organic foods. GMO’s Genetically modified seeds are bred to make a plant into a super plant. Seeds are mutated to create a plant that is capable of withstanding disease, pests and drought. This may sound good or even great…there is a very large HOWEVER involved in this scenario. GMO seeds are producing plants that are difficult to digest and causing disease in humans. If bugs will not eat these modified plants why would we?
The GMO foods have been around for a while….perhaps another reason why so many people are sick? Challenges in the digestive system equal challenges in the entire system! Not to mention the obvious question…are the plants nutritious? We already know that soils are easily depleted when crops are not rotated. A beet farm that produces beets for 50 years without crop rotation is not yielding nutritious beets without massive effort to reinvigorate the soil. Artificial fertilizers are poisonous.
Our government is considering adding chemicals a mandatory action to all plant and animal sources, and moving to only allow mutated seeds to be planted…anywhere! All heirloom seeds will be destroyed. Some store houses have already been destroyed. Someone will stand to make a lot of money off of the newly mutated seeds, as they will be patented. Find the source of the patent, define who will make the money, and discover the source of this tom foolery!
We as a society want to keep “heirloom” seeds available for all. We as a society want to be healthy. We want organic food! This is obvious by the trend in the market place. Major food chains are carrying organic fresh and packaged foods. If consumers were not purchasing the organic products the major chains would not make them available.
Please vote NO and be part of the voice that wants health and freedom!
[Reply]
I am writing because I am horrified by the prospect of HR 875 S425 passing. I urge you to read it, and vote against it. Freedom to eat healthy food grown organically or to grow them ourselves is a right that obviously we should enjoy. Thank you!
[Reply]
I attempted to use the link S 425 http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:s425: but it failed to work. Is there any other way to access that information?
[Reply]
admin Reply:
March 28th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I think we overloaded the site…
They’ll know we’re serious about not wanting a new bureaucracy… now it says indexing and to refresh in 30 seconds…
[Reply]
Jerilee Auclair Reply:
March 28th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
This one works – I am on that site now.
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.875.IH:
[Reply]
Connie Green Reply:
March 28th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
Please read HR875 and S425 and vote against them. We have a right to grow or buy organic food. I am horrified that such legislation is even being considered. Please do the right thing and vote against this legislation.
Thank You
Also read our other post from News With Views
“This bill will not just sweep up commercial food operations,” warns Tom DeWeese, who heads the American Policy Center in Virginia, in a Sledgehammer Alert, “[It] will subject hobby gardeners, home canners, anyone with a few chickens, or anyone who ‘holds, stores, or transports food’ … to registration, extensive management, and inspection by a huge new bureaucracy, the Food Safety Administration, even if the food items will only be consumed personally.”
http://blogs.healthfreedomalliance.org/blog/2009/03/23/will-congress-wipe-out-home-gardens-growers-markets/
[Reply]
Is this for real????? Guess Obama should forget his garden at the White House.
[Reply]
I lived in Ukraine for 4 years and Stalin’s control of the food is still a big issue there. That control was a state-engineered famine that caused the death of 10 million Ukrainians with some parents eating their children to try and stay alive themselves.
[Reply]
What you haves to say is excellent, but you will make a better impression with the help of an English major, as your grammar and syntax are not good.
I edited what you have posted. Please note the differences. You are welcome to use it if you wish.
Shivani Arjuna
Mar 26
Criminalizing Organic and Home Growing
HR 875 The food police, criminalizing organic farming and backyard gardening, and violation of the 10th amendment
Food PoliceHR 875 http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c111:1:./temp/~c1112RD9bb:e11439:
This bill is sitting in committee and I am not sure when it is going to hit the floor. I suspect that very few of the Representatives have read it but that they will vote on it based on what someone else is saying. Urge your members to read the legislation and ask them to oppose this legislation, which would be great for factory farming ops like Monsanto, ADM, Sodexo and Tyson but devastating for organic growers and home gardeners.
Organic Sales
I have no doubt that this legislation was heavily influenced by Agribusiness lobbyists. The wording is so general that someone with a backyard garden could get fined and have their property seized. It will affect anyone who produces food, even if they do not sell but only consume it themselves. It could literally put all independent farmers and food producers out of business due to the huge amounts of money it would take to conform to factory farming standards. For instance, if people choose to farm without chemical pesticides and fertilizers they would be subject to harassment from this completely new agency. That’s right, a whole new government agency would be created just to police food, for our own protection of course.
The more people who are aware of this proposed legislation, the power we will have to stop it. Post your observations and insights below. Urge your members to read this proposed legislation and to oppose its passage.
Note:
* Section 3, the definitions portion of the bill. Read in its entirety.
* Sections 103, 206 and 207. Read in entirety.
* The legislation would effectively criminalize organic farming without actually use the word organic.
* The legislation would affect anyone growing food even if they are not selling it, only consuming it.
* It would affect anyone producing meat of any kind, including wild game.
* The working is so general that every aspect of growing or producing food can be made illegal. There are no specifics, which is bizarre considering how long the legislation is.
* Section 103 is almost entirely about the administrative aspect of the legislation. It will allow the appointing of officials from the factory farming corporations and their lobbyists and classify them as experts allowed to interpret the legislation. With whom do you think they will side?
* Section 206 defines what will be considered a food-production facility and what will be enforced re all food-production facilities. The wording is so general that a backyard gardener could be fined and more.
