Fw: In response to your email about the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act

[Guest guest]

My rep here sent a response about the S510. Though it was a positive response, I would have like it better if he had mentioned that Factory Farming needs to be carefully scrutinized, in which all reps and congress persons should have been required to view Food INC, in my opinion, most congress people really don't understand the process in which our food is grown, and what chemicals and fertilizers are being used, and even mentioning Genetically Engineered Foods, they may not even know that it.MHFrom: Senator Jeff Merkley <Senator_Merkley@...>Subject: In response to your email about the FDA Food Safety Modernization

Actepifany97523@...Date: Thursday, December 2, 2010, 11:32 AM

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Dear Michele,

Thank

you for contacting me to share your opposition to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety

Modernization Act (S. 510). While we may disagree on the merits of this legislation, I value knowing

your views on this important matter.

During the debate on the recently-passed FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, I heard

from Oregonians like you who expressed concerns about the bill, including its potential negative effects

on small farms and food processors. Please know I took these concerns very seriously and fought to ensure

that provisions were included to protect these farms. Specifically, I supported

an amendment offered by Senators Tester (D-MT) and Hagan (D-NC) that was incorporated into the legislation

that provides flexibility and exemptions for small farms and processers from many of the requirements

in the bill designed for larger food processors. Improving

the safety of our food supply is essential, but it must be done in a manner that enables our small farms

and farming families in Oregon to operate successfully and without the unnecessary restrictions that

could hinder their production.

I joined an overwhelming bipartisan majority of my colleagues (73 – 25) to vote

in support of this bipartisan legislation because I believe it will raise

the standard for food safety and is vital to the health and well-being of all Americans. The

bill will improve our ability to trace contaminated food, thereby reducing future outbreaks of food borne

illnesses that have taken the lives of

thousands of Americans and cost the country billions of dollars in

recalled food items.

Again, I appreciate your input. I hope you will continue to send your observations

and thoughts my way.

Sincerely, A. MerkleyUnited States Senator

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