2.25.11
ATTENTION: Proposed Regulations to REQUIRE Animal
Identification of ALL Agricultural Animals
Virginia
has proposed regulations to require identification of all
agricultural animals entering Virginia. This includes
poultry.
The
proposed regulations can be viewed here.
If you have difficult accessing the link above, you
may also visit and browse the main page of the Virginia
Register of Regulations.
There
will be a public hearing on March
24, 2011
at 10:00 a.m. in the 2nd floor Board Room, of the Virginia
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, located
at:
102 Governor Street
Richmond, Virginia.
The deadline for public comment is April 1, 2011.
Contact:
Dr.
Dan Kovich
Staff Veterinarian, Animal Care and Health Policy
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
P.O. Box 1163
Richmond, VA 23218
Telephone: (804)786-2483
FAX: (804) 371-2380
TTY: (800) 828-1120
email:
dan.kovich@vdacs.virginia.gov.
Comments may be submitted on the Town Hall website.
It
is very important to make your views known. Please
plan to attend the public hearing whether you wish to
speak or not!
2.1.11
Be Present During Voting of SB920
Update
Voting
has been rescheduled
for SB920
Home-Processing Bill
to Monday,
February
1, 2011
at 9:00 in the Senate Agriculture Committee Room, on the
1st floor. They will have signs on the door will read:
"Senate Agriculture Committee".
It is essential that we have warm bodies present at
this vote. Please plan to join us. If you are
unable to attend the vote, please call the senators listed
below as soon as possible!
1.27.11
Contact Your Senator!
The SB920
Home-Processing Bill will
be voted on Monday, January 31st at 9:00 in the Senate
Agriculture Committee Room, on the 1st floor. They will
have signs on the door will read: "Senate Agriculture
Committee".
First,
please call all the senators on the
list below. They
are representing Agriculture in Virginia; and your opinion
counts. Then, call your senator
and ask him to support SB920 the home-processing bill.
This
bill gives us the right have direct farmer-to-consumer
trade of homemade pickles, canned vegetables and fruits
with the pH of 4.6 or less without
a state inspection.
Here
are some talking points:
1.
CONSUMERS DEMAND FOR LOCAL FOOD:
There
are increasing demands for locally prepared, small batch
foods. Not only is their taste superb, but also the
public has suffered increasingly from numerous food
poisoning outbreaks resulting from large scale
commercially processed foods.
2.
LOCAL PRODUCED FOOD IS SAFER:
Congress
responded this year to the problems of the food industry
by passing S510, The Food Safety Bill, which mandates more
regulation on large agribusiness food producers. However,
Congress recognized that locally-produced food is safer
and provided exemptions in the bill for small local direct
producer to consumer sales. Also, recently several
other states have passed laws containing such exceptive
language.
3.
PRIVATE HOME INSPECTIONS ARE OPPRESSIVE AND UNNECESSARY:
Regulations
mandating
inspections of private homes where the resident processes
and prepares food for sale to an individual for
his own consumption are oppressive and unnecessary. Such
inspections inhibit small local enterprises. Virginia
inspectors should spend their time where it is
needed--inspecting large agribusiness operations and food
conglomerates.
4.
SUPPORT FAMILIES AND BOLSTER LOCAL ECONOMY:
Allowing
the sale of some home-made products would provide a
valuable source of supplemental income to families,
It would also bolster the local economy. According
to an economic analysis
report conducted by the Virginia
Cooperative Extension, if every household in the state
spent just $10 on local food per week, the Virginia
economy would receive an additional $1.65 billion.
5.
AGRIBUINESS USES SCARE TACTICS TO KILL LOCAL FOOD
LEGISLATION:
Agribusiness
lobbyist raised the specter of botulism as a reason for
not passing home processing legislation in the past,
However, statistics simply do not support their argument.
For instance, the risk of botulism in homemade pickles is practically
nil. Pickles, since they are acidic, have been
safely made in the home for generations. Botulism
was once a problem in some-canned vegetables, but with the
advent of the pressure cooker, incidences plummeted.
6. 2008
EXEMPTION:
In
the 2008 legislative session, a bill was passed
exempting candies, jams, jellies and certain baked goods
from inspection if those items were sold at the home or at
farmers' markets and labeled "NOT FOR
RESALE-PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE
INSPECTION." There have been no public health
problems resulting from this legislation. Yet,
agribusiness fought against this bill all the way.
