Posts Tagged Political Bribery

HR 2749: Totalitarian Control of the Food Supply

monsanto-no-foodA new food safety bill is on the fast track in Congress-HR 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009.  The bill needs to be stopped.


HR 2749 gives FDA tremendous power while significantly diminishing existing judicial restraints on actions taken by the agency.  The bill would impose a one-size-fits-all regulatory scheme on small farms and local artisanal producers; and it would disproportionately impact their operations for the worse.

Take Action HERE.

HR 2749 does not address underlying causes of food safety problems such as industrial agriculture practices and the consolidation of our food supply.  The industrial food system and food imports are badly in need of effective regulation, but the bill does not specifically direct regulation or resources to these areas.

To read a detailed account of the bill, go to: http://www.ftcldf.org/news/news-15june2009.htm


(Read the section on tracing.  That is NAIS, isn’t it? –  highly disguised yet triggered by the word “trace.”  )

Alarming Provisions:

Some of the more alarming provisions in the bill are:


* HR 2749 would impose an annual registration fee of $500 on any “facility” that holds, processes, or manufactures food. [isn’t this every home in the US, every garden?] Although “farms” are exempt, the agency has defined “farm” narrowly. [What is the definition?] And people making foods such as lacto-fermented vegetables, cheeses, or breads would be required to register and pay the fee, which could drive beginning and small producers out of business during difficult economic times. [Yes.  There are laws against this corporate-size-destroys-the-little-guy policy, aren’t there?  Are home bread or cheese or lacto-fermented vegetable makers who make for their own families included in this?]

* HR 2749 would empower FDA to regulate how crops are raised and harvested.  It puts the federal government right on the farm, dictating to our farmers. [This astounding control opens the door to CODEX.  WTO “good farming practices” will include the elimination of organic farming by eliminating manure, mandating GMO animal feed, imposing animal drugs, and ordering applications of petrochemical fertilizers and pesticides.  Farmers, thus, will be locked not only into the industrialization of once normal and organic farms but into the forced purchase of industry’s products.  They will be slaves on the land, doing the work they are ordered to do – against their own best wisdom – and paying out to industry against their will.

There will be no way to be frugal, to grow one’s own grain to feed the animals, to raise healthy animals without GMO grains or drugs, to work with nature at all.  Grassfed cattle and poultry and hogs will be finished.  So, it’s obvious where control will take us.  And weren’t these the “rumors on the internet” that were dismissed but are clearly the case?]

* HR 2749 would give FDA the power to order a quarantine of a geographic area, including “prohibiting or restricting the movement of food or of any vehicle being used or that has been used to transport or hold such food within the geographic area.”  [This – “that has been used to transport or hold such food” – would mean all cars that have ever brought groceries home so this means ALL TRANSPORTATION can be shut down under this.  This is using food as a cover for martial law.] Under this provision, farmers markets and local food sources could be shut down, even if they are not the source of the contamination.  The agency can halt all movement of all food in a geographic area. [This is also a means of total control over the population under the cover of food, and at any time.]

* HR 2749 would empower FDA to make random warrantless searches of the business records of small farmers and local food producers, without any evidence whatsoever that there has been a violation. [If these bills cover all who “hold food” then this allows for taking of records of anyone at any time on no basis at all.] Even farmers selling direct to consumers would have to provide the federal government with records on where they buy supplies, how they raise their crops, and a list of customers.

[NAIS for animals and all other foods?]

* HR 2749 charges the Secretary of Health and Human Services with establishing a tracing system for food.  Each “person who produces, manufactures, processes, packs, transports, or holds such food” [Is this not every home in the US?]  would have to “maintain the full pedigree of the origin and previous distribution history of the food,” and “establish and maintain a system for tracing the food that is interoperable with the systems established and maintained by other such persons.”  The bill does not explain how far the traceback will extend or how it will be done for multi-ingredient foods.  With all these ambiguities, [with all these ambiguities, it is dangerous, period, separate from the money] it’s far from clear how much it will cost either the farmers or the taxpayers. [It is massive and absurd and burdensome beyond the capacity of people to comply – is this not fascism? – so it is a set up for being used to impose penalties endlessly and/or to eliminate anyone at will.]

