Monroe, MI - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) toured three farms Thursday as part of his annual summer tradition of reaching out to farmers in Michigan’s 15th Congressional District.  He spoke with farmers about current agriculture issues, including new technologies that are increasing efficiency in agriculture, land conservation, biotechnology, and the new Farm Bill commodity program ACRE.  He also discussed his legislation H.R. 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act.  

“The Farm Tour is always the highlight of my summer and I have MSU Extension to thank for their assistance.  I am always glad to have the opportunity to spend time with farmers in Southeast Michigan and to speak with them candidly about the issues they are facing,” said Congressman Dingell.  “The Farm Tour gives farmers the opportunity to share their concerns with me so that I might be better able to address their needs though my work in Congress.”

Congressman Dingell discussed H.R. 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act, at length with the farmers.  Congressman Dingell introduced the bill in an effort to improve food safety in the wake of several tragic food contamination incidents, including salmonella in peanut butter and E. coli on peppers.  He believes that the legislation would protect Michigan’s fine farmers by preventing food safety problems before they occur by strengthening food safety standards and increasing the frequency of inspections of processing facilities.  The bill would also increase “traceback” capacity, so that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can determine a product’s origin facility and isolate the case of contamination. 

The legislation would protect American farmers from losses associated with contamination, particularly from tainted food produced abroad.  The bill would increase inspection standards for food produced overseas for American consumption and would give the Food and Drug Administration increased power to quarantine potentially dangerous food shipments. 

Congressman Dingell worked to ensure that the Food Safety Enhancement Act would not burden America’s small family farms and would protect farms that employ organic farming methods.  He consulted with agriculture experts, including Chairman Colin Peterson of the House Committee on Agriculture and the Michigan Farm Bureau, to ensure that stakeholders would have their concerns addressed in the legislation. 

“I believe that the bill strikes a key balance: it does not create any unnecessary burdens for farmers and small businesses, but will create a new focus on prevention and responsibility for keeping our food supply safe,” said Congressman Dingell.  “As I shared with my farmers in Monroe, my goal with this legislation is to protect the honest farmers of Michigan who produce some of the finest soybeans and sweet corn around.  I want to ensure that my folks are able to continue this work free from worry that a food scare will negatively impact their industry and their quality of life.”

A recent edition of Vegetable Grower’s e-newsletter asked farmers if they supported the House food safety legislation.  81 percent of the farmers who responded answered “yes.”

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