I couldn’t agree more. And the *reason* they don’t is because LARGE producers pretty much write the regulations. What people need to consider is that this isn’t simply somethign that needs tweaking, but it’s how government ‘works’ – how it’s *designed* to work.

Exactly. This applies to agriculture, and everything else.

Again: I’m not questioning that. I *agree*. I’m a big proponent of small-scale (household, preferably) poultry-raising, and I was disgusted at the attempts of the mega-poultry operations to whip up a scare over ‘bird flu’ to try to squeeze out small operators.

The trouble is the federal government doesn’t make a good regulator for small producers.

I couldn’t agree more. And the *reason* they don’t is because LARGE producers pretty much write the regulations. What people need to consider is that this isn’t simply somethign that needs tweaking, but it’s how government ‘works’ – how it’s *designed* to work.

That’s why when the organic standards went from being policed by certifying organizations to a federalized standard, so large corporations could put the words “certified organic” on product labels, the standards went to hell.

Yep. The market was working, and government came in and f-ed it up. “For the children”.

I’m on your side here – squarely! Just pointing out that there probably is some detectioneffect going on, as well,

This is nothing new, look at the problems with Armour meat packing just before the turn of the 20th century. The trouble is the federal government doesn’t make a good regulator for small producers. That’s why when the organic standards went from being policed by certifying organizations to a federalized standard, so large corporations could put the words “certified organic” on product labels, the standards went to hell.

The more food production gets concentrated into large producers the more at risk we will be from tainted food. The more regulated small farmers become, the more agriculture will be concentrated into large producers.

I’m not questioning that – what I’m questioning is whether we are now seeing more case than we’ve seen because we’re *looking* more.

“No home garden or small farmers shall fall under written legislation contained within (insert Bill number umpty sqat).”

If it doesn’t include said individuals – write the proposed law to exclude them.

It can be difficult (posturing, articles, debates, etc.) or it can be simply stated with 14 words.

Despite my distaste for many ‘major corporate farming practices’, I’m not entirely convinced of this. I think to some extent it’s true, but both large-scale and small-scale production methods have sanitation risks – just not necessarily the same ones.

I think what’s probably happened is that the tracking and reporting of incidents has gotten better, so now we’re simply seeing the bigger picture. I’m fairly confident there were similar ‘outbreaks’ 10 or 20 years ago, but the cases were so isolated that they weren’t necessarily linked together.

I do absolutely agree with these concerns, and think the LP should address them as well:

But the ‘one size fits all’ approach of the bills endangers family farms and local, organic agriculture. Without amendments, the result of HR 875 and S 425 may be the demise of small farms and organic agriculture, increased profits and the expansion of giant agri-businesses.