So why does Harkin support food irradiation??
Tom Mathews

In a message dated 03-02-26 10:56:39 EST, you write:

<< 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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