Connecticut agriculture - Connecticut

Watchdog says rumor on food safety bill untrue - Suffolk Times

16.04.09

The Web rumors sounded the alarm that Congress was teaming with agribusiness and biotechnology lobbyists to pass legislation, namely the Food Safety Modernization Act (HR 875), to put organic and local farms -- including even backyard gardeners -- out of business.

There is also concern that the bill would give broad powers to the head of the new Food Safety Administration. And rumors have swirled that the husband of the bill's sponsor, U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Connecticut), worked for agribusiness giant Monsanto.

The Suffolk Times received numerous calls and e-mails from locals fretting over what they had read on the Internet.

"We, along with all kinds of nonprofits, have been just inundated by calls and e-mails with 'the sky is falling' messages," said Mr. Kastel, who added that The Cornucopia Institute, through its own independent investigation, learned that Ms. DeLauro's husband only worked briefly for Monsanto 10 years ago as a public relations consultant.

Advocacy groups

Source: Suffolk Times, NY

Connecticut Agriculture Important? Be There.


Members of more than 30 agricultural associations will converge for Connecticut Agriculture Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 18, north lobby, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The public can attend and join legislative leaders in Hartford to view displays, and let policy makers know the importance of agriculture and to air concerns about legislation important to agriculture.

The Outstanding Young Farmer (OYF) award, sponsored by the Connecticut Agricultural Information Council (CAIC) and the Connecticut Jaycees, will be announced. The recognition is to "foster better urban-rural relations with farmers by creating a greater public interest and understanding of today’s farmer and challenges." For more information call Jaime Lizee Smith at (860) 713-2559 or jaime.smith@ct.gov.

Source: Moo Dog Press