New USDA organic standards or Why our small farmers don't want certification

[shroomgirl]

Last weekend I set up a workshop for the famer's market...marketing, selling, booth appearance AND what's happening now with organic certification.

Well, it was the last section of the day and it ran over an hour...longer if you include the talking in the parking lot. I'm lining up a collaborative St. Louis forum so that this new ISSUE can be explained to groups in the community.
Basically the USDA's new regs have a minimum requirement and a maximum (which is rarely done)> This means that the local farmer can only claim organic if they are ceritfied using generally lower standards then they are using now. The word "Organic" is owned by the gov't and you may not use it if you aren't certified under their regs. These were essentially set-up for large companies that want to have a cut of the burgeoning organic market yet not put in the sustainable aspect....(ie monocropping verses multicrop). It HURTS our small farmers, ALOT> they explained how organic certification is set up (paper wise) to be used by large farmers....you have to fill out paper work on each variety of crop grown. It will kick them out of the
World Market, because the European and Japanese organic standards are much higher than those proposed.... with the maximum cap it will make American organic not in the running.
There are petitions being circulated now and I'll see about getting a site listed for those interested in finding out more or e-mailing the appropriate gov't body.
The gov't at it's worst.
I'm shaking my head as I write this wondering how after 10 years of setting this up the USDA arrived at such a highly contensious document.

Shroomgirl:

A wise friend of mine had a favorite quote:

"No matter what they tell you, they aren't telling you everything. No matter what they say they are talking about, they are talking about money."

Follow the money!

[shroomgirl]

I agree with that statement 95% of the time...there are still some politicians that have good ethics...it's just what do they have to compromise to get the legislation they want passed....

I was married for 15 years to an attorney, and the "no answer is an answer" hit home...as well as never assume anything.

Organics was always a movement about keeping the greed aspect out of farming UNTIL USDA came along. You are absolutely correct that the new regs are about making it possible for the corporations to get their share of the growing organic market.

[foodnfoto]

Is there a site where I can read the specifics of these new regulations?

http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/

[shroomgirl]

Thank you Crudeau!

Lynn Casper Rossetto talked on NPR yesterday about GM's being allowed in foods without labeling she said April 1st is the date for public response....anyone know an address for us to respond to....
TIA

Shroomgirl:

This is the best I can do for now. I will keep looking for other stuff:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/rulemaking/how2commentdraft.htm

Shroomgirl:

These people may be able to help you out:
http://www.nwrage.org/Resources.html

Shroomgirl:

Here are the proposed rules and it's from the FDA, not the USDA:
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/fr010118.html

[shroomgirl]

Thank you Crudeau!!! I asked the USDA extension service to come and answer questions from the general forum. Should be an interesting evening. 4/11 if you guys aren't doing anything......

[Papa]

Great Idea!

Thanks. I will be there!

[shroomgirl]

OOPs sorry guys, I reread what I'd typed and there is some ambiguity. They are speaking in St. Louis to the general public. I can see if they would like to answer questions here if you are interested.