Editorial: The End Of The Beginning

Part of me wants to say: “Well, there you have it.” American Vegetable Grower and sister publications American Fruit Grower, Western Fruit Grower and Florida Grower magazines have presented you with in-depth coverage, both in print and on GrowingProduce.com, on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Throughout the pages of this issue, we have discussed the critical focal points of the legislation that will affect your operation, the impact on third-party audits, what other grower groups are currently doing regarding food safety, providing GAPs training to all growers, and much more.

The reality, however, is that much of the real work starts now. The Food Safety Modernization Act may be law but the nitty gritty of the rules have yet to be hammered out by FDA.

During the past several months, we have kept you abreast of the developments with the legislation and how it all but died near the end of the year. Several of you let us know how you felt about the then-pending legislation — for better or for worse (see “Your Voice” on page 30).

For those of you who still feel that the FSMA should have included all farms — no exemptions — or for those who think that Washington is overstepping its bounds, don’t let your anger cloud your judgment. With the passage of this legislation, FDA now wields tremendous power over the nation’s food supply. It is critical that you make sure your voice is heard as the rules are unfolding. Take this opportunity to work in cooperation with FDA in the interpretation of the food safety law. If you aren’t sure where to start to become involved, contact your local farm bureau.

Money Talks

Now that the aspects of the legislation have been discussed, the most immediate need is to determine how the new law will be funded. In last month’s editorial, I said that the government estimates it will need $1.4 billion to sustain the food safety laws for the first five years. One major order of business will be to hire an estimated 2,000 FDA inspectors.

How will FDA get that kind of money? Well, as part of President Obama’s fiscal year 2012 budget, FDA is requesting a $4.3 billion budget. This is a 33% increase over the 2010 budget. The new budget takes the FSMA and other FDA priorities into consideration.

The increase in funding will obviously be necessary given the scope of FDA’s top-down approach to food safety. In a recent press release, Dr. Margaret Hamburg, FDA’s commissioner of food and drugs, said that “The new budget contains new resources so that FDA can fulfill its growing responsibilities to the American public.”

An Uphill Battle

There is no doubt that implementing FDA’s “growing responsibilities” will have a hefty price tag associated with it. We’ve all heard the expression, “fighting an uphill battle.” Well, the job placed in FDA’s lap defines that expression. Securing that kind of funding in the current economy is another matter entirely, and, quite frankly could be the topic of another column.

So, I really can’t say: “There you have it,” because this is definitely not the end. Yes, the legislation has been passed, so that part is done. Many factors associated with the legislation, with funding being a big one, will have a tremendous impact on the outcome and how quickly the plan is executed.

As Winston Churchill once said: “It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”