Nais-like FDA regulations on farms

[rambler]

This coming Monday will be released a document on fedral regulations where FDA can directly inspect, access fees, and make requirements of meat products _on the farm_ as well as at processors & retailers.

This stuff is likely to come before Congress for a vote before it is finalized as to what powers the FDA will have. It will be a 'blank check' sort of a bill, where FDA can decide what they want to do after the fact.

This would not be tracking animals per se, but it would allow another fedral agency access to your farm if you raise food, and give them a general directive to regulate things, with no specific limits or checks. I'm sure there will be little thought to the very small producer or the single seller, it will be one size of regulation & fee fits all.....

The current legislation would appear to be amed at animal agriculture (beef, hogs, chicken, eggs, milk, etc.). It was brought up from all the food recalls of late, many of which were produce & peanuts, but oddly the legislation is looking to regulate animal products mostly, not produce.

I really can't show you too much on the web about it, as it won't be published until next week.

But, it is something to get involved in or be aware of, _if_ you produce food. It seems to be hurried through Congress at this time, and is a blank check to the FDA. I'm sure small homesteader issues will not be thought of until after it's all in place, as with many such bills.

I heard about it this noon on a farm radio show.

--->Paul