***USA - ACTION ALERT***

07-28-09 *BREAKING AG NEWS* “Message to Waxman: Don’t Rush Food Safety Measure”

The Ranking Member of the House Ag Committee is urging his colleagues not to rush H.R. 2749 through Congress. The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 is scheduled for consideration as early as today (Tuesday) under suspension of the rules. This would mean limited debate of 20 minutes and no opportunity to offer amendments. Frank Lucas says it is important to continually examine the nation’s food production and regulatory system and make changes that improve food safety – but he says it must be done with thoughtful and careful deliberation. He says this measure is the result of a flawed and incomplete process that would lead to huge regulatory burdens on America’s farmers and ranchers without contributing much to the goal of safer food.

Lucas notes that not a single producer witness that testified before a recent committee hearing would support the bill in its current form – yet House members are being asked to vote without consideration, debate or the opportunity to improve the measure. The National Corn Growers Association is on the same page – and is asking its grower members to contact House Energy Chair Henry Waxman and Ranking Member Joe Barton to urge them not to bypass regular order and rules procedures by bringing H.R. 2749 up on the suspension calendar. NCGA President Bob Dickey says the legislation should be carefully reviewed by the House Ag Committee before moving to the House floor.

SOURCE: NAFB News Service