Agricultural News
NACD Pleased with FDA Response to Stakeholder Input
Mon, 23 Dec 2013 11:39:31 CST
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) is encouraged that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has responded to stakeholder comments by announcing plans to propose revised rules for key provisions under the Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption. According to FDA, revisions to the proposed rules will include conservation-related provisions for water quality standards and testing as well as standards for using raw manure and compost.
"We are pleased that FDA has responded to the input of NACD and other stakeholders by committing to make changes to several key provisions of its proposed Food Safety Modernization Act rules impacting farmers and landowners," said NACD President Earl Garber. "NACD looks forward to continuing to work with FDA throughout the extended rule-making process to ensure the final rules accomplish our shared goals of improving food safety through conservation efforts in a sustainable and accountable manner that considers current conservation best management practices."
NACD submitted comments on the proposed rule last month.
As FDA works on changes to the proposed rule, NACD continues to encourage the agency to consider the impact on voluntary on-farm conservation and land management practices where USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Technical Standards are currently in place, especially relating to agricultural water and biological soil amendments of animal origin. NACD also supports the decision for FDA to perform an Environmental Impact Statement on this rule before implementation.
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