* Section 207 requires that the state’s agriculture departments act as food police enforcing the federal regulations. This would infringe on the states’ power and is in violation of the 10th amendment.
Didn’t Stalin nationalize farming methods to enable his administration to gain control over the food supply in order to control the citizens?
I haven’t read the Senate’s version of the bill as I have been poring through the House’s version. Here is the link and I hope some of you can take a look and post your observations and insights below.
S 425 http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:s425:
Things you can do:
1. Contact your members at 202-224-3121 and ask them to oppose HR 875 and S 425. Ask them if they have read the legislation and what their position is. If they have not read the legislation ask them to read it.
2. Get in touch with local farmers and food producers by attending a local farmers market and asking them how business is.
3. Attend a local WAPF meeting. This is a good start to learning about what is going on in farming and local & state initiatives . The website is http://www.westonaprice.org/localchapters/index.html
4. Check out the Farmers Legal Defense Fund at http://www.ftcldf.org/index.html
5. Find out who sits on your state’s agriculture committee and contact them with your concerns.
6. Continue to contact your elected officials and let them know what your position on this legislation is and why.
7. Get active at the local and state levels. This is the quickest way to initiate change.
[Reply]
I think this their way, our great government, to do their population control. This kind of food will kill off many children and adults quickly. We will be paying them to kill us off with this poison food.I bet they cannot wait.
[Reply]
Our economy is busted, jobs are disappearing at alarming rates. People will have to garden to feed their families. It is a freedom we cannot lose. Contact your senators and representatives, they must not vote for this bill!
[Reply]
What are they doing in Washington? Who is in charge of this regulation? WE need to keep the farmers, and the organic growers safe. Somebody in Washington, DO SOMETHING about HR 875, Stop it.
thank you, e. tully
[Reply]
We need to get back to the “Constitution”. Any powers not given to Congress in the constitution cannot be done. It is to limit the “Government”, Not the people. We need to raise up & revolt. Term limits need to be imposed on the most dumb amoung us: The Congressmen & women. Does anyone really think they can really manage Health care. Their one cafetiera went broke by 18,000,000 under the control of the present house & senate idiots. Give me freedom of give me death. Get rid of the dinosaures in Congress
[Reply]
What are they doing in Washington? Who is in charge of this regulation? WE need to keep the farmers, and the organic growers safe. Somebody in Washington, DO SOMETHING about HR 875, Stop it.
thank you, Sr. Anita Valdez
[Reply]
I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose HR 875 and S 425. I would also request that you personally read the legislation I would like to know what your position is? I know that some of your collegues have not read this legislation, and I would ask that you urge them to do so. I believe that (just like some other things that you were all urged to sign without reading) anyone who does give this a full and fair reading, will be as appalled as I was at the possibilities for abuse available in it; and the dangers to small and independenet farmers, as well as organic farmers, not to mention other industries.
If I can understand this then I’m sure anyone reading it can. Please help your colleagues to stop and read them before they vote, and stop them passing. Thank You!
Sincerely,
June Elizabeth Polasek
[Reply]
I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose HR 875 and S 425. I would also request that you personally read the legislation I would like to know what your position is? I know that some of your collegues have not read this legislation, and I would ask that you urge them to do so. I believe that (just like some other things that you were all urged to sign without reading) anyone who does give this a full and fair reading, will be as appalled as I was at the possibilities for abuse available in it; and the dangers to small and independenet farmers, as well as organic farmers, not to mention other industries.
If I can understand this then I’m sure anyone reading it can. Please help your colleagues to stop and read them before they vote, and stop them passing. Thank You!
Sincerely,
Stephen J Friedlob
[Reply]
I’ve been an organic gardener for all my life, both privately and commercially. I’ve had chefs squabble over who should get the best green beans I was selling. This legislation is just another trip down the slippery slope of the government controlling something it’s got no business controlling. Folks have been raising and eating their own food for thousands of years, and I must say quite successfully. I agree restaurants, cafeterias and other places food is purchased and consumed in public should be routinely inspected for cleanliness etc. But come in my garden and tell me what I can and cannot grow? Not only NO but HELL NO. If this ridiculous piece of legislation is passed it’s going to make for a nation of law-breakers, up to and including the First Lady of the land. It’s going to shut down small farms which supply an awful lot of the fresh produce found on dinner tables across the country. A lot of consumers are getting picky about what they eat and feed their families. There are meats out there that could be used as an anti-biotic regimen in a pinch and raising meat that’s free of all the garbage forced on feedlot animals should be encouraged, NOT made illegal. This legistlation is even more ridiculous than the bail-outs, the budget, the TARP and all the other crazy stuff pouring out of Washington lately. If it’s passed I, for one, will be forced to rebellion. But I won’t be alone, oh no, there’ll be lots of us out here. We’re not a nation of sheep, you know. Amd so far, the 2nd Amendment is still in place so we’ll go down swinging. The Constitution is still the ruling document in the land and as long as it is, I can’t see how this piece of tripe can stand even if foolishly passed.
ME AND MINE DON’T WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE “CARE” OF US. BEEN DOING FINE FOR MORE THAN 300 YEARS……MY FAMILY ARRIVED IN 1693 SO WE’VE HAD A LOT OF PRACTICE COPING WITHOUT ANY HELP FROM BIG GOVERNMENT. GET OUT OF MY BEDROOM, MY BODY AND NOW MY BACKYARD!
