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  • From: "Lawrence F. London, Jr." <london AT metalab.unc.edu>
  • To: market-farming AT franklin.oit.unc.edu
  • Subject: PANUPS: Action Alert: Organic Standards (fwd)
  • Date: Mon, 5 Jun 2000 21:18:06 -0400 (EDT)



---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 05 Jun 2000 15:15:25 -0700
From: PANUPS <panupdates AT panna.org>
To: PANUPS <panups AT igc.topica.com>
Subject: PANUPS: Action Alert: Organic Standards

===========================================
P A N U P S
Pesticide Action Network Updates Service
===========================================
Action Alert: Organic Standards

June 5, 2000

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its new proposal for
national organic food standards in March 2000. While USDA fixed many
problems identified in the 275,000 public comments submitted on the draft
standards two years ago, it has not completely closed loopholes that would
allow use of genetic engineering, irradiation and sewage sludge at some time
in the future. The new proposed standards also allow animal factories to be
considered organic, and impose fees that will drive small family farmers out
of organic agriculture. In addition, the proposal does not provide leeway
for farmers and certifiers to improve and strengthen organic standards.

This is the final round--the public's last chance for comments on organic
standards. Tell USDA to adopt a rule that guarantees strong national organic
standards. The Department is accepting comments through June 12, 2000.

Call on USDA to take the following actions:

1. Genetic engineering, irradiation, and sewage sludge should be prohibited
from all aspects of organic production because of health and environmental
impacts, and should not be subject to future approval on a case-by-case
review. Irradiation must be defined; and burned sewage sludge (ash) should
not be allowed because it is toxic. [Sections 205.2, 205.204(b), 205.206(f),
205.236(b)(3), 205.270(b)(2)]

2. Keep animal factories out of organic. Eliminate the loopholes and require
pasture-based systems for ruminants and true outdoor access for all farm
animals. Physical alterations of animals should not be allowed without
formal National Organic Standard Board (NOSB) review. [Sections 205.238,
205.239]

3. Don't hold organic farmers responsible for the polluting action of
others: gene pollution, chemical drift, and federal and state mandatory
spray programs. Farmers cannot and should not have to control pollution from
outside sources. Polluters must be held responsible. [Sections 205.201]

4. Don't harm small farmers. The USDA proposal must provide lower fees for
family farmers and develop a cost share program for small farmers. To
support small farmers in the global south, USDA should follow the NOSB's
recommendations on imports. [Sections 205.236, 205.500, 205.640, 205.642]

5. Specify systems for enforcing organic standards. The standards must spell
out specific responsibilities and authorities of states, private certifiers,
federal agencies, and citizens to make complaints, investigate violations,
halt sale of products, and impose penalties. [Sections 205.400; 205.404;
202.405; 205.660]

6. Equalize the public/private partnership. The new standards should allow
for continued higher standards and farmer innovation; keep the private
certifier system; maintain high levels of public participation in the
ongoing development of standards and implementation of the program.
[Sections 205.400, 205.501, 205.505, 205.507]

7. Maintain high standards. The USDA proposal did make substantial progress
in a number of areas. Tell USDA not to back down on its ban on the feeding
of animal products back to animals (helping prevent Mad Cow Disease);
requirement of 100% organic animal feeds; and recognition of NOSB's
authority over the National List of prohibited and allowed substances; and
creation of the 100% organic label.

DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS IS JUNE 12, 2000

Submit written comments with section numbers (bracketed numbers above) to:

Keith Jones, Program Manager, National Organic Program
USDA-AMS-TMP-NOP, Room 2945-So, Ag Stop 0275, P.O. Box 96456,
Washington, D.C. 20090-6456.

Fax comments to (703) 365-0760; or comment directly at
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/.

Be sure to refer to Docket Number TMD-00-02-PR2 in all comments.

View the proposed rule: March 13, 2000 edition of the Federal Register
(available at most libraries) or at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/.

For more information:

http://www.SustainableAgriculture.net
http://www.rafiusa.org
http://www.ucsusa.org
http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org.

Source: Organic Watch action alert, May 15, 2000. (Organic Watch is a
project of the Center for Food Safety, Humane Society of the United States
and Rural Advancement Foundation International.)

PANUPS is a weekly email news service providing resource guides and
reporting on pesticide issues that don't always get coverage by the
mainstream media. It's produced by Pesticide Action Network North America, a
non-profit and non-governmental organization working to advance sustainable
alternatives to pesticides worldwide.

You can join our efforts! We gladly accept donations for our work and all
contributions are tax deductible in the United States. Visit our extensive
web site at http://www.panna.org to learn more about getting involved.

===========================================
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Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA)
49 Powell St., Suite 500, San Francisco, CA 94102 USA
Phone: (415) 981-1771
Fax: (415) 981-1991
Email: panna AT panna.org
Web: http://www.panna.org
===========================================

<>
Lawrence F. London, Jr. Venaura Farm ICQ#27930345
lflondon AT mindspring.com london AT metalab.unc.edu
metalab.unc.edu/intergarden InterGarden
metalab.unc.edu/permaculture PermaSphere
metalab.unc.edu/intergarden/orgfarm AGINFO






  • PANUPS: Action Alert: Organic Standards (fwd), Lawrence F. London, Jr., 06/05/2000

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