Food bill concerns local producers

A bill that would expand federal powers to regulate food producers has raised concerns among small-business owners and local food advocates in Wyoming. Protections for small producers that were recently added to the Food Safety Modernization Act have addressed some fears, but critics still question the bill's potential to harm local ranchers and farmers. The bill, which is awaiting a final Senate vote, would give the Food and Drug Administration more power to regulate food producers and conduct inspections. It was introduced in response to several high-profile outbreaks of illnesses from tainted foods. Criticisms from small food producers led lawmakers to include an exemption for businesses that sell goods directly to consumers and conduct less than $500,000 in annual sales. Those critics, including Recluse rancher Frank Wallis, argue the new the regulations would be too onerous for family-sized operations and could ultimately force them out of business. "That is the real fear, that they are going to treat everyone the same, and they are going to treat them like Tyson Foods," said Wallis, who sells beef, eggs and other foods. The family-scale exemption is known as the Tester Amendment, after its author, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana. While the lawmaker and grain farmer says the amendment protects family farmers from unnecessary new regulation, it hasn't entirely eliminated concerns about the bill. Wallis says the amendment is a positive step. But he worries a foodborne illness allegation would allow the government to revoke a small-scale food producer's exemption without affording the business due process to challenge regulators' claims...more