Farmworkers' Safety Still Ignored by Congressional Supporters of Ag.

Written by Bruce Goldstein Friday, 13 November 2009 11:25

What's missing from this press release about a bill to provide funding for grants to conduct research and development to help improve food safety?

"WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. today introduced S. 2758, the Growing Safe Food Act, to help farmers and food processors ensure the safety of our nation's food supply. The bill was introduced with six co-sponsors: Sens. Bingaman, Boxer, Gillibrand, Leahy, Merkley, and Sanders. The Senate is currently considering food safety reform proposals that would increase FDA food inspections and improve our food safety system. This bill will provide small and medium sized farmers, food processors, and wholesalers technical assistance and education to effectively implement these new reforms."

You guessed it: farmworkers. The people who cultivate, harvest and pack fruits and vegetables are omitted. Yet they perform one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States. Farmworkers are hit with the first dose of the pesticides and disease that consumers fear. They need much greater research and development on health risks and ways to improve occupational safety in the fields.

This bill is aimed at food safety but is written so that the funding goes to farmers and to organizations that will study the needs of farmers. Farmworkers are left out. We and others are pressing for more research on safety in the fields for agricultural workers. We'll keep you informed.

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