The Food Modernization Act of 2009 (HR 875 and S 425) disturbs me greatly. The text of HR 875 and S 425 would effectively strip the authority of the States’ Agriculture Departments and put them under federal control to be used as enforcement agencies. Please consult the 10th Amendment. It is so broad that it could even affect backyard gardeners and hunters involved with processing food for their own consumption.

The bill proposes onerous recordkeeping and disclosure by any “food processing facility” – i.e. family farm - in “any format (including paper or electronic) and at any location to assist the Administrator.” I dare say that Ruth at the three-day a week farmer’s market (she’s the one I buy tomatoes from) does not have the resources to provide a report to some bureaucracy. I grew the collards for my New Year’s dinner this year, and under this plan I would have been subject to inspection and record-keeping. My friend Mary cooks the wild turkeys that her husband hunts. This legislation would make her kitchen a “food processing facility” subject to inspections. Please consult the 4th amendment.

It is presumed that this bill will be passed without a thorough reading. I ask you to read this bill, especially Sections 103 and 206. The wording of this bill is so broad-based that it would give the Federal government control over producing our own food. This is a dangerous proposition and treacherous legislation. It must not pass.

This bill will usurp the authority of State agricultural committees, as well as local agricultural authorities and use them as policing arms of the federal government. The concern is that this legislation, because of its innocuous name will be passed without review.