To me it is nothing more than what is already being observed by any good organic farmer.
The essence of the section is to track any possible outbreaks of contamination. Granted, while most of the recent contaminations have been by factory outfits. however, as farmers markets grow, so will the producers and as such need to be regulated. Sadly, small time operators will fall into this group as well since they also sell at the markets, but as I stated at the top, a good organic producer pretty much follows the guidelines as stated in the bill.
Whether or not this is directly supported and lobbied by Monsanto is another thing entirely. Not defending them, but their argument probably surrounds competition and the need of various farmers who sell local to follow the same type of cleanliness practices that they observe. (that part is debatable in regards to how close Monsanto observes those same practices).
What I don't grow myself, I buy my balance at farmers markets, so this bill would directly effect me and my wife.
I have seen this email call to arms before over this bill. And after tracking the bill on govtrack.us, it appears as if the bill S.510 is stuck in committee. Updated amendments are nothing new and just shows that it is still being dealt with in committee.
If the bill ever does come up for a vote, I think it will die. Why? because there is a huge section dealing with the inspection of foreign produce and production tactilities. And I can assure you, no foreign government, especially those in the middle east (were we get our dates, pistachios and a variety of other things) will allow that. They have a pretty large lobbying group in Washington.
Much of the bill has been struck out from its original form, anyway.
However, with that, it does seem prudent to at least keep and eye on it.
Here is a summary of the bill. It appears as if point #6 is the one at issue.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-510&tab=summaryS. 510: FDA Food Safety Modernization Act
FDA Food Safety Modernization Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to expand the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to regulate food, including by authorizing the Secretary to suspend the registration of a food facility. Requires each food facility to evaluate hazards and implement preventive controls. Directs the Secretary to assess and collect fees related to: (1) food facility reinspection; (2) food recalls; and (3) the voluntary qualified importer program. Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture to prepare the National Agriculture and Food Defense Strategy. Requires the Secretary to: (1) identify preventive programs and practices to promote the safety and security of food; (2) promulgate regulations on sanitary food transportation practices; (3) develop a policy to manage the risk of food allergy and anaphylaxis in schools and early childhood education programs; (4) allocate inspection resources based on the risk profile of food facilities or food; (5) recognize bodies that accredit food testing laboratories; and
(6) improve the capacity of the Secretary to track and trace raw agricultural commodities. Requires the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to enhance foodborne illness surveillance systems. Authorizes the Secretary to order an immediate cessation of distribution, or a recall, of food. Requires the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assist state, local, and tribal governments in preparing for, assessing, decontaminating, and recovering from an agriculture or food emergency. Provides for: (1) foreign supplier verification activities; (2) a voluntary qualified importer program; and (3) the inspection of foreign facilities registered to import food.