So, Ed, how are you supposed to get independent corroboration? Hire a consulting firm? The trouble Ed is that you continue to hang with the GOP Hierarchy and spew their talking points regarding the “populace”. Those, such as yourself, that have contempt for the “populace” out there in flyover country. Forgetting all the while that it is the population and former/estranged GOP voters – they’re one and the same. Which is why we Republicans keep losing elections. Politics 101: Don’t “dis” your Base. You and the GOP could learn something by observing Glenn Beck, but I fear it won’t happen in time for 11/2/10. In your arrogance you simply have become un-teachable. You’ve assigned yourselves some sort of god-like infallibility, sadly. Darvin Dowdy

The effect of this legislation could push locals out of the business altogether in favor of large corporations that can handle reporting requirements more efficiently.

Fact is, unfortunately the Prez and the Dem controlled Congress have learned quickly that the larger the business model they wish to control, the easier it is to take control via TARP-like bills, and yes, even to nationalize the business or industry.

There are still far too many small farmers in existence, so forcing them out of business either by having larger farm corporations buy them out or drive them out of business will ultimately make it easier for the gubment to step in and take over down the road.

Isn’t that where this is all headed? Complete and utter control of all business and industry in the USA?

We need a lot more information on FSMA before Congress takes a vote on it.

Yeah, just like we got on the stimulus, right Ed? You’re dreaming if you think we’ll ever see anything proper or ethical being down with the current power structure.

Yes, the Iowa CORN Farmers I know are stupid and don’t know how to keep seed and replant….. (rolleyes)

I love how you’re a basket full of contradictions such as “The ‘Terminator Seed’ is fiction. Please quit speading misinformation. Yes there is a patent for it, but that technology is not in production.

Lets have a patent on something that makes shidtpot loads of money for Monsanto… but..but we won’t use it? LOL!

Pfffffftttttt!

And I loved this one too “Farmers keep the seed and replant it all the time, even though they are oftentimes breaking their contractual agreement with the seed company. ”

Most farmers I know would never sign an exclusivity agreement like you’re proposing here. I think you’re full of shi..propaganda.

Farmers keep the seed and replant it all the time.

daesleeper on March 31, 2009 at 11:00 PM

What? In fact, none ever do.

Do you even know what a hybrid is?

This has nothing to do with “genetic engineering.” This is straight up agribusiness for the last half century or more.

I have been involved in farming in the USA for almost 40 years. I know of no real, regular farmers who save their seed. It would make no sense. If you plant hybrid varieties, the seed you keep would be totally worthless.

The exception is open-polinated varieties (heirlooms, for you gardeners.)

Just to use corn as a simple example: Seed corn has been produced for most of a century by crossing true-breeding varieties. The physical process by which hybrids are produced is called “detassling.” Usually about two rows of corn is left tassled (male), in order to polinate every six rows of detassled (female) corn.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid

BTW, like wheat, (which has been bio-engineered so much that it no longer is the same grain that we ate as kids; it is then over-processed into glutinous glop that causes many chronic conditions/diseases), corn is also a real problem. Because it has been genetically altered with lime, it is hard to digest. Buy only organic corn that is not treated with lime. Agri-business like Monasanto is behind this and then we have the pharmaceutical companies that only treat the symptoms of these maladies that could be remedied by changing our diets and using supplements, vitamins, etc.

M-14 2go, better start hoarding seeds. And with Monsanto geneticly engineered seeds, you get 1 planting and the produce that have seeds, those seeds are engineered to not germinate.

They’ve been doing that with corn for about a couple decades now.

44Magnum on March 31, 2009 at 9:49 PM

This is not true. You are mistaken.

Farmers keep the seed and replant it all the time, even though they are oftentimes breaking their contractual agreement with the seed company. Why do you think that they must sign contracts with seed companies to not collect and replant.

The ‘Terminator Seed’ is fiction. Please quit speading misinformation. Yes there is a patent for it, but that technology is not in production. Its all about protecting the patents involved in the technology.

Genetic engineering occurs naturally in the world. It has been happening for millions of years. Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a bacteria that occurs naturally in the soil. It has the ability to transfer genetic material into plants, which then are compelled to produce the genetic products that are encoded in the transgene. In addition, viruses have the ability to ‘take with them’ host genetic material and then infect another host with it.

From DrudgeReport – Earth Population “exceeds limits” and mentions the NEED for GMO-foods

The sad irony of all the overpopulation hysteria is that it’s all gonna be a distant memory in a few decades.

The world’s population is only just starting in on a big-time downward slide that’s ahead of us as the mid-20th-century population surge generations die off and sub-replacement birth rates become more common in the increasingly-modernized third-world countries.

The 21st century is likely going to be one that sees a pretty substantial population crunch — unless, of course, the Quiverfull movement REALLY takes off and the western world starts breeding kids by the dozen again.

And, as they always do, the government policies enacted to “fix” the “problem” of “too many people” on the planet will remain in place when there are no longer too many people. Politicians (and policy) are usually pretty far behind the curve on current events. This is a good thing when it is because they are fervently debating the issue in order to hammer out solid, prudent policy; it is a very bad thing when the cause is simple ignorance which, upon realizing they are late to the party, passes a law — any law! — to do something about it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7974995.stm

Here’s a link from Dr. Mercola’s website and video to view called “The Future of Food”:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/03/07/monsantos-many-attempts-to-destroy-all-seeds-but-their-own.aspx

I also read that there’s a new disease possibly caused by eating GMO-foods called “Morgellan’s disease” which is like watching a science fiction movie. There’s not enough info to back this up at this time, but search online for more info on this disease. I, myself only eat organic foods, grass-fed meats, etc. It is so obvious with all that’s happening the goal is towards a New World Order whose members include The Bilderbergers, Rockefellers, Skulls & Bones plus the world bankers, FDA, pharma drug companies (too keep us sick, not heal), etc. It’s all connected. Wake up before it’s too late!

They’ve been doing that with corn for about a couple decades now.

I’m glad to see someone is finally talking about this bill. I am a gardener that sells produce at our local farmer’s market. My husband sat down this weekend and read the darn bill. The main problem with it is that it is too broad. It will affect even backyard growers who grow produce for themselves. In addition, it will affect people who have, say chickens or goats, for their own use. It affects hobby gardeners, home canners, anyone with a few chickens. What is especially bad is that anyone who commits an act that violates the food safety law may be assessed a civil penalty by the Administrator of no more than $1M for each act, AND they can confiscate your property (think home here people). This bill and SB425 are both really bad bills for everyone if anyone would stop and realize that it is going to affect you and stop you from growing anything for you and your family. Our government is pathetic.

MomintheFlyOverZone on March 31, 2009 at 2:22 PM

That’s the intent of the bill. It will eventually force out all private growers. Even home gardens. The corporatist government wants to control the food supply.

True_King on March 31, 2009 at 6:32 PM

This is frakin’ crimminal.

Zimbabwe, anyone?

But, as a small buisness owner myself, I DO understand of where you come from on this.