I have been watching "Organic Marketing " concepts since 1990. It has
always been very frustrating as there was no one recognized standard to
try and achieve if a bee keeper wants to produce and sell "Certified
Organic " honey. I also discovered that the two state organic certification
organizations recognized by the State of Hawaii to certify organic
operations did not have any requirements established for honey
production and so I was faced with dealing with one  of the mainland
USA certification companies talked to several and have in my files
the regulation requirements from several of the companies. When
I inquired about fees I was told between $2,000 and $3,000 (US) dollars
for a producer and another set of fees to be a packer. I would also be
responsible for transpiration costs for the inspectors. Bottom line is
much confusion and high fees and uncertainty which organization's
seal of approval would have the best world wide recognition.
 
 Other countries are producing and labeling honey as certified
organic and selling it around the world. Some bigger US packers are
doing "Certified Organic" honey and a  load of US packers and
producers have been labeling and selling "Organic " honey trying
to market their honey. USA honey producers need to level the playing
field on this marketing issue. The "Certified Organic" concept has
been coming for a long time and with out direction or enforcement
ability.
 
 I can see the frustration this issue will cause for producers
that can not  comply with  the regulations and for the producers that
feel that they can comply realistic standards are needed. I have
looked at the huge Federal Registry posting (115 pages) and I do
not know what they are proposing in total for certified organic honey.
From my prospective this group should take a leadership role in this
issue and speak as a group with constructive comments and changes
so that this organic issue gets resolved to be as realistic as possible.
I firmly believe that organic standards will be adopted by the USDA
and that the beekeepers will be better served to participate with the
process rather to try and tear it apart because of our collective distrust
of government. I totally agree with the mistrust and this organic issue
will be resolved with or without producer participation.
 
The big packers with the help of the National Honey Board
are spending big money helping well financed honey packers to
attempt to market US honey  in foreign countries and they want the
marketing advantage of labeling certified organic and as usual big
money will get it's way.
 
 Soo my suggestion is that by some process this list gets
a good set of definitions from the USDA that will effect honey
production and that it gets posted so that all can submit their
comments during the comment period so that beekeepers can
have a say in this marketing issue. Be sure the packers will let
their feelings be known as they spread a little {$$} & honey
around D.C.
 
Credit should be given Washington for getting this very
complicated issue on the public domain like the net.  I hope the
USDA will disclose as well about their intentions regarding
AU. & NZ. Honolulu airport honeybee import issue and let us all
know about the posting  on the national news.( another issue)
United our voice is stronger and we will never be united in one
voice, and getting  the hard rules up for conversation will be a
more productive use of this " THINK TANK OF BEEKEEPERS "
Great ideas and understanding comes from the comments of
this group of keepers & lovers of bees.
 
 God Bless America and God Bless Honeybees and the rest of us.
 
                                Walter
 
         Walter & Elisabeth Patton    808-964-5401   Hawaii Time ?
 
 
      Hale Lamalani B & B             Hawaiian Honey House
  House of Heavenly Light     Beekeepers & Honeypackers
       Bed & Breakfast                   100 % Hawaii Honey
 www.hawaiihoney.com          [log in to unmask]
         27-703 A. Ka`ie`ie Rd., Papa`ikou, Hawaii  96781
 
 
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