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This event is closed. Thanks to everyone who participated. See transcript below.

Food Safety and Modernization Act of 2010
Live Chat on Twitter
Friday, December 3, 4-5 pm EST
with Rodale.com editors and guest experts

Transcript:

RodaleNews: Welcome to the Rodale.com Twitter Q&A on the food safety bill. #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: There's been a lot of controversy and confusion surrounding the bill. #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: Joining us to answer your questions are food safety experts and sustainable farming advocates. #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: Welcome Erik Olson (@ErikOlson_Pew) from Pew, Mark Kastel (@Cornucopia_Inst) from Cornucopia Institute. #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: Farmer/activist Judith McGeary (@NAIStruth) of the Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance is also on hand to answer questions. #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: We're going to open things up for questions right away... #foodsafetybill

organicnymilk1: I have a question #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: While we're waiting for everyone to join in, FRFA is a nonprofit devoted to helping small farms. #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @organicnymilk1 Ask away! #foodsafetybill

Debkrol: @RodaleNews @NAIStruth what is farm & ranch freedom alliance? how do they keep our food supply safe? or what?? I want to know that.

RodaleNews: For background, see our Food Safety Myth story http://bit.ly/fuyXGF #foodsafetybill

organicnymilk1: We're rotationally grazing organic hens in large numbers here in Upstate NY #foodsafetybill

organicnymilk1: We are wondering what type of soil management we should consider when we change out flocks #foodsafetybill

Cornucopia_Inst I would encourage you to contact your local cooperative extension grazing agent #foodsafetybill

organicnymilk1: specifically, what type of adjustments in ph or selenium should we be considering? #foodsafetybill

BeginningFarmer: Any updates on how the Senate plans to deal with the House opposition to funding language in Managers Amendment? #foodsafetybill

Cornucopia_Inst @beginnignfarmer if the house passes a bill and sends it back to the senate they will presumably pass it once again #foodsafetybill

NAISTruth: The House may pass its own version of the bill to send over to the Senate, it's not clear yet #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @organicnymilk1 This chat is regarding the food safety bill. We refer you to the Rodale Institute for farming practices. #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: There's been talk that the food safety bill will outlaw gardening. That is not true. http://bit.ly/fuyXGF #foodsafetybill

organicnymilk1: ok...sorry to bother you #foodsafetybill

BeginningFarmer: @NAISTruth Do you have a sense of whether that bill might look more like HR 2749 or S 510? #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @organicnymilk1 No problem! But the Rodale Institute folks are the soil experts and can help you! #foodsafetybill

sosarahsays: @NAISTruth If the House passes its own version, any ideas on a timeline? #foodsafetybill

NAISTruth: Probably more like S510, or else they'll have trouble getting the Senate to pass it, but nothing is certain! #foodsafetybill

foodsafetynews: Hey! Food Safety News joining in here, we cover #foodsafety & policy. Thx @rodalenews for hosting #foodsafetybill

NAISTruth: Timeline - also uncertain, but presumably next week, or they run out of time in the lame duck session #foodsafetybill

EHerbertHenney: Why is it so important that the bill pass right now? #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @Cornucopia_Inst How will this bill affect small-scale, organic farmers? #foodsafetybill

BeginningFarmer: Is Dingell likely to be the sponsor, or someone else? I'm in Michigan, should we be putting pressure on him? #foodsafetybill

ktab: How will the food safety bill affect the average consumer? What do they need to know? #foodsafetybill

BeginningFarmer: @EHerbertHenney Right now we have a bill with protections for small farmers. In the new congress all bets are off. #foodsafetybill

foodsafetynews: @EHerbertHenney - If #S510 does not pass during lame duck, Congress would start over in 2011. #foodsafety #foodsafetybill

foodsafetynews: @BeginningFarmer - Dingell has been a key force behind the house version. He's worked on #foodsafety for years. #foodsafetybill

NAISTruth: The bill provides some protections for small-scale farmers & thus the consumers that buy from them #foodsafetybill

