Co-Sponsored
by NOFA/RI, Farm Fresh RI, URI Extension, New England
Farmers Union and USDA
Farm Service Agency.
For directions click here.
A panel of
experienced farmers and business leaders will explain how the proposed FSMA’s
Produce and Preventive Control Rules will affect their farms.
RI
farmers, processors, handlers and distributors will face increased costs and
documentation requirements under FSMA rules. Higher food prices and increased
scarcity of fresh local foods are likely as small family farms are forced out
of business under FSMA’s potential burdens.
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Unless we
help reduce the burdens.
Farmers,
producers and consumers need to educate themselves on FSMA issues and to send
comments to the USDA before the rules become final. Please help make the new
rules manageable, not burdensome, for RI’s family farmers.
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Comment
Rules
Several national organizations have sent major e-blasts asking readers to
fill out their enclosed proxy or send in their standard letter. The
organizations gather the replies and “hand deliver” them to FDA
personally. The FSMA Comment rules say all proxies delivered to FDA will
ONLY COUNT AS ONE COMMENT (even if there are thousands). The same goes for
petitions or other standardized replies. The rules are clear, only
individualized comments will be counted.
EVERY
VOICE is important on this important issue. Many small farmers assume they
are “exempt” but may not be. The proposed FSMA is not science-based, but
has the authority to greatly impact how farmers’ farm and eaters’ abilities to make localized food choices.
Panelists:
· Dr.
Richard Bonanno, farmer and President of Massachusetts Farm Bureau
Federation, Pleasant Valley Gardens, Methuen, MA.
· Jack
Kittredge, organic farmer, NOFA/Mass Policy Director and Editor of “The
Natural Farmer.”
· Skip
Paul, organic farmer and educator, Wishing Stone Farm in Little Compton, RI.
· Roger
Noonan, organic farmer and President of New
England Farmers Union, New Boston, NH.
Learn more
about FSMA at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s website sustainableagriculture.net/fsma or www.newenglandfarmersunion.org/food-safety-modernization-act. For
an overview of the issues, see or see farmtalkfsma.org.
The FDA is
accepting comments on its proposed regulations of the Food Safety Modernization
Act (FSMA) until November 15, 2013. Learn how to send in your comments
at sustainableagriculture.net/fsma/speak-out-today.
Coffee,
tea and snacks will be served. This event is free and open to all. Please RSVP
via email to nofari@live.com.
