Source:  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 11/15/10

More than 30 groups representing poultry, meat and other fresh food makers sent a letter today to legislators asking them to oppose an amendment to the Food Safety Modernization Act that would exempt some small food producers, such as farmers’ market vendors, from certain food safety protocols. A copy was made available to Meatingplace.

“We believe an operation’s size, the growing practices used, or its proximity to customers does not determine whether the food offered is safe,” the groups said in a letter to Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), who chairs the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and ranking minority committee member Sen. Michael Enzi (R-Wy.). “What matters is that the operation implements prudent product safety practices, whether the product is purchased at a roadside stand, a farmers’ market or a large supermarket.

“We believe technical assistance, training, extended transition timeframes for compliance and financial support are more appropriate ways to assist small businesses throughout the food distribution chain to comply with important food safety standards,” the letter added.

Groups signing the letter included, among others, the American Meat Institute, National Chicken Council, National Meat Association, National Pork Producers Council and National Turkey Federation.

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