BeginningFarmer: @foodsafetynews Who else is a likely sponsor in the House? #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @ktab This bill, if passed, would allow the FDA to force recalls, but it doesn't deal with factory farm issues. #foodsafetybill

foodsafetynews: RT @BeginningFarmer: Right now we have a bill with protections for small farmers. In the new congress all bets are off. #foodsafetybill

NAISTruth: But there are still concerns. Keeping Tester-Hagan amendment in is critical. And staying on top of FDA during rulemaking. #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @ktab Also, it requires big food producers to submit to more safety inspections, so big egg/PB/spinach recalls may reduce #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @Planithealthier Sustainable farming groups like this version of the bill because it protects small-scale farmers. #foodsafetybill

FlaMassageMama: Is there an organized effort to get media coverage of the neg. effects of the bill in addition to grass roots campaigning? #foodsafetybill

foodsafetynews: @BeginningFarmer - Sponsors for HR2749 (House version of #foodsafety): Dingell, DeGette, Pallone, Stupak, Sutton, Waxman... #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @foodsafetynews Do you think small farmer protections will stay in place? #foodsafetybill

BeginningFarmer: @foodsafetynews Seems like these are folks we should be targeting to make sure a new House bill includes Sm Fmr protections #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @ErikOlson_Pew Do you think the bill goes far enough in protecting consumers? #foodsafetybill

ErikOlson_Pew: the underlying bill includes many small farmer protections@RodaleNews #foodsafetybill

BeginningFarmer: @ktab not for meat anyway #foodsafetybill

foodsafetynews: RT @ErikOlson_Pew: the underlying bill includes many small farmer protections #foodsafety #S510 #foodsafetybill

ErikOlson_Pew: @RodaleNews. The bill includes many key consumer protections; it's imperfect but a major step forward. #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @ErikOlson_Pew Do you think this bill has teeth? #foodsafetybill

anderslc: have the new food safety inspections been defined? and who is in charge of defining the standards? #foodsafetybill

BeginningFarmer: @ErikOlson_Pew the Senate version does. The House version has none, in my reading of it #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: Apologies on behalf of @cornucopia_inst, they are on but having tech issues. Tweet to them anyway! #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @ErikOlson_Pew What will be the biggest impacts? Where did the bill fall short? #foodsafetybill

ErikOlson_Pew: @RodaleNews It has far more teeth than current law, which hasn't been meaningfully updated since 1938. #foodsafetybill

nashmallow: @RodaleNews Are there any big (& terrible) surprises buried in the food safety bill? #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: Following #foodsafetybill interesting discussion about the implications and what exactly the bill covers.

NAISTruth: nash, there very well may be surprises when we get into the FDA rulemaking process #foodsafetybill

BeginningFarmer: @ErikOlson_Pew I respectfully disagree. The Delaney Clause was a major update #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @ErikOlson can you answer @anderslc question? #foodsafetybill

Rick_LC: After the final version is passed, how soon will things go into effect? #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @NAISTruth How can consumers make sure organic farmer protections stay in place? #foodsafetybill

NAISTruth: Call your Congressman (go to www.house.gov or Capitol Switchboard 202-224-3121) #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @NAISTruth Should people just urge them to keep the Tester-Hagan amendment points in place during rulemaking? #foodsafetybill

BeginningFarmer: @Rick_LC The Senate gives 180 days for rulemaking I believe. #foodsafetybill

foodtechconnect: @RodaleNews @Cornucopia_Inst does the #foodsafetybill encourage the leverage of information technology in any interesting ways?

foodsafetynews: RT @ErikOlson_Pew: @RodaleNews It has far more teeth than current law, which hasn't been meaningfully updated since 1938. #foodsafetybill

NAISTruth: Yes, on keeping Tester-Hagan, & also urge them to be involved during approps and rulemaking processes #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: Co-hosts...what happens if this bill does not pass before year's end? #foodsafetybill

EHerbertHenney: @BeginningFarmer but has that really stopped foodborne illness outbreaks? Clearly there's still an issue in need of amending #foodsafetybill

foodsafetynews: Agree with @NAISTruth, much of the work & details will be in approps & rulemaking #foodsafety #S510 #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @EHerbertHenney Food & Water Watch just released a good map...the source of food problems in the U.S.http://bit.ly/ecMRj5 #foodsafetybill