These are the Senators on the Agriculture Committee:
Senator
Patricia Ticer - 804-698-7530
Part
of Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax County
Senator
Mary Whipple- 804-698-7531
Falls
Church, part of Arlington and Fairfax County
Senator
Emmett Hanger - 804-698-7524
Augusta,
Greene, Highland, Lexington, Staunton, and
Waynesboro,
Part of Rockbridge, and Rockingham
Senator
John Watkins - 804-698-7510
Amelia,
Powhatan, and part of Chesterfield, Cumberland,
Goochland,
Henrico and Richmond City
Senator
Roscoe Reynolds - 804-698-7520
Carroll,
Floyd, Galax, Henry, Martinsville, and Patrick,
Part
of Grayson and Wythe
Senator
Phillip Puckett - 804-698-7538
Bland,
Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell and Tazewell
Part
of Pulaski, Smyth, Wise andy Wythe
Senator
Frank Ruff - 804-698-7515
Appomattox, Charlotte, Fluvanna, Halifax, Mecklenburg and
Prince
Edward, Part of Amherst, Brunswick, Buckingham,
Cumberland,and
Lunenburg
Senator
Harry Blevins - 804-698-7514
Part
of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach
Senator
Mark Obenshain-804-6987526
Harrison,
Page, Rappahannock,
Shenandoah and Warren
Senator
Donald McEachin - 804-698-7509
Charles
City, Part of Henrico and Richmond City
Senator
Chap Petersen - 804-698-7534
Fairfax
City, Part of Fairfax County
Senator
Ralph Northam - 804-698-7506
Accomack
County (All);
Mathews County (All); Norfolk City (Part);
Northampton County (All); Virginia Beach City (Part)
Senator
Richard Stuart - 804-698-7528
Fauquier
County (Part); Fredericksburg City (Part);
King George County (All);
Lancaster County (All);
Northumberland County (All);
Prince William County (Part);
Richmond County (All); Stafford County (All);
Westmoreland County (All)
Senator
McDougle - 804-698-7504 = Bill Sponsor
Caroline,
Essex, Hanover, King and Queen, King William;
Middlesex,
Part of Spotsylvania
1.12.11
Legislative Breakfast - JOIN US!
Event: Legislative
Breakfast:
Where: General Assembly 7th floor, West
Conference Room
When: January 18th, 2011
Time: 9:30 to 11:30 (please arrive at 8:30
am)
Bring: a Breakfast item from your own or
local farm
We are lobbying to restore our right to sell pickles, canned vegetables and fruits with the pH of 4.6 or less. As you, know freedom isn't free. It takes sacrifice to keep our freedoms. We need volunteers to come and bring locally-made and produced products to our Legislative Breakfast. We have worked hard for this chance to take back our freedoms. If not you, then who will come? Please call Lois Smith at (804)366-6051 or email us to let us know what you can bring to this event!
11.21.10
Update: VICTORY on S.510 Food Safety Bill
An agreement has been reached in the amendments for the S.510 Food Safety Bill, creating a tremendous victory for our nation's small farmers! Without your support, phone calls and e-mails - none of this would have happened.
This IS a direct result of consumers stepping up, voicing their opinions and making it known that the FDA can't just trounce all over our small farmers! What IF there had been no outcry from the public... just silence? The FDA, the lobby for the huge industrial farms, and those who want to control your access to local food - would have WON! You would have been directly impacted, your family (if they are farmers), your farmer neighbors would be affected. The entire local food system in this country, every small farmer, CSA, farmer's market, local restaurants and small grocery market would have to change.
Our small farmers, the very backbone of this country, and the only place where we can get good, fresh, local food that is free from the contamination risks -- could have been forced out of business. Read more about it here. Instead, VICFA spoke out and amendments were made. It's a time to spread the good news, but not a time to rest on our laurels! The battle for our food is not over! Constant pressure and vigilance is needed. We cannot give up.
10.20.10
Scrapie Regulations Update
On October 13th, 2010, Judge Cheryl Higgins, Albemarle Circuit Court, granted the State the Motion to Dismiss the challlenge to the Virginia Scrapie Regulations for goats and sheep. Since it appears that the Judge erred in this decision, an appeal is seriously being considered. Information on the exact status of the case will be available by our November, 2010 VICFA Voice newsletter.