[Reply]
Maria Reply:
March 30th, 2009 at 11:21 am
AMEN!!!!!!
[Reply]
I always buy organic and also grow organic because I care about myself, my family and the world. Support ORGANIC.
[Reply]
I respectfully ask that you vote against HR 875 which in my opinion is against the best interests of the people.
Have you actually read this bill? It is my understanding that several members will be voting in favor of it without having read it.
This bill would effectively prohibit backyard gardening and would police small farms which do not conform to factory farming practices. Industrial and factory farming interests are obvious.
Considering that Mrs. Michelle Obama and Mrs. Maria Shriver-Schwarzeneggar have both made public statements about making their own Victory Gardens, this entire bill seems Anti-American.
Controlling the food supply in reference to this bill has been called Stalinistic and Communistic at this point.
Your thoughtful consideration for this matter would be appreciated.
[Reply]
Dena Kuhn Reply:
March 28th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose HR 875 and S 425. I would also request that you personally read the legislation I would like to know what your position is? I know that some of your collegues have not read this legislation, and I would ask that you urge them to do so. I believe that (just like some other things that you were all urged to sign without reading) anyone who does give this a full and fair reading, will be as appalled as I was at the possibilities for abuse available in it; and the dangers to small and independenet farmers, as well as organic farmers, not to mention other industries.
If I can understand this then I’m sure anyone reading it can. Please help your colleagues to stop and read them before they vote, and stop them passing. Thank You!
Sincerely, Dena Kuhn
[Reply]
Do not tamper with our organic food supply. Do vote against this terrible bill (HR 875 S 425). We do not want chemical farms forcing their products on us. We have a right to choose good healthy organic foods and we ask you to protect our rights. Please READ and VOTE DOWN this atrocious legislation.
[Reply]
Sarah Noll Reply:
March 29th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Do not tamper with our organic food supply. Do vote against this terrible bill (HR 875 S 425). We do not want chemical farms forcing their products on us. We have a right to choose good healthy organic foods and we ask you to protect our rights. Please READ and VOTE DOWN this atrocious legislation.
[Reply]
I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose HR 875 and S 425. I would also request that you personally read the legislation I would like to know what your position is? I know that some of your collegues have not read this legislation, and I would ask that you urge them to do so. I believe that (just like some other things that you were all urged to sign without reading) anyone who does give this a full and fair reading, will be as appalled as I was at the possibilities for abuse available in it; and the dangers to small and independenet farmers, as well as organic farmers, not to mention other industries.
If I can understand this then I’m sure anyone reading it can. Please help your colleagues to stop and read them before they vote, and stop them passing. Thank You!
[Reply]
Did you guys read this bill!?! The object of this bill is what they call “Food establishment”. And Section 3, which we are specifically advised to read, defines it:
BEGIN QUOTE
(13) FOOD ESTABLISHMENT-
o
(A) IN GENERAL- The term `food establishment’ means a slaughterhouse (except those regulated under the Federal Meat Inspection Act or the Poultry Products Inspection Act), factory, warehouse, or facility owned or operated by a person located in any State that processes food or a facility that holds, stores, or transports food or food ingredients.
o
(B) EXCLUSIONS- For the purposes of registration, the term `food establishment’ does not include a food production facility as defined in paragraph (14), restaurant, other retail food establishment, nonprofit food establishment in which food is prepared for or served directly to the consumer, or fishing vessel (other than a fishing vessel engaged in processing, as that term is defined in section 123.3 of title 21, Code of Federal Regulations).
*
(14) FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITY- The term `food production facility’ means any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation.
END QUOTE
So: farms and ranches are excluded. Only industrial food production and storage facilities are affected by this bill. Can anyone please explain, with quotes from the bill, why should we care about it?
[Reply]
Please stay out of our food supply. You have already tried to poison us with drugs and vaccines. Please stay away from our food, the one last remnant of health that remains. Thank you, kindly.
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I find it almost communistic in that we have to write letters and make calls requesting that our personal freedoms not be violated even for simple things as in the right to grow our own gardens and have foods without chemicals.
Personally I only want to know what kind of government would make it illegal to grow a tomatoe?
I hope you will considering opposing HR 875 and S 425.
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I urge you to read this entire bill. I want organic farms that treat animals with respect and dignity, not factory farms that have free rein to use any chemical they choose. I hope you see the wisdom in voting “no” for this bill.
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Please read and vote against bill HR 875. I believe it is counter productive, puts more power in the hands of corporate greedy monsters that do not have our best interest in mind. This bill could destroy the livelihood of private farmers, especially organic Farmers.
Thank you for considering this.
[Reply]
We have a right to not only grow food, but to choose if we want chemicals and poison in our foods.
I hope you will considering opposing HR 875 and S 425.
[Reply]
Please, get real. I’m wasting my hard earned tax dollars on this crap! Try looking at health care and over taxation before you look at something as stupid as someone growing their own vegtables. As a licensed Landscape Architect I realize that “Gradening” including growing vegetables is America’s #1 hobby. Get the lobbyists for the big corporations out of my life. I’d be glad to send them a giant cumber, they will know where to put it.
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I will ask as nicely as I know how for all involved in this read what it says, Please don’t go up there with your head in the stars cause you think we or headed for some great wonderful change here in America, when daily we have bills like this treatning to take away the Freedoms our fore fathers placed in the childhood of our Nation, but to take away a mans way to grow food to feed his family should be a Crime, the People that this will hurt will make it a Crime, what ever any man in a fancy suit says..this Bill (HR 875 S 425) is the most UN-American Legal Atempt to undermine the Properity of this Country I have seen Yet..All I can say is God Bless America, because this Lady is trying to bring Her down….
