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Bioterrorism Rules to Affect More Than Just Livestock Owners
The federal government’s efforts to protect the nation’s food supply seem to have impacted everyone
from backyard farmers to large-scale livestock producers. Now it will impact even more agricultural producers—hay growers.
According to a Food and Drug Administration spokesman, even farmers who sell only hay must be in accordance
with the Bioterrorism Act of 2002; mainly with their record keeping.
Any hay-growing operation with more than 11 full-time employees must record the field that each load of hay
came from; the truck that hauled the hay; the name and contact information of the driver, and the people who helped load and
unload it; the name and address of the hay purchaser; and the date the hay arrived.
The goal of this program is the same as the animal ID: To be able to trace any feed contamination problem back
to its source. According to the 2002 law, it applies to “persons that manufacture, process, pack, transport, distribute,
receive, hold or import food.” Animal feed is included in the FDA definition of food.
Grain elevators, feed manufacturers, alfalfa processors and other businesses that process or store farm products
must also comply.
The implementation date for hay growers with more than 11 employees is June 6, 2006; smaller operations must
comply by December 9. --SEC
“Under the Bioterrorism Act, farms are exempt from all recordkeeping requirements, and
commercial hay producers are considered under the "farm" category.
However, transporters of products that are being bought
and sold between farms are required to keep records under the Bioterrorism Act. So if commercial hay producers or truckers
receive hay for redistribution or if they transport hay to another farm under a different ownership, they will need to establish
and maintain records for this portion of their activity -- only the distribution
and transporting portion. “The
records required are found in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1.352 located at the following URL:
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fr04d09a.html#sec1-352. The records that need to be kept by the transporter, in plain language terms, are: names of seller
and buyer, origin and delivery points [addresses], dates of shipment, number of packages (bales in this case), product description,
how they moved product (e.g. truck), and any transfer points of product, if any. It is important to note that the
Bioterrorism
Act does not have any new labeling requirements associated with it.”
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http://southeastfarmpress.com/news/103106-hay-storage/ Oct 31, 2006 9:59 AM
What a deal you can get up to $3500. and sign up your premises for a hay storage building, I wonder if they have
to pay it back or is this a bribe like the vise grips...they even dictate HOW TO build it... And the Farm
Service Agency, UT Extension, Farm Bureau or Co-op locations are helping in the Registration of Property all for a BRIBE of
TAXPAYERS MONEY!!!
Which we will reference back to the USDA Cooperative Agreements as "Incentives" and again in
the Draft Strategic Plan, page 2 stating: Flexible – The NAIS must allow
producers to use NAIS in coordination with production management systems, marketing incentives, etc.
On page 13 DSP: Flexible – The NAIS must allow producers to use NAIS in coordination
with production management systems, marketing
incentives, etc., allowing for the transition to a “one number
– one
animal” system for disease control programs and other industry
administered programs.
Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens recently announced the Department of Agriculture will begin accepting applications
for cost share assistance Jan. 1, 2007 from state farmers interested in building new hay storage structures.
“The quality of hay production and storage has a direct impact on the quality and health of cattle,” said Givens.
“If we can help farmers improve forage nutrition and handling, then we can make a difference on their bottom line through
better cattle management and marketability of their livestock. This is simply an expansion of our ongoing efforts to increase
farm profitability through better cattle genetics, health and handling.”
Givens is expected to formally announce the program during the annual Tennessee Forage and Grassland Council Meeting on
Nov. 3 at Ellington Agricultural Center in Nashville.
The department has allocated $1 million for the hay storage initiative from the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program
(TAEP), established by Governor Phil Bredesen and funded by the Tennessee General Assembly.
Beginning Jan. 1, cattle and hay producers can apply for 35 percent cost share assistance, up to $3,500, toward the construction
of a new hay storage structure, or an addition to an existing structure. Building sites must be well-drained and flooring
must be concrete or 4 to 6 inches of gravel on plastic. Acceptable roofing materials include metal, shingles or polymer coated
fabric.
To be eligible, farmers must be a Tennessee resident and operate a farm or agri-business located in the state with at least
10 head of cattle or 50 acres of hay production. Producers with livestock must also register their
premises with the National Animal Identification System. Livestock premises can be registered at most Farm Service Agency,
UT Extension, Farm Bureau or Co-op locations, or online at www.tennessee.gov/agriculture/tpis.
Only projects that are approved in advance by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture will be eligible for cost share assistance.
Farmers will be limited to one application per fiscal year, and funding is on a “first come, first serve” basis.
Once approved, farmers will have until Dec. 31, 2007 to complete approved activities and reimbursement requirements.
Applications for hay storage cost share are expected to be available Dec. 1 on the department’s Web site and at most
local farm service centers and farm suppliers. Only applications postmarked Jan. 1, 2007 or after will be accepted, and farmers
will have until April 1, 2007 to apply. For more information about the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program’s
hay storage initiative call (615) 837-5323 or visit online at www.picktnproducts.org.
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