Food Safety Issues

It's a catch twenty-two and a problem I'm not sure anyone really has the correct answer to. I'm referring to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's preparing to instigate new food safety rules, rules that many small farm operations fear will result in a one size does not fit all blanket. With the numerous food safety issues the FDA has been forced to deal with over the last several months there's no question that there's room for improvement in inspecting and regulating food safety. But would requiring small farming operations to adhere to the same food safety regulations and licensing as major food producers result in anything more than driving small farmers completely out of business and into financial ruin; and in many instances result in the loss of a farm that has been in a family for generations? Most small farms deal directly with their local communities, a built in traceability. Should the FDA improve their agency's food safety protocol? Yes. Should all farming operations be considered equal when it comes to regulating and licensing? I don't know. Hopefully the FDA's insight and foresight into this issue will be far better than mine. If not, it could mean a tragic demise to the small family farm in America.