New York State Senator Kevin Parker called on the new Governor Andrew Cuomo to reverse former Governor David Paterson’s budget cuts, which eliminated the Kosher Law Enforcement (KLE) Division of the Department of Agriculture.
Governor Paterson’s removal of funding from the division had met with substantial opposition from among the 1.6 million kosher food consumers of New York.
“Cutting the KLE’s budget will have a detrimental effect on New York State’s robust kosher food market, which is the largest in the world after the State of Israel,” said Senator Parker.
“New Yorkers who adhere to kosher, halal and vegetarian diets for religious or health reasons spend approximately $1 billion on kosher certified products, and we owe it to those New Yorkers to continue New York’s century old practice of enforcing the consumer protection laws that safeguards the purity and authenticity of kosher products.”
New York is the United States’ largest producer and consumer of kosher products, and the existence of a strong KLE division is key to that dominant market position.
The $40 billion nationwide kosher food industry has important economic implications for this state, and New York’s immense share of that market has historically been guaranteed by its effective and respected Kosher Law Enforcement Division.
“The Kosher Law Enforcement Division has grown an industry that provides jobs for thousands of New Yorkers, and safe and reliable food for millions more. I respectfully urge Governor Cuomo to reverse Governor Paterson’s elimination of this important program,” Parker said.
Parker represents the 21st Senatorial District in Brooklyn, which includes Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington and Borough Park.
this inpection ensures tha if any camp shool butcher store product etc…………..claims they are kosher it must be kosher kahalacha. it is a part of consumer protection ensuring what is claimed on the product is true. it is extremley important that all kosher consumers continue to have this protection especially those that want kosher but are less knowledgable it is somthing lubavitch should be wworking to keep.
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Isn’t that the job of a Mashgiach?
They will soon institute a Kosher Tax and we’ll all be yellin’ and screamin’.
It’s better that there is less Government and less taxes, and sometimes we have to give up on a some services as well, I think we can make that sacrifice sometimes.
the govt. used to employ rabbis (many lubavitchers included) to do random inspections of food facilities that carry a hechsher to make sure it keeps to the rules. These rabbis have been laid off and there aren’t any more random inspections.
A few major kashrus problems have been averted through this vital work.
What exactly is the KLE?
What would be the difference with or without?
Good for us?
Thanks
…in dietary laws kept
-By Jews,
-For Jews
What gives?
Do we really want the humongous, expensive and inefficient NY government enveloped with our Kashrus?
Smells non-kosher.