3-5-98 This is something sent to me from another list. You may be interested. Thanks, Ben Poehlman [log in to unmask] P.S.-- I own a free environmental mailing list. If you are interested in joining (currently 60 members), e-mail me. --------- Begin forwarded message ---------- From: [log in to unmask] (Ben M Poehlman) To: [log in to unmask] Subject: <Forwarded Message> Date: Thu, 05 Mar 1998 17:35:17 EST Message-ID: <[log in to unmask]> --------- Begin forwarded message ---------- From: Janet Sawin <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Threat to organic foods standards Date: Wed, 4 Mar 1998 11:16:16 -0500 Message-ID: <[log in to unmask]> I thought this topic might be of interest to people on this list. Following is a letter that people might want to print and send to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Also, please post this on other lists where there might be an interest. Thanks! First some background info: The Organic Food Production Act of the 1990 Farm Bill called for the formation of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) to advise and make recommendations for the USDA on the formulation and implementation of the National Organic Program. The law stipulated that the NOSB's recommendations were to be the primary source of guidance to the USDA when the agency wrote regulations on organic standards. The NOSB worked for years to formulate regulations that represented a broad consensus of both organic producers and consumers. The USDA is now ignoring many of the critical recommendations made by the NOSB. The USDA did NOT incorporate the following NOSB recommendations into their regulations: 1) Categorically exclude genetically engineered organisms, agricultural inputs and processing agents from organic agriculture and production. AND YET, genetically engineered foods are not natural. The long-term effects on consumers, our global food supply and the environment are unknown; 2) Exclude all uses of irradiation in the preparation of organic foods. AND YET, the long-term health effects of food irradiation are unknown. The use of irradiation may actually reduce the incentive to develop systems to effectively prevent contamination in food production; 3) Bar the use of sewage sludge in organic farming. AND YET, municipal sewage sludge may contain heavy metals, chemicals and other toxins. The use of sludge is counter to the basic tenets of organic farming and the health effects are unknown; 4) Support the small farmers, certifiers, and processors as the backbone of organic farmer. AND YET, the lowest certification fees are set so high that small farmers, certifiers and processors, the historic pioneers of the organic movement, will have difficulty participating in the National Organic Program. *********************************************************************** (I did not write this letter, but picked it up in a natural foods market. Feel free to make your own changes, additions, etc.) *********************************************************************** TMD-94-00-2 Eileen S. Stommes, Deputy Administrator USDA-AMS-TM-NOP, AG Stop 0275, Room 4007-So. P.O. Box 96456 Washington, D.C. 20090-6456 (Fax: 202-690-4632) Dear Ms. Stommes: I am writing in response to the proposed National Organic Standards to let you know that I do not want genetically engineered organisms, processing agents or agricultural inputs to be allowed in organic farming and handling under any circumstances - even in a case by case basis. I also ask that you prohibit the use of irradiation and sewage sludge in organic farming and handling. And, I ask that the standard for the treatment of livestock and the feed structure for certification be consistent with the recommendations of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The NOSB represents a broad consensus of organic farmers, manufacturers and consumers regarding the principles of organic agriculture and food production. To formulate regulations that do not reflect their recommendations on genetic engineering, irradiation, sewage sludge, the needs of the small farmer and the treatment of animals will gravely weaken consumer confidence in the organic label and threaten the viability of this industry. Thank you for including my input in your final decision. Sincerely, Date: Name: Address: --------- End forwarded message ---------- _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866] --------- End forwarded message ---------- _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]