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PLEASE VOTE AGAINST T6S BILL hr8750 AND S-425 THIS IS SO UNAMERICAN AND WILL LIKELY RUIN US
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What next?? Vote against this bill, (HR875 S425). Wake up everyone and take control of your lives. No one anywhere on this land has any right to tell anyone not to grow food, or else. Ha Ha. It is so ludicrous, that I had to laugh. I will do what I want when I want and I will eat the way I want, not the way Gov’t tells me. OOOOHHHH, the people are going to stand up for themselves, they are and it is time.
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We have the right to choose chemical free food and organic healthy food. We ask that you protect are right to choose. Please read the entire bill before voting. Vote against this horrible bill (HR 875 S 425 bill). We live in a free country we have the right to choose what we put in a bodies. We should not be forced to eat chemical farmed products forced on us. Organic is best for every living thing. Chemicals destroy the land and everything else.
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I urge your vote against bill HR 875 S 425. Too much evidence points to the destruction of our ecosystem with the use of chemicals. NOW is the time to stop further destruction, for our future and all future generations!
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ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!
I am not asking, respectfully, I am demanding that bill HR 875 & S 425 be opposed.
This is outrageous!!! It is morally, ethically, and legally inappropriate to pass such a bill.
Not to mention, what’s next? We all line up, for our daily injection of some chemical concoction because you say so too!!!
Americans and all people have this right it is not a priviledge.
Stop this madness!!! Please!
[Reply]
I am writing to urge you to vote NO to bill HR875-S425 Our planet our country and our Health and life depend on restoring our lifestyles to a natural way of living and organic farming and the wonderful food we receive from it is one of the very important ways of doing just that . We need people in this country that are living and working for the good of each others life and the good of Mother Earth. This bill would put control of our food supply in the hands of the companyies that produce the chemicals and pesticides that poison our foodkill our natural eco system balance[lookmat has has happened to the bees all over that world]without the natural balance of our eco system eventually the food chain will break down and peop;e will go hungery. There are natural ways of controling pest with other benifical insects that can be implemented nationwideand we will then be living in harmony and respect for all of the natural world as God created it . Please vote NO on this Bill
Many Thanks,
[Reply]
This is a basic violation of our rights and ability to stay pure and chemical free. To be healthy we need to be in harmony with nature . poisoning our earth and foods have serious consequences . we need to wake up on this one !
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The Hr 875 S 425 Bill is an attempt to interfere with our right to choose what we eat. Organic farming is pure & healthy. As consumers we have the right to decide what we feed to ourselves & our family. It is sad to suggest that a chemical company would produce food that in any way is healthier than Organic Farming & equally sad that anyone would try to interfere with you growing your own food to feed your family. Common sense tells you that this type of legislation does not benefit people & their families. Please read this bill & vote no against this bill.
[Reply]
Unfortunately, since the American legislators are stuck in the mud up to their throats, and they like to avoid confrontation with their constituents regarding the economic situation, they have to occupy the people’s minds with some crap. For example, when the mass murderer, war criminal, Bush tried to kill millions of innocent Iraqis and our innocent soldiers, they had to come up with a diversion that makes the people believe, if we don’t kill Iragis they are going to attack us. So they made a deal with Pakistan, through Ben Laden, to create the 9/11 catastrophe. The amazing thing is, building seven, which nothing hit, fell and crashed completely to the ground. At the beginning, we blind people believed that lie and all got on board to go kill those terrorist Iraqis, whom we now know had nothing to do with it and see the mess we have made in the Middle East and how it has come back to us in terms of our economy. The day after 9/11, Mr. Bush came on the TV and told us the way to fight this terrorism was to go to the Mall! He said, “we’re ok, we have money and that means we’re ok.” How sure was he? Every thing the government has done to “fix” this, has been to support the big corporations and allow the people to sink deeper and deeper in s**t. We saw the CEO’s of AIG pocket millions of our hard earned dollars while we lose our jobs and houses. 11 million people now without jobs, in some areas, 2 out of 3 people have lost their houses, towns in the north under flood waters while we cut tax money to education and raise taxes to cover those CEO’s bonuses. CEO’s and foreign governments get billions while Michelle Obama tries to look like Eleanor Roosevelt by having her picture taken serving the homeless in a soup kitchen. Unless Obama comes up with a New Deal like Eleanor Roosevelt’s husband, how can we be surprized when he is following the footsteps of his predecesor. People voted for him because he said he was following the way of Martin Luther King, but now it is evident he is a far from MLK as it is possible to get. The sign that he is a master of appeasement to all terrorist governments and supporter of big corporations like Monsanto. Now this is the main question I am asking myself; when American is losing in Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Gaza, etc, just because our legislators only take a look at effects. They never look at the cause. Since the economy is bad and they wish to avoid uprising in the streets and strikes, and since 9/11 did not distract us for long enough (the widows of 9/11 pushed for an investigation which the former administration tried to prevent and then disemboweled, to find out why building seven collapsed for no reason and just happened to contain the records of all that the administration was doing around the world and at the NSA). So now they have to find some other distraction to keep the good American citizen busy. Before we had yellow, orange and red terror alert, now we have a green terror alert. Now if my a*s turns green in my house, their going to seize it. That my a*s