Lawmakers Urge FDA To Help Small Farms With FSMA Compliance

Posted by Rosemary Gordon|August 28, 2015

In an effort to help small growers comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), several members of Congress sent a letter Aug. 24 to FDA’s Acting Commissioner Stephen Ostroff, requesting technical assistance and training programs to help these producers comply with food safety laws.

In addition to training and technical assistance, the letter urges FDA to begin distributing written materials and start conducting outreach and education immediately. According to National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson, FSMA will be transformational to the agricultural sector and will have broad impacts on the farming community. FDA should help make sure all those that are impacted are prepared.

“There is a great deal of confusion surrounding FSMA’s requirements for family farmers and ranchers,” Johnson said. “FDA needs to ensure U.S. producers are provided with proper technical assistance, training, and guidance related to the FSMA regulations. NFU thanks the 14 congressional leaders who urged the FDA to offer necessary support to our nation’s family producers.”

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-CT; Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-CT; and 12 other members of Congress sent the letter calling for FDA to implement programs to help family farmers comply with FSMA. Joining Murphy and DeLauro on the letter were Sens. Al Franken, D-MN; Angus King, I-ME; Mazie Hirono, D-HI; Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY; Bernard Sanders, I-VT; Patrick Leahy, D-VT; Chris Coons, D-DE; Tammy Baldwin, D-WI; Tom Carper, D-DE; Debbie Stabenow, D-MI; and Reps. Rosa DeLauro, D-CN; Sam Farr, D-CA; and Chellie Pingree, D-ME.

“While the final regulations have yet to be promulgated, family farmers and ranchers are making planning decisions now,” Johnson said. “NFU encourages FDA to use any available funding and authority to advance education and outreach to farmers across all sizes and sectors so that the farming community is fully aware of when and how to comply.”