Server: Microsoft-IIS/3.0 Date: Mon, 29 Dec 1997 10:52:08 GMT Content-Type: text/html Accept-Ranges: bytes Last-Modified: Thu, 18 Dec 1997 17:36:19 GMT Content-Length: 16773 Wild Oats Organic Resource Center

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The following information comes directly from the National Organic Program's Question & Answer page:


Does the proposed rule permit genetically engineered organisms to be used in organic production?

The OFPA does not specifically address the use of genetically engineered organisms. The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) recommended that genetically engineered organisms be prohibited from being labeled as organically produced. The policy of the United States Government is that genetically engineered organisms and their products should be regulated on risk, not on how they are produced. We are requesting public input on whether the use of genetically engineered organisms or their products in organic farming and handling should be permitted, prohibited, or allowed on a case-by-case basis.


How does the proposed rule address the subject of irradiation of organic foods?

The Food and Drug Administration has allowed irradiation to be used on food products other than red meat for several years, and in early December 1997, approved its use on red meat. The OFPA does not specifically address the use of irradiation. The NOSB has recommended, consistent with most existing State and private certification agency organic standards, that the use of irradiation be prohibited in handling organic products. We are requesting public comment concerning the subject of irradiation of organic products in order to evaluate its compatibility with the principles of organic handling.


How does the proposed rule address the use of raw manure in growing organic foods?

Most existing State and private certification agency organic standards restrict the use of raw manure by imposing certain conditions on its use on land used to grow crops intended for human consumption. The OFPA and the proposed rule provide for the use of raw manure on land that is not used to grow crops for human consumption. Although we acknowledge that the use of animal manure, whether applied directly to a field or composted, is common in organic agriculture, there is inadequate data to make the determinations necessary regarding the safety of the crop after application of raw manure. The proposed rule requests public input on guidelines for the use of raw and composted livestock manure in organic production of food intended for human consumption that should be included in the final rule to ensure safety of organic food. This is consistent with the efforts currently being pursued by USDA and FDA to address food safety issues regarding the use of manure in agricultural production.


How are the issues of antibiotic use and living conditions for organic livestock production dealt with in the proposed rule?

The proposed organic livestock standards require that preventive management measures, such as access to outdoors, space for movement, and appropriate living conditions, be established to maintain animal health without the use of drugs. The proposed standards, however, provide for appropriate flexibility to, for example, protect animals during inclement weather or to isolate sick animals. The proposed rule would permit drugs to be used in certain circumstances to treat illness or injury, when necessary. Products, such as milk or eggs, from a treated animal could not be labeled "organic" until the applicable FDA-established withdrawal period for the drug had passed and the animal had recovered from its illness or injury. The OFPA does not permit any hormones, antibiotics, or other growth stimulants to be fed to animals in the absence of illness or for the purpose of stimulating weight gain.



Should "organic"
exclude "genetically engineered"?


Yes! I don't care


What's happening?
The USDA released its proposed National Organic Standards on December 15, 1997, for a 90-day public review.

Why should I care?
The proposed standards would allow genetically modified plants and irradiated foods to be labeled as "organic."

What can I do?
Go to the National Organic Program's "Comment" page, select "National List," and write why you think "organic" should exclude genetically modified plants and irradiated foods.


Organic Trade Association Concerned That Standards May Not Be Strict Enough

December 15 - Katherine DiMatteo, Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association (OTA), announced today the association's preliminary assessment of the USDA's proposed national organic standards.

"We've been very supportive and involved in the development of federal organic regulations that meet our industry's high standards for organic," said DiMatteo.

"However, we are very disappointed that the Preamble to the Standards contains questions relating to the potential inclusion of genetically modified organisms, food irradiation, the use of antibiotics in livestock and dairy production and the use of sewage sludge. These practices have never been a part of organic agriculture and we will fight to keep them out of the final regulations." (see Q&A at left).


Benefits to Consumers

Once the national standards are in effect, all agricultural products labeled "organic" will have to be in compliance with the U.S. organic law. Product labels will indicate that products have been processed in accordance with the law and that a USDA-approved certifier has verified that the product meets or exceeds the defined standards of organic. "When consumers see the word 'organic,' they will know that the product has been grown and processed with the same standards and regulations throughout the country," said Mark Retzloff, President of the OTA Board of Directors.


History of The National Organic Standards

The federal government, as part of the 1990 Farm Bill, passed the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA). The purpose of the Act is to establish national standards for the production and handling of foods labeled "organic," and therefore, guarantee a consistent standard for organic from state to state. Currently, 17 states and 33 private certification organizations verify the integrity of organic products. The release of the USDA's proposed national organic program is the next step in the evolution of organic standards.

The passage of the OFPA created the National Organic Program (NOP) within the Agricultural Marketing Service of the USDA. The NOP will implement the organic standards once the final rules are signed by Secretary of Agricuture Dan Glickman. The NOP's role is to approve state agencies and private organizations that will certify organic producers and handlers, and to oversee the enforcement of the organic standards.

The Act authorized the formation of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) to advise the Secretary of Agriculture in setting the standards for the National Organic Program. The NOSB based their recommendations on industry consensus. They asked for and received an unprecedented amount of public input from farmers, businesses and consumers during every step of their three year decision-making process. The NOSB consists of four farmers, two handlers/processors, one retailer, one scientist, three consumer/public interest advocates and three environmentalists.


The above information comes directly from a December 15 press release from the Organic Trade Assocition.

Organic Foods

Cascadian Farmsoutlines Recommendations of the National Organic Standards Board

The Organic Foods Production Act
The National Organic Program
The National Organic Standards Board
Organic Certification
Accreditation of Certifying Agents
Organic Crop Production Standards
Organic Livestock Production
Organic Processing, Handling and Labeling
Imported Products
Enforcement and Penalties
The National List of Materials
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations
Who's Who at the USDA
Who's Who at the FDA
Resource List

Biotech Foods

Roundup Ready Cotton Fails: A Biotech Disaster
The FDA's policy on Biotechnology
EU Countries Require Biotech Labeling
(From Natural Foods Merchandiser, August '97)

Monsanto's Website
(creators of Round-Up Ready Soybeans® and Posilac® (rBGH), and NutraSweet

* Here's Monsanto's "fun" attempt at educating children about the values of genetic engineering.

The Natural Law Party's
Genetic Engineering main page
The Alliance For Bio-Integrity
The Council For Responsible Genetics
Campaign To Ban Genetically Engineered Foods


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