>And Jim, 90% of those AG imports to the US are subsidized by the exporting
>government to keep their Farmers and AG industries alive and well, clearly
>aware that our greedy, monopolistic food processors here have 'purchased'
>enough of our congressional Reps to eliminate both quality standards and any
>concern for the health of their own country's agricultural life. Jim, how
>would you get us 'independent' folks to organize, and fight this economic
>obscenity? Dick Conklin
For an insider's look at how the Congress and Senate (Democrat and
Republicans alike) operate under the influences of assorted lobby groups,
read "A National Party No More" by Sen. Zell Miller.
Not only did outgoing Health Secretary Tommy Thompson raise serious
concerns over terrorist threats to the US food supply, Sen. Miller details
similar terrorist opportunities on pages 153-155.
95% of all products imported to the US arrive through our 361 sea ports.
There are well over 6 million inbound shipping containers. Less than 2% of
these shipping containers are inspected. And less than 1% of all food
product imports are inspected.
Even with the passage of the Maritime Transportation Act in Nov. 2002,
inspection will not cover many more than the 2% inspected now. The US
Coast Guard has estimated it will take over $1 billion per year just to
meet the MTA baseline mandates.
What this amounts to is a big whopping taxpayer subsidy for companies
profiting by imports. When your Congressman holds his town meetings,
bring this to his attention. The US consumer would be far better served
with locally raised, safe food, which would create more marketshare for US
grazed beef, hogs, dairy products, lamb and chickens.
At the very least, the import companies should be paying 100% for port
inspections instead of a taxpayer subsidy.
Dave G.
