What Is Slow Food > Slow Food USA Blog > Tell the White House “no, thanks”
The Slow Food USA Blog
Tell the White House “no, thanks”
Posted on Thu, October 29, 2009 by Jerusha Klemperer
5 Comments | Categories: Biodiversity, Farms and Farming, Food Justice, News, Current Events, Policy, Take Action,
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There have been inspired some inspired federal appointments (Kathleen Merrigan! Hurrah) in the past 9 months, appointments that made some of us feel like change in food and farm policy was possible, even likely. Other appointments leave a gal like me scratching her head. For example, the nomination of Islam Siddiqui as Chief Agriculture Negotiator and appointment of Roger Beachy (no public review process!) as director of the new National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
These guys are long time Big Ag insiders, having worked hard in the past for CropLife and Monsanto and no doubt promising to continue working hard for those companies in their new posts as well. As explained in the petition scribed by a coalition of organizations including National Family Farm Coalition and the Pesticide Action Network, “these are two textbook cases of the “revolving door” between industry and the agencies meant to keep watch, Siddiqui and Beachy’s industry ties demonstrate that both men are too beholden to corporate agriculture to serve the public interest”
To read more about Siddiqui and Beachy, to read the petition, and to sign it, click here. Time is of the essence: Siddiqui’s hearing will be held November 4th, so sign the petition before then.
The petition eloquently expresses it: “As parents, farmers, advocates, scientists and people who eat food, we remember your promise on the campaign trail: “We’ll tell ConAgra that it’s not the Department of Agribusiness. It’s the Department of Agriculture. We’re going to put the people’s interests ahead of the special interests.”
Let’s hold them to it, shall we?
Member Comments
From Cameron Brownlow on Fri, October 30, 2009
Bad choice Mr President. Obesity is an ever-growing problem in our country. As a nation, we need organic fruits, veggies, meats, and dairy products that are readily available and reasonably priced NOT engineered and processed foods!!! And no more high fructose corn syrup!!!!!
From penelope blackmer on Fri, October 30, 2009
further, we need to stop being hypnotized by agribusiness claims, and get real about the future of a viable food source available to all. agribusiness is about gaining control of the food supply of our nation, and they are almost there. we need legislation that protects a person’s right to choose who they buy from—which means a separation between CAFO regulations and small farm regulations, to require small farms to meet regulations written because of the diseases which develop in the CAFO which are a danger to humans / salmonella / swine flu / e coli is designed to put small farmers out of business. to suggest that each and every animal be registered—fine for huge operations, unmanageable for small farms—to say i cannot buy and drink the milk from my neighbors cow, ridiculous.
From Taylor Brakeman on Sat, October 31, 2009
Our idea of unlimited economic growth on a planet of limited resources is not sustainable.
If we could appoint visonaries to such important Agra posistions we could begin to make such critical changes that are needed.
Does common sense regarding our need for adequate care of animals, sustainable farms and diversity in whole foods need to be a protest?
From Robert Brakeman on Sat, October 31, 2009
The need for positive changes to our agrigcultural practices is overdo.
Please make the neccesary appointments that will reflect responsible leadership that will insure such positive change.
From Cathy Frank on Mon, November 02, 2009
Common sense and scientific evidence prove that unprocessed, unrefined foods are the best for human consumption. Health care reform includes preventive measures such as eating healthy fruits and vegetables with preservatives, pesticides, added sodium, etc.
