why am I not surprised?
----- Original Message -----
From: "Debbie Neustadt" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 11:38 PM
Subject: Harkin Press Release on Organic Legislation


> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
> Contact: Bill Burton
> February 26, 2003
> 202-224-3652
>
>       HARKIN PROMOTES LEGISLATION TO
> REVERSE WEAKENING OF ORGANIC LABEL
>
> A bipartisan group of Senators, including Tom Harkin (D-IA), is
> introducing a bill today that would repeal a rider to the recent
> omnibus appropriations bill that created a broad exemption to
> the feed requirements for organic animal production.  This rider
> would allow animal products (meat, eggs, dairy) to carry the
> organic label even without the use of organic feed, unless USDA
> can prove that organic feed is commercially available for less
> than twice the price of conventional feed.
>
>
>
> The last-minute rider was never debated in either house, although
> it effectively guts the livestock requirements set by the
> National Organic Program by allowing livestock fed conventional
> feed to be labeled as "organic".  The bipartisan bill being
> introduced today would  undo this rider.
>
>
>
> "Since consumers are willing to pay a premium for
> organically-fed meat and poultry, why should Congress
> deny them what they want by devaluing the organic label?"
> asked Harkin.
>
>
>
> This feed exemption would be tremendously damaging
> to the organic industry which is the fastest-growing segment of
> American agriculture, with over $11 billion in sales.  In
> addition, consumers have responded favorably to the new organic
> labeling program.
>
>
>
> "Iowa has a big stake in this debate.  Iowa is the second largest
> producer of organic corn and soybeans, and an organic feed
> exemption just takes money directly out of Iowa organic farmer's
> pockets," said Harkin.
>
>
>
> The rider would allow animal products to be labeled "organic"
> even though they are not raised on organically-grown feed as
> required by organic regulations.  Certain poultry producers
> had previously requested this exemption from USDA last summer,
> but USDA Secretary Veneman denied the request.
>
>
>
> Harkin said, "Labeling a chicken as 'organic' even though it
> was fed non-organic feed is like calling orange-colored sugar
> water 'Florida orange juice' with the excuse that Florida
> oranges are too expensive.  This provision is simply a blatant fraud
> upon consumers slapped together in the dead of night."
>
>  "The willingness of Congress to stand behind the fundamental
> principles of organic food production is critical to the integrity of
> the organic seal. Organic agriculture is built upon trust; consumers
> trust that products carrying the organic seal have been
> produced and processed in accordance with organic standards."
>
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