turned green is what they want us to focus on, not what caused my a*s to turn green. So let’s look for a cause, could Monstanto be losing profits? Could the pharmaceutical companies that make drugs for our bodies as well as drugs for our food be losing profits? Why else could they possibly care about farmers and home gardeners. They NEED us to spend our money on their products. The American people are not blind, but their legislators are. They are creating the situation where we are losing our jobs and homes, but still they push legislation to force us to buy their products; force us to fill our bodies and brains with their s**t so that we will remain sheep and not question. When the First Lady is growing tomatoes in the White House, why are the legislators trying to occupy the minds of the people about something that is not absolutely necessary so that they can divert our attention from their real crimes in America, the Middle East and around the world. With wars all over the place, who is getting rich? Weapon manufacturers, ammunition manufacturers, missile manufacturers are all getting rich. Monsanto tried to demolish and ruin and arrest good farmers because they were seed collectors and savers. They believed in the old ways of farming. They tried their best in Canada, in India, but they lost their cases. Now, for a long time, they have been trying to ruin the organic and small farmers who are just trying to feed their families by this new green terror alert (anyone doing something they don’t like gets labeled a terrorist. We knew it was just a matter of time before farming became terrorism!). As the Bible says, “there is a time to every season and to every purpose under Heaven.” If Mr. Obama wants to be successful and on the people’s side (which I doubt) he needs to look at the cause and take care of his people. As long as we have a secret government, the Federal Reserve, inside out government, as long as he has an economic adviser from the same group of people who were advising Bush and got us into this mess, this country will never be cured and our children will have no future. It seems Mr. Obama doesn’t care about his own people. The Japanese brought their interest rates to 1%, the UK to less than that, but in our country, since we have a secret government inside our government, not only will they not bring the rates down so that people can afford their mortgages and stay in their houses and still have some money left over to spend on their children and put into the economy, but they will keep the interest rates high so that the rich people can buy those houses cheap and keep them and sell them in the future and make more and more money. Who cares about the people? Thats the creedo of the big corporations, step on the people and let them die. Keep them hungry and keep them busy. But this theory does not work any more; Thomas Jefferson said that a real patriot is one who defends his country from his government when necessary, but from Clinton’s time those people have been labeled terrorists. The real terrorist is one who defends his country against the power of big corporations. When our government cannot answer the people and cannot provide for their needs what do you expect. They come up with this code green terror alert. No backyard tomatoes, no home gardens. This is one step closer to fascism, but it will not work this time. Pharoah lost, Ghenkis Khan lost, dumb-a*s Stalin lost, Hitler lost and we are going to lose. We did not learn anything from Vietnam, nothing. For God’s sake, in a country where jobs are exported because of the crook system of health care and we give tax breaks to those big corporations who export jobs, how absurd is it (Clinton signed NAFTA and you know what that means – we take the jobs from American people and send them to people across the globe like in India and China, how much more absurd can you get?), and we think Mr. Obama will correct this system. It takes big brass ones to stand up in front of those corporations and I don’t think he has them. I suggest that the people start to make white pants and write “organically grown” across the seat with a tomato on each bunn and write Code Green underneath. Imagine how many a*ses will be seized! God bless all nations.
[Reply]
Orwellian tactics to gain even more control…
[Reply]
Is this not a Free Country anymore?
We are being prohibited to feed our families, children, communities Organic food????!!!!
WAKE UP AMERICANS………..
Now we can’t grow a garden!!!!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????
We do not want to be in the sickness industry
We belong in the wellness movement…Stay Strong Pass the Message to evevryone!!!!
[Reply]
Take away our freedom to grow organic foods and you’ll take away America as we once knew it! Please don’t take away our countries health freedom by eliminating organic farms. Please vote “NO” on HR 875 .
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I vehemently oppose bill HR 875 & S 425. The very nature of this points to the attempted destruction of our God given freedoms in this country for the corporate giants who are poised to take everything from us and charging us to get them back.
[Reply]
PURE & SIMPLE:
NO, NO, NO
to bill HR 875 & S 425
It’s intention:
Outrageous & Insane !!!!!
[Reply]
Your link to the text of this bill is no longer valid. The current site to view the text of the bill is at: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.875:
[Reply]
Maria Reply:
March 30th, 2009 at 11:34 am
I could not get the website to bring anything up.
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Anyone who wants to contact their state representative but doesn’t know how can also hit this page to find out: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
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Please oppose bills HR875 and S425. If you havent read the legislation,it is paramount that you do.
[Reply]
[...] As Earth Day approaches, so does a whole new bag of worms in our government. Check out this post on Criminalizing Organic & Home Growers, and speak out to your state representatives in opposition of this idiotic [...]
[...] interested yet? You seriously need to read this article posted at the Health Freedom Alliance. Some of the most concerning highlights of this [...]
You must vote “no” on this bill. The large companies and the pesticides etc are killing the planet and the humans. Please seek out educated people on the side of ecology, sustainability and botany who understand the future negative impact of genetically modified crops. I cannot believe a bill like this even exists in this country. For my health I need to eat organic food, I am 62 and it makes a huge difference in health. We should be outlawing the chemicals and Genetically modified seeds.
