Oregon's small-scale farms worry about sweeping food safety bill

[depakid]

Scott Frost, the owner of Nature’s Fountain Farm, on Saturday asked other vendors at the Portland Farmers Market to urge Oregon Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley to support an exclusion for small farmers in the Food Safety Modernization Act now before the Senate. The sweeping bill would require all growers to follow food safety procedures and keep records of where their food is distributed so it can be traced and recalled quickly.
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The opening of farmers markets keeps small Oregon growers busy this time of year, picking, packing and selling their produce. But rather than being focused on their fields, many are watching Washington, D.C., where they fear their fate could be sealed by a food safety bill.

The Food Safety Modernization Act before the U.S. Senate would bolster the Food and Drug Administration and tighten regulations, overhauling a system that dates to 1906.

There's been virtually no outcry from large producers over the bill. But a number of small farmers in Oregon -- and elsewhere -- say it would add an unfair burden, putting many of them out of business.

"All farmers are for food safety," said Scott Frost, the 53-year-old owner of Nature's Fountain Farm in Albany, which produces fruits and vegetables for farmers markets and restaurants. "But this could make farmers markets go away. The only guys left standing in the room will be the big gorillas."

On Saturday, he handed out fliers to vendors at the Portland farmers market in the South Park Blocks, urging them to contact Oregon's Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley about the bill. He wants them to support an exclusion for small farmers.

As it stands now, the bill would force all growers and producers that fall under the FDA to enact food safety procedures and keep detailed records about where their food is sold so it can be traced in the event of a recall or outbreak. All operators would have to pay a yearly $500 fee, and inspections would be stepped up, especially targeting producers of food considered a high risk for harmful bacteria.

The bill, which would give the FDA recall authority, follows successive waves of food poisoning outbreaks that have touched everything from peanuts to produce. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that every year 76 million people get sick and 5,000 die from food poisoning. Food safety advocates -- including President Barack Obama's administration -- say something must be done.

Small farmers agree that food safety is a priority, but they say this bill -- and one already passed by the House -- would hurt smaller operations that can't afford to hire food safety staffs and pay for expensive laboratory testing.

Even the $500 fee is too much for some. "I don't make much money," said Gus Wahner, a 61-year-old organic grower in Stanfield, who owns Way of Life Farms. "If you're making $15,000 a year, it's a big hit."

Oregon has nearly 40,000 farms, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. More than 60 percent are small, selling less than $10,000 worth of agricultural products a year. Many small growers survive by selling directly to markets or supplying member-based Community Supported Agriculture networks with fresh produce.

These farmers want the legislation to take their size and means into account.

"They're concerned about a one-size-fits-all approach," said Chris Schreiner, executive director of Oregon Tilth, which certifies organic growers in the United States and Mexico. "They want a more risk-based approach."

More: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/oregons_small-scale_farms_worr.html

[Angry Dragon]

1. I believe the bill is to eliminate the small grower

the big ones just want to control everything and are not happy until they do.
The government says that most jobs are created by small businesses but at the same time wants to get rid of small businesses.

[elleng]

2. Yes, the big guys want to eliminate the small.

I don't think 'the government' wants to get rid of small businesses; I don't think 'the government' thinks. Congress does the damage, due to its 'close association' with the big guys.

[Quantess]

3. Yes, I believe that is the ulterior motive.

This article was on the front page of the Oregonian today (May 31). This will only help factory farming.