ErikOlson_Pew: @RodaleNews. If bill doesn't pass this year, Congress would have to start over next year, New bills, Senate/House passage #foodsafetybill

BeginningFarmer: @NAISTruth There are 5 other important provisions in the Senate version besides Tester: see http://snipurl.com/1kt6zk #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @ErikOlson_Pew Any feeling in DC if this is likely going to pass this year? #foodsafetybill

ErikOlson_Pew: @RodaleNews We are cautiously optimistic that the legislation can still be enacted this year. #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @ErikOlson_Pew Any chance factory farm issues will be addressed in the near future? http://bit.ly/ecMRj5 #foodsafetybill

NAISTruth: BeginningFarmer, I think the other provisions are good but not clear or as important as Tester http://bit.ly/bfSomj #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @ErikOlson_Pew We are cautiously optimistic that the legislation can still be enacted this year. #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @ErikOlson_Pew @foodsafetynews if bill doesn't pass, do you think there will be the same support for small farms? #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @NAISTruth if bill doesn't pass, do you think there will be the same support for small farms in new Congress? #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @NAISTruth if bill doesn't pass, do you think there will be the same support for small farms in new Congress? #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @SlowFoodUSA Is your group pleased with the food safety bill? #foodsafetybill

NAISTruth: Maybe. people on both sides of the aisle support small farms, but Agribusiness influences both also #foodsafetybill

ErikOlson_Pew: @RodaleNews. Includes key provisions that would help small farmers, like the Stabenow amendment funding grants/training. #foodsafetybill

ErikOlson_Pew: @RodaleNews Like any bill, it's imperfect, but overall will clearly improve health protection and protect small farmers. #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: 10 minutes left in our live food safety bill Q&A! Do you have questions? Tweet them w/#foodsafetybill hashtag!

BeginningFarmer: @NAISTruth I agree, Tester-Hagan is critical. #foodsafetybill

ErikOlson_Pew: @zenblaster Agree--a lot of incorrect claims out there; bill exempts home gardens and most farmers markets etc, #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @ErikOlson_Pew Like any bill, it's imperfect, but overall will clearly improve health protection and protect small farmers. #foodsafetybill

Rick_LC: does anyone have a suggestion for cooking a pumpkin I just bought? #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @Rick_LC Rodale Healthy Recipe Finder http://bit.ly/hnCEAF #foodsafetybill

BeginningFarmer: Good chat all, thanks for hosting! #foodsafetybill

ErikOlson_Pew: check our www.MakeOurFoodSafe.org for more info! #foodsafetybill

BeginningFarmer: @RodaleNews Will you guys be hosting more of these? How can we keep updated? #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: From @Cornucopia We're in dangerous waters if bill doesn't pass by end of year. Congress could rush in new year. #foodsafetybill

foodsafetynews: @rodalenews - Think small farm support is serious. Unclear if political will to pck up the bill will be there nxt Congress #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: Follow @RodaleNews and rodale.com for more health & environmental info & conversations! #foodsafetybill

ErikOlson_Pew: @RodaleNews . Agree. Congress needs to wrap this up now! to act go to MakeOurFoodSafe,org #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: Cornucopia Inst. In 2010, little time to watch out for the small organic and direct marketing farmers Collateral damage #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: So the consensus is, to protect consumers and sustainable farmers, push Congress to pass the bill before year's end? #foodsafetybill

ErikOlson_Pew: @RodaleNews Absolutely! #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: Thank you all so much for participating! Follow @RodaleNews for more updates on the food safety bill saga! #foodsafetybill

NAISTruth: I don't agree with that consensus. I'm staying focused on, IF a bill passes, making sure we don't lose Tester-Hagan. #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @NAISTruth Good point. Thank you for all of your helpful insights! #foodsafetybill

RodaleNews: @ErikOlson_Pew Thank you, Erik, for your expertise input! #foodsafetybill