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  • From: Pat Meadows <pat AT meadows.pair.com>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [Market-farming] Recent changes to 'organic' regulations
  • Date: Mon, 24 May 2004 11:41:14 -0400




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ORGANIC FOOD FIGHT
Outcry over rule changes that allow more pesticides,
hormones
- Carol Ness, 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. "

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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/MNGMT6QD0H1.DTL&type=printable

or here:

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

Pat
--
"Rats and roaches live by competition under the laws of
supply and demand. It is the privilege of human beings to
live under the laws of justice and mercy." - Wendell Berry





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