| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 11, 2001 |
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Food and Commercial Workers Stand Firm for Federal Meat Inspection Regulations American consumers deserve the safest and highest quality food this nation has to offer. Yet efforts are currently underway in the U.S. Senate to undermine the Federal Meat Inspection Act, the federal law that governs meat inspections. An amendment is expected to be offered to the Agriculture Conservation and Rural Enhancement Act of 2001, or the Farm Bill, which will permit state-inspected meat and poultry products to be shipped in interstate commerce. Currently, meat and poultry products are inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Federal Meat Inspection Act requires USDA approval for interstate shipment. The exemption which allows small processors to be inspected by state inspectors includes a proviso prohibiting interstate shipment, and permitting the sale only within the state. In a letter recently sent to the U. S Senate, the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) and the American Federation of Government Employees reminded Senators that, "State systems are supposed to be 'equivalent'-- but they are not." The unions cited several reports that state inspection systems are weaker than the federal law. In the wake of the September 11th attack on America and subsequent anthrax attacks across the country, American consumers demand the highest level of food inspection possible. Now is the time to strengthen food safety laws and consumer confidence in the nation's meat supply. "The United States Senate should not put consumers at risk this way" said Pat Scarcelli, UFCW International Vice President and Director of the Legislative and Political Affairs Department.. "Americans want better protection for the food they eat - not less." The UFCW is joined by the nation's leading consumer organizations, including the American Public Health Association, the Consumer Federation of America and Center for Science in the Public Interest, in calling for the protection the federal meat inspection system. The proposal to shift the burden of meat inspection programs from federal to state level would compromise the quality of the nation's meat supply. The proposed amendment to the Farm Bill would threaten food safety and consumer confidence. The UFCW represents 1.4 million workers in the meat packing, retail food, health care and other industries. The UFCW has been a leading organization in the fight for safe food and consumer protection. United Food and Commercial Workers: A Voice for Working America --www.ufcw.org |
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