Category Archives: Policy and Regulation

Waxman Food Safety Bill Introduced

On Wednesday, May 27, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Henry Waxman (CA-30) released a discussion draft  of his food safety bill, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009. The bill is largely based on provisions in H.R. 259, the … Continue reading

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Legislative Update – Federal Food Safety Bills

The following is an excerpt from a post in The Ethicurean. H.R. 875 is not likely to make it out of committee. The article points out a couple of other bills that are likely to get more traction and have … Continue reading

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Cottage food expansion gets support at public hearing

On Wednesday, May 13th the ODA  held the public hearing on expanding the list of “Cottage” foods (see that article). A number of  farmer’s market managers and vendors spoke in support of the rule change. No one spoke in opposition. … Continue reading

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NPR: City Folk Flock To Raise Small Livestock At Home

Urban Chickens are gaining in popularity as more locavores seek alternatives to industrially grown food. Municipalities are seeing more pressure from residents who want to keep backyard chickens, bees or even a mini-goat. “Whether from tighter food budgets or local-eating … Continue reading

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ODA Considers Expanding List of Cottage Foods

Cottage foods are those that are allowed to be produced in a home without need of a commercial kitchen it allows food entrepreneurs to sell their goods without significant start-up capital. There will be a public hearing on Wednesday May … Continue reading

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snopes.com: Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009

Snopes sheds some light on HR 875 http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/organic.asp

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H.R. 875 and the Food Safety Bills

The analysis below clarifies what the bill will and will not do.  Mentioned is HR.759 which can cause some issues for small farmers including recordkeeping requirements for farms and safety standards for fresh produce. Link to HR.759 PDF Link to … Continue reading

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What is the National Animal Identification System & Why It Should Be Rejected

Web Video of the Week: What is the National Animal Identification System & Why It Should Be Rejected. Part 1: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wu9oKmqQpD4&hl=en&fs=1&border=1] Make sure you view Part 2 here

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The Columbus Dispatch : Ann Fisher commentary: City should welcome urban chickens

There has been alot of activity in Columbus lately regarding the urban chicken movement. At the center of the controversy are Worthington residents Andy and Lael Rozmiarek,  who have asked Worthington City Council to change an 1973 ordinance that essentially … Continue reading

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Interview with Vilsack, Obama’s pick for Ag Secretary

This entry by Brian Depew on Tue, 12/16/2008 on Blog for Rural America provides some insight on  how Vilsack will fare on issues important to sustainable minded small farmers.  It is encouraging. Although his enthusiasm for biotech is one of … Continue reading

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