* HR 2749 creates severe criminal and civil penalties, including prison terms of up to 10 years and/or fines of up to $100,000 for each violation for individuals. [Does it include judicial review, Congressional oversight, a defined and limited set of penalties and punishments for a defined set of “crimes”?  Or is it entirely ambiguous and left to the whim and sole power of “the Administrator”?  Who is that person set to be?  Is it Michael Taylor, Monsanto lawyer and executive, as Food Democracy has said?  That is, do these bills set up an agency by which the entire US food supply will be turned over to the control of a multinational corporation under WTO regulations (and not to US farmers and not to US laws under the Constitution), with boundless freedom to do what it wants, and one infamous for harm to farmers and lack of safety of food?]

If it was not clear before how frightening these bills were, this small section of provisions, should make their actual fascism clear now. It goes way beyond “food safety” to absolute control over farms, animals, food, and us, including our movements and access to food at all.

Action to Take:

Contact your Representative now!  Ask to speak with the staffer who handles food issues.  Tell them you are opposed to the bill.  Some points to make in telling your Representative why you oppose HR 2749 include:


1.  The bill imposes burdensome requirements while not specifically targeting the industrial food system and food imports, where the real food safety problems lie.

2.  Small farms and local food processors are part of the solution to food safety; lessening the regulatory burden on them will improve food safety.

3.  The bill gives FDA much more power than it has had in the past while making the agency less accountable for its actions.

HR 2749 needs to be defeated!! Please take action NOW.

Take Action HERE.

Or, contact your Representative by using the finder tool at www.Congress.org or send a message through the petition system (the petition will be on our website this evening) at http://www.ftcldf.org/petitions_new.htm.  Or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

To check the status of HR 2749, go to www.Thomas.gov and type “HR 2749″ in the bill search field.

Tags: , , , , ,

USDA Urged To Heed Producer Testimony and Scrap The National Animal Identification System (NAIS)

Posted : Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:24:37 GMT
Author : Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund
Category : Press Release
News Alerts by Email ( click here )
Press Release News | Home

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – (Business Wire) The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to actually listen to and honor the comments offered by the nation’s livestock producers during the USDA’s multi-city listening tour on the National Animal Identification System (NAIS) and scrap the program.

“A common thread that ran through much of the testimony at the USDA hearings was that existing prevention and tracking programs for animal diseases together with state laws on branding and the existing record-keeping by sales barns and livestock shows provide the mechanisms needed for tracking any disease outbreaks,” said Pete Kennedy, acting president of the Farm-To-Consumer Legal Defense Fund.

“NAIS is simply not needed,” he added. “The USDA continues to confuse industry support for efforts to identify and eliminate animal diseases with support for NAIS, despite the fact that some 80 percent of the people who testified during the hearings testified against USDA’s animal identification program,” he said.

Kennedy’s comments came as the USDA wrapped up its 14-city listening tour with a session in Omaha last week. During the tour more than 1,600 people attended listening sessions; almost 500 people testified; and more than 400 of those stated their opposition to NAIS.

“Even the U.S. Congress has grown impatient with the NAIS,” commented Fund board member Taaron Meikle, “with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro calling continued investment in USDA’s NAIS ‘unwarranted.’ ”

De Lauro’s comments came in a release explaining the cuts in the 2010 Agriculture Appropriations Bill her subcommittee recommended.

Instead of pouring more money and effort into NAIS, the Fund is urging Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to re-focus the nation’s animal disease and food safety efforts on several alternatives including:

  • Decentralizing the livestock industry and encouraging local, diversified farms, which would increase animal health, food security, and food safety;
  • Increasing inspections of imported animals and agricultural products and barring the entry of animals from countries with known disease problems; and
  • Improving enforcement of existing laws and inspections of large slaughterhouses and food processing facilities, including unannounced spot inspections at those large facilities.

