Thanks Susan for forwarding this Washington Post article - very
interesting!
Some points that stand out for me:
* "An estimated 150,000 people flooded the Agriculture Department with
cards and letters during the four-month comment period on the proposal that
ended yesterday -- more comments than the department had ever received on
any single rule." A gold star to everyone who made that possible! It's
exciting to see us using our power and participating!
* The unnamed source speculates that the big 3 won't be allowed, but other
changes might not be made, so there's still much left to see.
* From what the unnamed source says, Glickman appears to NOT be putting the
redrafted rule out for public comment. I consider this a matter of high
concern. To me, the changes are going to need to be so drastic (because
they got it so wrong the first time) that we really won't have had a chance
to comment on what they come up with. They got it wrong, they need to
start over again, and we need to tell them that until they get it. There
are details that DO need public comment and decision, but we didn't even
get to discuss those issues, because of the huge problems with their
proposal. We need to see their next draft and have a conversation about
that if there's going to be any hope of them getting it right.
* I find it very ironic that Glickman is saying that after 7 years, we just
need to get the rule out - given that much of that time was spent
developing the NOSB version that the USDA largely blew off! In our
continued communications, we must make it clear that (1) it must be a good
rule or it does no good; (2) if he wants to get to the goal line quickly,
do what he should have done in the first place - start with OFPA, the NOSB
proposal, and the standards of organic organizations around the world. The
details have already been worked out, if only he would just follow them!!
Best regards -
Patricia Dines
Community Action Publications
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