Family Farmers Fear Being Run Over by Food Safety Juggernaut

Organic and Local Farmers Seek Protections in Washington

CORNUCOPIA, Wis., April 3 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Momentum is building in
Congress for new food safety reforms aimed at addressing the growing cycle of
food contamination outbreaks. But concerns are also being raised cautioning
legislators not to trample organic farmers, backyard gardeners and consumers
of fresh local foods in the rush to fix food safety problems.

"There is no question that our increasingly industrialized and concentrated
food production system needs a new regulatory focus," said Will Fantle, of The
Cornucopia Institute, a Wisconsin-based organic food and agriculture watchdog.
"No one disputes that our food safety system is broken," Fantle added.

In the last several years, contamination of bagged spinach, lettuce, tomatoes,
peppers, beef and peanuts have sickened thousands of Americans. And currently
a massive recall of food products containing pistachios is underway.

After years of industry-friendly regulations and deteriorating inspection
budgets, holes in the food safety net have prompted a push for increased
federal oversight.

The process has sparked an internet flurry, with some warning that
agribusiness and biotechnology lobbyists are conspiring to outlaw organic
farming and home gardens. One bill, The Food Safety Modernization Act (HR
875), sponsored by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), has been a lightning rod
for criticism.

Congresswoman DeLauro is scrambling to assure organic advocates that they are
not the target of her bill: "The purpose of this bill is to improve the
safety of food products derived from large industrial processing facilities by
increasing the inspection frequency and safety standards at these plants."

Added DeLauro: "Organic farmers have a strong record in providing safe, high
quality foods to American families and I will continue to work toward making
sure that organic farming continues to thrive."

Hearings have already begun on food safety legislation in the U.S. House. Of
the multiple bills being considered, the FDA Globalization Act (HR 759),
sponsored by Congressman John Dingell (D-MI), appears most likely to be voted
on, with elements of the other bills, including DeLauro's, possibly
incorporated into the bill.

After the 2006 spinach contamination outbreak in California, that affected
consumers across the country, the state adopted a regulatory model that has
economically injured growers producing a diverse selection of fresh foods for
local markets.

Organic farmer Eve Kaplan-Walbrecht, of Riverhead, NY, is critical of this
type of plan. "They are burdening produce growers with the impossible task of
'sterilizing' their farms. We need good regulatory oversight that doesn't
penalize smaller-scale owner-operated farms of farmers and marketers like me."

Ronnie Cummins of the Organic Consumers Association said that citizens, who
are seeking safer and nutritionally-superior food are willing to pay a premium
for organics, "In order for consumers to have continued access to this high
quality food family size farmers must be protected from regressive
regulation."

The Cornucopia Institute is calling on farmers and consumers to stand up for
and protect organic and sustainable local farmers. An action alert with
talking points and guidance can be found at:
http://www.cornucopia.org/2009/03/action-alert-critical-pending-food-safety-legislation/

SOURCE The Cornucopia Institute

Will Fantle of The Cornucopia Institute, +1-608-625-2042