[Reply]
Rise up to save your freedom or lose it forever. This bill is an obscenity and clearly a human rights violation. Big business owns your government and is working tirelessly to enslave the working class people of the world and that means you unless you are sitting on your as on a yacht waiting for your copy of the Wall St. Journal. Speak now or forever hold your peace.
[Reply]
It is extremely important to oppose bills HR875 and S425. If you haven’t read the legislation, it is paramount that you do. This bill is insane and shows who thinks they own and control everything. Please stop the madness.
[Reply]
Please oppose HR 875 and S 425. I also request that you personally read the legislation and I would like to know what your position is. After you read it, encourage your colleagues to read it also. It is appalling that there are so many possibilities for abuse available in it; and dangers to small and independent farmers, as well as organic farmers, not to mention other industries.
As you well know, Hawaii Island is growing in numbers of organic farmers. It is the way of the future and is highly successful here. Please do all you can to protect our local farmers, as well, as all those organic farmers across the nation. Mahalo for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
[Reply]
I have not read the bill,I simply believe everything the Bible said:REV.13:4,8,16,17.The world will follow after the beast.why?because this beast who wants to be God must be in controll of everything including your organic garden, otherwise he is not god,and this country will work all things together for good to the beast.WE cannot buy or sell unless we have the mark of the beast.Let us pray for our leaders that they may put an end to this nonsense.
[Reply]
It is extremely important to oppose bills HR875 and S425. If you haven’t read the legislation, it is paramount that you do. This bill is insane and shows who thinks they own and control everything. Please stop the madness.
[Reply]
I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose HR 875 and S 425. I would also request that you personally read the legislation. I know that some of your collegues have not read this legislation, and I would ask that you urge them to do so. I believe that (just like some other things that you were all urged to sign without reading) anyone who does give this a full and fair reading, will be as appalled as I was at the possibilities for abuse available in it; the dangers to small and independenet farmers is imminent, as well as organic farmers, not to mention those who have family gardens.
If I can understand this, then I’m sure anyone reading it can. Please ask your colleagues to stop and read them before they vote, and do not let this pass. Thank You!
Sincerely,
[Reply]
We urge you to oppose HR 875 S 425 Bill, the passage of this destuctive bill will interfere with our rights as consumers to choose organic and chemical free food. This bill is an attempt by the chemical corporations to control their competition, when people have real choices they choose organic and chemical free food. Please READ this bill and vote NO.
[Reply]
I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose HR 875 and S 425. I would also request that you personally read the legislation. I would like to know what your position is. I imagine that some of your colleagues have not read this legislation, and I would ask that you urge them to do so. I believe that anyone who does give this a full and fair reading, will be as appalled at the possibilities for abuse available in it and the dangers to small and independenet farmers, including organic farmers.
Please help your colleagues to stop and read them before they vote, and stop HR 875 and S 425 from passing. Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for all of your hard work.
Sincerely,
Taira Restar
[Reply]
You sheeple are “respectfully” requesting those in the new corrupted (or imprisoned) government to “please” not pass legislation to stop organic farming. WAKE TF UP! The country has been over thrown and your pleading with those responsible to not pass laws their going to pass anyway. This legislation is a formality to make it “look” like everything is legal.
They don’t give a shit about you or me. It’s all about greed, power and profit. Dig in, be strong but DON’T RIOT. That’s what they want. They’ll keep pushing until people snap and then they’ll release hell on society in the form of martial law. DON’T FALL FOR IT!
Let them play their games. If big companies want to screw with us screw with them back. Buy nothing you don’t absolutely need. They live for their profits, Deny them. They only exist if we buy their goods – DON’T! Show them we have the power to shut them down cold.
Peace be with you. God bless us all.
[Reply]
Please, please let us grow our own veggies in our own little plots and share what we have. After all this is STILL the U.S.A. Clean up the FDA – new staff bring with them fresh ideas. A new broom sweeps clean.
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Those now in power are taking our Constitution and making a mockery of it. At frightening speed they are taking away all freedoms of our Country and replacing them with total rule by government. Food is a very important commondity to life and it is easy to control large corporations.
[Reply]
Please oppose HR 875 and S 425. These pieces of legislation have the potential to do serious financial damage to small and organic farmers. I certainly want to keep our food supply safe but not in a way that could eliminate the supply of food I consider safest: organic.
With all due respect, a few food recalls have not shattered my confidence to the degree that the government (or any subset of it) has in recent months. Government intervention to save us from ourselves is rarely the right answer. If companies do not operate responsibly, there will be repercussions. The American consumer will recognize the indiscretions and buy accordingly.
If the current financial crisis has taught us anything, it is that eliminating competition to the point where only a few mega-companies can remain only sets us up for disaster when those mega-companies on which we are forced to rely fail. And the farmers who are forced to get jobs with those mega-companies because they can no longer afford to work for themselves will find themselves unemployed again when those mega-companies fail.
People do not oppose this legislation because we find food safety unimportant. We oppose this legislation because we have already found a source of safe food. Food that is not laden with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. We ask that you not condemn this source to financial ruin. We ask that you not perpetuate the degradation of health in America by taking away what many of us know to be the best way to maintain health.
[Reply]
Please oppose HR 875 and S 425. I also request that you personally read the legislation and I would like to know what your position is. After you read it, encourage your colleagues to read it also. It is appalling that there are so many possibilities for abuse available in it; and dangers to small and independent farmers, as well as organic farmers, not to mention other industries.
[Reply]
This is more hype among so much dealing with food.
