Austin, TX — A 100-group coalition sent letters to Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture urging that the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) be halted. The groups urged Congress and the USDA to “support the limited use of NAIS funding to shut down the program, and to refocus the agency on measures that truly improve animal health and that respect the interests of both livestock owners and consumers.”
In the 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, Congress reduced NAIS funding to $5.3 million, but did not specify how those funds were to be allocated.
“We respectfully request that the USDA recognize the fundamental flaws in NAIS and the public opposition to the program, and not use the $5.3 million appropriated for NAIS to further advance, in any way, this program,” states the letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=9001
Tags: Equine Protection, Horse Care, NAIS
A National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement could harm family-scale farmers. Attend a hearing or submit written comments today!
The USDA is holding hearings across the country in September and October to allow the public — especially fresh vegetable growers and handlers — to comment on a proposed agreement that would authorize the development and implementation of production and handling regulations for a long list of fresh vegetables, primarily leafy greens.
The proposed marketing agreement would allow corporate leafy green handlers to attach a USDA-backed “food safety seal” to lettuce, spinach, cabbage and other vegetables. But, since the standards would be written by big industry, it would be impractical for local farmers at farmers markets, CSAs and roadside stands to use that same seal. This marketing ploy could lead many consumers to assume that vegetables from industrial-scale monoculture farms (primarily in California) are safer than the leafy greens at local farmers markets.
Although claiming to be a food safety measure, there’s no proof that these standards would actually prevent food borne illness. Standards in California, which would likely provide the basis for the national program, have not prevented contamination. To the contrary, on September 18, a signatory to the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement recalled 1,715 cartons of spinach due to salmonella contamination!
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Tags: Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, Fresh Vegetable Growers, NAIS, National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, USDA