The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, along with six of its members from Michigan, last year filed suit in the U.S. District Court – District of Columbia against the USDA and the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) to stop the implementation of NAIS. An amended complaint was filed in January 2009 with the Fund adding a member from Pennsylvania as a Plaintiff.

The MDA has implemented the first two stages of NAIS – property registration and animal identification – for all cattle and farmers across the State under the guise of its bovine tuberculosis disease control program. MDA’s implementation of the first two steps of NAIS was required, in part, in exchange for a grant from the USDA.

The Fund’s suit asks the court to issue an injunction to stop the implementation of NAIS at both the State and Federal levels by any State or Federal agency. If successful, the suit would halt the program nationwide.

About The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund: The Fund defends the rights and broadens the freedoms of sustainable farmers, and protects consumer access to local, nutrient-dense foods. Concerned citizens can support the Fund by joining at www.farmtoconsumer.org or by contacting the Fund at 703-208-FARM (3276). The Fund’s sister organization, the Farm-to-Consumer Foundation (www.farmtoconsumerfoundation.org), works to promote consumer access to local, nutrient-dense food and support farmers engaged in sustainable farm stewardship.

Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund
Taaron G. Meikle, 703-537-8372
taaron.g.meikle@gmail.com
or
Cummings & Company LLC
Brian Cummings, 214-295-7463
brian@cummingspr.com

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

NAIS ~~~ to Own a Politician

by Darol Dickinson 7-1-09


Let’s call him Mr. B. He was a very auspicious Texas businessman and Mr. B planned to stay that way. His success had come hard, taking the highest risks, and no half pint politician was going to pass some bleeding heart law to thwart his achievements. Mr. B volunteered to serve as Republican Fund Raising Chairman and consistently rolled in the donations. He was highly respected by Texas candidates because he sucked in the bucks. With no small shock to many, here he is on TV, at a Democratic rally, right next to the podium by the featured speaker. What is going on? To cover all bases, he was also the leading contributor to the Democratic party. Mr. B. said, “I must know for certain that when I need special things, no matter who wins, I can make one phone call and — I own them.”

As business giants find politicians invading their inner most profit sanctuaries, control and cost of control is the universe. The closer one stands to the guillotine, the higher the purchase cost. The longer one’s hand is on the rope, is even better.

Mike Johanns, politicking in Nebraska, was elected governor in 1998. His millions for election funding came from interesting names such as ConAgra Foods, Farm Bureau, Kellogg Co., Tyson Foods, Monsanto Co., Archer Daniels Midland, and Cargill Inc. When President Bush was advised to tapped him for US Secretary of Agriculture his big donors from the agriculture world were pleased. He was already a “friend.” In less than four years he abruptly walked away from the cushy head job at USDA to campaign and become a Nebraska Senator. When Cargill contributes to a Johanns campaign, it may be a good buy, but also has proven to be a moving and unpredictable target.

Johanns left USDA and was replaced by Ed Shafer who served only a year. The Obama appointment, Tom Vilsack hasn’t lasted a year yet. With one bad call the top man’s head can roll and a new shirt fills the throne. As agriculture giants like Perdue, Allflex, and Monsanto consider “contributions” the lack of longevity is an investment decision issue. No matter how influential the “gift” it is not a wise purchase if the recipient heads out of Dodge for greener pastures the first time his feet touch the fire.

Neil Hammerschmidt, Coordinator, NAIS, USDA/APHIS Enforcement Services has placed his Kansas boots on the USDA marble halls since Nov. 2003. Prior to APHIS he was Executive Director of Marketing & Dairy Herd Services for the Holstein Assn. of the USA. He was with the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium starting in April, 2002 where he received from USDA a research grant for $653,000. He has also retained “business” connections with the Angus Association since speaking at their National Conferences.

