House hearing on food safety

[Nastarana]

I unfortunately was not able to hear very much of the hearing because of an urgent telephone call from a family member. What I did hear was not encouraging.

There was frequent mention made by members, including the chairman, of "working with" Ms. DeLauro and Mr. Delllums. Doesn't sound like HR875 can be written off just yet.

Witness Dr. Murano, a former Undersecretary of the Ag Dept., now connected with Texas A&M U, actually made the statement, unchallenged by any member, that more highly processed foods are LESS LIKELY to be contaminated than fresh or minimally processed foods. Well, I just am sooooo relieved to know that the rat tails and mouse feces, not to mention dead insects, in the tomato sauce have cooked long enough that I don't need to worry about pathogens!

I thought the most formidable of the presenters was one Ms. Tucker-Foreman, from the Consumer Federation of America. I find on the CFA website that the organization was active in promoting enforcement of COOL legislation, so that is a good thing. Ms. Tucker Foreman stated, in response to questioning, that she, and, I would suppose, her organization, DO support on farm inspection for fresh produce. She did say that she thinks the farmers shouldn't have to pay for the inspections, but she does support registration fees for farmers. Distinction without a difference??

When I described Ms. Tucker Foreman as formidable, I meant in terms of relentlessly pushing for what she wants. I think she might be a sort of usefull idiot--see all you organic crazies, the CFA is with us!!!

One member made reference to recalls in 2008. Apparently there is an accessible list somewhere. I would be interested to know how many recalls involved organic farms or producers, and how many from large scale producers.

Color me not happy, so far.

While I am sure that Monsanto and no doubt other agribusiness concerns welcome any regulation which inconveniences small and organic producers, what I actually think is in the works is a Foriegn Underpaid Farmworker Jobs Bill. Let us remember that most of our upper class derive their wealth from rents, not production, and that they are in dire need of finding some way to prop up housing prices. I suspect that a tipping point, after which not only house prices, but also commercial and residential rents will fall, and public pressure will force local governments to buy or seize derelict properties, is not far off. At this point, I rather think that all that is needed is for one cigarette tossed into the dry yard of a bank owned and not maintained house to set off a fire that takes out an entire neighborhood.

[RozieDozie]

Thanks for the update and insight.

Here's a link to the opening statements by the panelists and the full transcript of the hearing will be published in a few weeks. Sometimes reading the transcript is better because you can't see all of the silly political posturing.

http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/statements.html

[deciduousLychees]

I know that DeLauro's husband works for them or something, but is there any other connection to Monsanto? Just wondering.

[lorna-organic]

Monsanto is a client of the company which Mr. DeLauro heads.

[Nastarana]

Stanley Bernard Greenberg is a pollster who has worked for Democratic candidates since the mid-80s. He shows up on TV sometimes conducting focus groups. I thought the focus groups I watched, I think it may have been on CSPAN, was very well done. Greenberg gently lead the discussion, but he did not hector or intimidate, he allowed equal time for all opinions. He allowed all participants to have their say, but no one participant was able to dominate the discussion, although some tried. He was unfailingly courteous to all.

He is founder and CEO of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, which does count Monsanto as one of its' corporate clients.

What I find much more alarming than Mr. Greenberg's hypothetical Monsanto connections is the fact that Congresscritter DeLauro represents a district which is about 90% or more urban--essentially New Haven, Conn., and environs. Given that the bill currently known as HR 875 has been introduced many times before, one would think that the Congresswoman or staff could have consulted with some actual farmers about this--I believe there are some in Congress. I find altogether unconvincing the assurances of her staff that the Congresswoman doesn't intend to target small producers, farmer's markets or home gardeners. Oh really? Where is the language in the bill which would exempt those groups?

I still would like to know who wrote the bill, in its former and present incarnations. Is this a corportate sponsored, lobbyist written bill? What are the antecedents of DeLauro's staff? Did she hire staff members directly from Monsanto or other agribusiness corps? Possibly some news org in Connecticut or New England might have covered DeLauro?

[Tom King]

Originally Posted by Nastarana

Stanley Bernard Greenberg is a pollster who has worked for Democratic candidates since the mid-80s. He shows up on TV sometimes conducting focus groups. I thought the focus groups I watched, I think it may have been on CSPAN, was very well done. Greenberg gently lead the discussion, but he did not hector or intimidate, he allowed equal time for all opinions. He allowed all participants to have their say, but no one participant was able to dominate the discussion, although some tried. He was unfailingly courteous to all.

He is founder and CEO of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, which does count Monsanto as one of its' corporate clients.

What I find much more alarming than Mr. Greenberg's hypothetical Monsanto connections is the fact that Congresscritter DeLauro represents a district which is about 90% or more urban--essentially New Haven, Conn., and environs. Given that the bill currently known as HR 875 has been introduced many times before, one would think that the Congresswoman or staff could have consulted with some actual farmers about this--I believe there are some in Congress. I find altogether unconvincing the assurances of her staff that the Congresswoman doesn't intend to target small producers, farmer's markets or home gardeners. Oh really? Where is the language in the bill which would exempt those groups?

I still would like to know who wrote the bill, in its former and present incarnations. Is this a corportate sponsored, lobbyist written bill? What are the antecedents of DeLauro's staff? Did she hire staff members directly from Monsanto or other agribusiness corps? Possibly some news org in Connecticut or New England might have covered DeLauro?

What is interesting about the food safety bill that no one has addressed is that how does it affect the National Organic Program of 2002.There is no mention of repealing the NOP ACT of 2002 so there will be a conflict. I cannot see them criminalizing organic farms and there will be enough challenges all the way to the Supreme Court which can take years.What they don t realize is that farmers out West and in the South per capita have the highest possesion of registered firearms than other parts of the country and will not allow government people to encroach on their lives like that without some difficulty.

[Nastarana]

Tom Kling, I do agree that passage of this and similar bills will likely provoke a level of civil disobedience not seen since the 1960s. My town is suffering under the efects of Mexican drug gang invasion--don't believe the newies "fears" about drug violence spilling across the border; the cartels have been a presence in CA for at least a decade, not that you would know that by reading any of our feel-good newspapers. Diversion of an understaffed police force from critical tasks to inspect farms and gardens?? I think someone in Washington DC has bitten off a great deal more than they will be able to chew.

Please explain, where and what are the conflicts with NOP of 2002?