10.18.10
§ 3.2-5130. Inspections Required to Operate Food
Establishment - Update October 18,
2010 (formerly
referred to as The Pickle Bill 2011)
A. It is unlawful to operate a food manufacturing plant, food storage warehouse, or retail food store until it has been inspected by the Commissioner. This section shall not apply to:
1. Food manufacturing plants operating under a grant of inspection from the Office of Meat and Poultry Services or a permit from the Office of Dairy and Foods in the Department; and Grade A fluid milk manufacturing plants and shellfish and crustacea processing plants operating under a permit from the Virginia Department of Health;
2. Nonprofit organizations holding one-day food sales;
3. Private homes where the resident processes and prepares candies, jams, and jellies not considered to be low-acid or acidified low-acid food products and baked goods that do not require time or temperature control after preparation if such products are: (i) sold to an individual for his own consumption and not for resale; (ii) sold at the private home or at farmers markets; and (iii) labeled "NOT FOR RESALE - PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION." Nothing in this subdivision shall create or diminish the authority of the Commissioner under § 3.2-5102; and
4. Retail establishments that: (i) do not prepare or serve food; (ii) sell only food or beverages that are sealed in packaging by the manufacturer and have been officially inspected in the manufacturing process; (iii) do not sell infant formulas; (iv) do not sell salvaged foods; and (v) certify to the Department that they meet the provisions of this section. Retail establishments that meet the provisions of this subdivision shall be exempt from inspection and the inspection fees. Nothing in this section shall prevent the Department from inspecting any retail establishment if a consumer complaint is received.
B. Any person who violates any provision of this section is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
(1993, c. 936, § 3.1-398.1; 2003, c. 420; 2004, c. 953; 2008, cc. 459, 860.)
10.7.10
The Pickle Bill 2011 [as
originally proposed - updated above]
1. Consumer Demand for Local Food
There are increasing demands for locally prepared,
small batch foods. Not only is their taste superb, but
also, the public has suffered increasingly from numerous
food poisoning outbreaks resulting from large-scale,
commercially-processed foods.
2. Support Families and Bolster Local
Economy
Allowing the sale of some homemade products would provide
a valuable source of supplemental income to families. It
would also bolster the local economy. According to an
economic analysis report conducted by the Virginia
Cooperative Extension, if every household in the state
spent just $10 on local food per wee, the Virginia economy
would receive an additional $1.65 billion. Several other
states just passed similar legislation in 2010.
3. Private Home Inspections Are
Oppressive and Unnecessary
Regulations mandating inspections of private homes where
the resident processes and prepares food for sale to an
individual for his own consumption are oppressive and
unnecessary. Such inspections inhibit small, local
enterprises. Virginia inspectors need to spend their time
where it is needed - inspecting large agribusiness
operations and food conglomerates.
4. Agribusiness Uses Scare Tactics to
Kill Local Food Legislation
Agribusiness lobbyists raised the specter of botulism as a
reason for not passing this bill in 2010. However,
statistics simply did not support their argument. The risk
of botulism in homemade pickles is practically nil.
Pickles, since they are acidic, have been safely made in
the home for generations.
5. 2008 Exemption
In the 2008 legislative session, a bill was passed
exempting candies, jams, jellies, and certain baked goods
from inspection, if those items were sold at the home or
at farmers' markets and labeled "NOT FOR RESALE -
PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE INSPECTION."
There have been no public health problems resulting from
this legislation. Still, agribusiness fought against this
bill all the way.
A Bill to amend and reenact §3.2-5130 of the Code of Virginia relating to food inspection.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §3.2-5130 of the Code of
Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows: §3.2-5130.
Inspections required to operate food establishment.
A. It is unlawful to operate a food manufacturing plant,
food storage warehouse, or retail food store until it has
been inspected by the Commissioner. This section shall not
apply to:
1. Food manufacturing plants etc........
2. Nonprofit organizations etc...........
3. Private homes where the resident processes
and prepares candies, jams, jellies, not
considered to be low-acid or acidified low acid food
products pickles made from the produce of the
resident's own garden and baked goods that do not
require time or temperature control after preparation if
such products are: (i) sold to an individual for his own
consumption and not for resale; (ii) sold at the private
home or at farmers markets; and (iii) labeled "NOT
FOR RESALE-PROCESSED AND PREPARED WITHOUT STATE
INSPECTION." Nothing in this subdivision shall create
or diminish authority of the Commissioner under §3.2-5130;
and
4. Retail establishments etc..........
B. Any person etc........................
9.13.10
The S510 food safety bill is coming up for a vote. Please
call your senators (contact information provided below)
to ask them to amend the S510 bill with the Tester-Hagan
amendments.
"The Managers’ Package does not
include the Tester-Hagan Amendments. These amendments
remain under negotiation, but (if adopted), they would
provide an exemption for small direct-market farms and
facilities from the new HACCP-type requirements and
on-farm produce standards. The amendments only address the
new requirements that FDA can impose under S.510; they do
not exempt small farms and processors from existing state
and local health requirements."
- (quoted from www.farmandranchfreedom.org)
When you contact your senators, use your own words and let your senators know how much it means to you to be able to buy directly from the farmer. Let them know that there needs to be a two tier system, One for big Ag, and one for your neighbor farmer.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
-
Webb, Jim - (D - VA) Class I
248 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4024
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=VA
-
Warner, Mark R. - (D - VA) Class II
459A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2023
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=VA