The big companies are at it again. More profits and the
population gets sicker. This is the worst legislation I
have ever heard of. Worst of all it is unconstitutional.
[Reply]
Please read in detail and oppose HR875 and S425.
As the air we breathe and the water we drink becomes more and more contaminated, we need more organic grown foods not less.
[Reply]
I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose HR 875 and S 425. I would also request that you personally read the legislation — I would like to know what your position is.
I know that some of your colleagues have not read this legislation, and I would ask that you urge them to do so. I believe that (just like some other things that you were all urged to sign without reading) anyone who does give this a full and fair reading, will be as appalled as I was at the possibilities for abuse available in it; and the dangers to small and independent farmers, as well as organic farmers, not to mention other industries.
Please help your colleagues to stop and read the proposed legislation before they vote, then vote them down.
Thank You.
Sincerely,
[Reply]
I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose HR 875 and S 425. I would also request that you personally read the legislation — I would like to know what your position is.
I know that some of your colleagues have not read this legislation, and I would ask that you urge them to do so. I believe that (just like some other things that you were all urged to sign without reading) anyone who does give this a full and fair reading, will be as appalled as I was at the possibilities for abuse available in it; and the dangers to small and independent farmers, as well as organic farmers, not to mention other industries.
Please help your colleagues to stop and read the proposed legislation before they vote, then vote them down.
Thank You.
Sincerely,
[Reply]
Laura Lampe Reply:
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:52 pm
I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose HR 875 and S 425. I would also request that you personally read the legislation — I would like to know what your position is.
I know that some of your colleagues have not read this legislation, and I would ask that you urge them to do so. I believe that (just like some other things that you were all urged to sign without reading) anyone who does give this a full and fair reading, will be as appalled as I was at the possibilities for abuse available in it; and the dangers to small and independent farmers, as well as organic farmers, not to mention other industries.
Please help your colleagues to stop and read the proposed legislation before they vote, then vote them down.
Thank You.
Sincerely,
Laura Lampe
[Reply]
Neil Herman Reply:
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose HR 875 and S 425. I would also request that you personally read the legislation — I would like to know what your position is.
I know that some of your colleagues have not read this legislation, and I would ask that you urge them to do so. I believe that (just like some other things that you were all urged to sign without reading) anyone who does give this a full and fair reading, will be as appalled as I was at the possibilities for abuse available in it; and the dangers to small and independent farmers, as well as organic farmers, not to mention other industries.
Please help your colleagues to stop and read the proposed legislation before they vote, then vote them down.
Thank You.
Sincerely,
Neil Herman
[Reply]
The government is our worst enemy. The almighty dollar is far more important than our health. It is extremely sad and embarassing to be represented by a government that turns a blind eye.
[Reply]
I am writing to respectfully ask that you oppose HR 875 and S 425. I would also request that you personally read the legislation. I know that some of your collegues have not read this legislation, and I would ask that you urge them to do so. I believe that (just like some other things that you were all urged to sign without reading) anyone who does give this a full and fair reading, will be as appalled as I was at the possibilities for abuse available in it; the dangers to small and independenet farmers is imminent, as well as organic farmers, not to mention those who have family gardens.
If I can understand this, then I’m sure anyone reading it can. Please ask your colleagues to stop and read them before they vote, and do not let this pass. Thank You!
Sincerely,
T.Glick
[Reply]
What the hell is this? Why is this country going more and more towards Communism?? Why does the govt. feel the need to control EVERYTHING the citizens do?? What are they gonna do next – tell us how to wipe our own asses, that a govt. official will have to attend and monitor how we do it? This is so ludicrous that I can’t even believe I have to waste my time defending this. I love my backyard organic garden and hell if some jerk who’s got small man/woman complex to tell me I can’t grow my own veggies on my own property!!! Who’s it gonna hurt? The chemical companies ’cause I’m not buying their bug killer sprays? Why don’t you govt. people try working on your own personal problems instead of creating stupidity like this!!
[Reply]
My representative, Jim McDermott, a well-respected progressive, co-sponsored HR 875. I just spoke with his aid in charge of this bill and asked about criminalization of home growers. She responded that this bill related only to interstate commerce and thus could not apply to home growers producing food for local consumption.
If you want us to help by making calls, you’ll have to provide much better information than sounding the alarm. If there’s something in here that really affects such growers, please explain help me understand it so I can make a call and not sound ignorant.
[Reply]
Dan Yon Reply:
April 5th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Thanks Stan,
I agree! We need to fully document our case.
This means we need to CITE the law to back up each and every claim we make.
E.G.
The text of the bill specifically EXCEPTS facilities covered by the Federal Meat Inspection Act and Poultry Products Inspection Act.
Please see:
H.R. 875 Sec 3 (5)
“category 1 food establishment’ means a food establishment that slaughters …animals that are not subject to inspection under the Federal Meat Inspection Act or poultry that are not subject to inspection under the Poultry Products Inspection Act.”
Also See
H.R. 875 Sec 3 (6)
“…category 2 food establishment’ means a seafood processing establishment or other food establishment …not subject to inspection under the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the Poultry Products Inspection Act, or the Egg Products Inspection Act”
The Federal Safety and Inspection Service provides inspection for all meat and poultry products sold in interstate commerce as authorized by these laws.
