/* Written 6:58 AM  Dec 11, 1998 by [email protected] in bitl.sanet */
/* ---------- "Join the SOS-Save Organic Standards" ---------- */

S.O.S. SAVE ORGANIC STANDARDS! ROUND TWO
_____________________________________________
NATIONWIDE BATTLE CONTINUES

Earlier this year the U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed national
organic standards that were so weak, they threatened the entire future of
organic foods. In response over 275,000 people wrote the USDA demanding
that these proposed organic rules be changed. The USDA backed off
temporarily, but is expected to issue a new set of highly controversial
regulations later this year or early in 1999.

There are conflicting factions inside the Clinton administration. While
some have heard the thunderous response from consumers, others are as ready
as ever to: lower pre-existing organic standards, allow industrial-style
factory farming, and suppress the free speech of the organic community by
making it illegal to set standards higher than the USDA's.

Consumer rebellion has forced the USDA to temporarily back down on the "Big
Three," genetically engineered food, toxic sludge, and nuclear irradiation.
But most organic consumers have dozens of additional objections to
regulations which disregard almost entirely the recommendations of the
National Organic Standards Board. We remain concerned that agribusiness and
its friends inside the USDA will subvert those legitimately seeking change
and once again propose federal regulations which include:

TOTAL GOVERNMENT CONTROL

* The USDA will possess a "legal monopoly" over the word "organic." Only
one organic label, "USDA Organic" will be allowed. The USDA will have the
sole power to appoint members to the National Organic Standards Board,
giving them the ability to weaken standards by "stacking" the NOSB with
appointees sympathetic to industrial agriculture and genetic engineering.

OUTLAWS HIGHER STANDARDS

* The new laws will make it illegal for private, non-governmental organic
certifiers to uphold higher standards than the minimum standards dictated
by the USDA. The rules will also ban "eco-labels," making it illegal to
even imply through labeling or advertising that a product exceeds USDA
standards.

FACTORY FARMING

* "USDA Organic" will allow inhumane, intensive confinement of farm animals
and a host of other industrial, factory farm production practices
(non-organic feed, toxic inert ingredients in pesticides, antibiotics,
additional synthetic chemicals, etc.).

THREATENS SMALL FARMERS

* The USDA's proposed fees for government certification and/or residue
testing will be prohibitively expensive for small and medium-sized farmers,
certifiers, and producers.

____________________________________________________________
SAVE ORGANIC STANDARDS! IT'S IN OUR HANDS!

This year's mass outcry from organic consumers, producers, and farmers to
the USDA's first proposed organic rules made history--with over 275,000
official comments. The SOS campaign has now given birth to Organic
Consumers Action--a nationwide grassroots organization dedicated to
protecting the integrity of organic food and promoting sustainable
agriculture.

 JOIN Organic Consumers Action (OCA) in your local area. If you want to
become a member or make a donation--call 218-726-1443 or e-mail us at:
<[email protected]> Before the USDA issues its new proposed organic
regulations you will be contacted by an OCA volunteer in your local area.

 VOLUNTEER to become part of an OCA Coordination Team in your area. Help
us mobilize consumers and retailers, carry out public education and events,
and generate media coverage.

 ASK your local natural food stores, coops, community restaurants, and
farmers markets to contact the OCA campaign so that we can send them
posters and literature.

 SUBSCRIBE to Food Bytes, our free electronic newsletter, by sending an
e-mail to:
[email protected]
with the simple message in the body of your email:
subscribe pure-food-action

If you don't have access to a computer, and want to receive Food Bytes by
mail, send us $20 for a year subscription.


 Visit our web sites (and links) regularly for updates and background
information:
http://www.purefood.org
http://www.icta.org

 SEND us a letter, fax, or e-mail which we will forward to President
Clinton and Vice-President Gore, your U.S. Senators, and Congressional
Representative. Tell your elected public officials that you want the USDA
to preserve strict organic standards, and that any final rule must not
contain any of the objectionable provisions outlined in this leaflet.
Demand especially that the USDA allow private, non-governmental organic
certification bodies to maintain and publicize stricter organic standards
than the minimum standards proposed by the USDA.


Organic Consumers Action
860 Highway 61
Little Marais, Minnesota 55614
Tel. 218-726-4792
Fax. 218-226-4157
e-mail <[email protected]>
http://www.purefood.org




Ronnie Cummins
Campaign for Food Safety/Organic Consumers Action
860 Hwy 61
Little Marais, Mn. 55614
Tel. 218-226-4164
Fax 218-226-4157
email [email protected]
http://www.purefood.org
To subscribe to the free electronic newsletter, Food Bytes, send an email to:
[email protected]
with the simple message:
subscribe pure-food-action



Debbie Dunbar Ortman
National Field Organizer
Organic Consumers Action
3547 Haines Rd.
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 726-1443
(218) 726-1446 Fax
[email protected]
http://www.purefood.org
Join the Organic Consumers Action in
your local area. If you want to become a member or a volunteer--or make a
donation--call (218)726-1443
To subscribe to the free electronic newsletter, Food Bytes, send an email
to: [email protected]
with the simple message: subscribe pure-food-action