When Hammerschmidt was employed at APHIS his excellent recommendations and resume from previous jobs was a compelling factor. Once he was on the job, the Holstein Assn. USA Inc. received over $1,754,400 in special grants from USDA. The National Milk Producers Federation, “udderly connected” was kindly rewarded with $1,027,000. Wisconsin Identification Consortium and the Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture divided up a sweet $10,223,995 grant. After he spoke at the American Angus Assn., that organization was also provided a $594,585 grant from USDA to help with premises enrollment in NAIS.

A trend is now in place. Established bureaucrats are a better investment than those who may evaporate with the next election. Bureaucratic bean counters can be bought for less money and have proven to provide more longevity for muscle organizations. And, how convenient, the hired help doesn’t have the election fund raising oversight requirements. Their career forges on from Republican or Democratic control, training newly elected novices, writing speeches for the appointed leaders and continuing the global plan. The bureaucratic team must hold down the fort while those with the uncertainty of four year jobs spend their waking hours working on reelection funding.

A good purchase would be Jerry R. Gillespie, DVM, Ph.D. (Unlike many USDA veterinarians, he spent a full year in veterinary practice.) He was tapped for the U. S. House of Representatives to testify about the positives of NAIS, May 5, 2009. He was one of five hand picked DVM’s financially prepared to shellac the suited elite with high dollar quasi barn yard verbalization well above their heads. His lifetime career of administering millions of dollars in grants through Kansas State University, and University of California at Davis could be near the top for federal money rivers. His authority of dispensing Homeland Security coins in over 34 states may be a record. His current lair, U of C has enjoyed grants of more than $5,000,000 direct from the NAIS budget of USDA. Kansas State has enjoyed more than $4,000,000, with almost no oversight. With two years of his indoctrination spent in USDA world headquarters, he has been a target investment for years. When ask to leave U of C and fly to Washington for a Congressional briefing, he was obligated to oblige.

The first USDA listening session on May 13, 2009 was observed by L to R. Neil Hammerschmidt, Jere Dick and Dr. John Wiemers, all staff of USDA. Their lack of appreciation of over 95% of the speakers in opposition to NAIS mandatory was obvious.

The first USDA listening session on May 13, 2009 was observed by L to R. Neil Hammerschmidt, Jere Dick and Dr. John Wiemers, all staff of USDA.  Their lack of appreciation of over 95% of the speakers in opposition to NAIS mandatory was obvious.

The first USDA listening session on May 13, 2009 was observed by L to R. Neil Hammerschmidt, Jere Dick and Dr. John Wiemers, all staff of USDA. Their lack of appreciation of over 95% of the speakers in opposition to NAIS mandatory was obvious.

Other “connected” ones are a cast of thousands: Dr. John C. Wiemer, Dr. David C. Smith, Dr. John Clifford, Tom McGinn, Jere Dick, Dr. Ron DeHaven, Dr. David Morris, etc.

As NAIS funds were “invested” now totaling more than $150,000,000, they were sanitarily named “cooperative agreements.” USDA’s trusted staff cut deals with states, tribes, universities, associations and state government branches to enroll regional NAIS premises with the utmost fervency. Many of the above mentioned employees “did the deals” and passed out millions like a Vegas dealer would shuffle the cards. Could this picture resemble hungry dogs watching other dogs eat chickens—with no master in sight?

Federally speaking, some things just don’t make sense? In that case, there is hidden money involved. What is it worth to the world’s leading ear tag manufacturer for the USDA to force NAIS mandatory and a hundred million cattle would be, by law, required to wear a $3 tag? What would the manufacturers of NAIS compliant computers earn if it were the law for over four million livestock facilities to purchase a computer, and readers, and programs? Then, after the USA sets the example, the whole world would have to follow; more purchases around the world?

Is it time for a self defense recommendation? The restaurants have a proven method that works. Start now, and hire bureaucrats, Senators and Congress members for $1 per hour…..plus tips!

More on NAIS, www.naisSTINKS.com.

Tags: , , ,