New federal legislation could burden local farmers

by Nate Rafn | Salem Weekly

Critics of Senate Bill 510 (S.510), the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, believe new regulations will put small farms out of business.

S.510 was introduced in March, 2009, by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL). Since then, twenty-one Senators have signed-on as co-sponsors.

After a series committee hearings, motions, and proposed amendments, the U.S. Senate passed the bill on November 30th, 2010, with a Yea-Nay vote of 73-25. Oregon's Democratic Senators, Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, each voted in favor.