HARRISON A. WILLIAMS, JR., N.J., CHAIRMAN MAR °
JENNINGS RANDOLPH, W. VA. JACOB K. JAVITS, N.Y. ,

CLAIBORNE PELL, R.1. PETER H. DOMINICK, COLO.
EDWARD M. KENNEDY, MASS. RICHARD S. SCHWEIKER, PA.
GAYLORD NELSON, WIS. ROBERT TAFT, JR., OHIO
WALTER F. MONDALE, MINN. J. GLENN BEALL, JR., MD. o
THOMAS F. EAGLETON, MO. ROBERT T. STAFFORD, VT. ” et 4 a Dtat a5)
ALAN CRANSTON, CALIF. tle es erg e
HAROLD E. HUGHES, IOWA
WILLIAM D. HATHAWAY, MAINE COMMITTEE ON
LABOR AND P
STEWART E. MCCLURE, STAFF DIRECTOR UBLIC WELFARE
ROBERT E. NAGLE, GENERAL COUNSEL WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510

March 20, 1973

Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics
Stanford Medical Center

, California 94305

  
  
 

n see by the enclosed, we have asked for a description of
"sg grading and monitoring process for potatoes.

As regards compensation to farmers in the event of federal restrictions

on sale or recall of blighted or diseased potatoes, you may be interested
to know that both the Commerce and Judiciary Committees of the Senate
are examining the entire issue of federal indemnity, to try and determine
whether there should be a unified Federal policy in this area. This grew
out of a controversy that developed over a proposed indemnity for damages
alleged by the cyclamate ban, and passage of an indemnity provision in
the Hazardous Substances Act for pesticide bans.

We are still pondering proposed language that would require testing of food
additives for teratogenic and mutagenic damage effects, and provide for
the Secretary to allow substances that cause such damage, only if he makes
an affirmative finding that the public health hazard taused by withholding
the chemical exceeds that which would be caused by permitting its use.

Thank you for keeping us inf thoughts on these issues.

    
    
   
  

I have brought your concern on pota
Agriculture Committee and Snators
and Maine.

om pogato-producing states of Idaho

Regards,

perk ss

U.S. Senator

bligft to the attention of the Senate ‘

GN/jrw

Attachments

P.S. ~~ Presume you saw the article, "The Great Potato Debate", in
Medical World News, February 16, 1973, page 29.