Please see
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/federal_meat_inspection_act/index.asp
and
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_&_policies/PPIA/index.asp
How can a law both EXCEPT interstate commerce and, as the staff member you talked to states, relate “…ONLY to interstate commerce and thus could not apply to home growers producing food for local consumption.”
I urge you, to familiarize yourself with these citations and have Mr. McDermott or his staff clarify this issue for us all.
Thanks for your diligent, sober, and intelligent pursuit of truth and fairness in this important issue.
[Reply]
The lobbyists and special interests may pay for your campaigns but We The People ultimately vote your butts in or out!
Wake Up People, The mind game is being played on YOU!
[Reply]
I certainly oppose much of the intrusive nature of this bill. However, I feel that to be effective at stopping this type of legislation our arguments need to be precise and documented. While I am sympathetic with the sentiment,”Get the government off my back” lawmakers and their well paid staff members are not.
We need a clear understanding of the law and be able to CITE the bill to counter attempts to dodge or misrepresent the actual effect the law will have.
Toward that end I have some issues I need clarified before confronting my legislator.
As with most laws, WHO the law covers is of primary importance.
As to the allegation that:
” It will effect anyone who produces food even if they do not sell but only consume it. ”
The law defines:
Five (5) Categories of “Food Establishments” Sec 3 Par 5-9
What constitutes a “Food Establishment” is defined in Sec 3 Par 13 SubPar (A)
BUT EXPLICITLY EXCLUDES “food production facilities” and “other retail food establishment” Sec 3 Par 13 SubPar(B)
A ‘food production facility’ is defined as “any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation.” Sec 3 Par 14
But what is an “other retail food establishment”?
All “Food Establishments” covered in the above are defined as “Processing” food.
” The term `process’ or `processing’ means the commercial slaughter, packing, preparation, or manufacture of food.”Sec 3 Par 19
Note stipulation of ‘commercial’. This means selling.
Note stipulation of ‘manufacture’. It would seem that this doesn’t include ‘food production’ by a “food production facility.”
Sec3 Par 13 sub (a) covers “a food establishment that holds, stores, or transports food.” This would include road-side vendors and farmer’s markets but NOT home gardens(they are NOT “food establishments” Sec 3 Par 13 SubPar(B).)
I still cannot find a section that applies to those not SELLING food.
Can anyone cite the exact location in the bill that establishes this as fact?
[Reply]
I respectfully request that bill HR 875 be opposed. By restricting the freedom of
American citizens to grow their own organic foods, not only would this bill be against constitutional rights, but it would be a great disservice to the mentally disabled community. Many families grow their own food and raise their own livestock for eggs and milk because their children with mental disabilities are allergic to the pesticides, chemicals, and hormones in processed foods and vegetables. For example, many autistic children have increased behaviors in response to dairy products purchased in the stores. They have no reaction, however, to home made milk products. By penalizing the American citizens for growing their own food and raising their own animals for dairy products, we would be handicapping the farmers and families of this land. Even more, we would be making it even harder for families with children who have developmental disabilities to cope with life.
How, in an economic time period such as this, can this government justify penalizing its own citizens for growing their own food when they can barely put food on the table as it is. There is a saying that a government can be judged by how it treats its children, its poor, its elderly, and its disabled. Legislation such as this would surely be detrimental to all of these minority groups. I sincerely hope that all who vote on this bill will personally read it and consider the grave consequences of their actions. I voted for President Obama, but if nothing is done to stop this chain of events, my faith in him will be gone.
[Reply]
Quote:
“Legislate religion and enforce gag orders on ministers on what can and can’t be said in the pulpit, instituting regulations forcing people to rely solely on the government, control the money and the food. What is that called? It is on the tip of my tongue……….”
Fascist Dictatorship, that’s what it’s called.
I am strongly opposed to “Bill HR 875″.
The fact that the Government is trying to take control of the food and the seeds should send up lots of red flags, it does to me. When I go out now-a-days I literally feel like people live, THRIVE even, on denial. Everyone’s so stupefied and refuses to even acknowledge it when it’s placed right in front of them. I’ve shown people GOVERNMENT documents and news broadcasts, etc. and even then they refuse to believe it exists.
First they take the food, then they take the world.
I mean seriously, where do you people think those trillions of dollars went? Money doesn’t just walk away and we sure as heck didn’t get any of it. It’s all part of a strategically thought out plan.
A man once said “If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed”. That man also said “How fortunate for leaders that men do not think”. Now, who was that man, let me see here… Oh yeah, Adolf Hitler.
It’s war people and it’s already begun.
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So…..if Monsanto has bought up 11,000 patents,on those that are unpatented, why not just buy up the rest? How much does a patent cost? How can one go about buying it?
Has anyone reading this considered writing an article to their local newspaper about this in order to make more people aware? Just wondering….
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Do not let this pass. We have a right to pure food. We do not want to plant seeds which have been modified & are now sterile. Get up – stand up – stand up for our rights. Listen to the voice of the people, not the corporations.
It is not ok to allow a Frankenstein corporation like Monsanto to control our food supply.
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This is out of control! I firmly stand with Governor Rick Perry of Texas who is proposing to secede from the Union. I believe it is time Americans abolish the Union and go back to being self sufficient colonies! The so-called “leaders” we were coerced into electing have proven beyond a resasonable doubt that they are incapable of upholding our Constitution due to their incessant greed!
We must not allow the Government to control our lives, our property or our livestock any longer and should take back what is rightfully ours as property owners and abolish this Dictatorship once and for all!!!
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