The Evil Stepmother and the Father Who Will Not See - the FDA/GMP is out to perpetuate the eternal scenario

As many of you know, I have fought for years against the creeping corporate takeover of indie and microbusinesses. Just search on this (my Anya's Garden blog) for IFRA, EU, FDA Globalization Act and government. But first, please read the link below, at the end of this blog. The future of our businesses is in immediate danger. I am horrified that several organizations that represent indie and microbusinesses are in lockstep with the FDA and tweeting and blogging about their 'victories" with legislators, either blinded or too blind to see the horrible demise in store for our businesses - they should be fighting the FDA, not kowtowing to it, giddy with "making progress". They're not, they're being fooled.

Please everyone - don't be the frog in the pot of cool water who never feels the heat being turned up until it is too late and he's cooked.

Read this following speech, given at the International Herb Symposium by Stephen Buhner and pass it around, and more importantly, ask those who are all puffed up and happy that the FDA and legislative lackeys of the corporate world that seeks to destroy our businesses why they don't see this coming:

http://www.gaianstudies.org/documents/IHSOPEN.pdf

The FDA Globalization Act of 2009 HR 759 will be released to the public today Jan 30, 2009

Click here to read or download a copy of HR 759, the FDA Globalization Act of 2009

The FDA Globalization Act of 2008, which died in committee in December was expected to be introduced this year modified and it's here, much earlier than expected. On Tuesday I called Rep. Janet Schakowsky's office because it had been reported earlier that she might be the one to reintroduce the bill. Her rep said it was "unclear" at this time if she would. Well, the next day, in true DC confabulation, it was introduced by Rep. Charles Dingell (DemMI) (the original author of the 2008 bill) and Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (DemNJ) as the FDA Globalization Act of 2009 HR 759.

Until the bill is released on the internet today for close examination, a cursory look indicates that they may have backed off on the high fees and registration hurdles (more fees) that they were aiming at us, the little guys of the cosmetics industry. This is what is gleaned from the press release, but I'm holding off until I read the entire bill.

However, in light of the recent peanut butter salmonella scandal, the timing is perfect for a real crackdown on the food industry. Diana Kaye of Terressentials and I recently gathered a number of volunteers and we're working to put together a campaign on the onerous, business-busting fees that are expected. A minimum fee of $10,000 is targeted at anyone who makes food - that includes the artisan bread makers, cheese makers, jam and jelly folks who sell at Farmers Markets and via tiny shops and the internet.

Even if we in the cosmetics industry are off the hook, we'll going forward with our team to work with the foodie industry artisans because as the old saying goes: United we stand, divided we fall.

So our guard is *not* down - I'll keep everyone posted, and I encourage you to follow me on Facebook and also Twitter.