Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

permaculture - Re: What a rip off don't let this happen

permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: permaculture

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: Judith Hanna <jehanna@gn.apc.org>
  • To: "permaculture" <permaculture@franklin.oit.unc.edu>
  • Subject: Re: What a rip off don't let this happen
  • Date: Tue, 25 Apr 2000 18:23:22 +0100


Dear Ava,

Thanks for your clear explanation of the current 'organic' state of play in
US. Your final para is absolutely right -- changing the overall system
means working within it, including making available the resources for the
'organic standards' body to sustain its work.

Judith



At 12:34 24/04/00, you wrote:
>Sal:
>
>I have to state that I honestly believe we have gotten what we asked for.
>But there is an Action Alert as the new proposed organic standards will not
>be final until after June 12. Everyone has been urged to state their
>support of the revised standards to the USDA to counteract any efforts that
>may be made to undermine the standards we have so valiantly fought for.
>
>The new organic standards guarantee: 1. no genetically engineered
>organisms 2. no use of toxic synthetic pesticides and fertilizers 3. no
>food irradiation 4. no sewage sludge 5. no growth hormones or overuse of
>antibiotics in animal production 6. strict requirements for safe use of
>manure 7. more humane animal-confinement provisions 8. an exemption to
>allow small-scale growers to sell up to $5,000.00 of organic produce per
>year without completeing the certification process.
>
>This is the first time USDA has responded to the wishes of consumers and
>supported an alternative that was opposed by USDA's "traditional"
>constituency which was the large food producers and agribusiness.
>Additional steps are being taken to promote organic agriculture, 5 million
>dollars will be added for research and development of new markets and
>improved production, and federal crop-insurance rules will change so that
>organic farmers can qualify now for the crop-insurance just as the chemical
>growers do now.
>
>In 1997 the USDA proposed national organic standards that could have
>allowed food to be labelled 'Organic' even if they had been grown using
>genetically modified organisms, sewage sludge, chemical pesticides and
>fertilizers, etc. etc. Those standards are much more objectionable the the
>standards we fought for and now, have, as long as we stay on top of it, so
>that the chemical-agriculture industry does not change the influence before
>June 12.
>
>Yes, if you want the standards of organic farming to stay pure, you must
>get certified, you must be tested, if the stamp isn't there, you could be
>purchasing genetically modified product. Unfortunately, there are many out
>there who would do exactly that and try to pass it off, succeed at it,
>which in turn would only hurt the true organic farmer, again!
>
>But, if we ask for our standards to be kept pure, and we fight to get it,
>do you really believe it wouldn't come with a price? They're not going to
>do all the testing, certification, etc. without someone paying for it.
>That would just be a pipe dream. What we need to do now is work together,
>become a unit so that no one adulterates what we've gained. Stay on top of
>the issue and IMPROVE upon it. The only way I've ever seen anything truly
>work, is to work WITHIN the system, not from the outside. Within is where
>we can make the difference, the only way we'll be able to monitor and
>improve. But if you get labelled a 'radical outsider' rather than someone
>with a 'conviction', you won't be heard, as the majority will turn a deaf
>ear toward you. We just have to keep working and make our intentions and
>our commitments pure and concise.
>
>Blessings,
>Ava
>
>---
>You are currently subscribed to permaculture as: jehanna@gn.apc.org
>To unsubscribe send a blank email to
$subst('Email.Unsub')
>To subscribe send email to lyris@franklin.oit.unc.edu
>with message text containing: subscribe permaculture
>
>
Judith Hanna
jehanna@gn.apc.org
15 Jansons Rd, Tottenham, London N15 4JU





Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page