Recent Changes To 'Organic' Regulations

[Guest guest]

A topic I KNOW interests quite a few of you!

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

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<http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/05/22/MNGMT6QD

0H1.DTL> ORGANIC FOOD FIGHT

Outcry over rule changes that allow more pesticides, hormones

- Carol Ness, <cness Chronicle Staff Writer

Saturday, May 22, 2004

 

 

A showdown is taking shape over the nation's organic food standards,

triggered by a spate of recent rule changes that some producers and

activists say are setting a pattern that could eventually render the

organic label meaningless.

 

The changes in the National Organic Program standards, made in April,

expand the use of antibiotics and hormones in organic dairy cows, allow

more pesticides in the organic arsenal and for the first time let

organic livestock eat potentially contaminated fishmeal.

 

 

Program administrators also reversed themselves and said seafood, pet

food and body care products can use " organic " on their labels without

meeting any standards at all.

 

 

And in what the $11 billion organic food industry, consumer and farm

groups call a dangerous precedent, program administrators made last

month's changes in three " guidances " and one " directive " without seeking

public comment or consulting with their own advisers on the National

Organics Standards Board.

 

 

" This is hugely terrible for the organic industry, " said Nancy

Hirshberg, a vice president at Stonyfield Farm, a New Hampshire organic

dairy whose yogurts are sold in the Bay Area. " It's a real weakening of

the standards. And it could have the effect of weakening consumer

confidence in the organic label. "

 

A coalition of organic interests, including the powerful Consumers

Union, says the interpretations represent major changes that could

threaten the integrity of the program, which set a high standard for

what products qualify as organic. And they say administrators risk

undermining trust in the program by leaving the public, including its

own advisory board, out of the decision- making.

 

 

Sounding a national alarm, the coalition is pressuring the U.S.

Department of Agriculture to retract the changes and keep the public

involved.

 

 

In both the House and Senate, letters calling on Agriculture Secretary

Ann Veneman to withdraw the documents are gathering bipartisan support.

And businesses that will lose money because of the changes are said to

be considering lawsuits.

 

 

" We are drawing a line in the organic soil, " said Bob Scowcroft of the

Organic Farming Research Foundation in Santa Cruz, who helped write the

organic standards.

 

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The rest of the article may be read here:

 

<http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/05/22/MNGMT6QD

0H1.DTL & type=printable>

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/05/22/MNGMT6QD0

H1.DTL & type=printable

or here:

<http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0522-09.htm>

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0522-09.htm