Food Safety Enhancement Act bad for agriculture

I strongly oppose HR 2749 (The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009) as an overreach by the federal government and a diminution of individual liberty.

The last bastion of additive-free natural foods are the small family-owned farms. Problems with food safety have been principally linked to improperly inspected/regulated imported foods and with large commercial agribusinesses.

One-size-fits-all regulations unduly harm the small/local producers and deny citizens the right to choose what they would consume. Furthermore, this bill would have the effect of furhter limiting the quality and variety of foodstuffs in the market, setting a dangerous trend that potentially leaves a centralized food supply subject to a pandemic, sabotage or industrial accident.

Less natural variety and access is not good public policy. Additional regulations, tariffs and fees on small family-run farms also impose an undue financial burden on already marginal operations (which are nonetheless conducted out of love for nature and the land).