[Homesteadingfamily] FW: Senator Jim Webb's Response to Your Message.

From our other senator

Jeanne

http://community.webshots.com/user/atasetofcreole

http://atasteofcreole.wordpress.com/

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From: correspondence_reply@webb.senate.gov
[mailto:correspondence_reply@webb.senate.gov]
Sent: Monday, December 13, 2010 3:57 PM
To: atasteofcreole@gmail.com
Subject: Senator Jim Webb's Response to Your Message.

December 13, 2010

Mr. and Mrs. Joseph & Jeanne Lookabill

33 Fern Oak Cir #303

Stafford, VA 22554-8467

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Lookabill:

Thank you for contacting my office regarding S. 510, the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act. I appreciate your taking
the time to share your thoughts with me on this important topic.

Recent outbreaks of food-borne illnesses and nationwide recalls of
contaminated food, from both domestic and foreign sources, highlight the
need to update and strengthen our nation's food safety system. The FDA Food
Safety Modernization Act is a bipartisan plan to modernize our food safety
system while minimizing regulatory burdens, particularly on small farms and
producers. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 73-25 on November 30,
2010, with my support.

I voted to support this legislation for several reasons. For the first time,
the FDA will have the authority and capacity to test widely for dangerous
pathogens and to enforce recalls on contaminated food. The bill requires
more frequent inspections of large-scale, high risk food production plants,
and would subject imported foods to the same standards as those made in the
United States. In response to legitimate concerns raised by small farmers
and producers that new regulations would be too costly, the final
legislation incorporated the Tester amendment to exempt small-scale
agriculture. Finally, the bill specifically states that gardens or farms
used for personal consumption are exempt from all new regulations.

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act was discussed and debated by many
players from the food industry throughout the committee process, with many
of them endorsing the final legislation. The Senate Committee on Health,
Education, Labor and Pensions approved the bill in December 2009, and it
awaited deliberation by the full Senate until November 2010. The bill now
moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Please be assured that my staff and I will continue to monitor this issue to
ensure that all Virginians have access to safe, quality food. As the Senate
continues to address food safety and other important issues facing the
United States, your views will be very helpful to me and my staff. I hope
that you will continue to share your views with us in the years ahead.

I would also invite you to visit my website at www.webb.senate.gov for
regular updates about my activities and positions on matters that are
important to Virginia and our nation.

Thank you once again for contacting my office.

Sincerely,

Jim Webb

United States Senator

JW: kw

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