Another sound bite I heard in Washington last weekend was "What should replace USDA?"
Are these related? If so, don't forget the sustainable foresty folks.
Jim Worstell, Delta Land & Community
920 Hwy 153, Almyra, AR 72003
Phone: 870-673-6346 Fax: 870-673-7219
www.deltanetwork.org jvworstell@futura.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Erorganic [SMTP:Erorganic@aol.com]
Sent: Sunday, May 10, 1998 10:32 PM
To: sanet-mg@shasta.ces.ncsu.edu; dbriars@sover.net
Subject: A Call for a New Food Movement
Response to Paul Fleckenstein and Michael Colby
Let me comment on the first part of the trestie, "A Call for a New Food
Movement," the sections before "Creating a new movement."
Let me state clearly that your article Michael is poorly researched and
presents unfactual information on many counts. Michael Colby is unfamiliar
with the organic farming, certification, handling and marketing movement, both
its historic development and who really drives the movement today--the
consumer. Further, Mr Colby does not offer the slightest respect for the
absolutely groundbreaking work certified organic farmers and handlers as well
as organic certifiers have done for more than 25 years to develop a market
driven, localized, environmentally sound, healthy food and fiber supply.
Some facts:
The Organic Foods Production Act is outstandingly well written for all
stakeholders in the organic community, for improvement of the environment and
opening new markets for small to medium size farms and businesses.
The error of USDA/NOP staff, the NOSB, the Organic Trade Association, most
organic certifiers and a large number of processors of organic products is
they all want to pervert the Organic Foods Production Act to their self
interest. The Organic Foods Production Act as passed by Congress, if
promulgated into a consistent rule following the criteria and details set
forth in the Administrative Procedures Act, would so advance the causes of
health, environment, small to moderate size farms and handling businesses and
trust between consumers and food/fiber providers, it is worth the gamble of
working with USDA.
Only 4 people, Grace Gershuny, Michael Hankin, Ted Rogers and Beth Hayden
wrote the USDA's first attempt at the proposed rule. All administrators above
them must be faulted for releasing a fatally flawed initial rule, but banked
all their trust in these four people, all who should find new employment.
With these critiques let me complement you on quoting and pointing out the
incorrectness of Glickman's absurd statement. "I want to make it clear that
these (organic) rules are not about creating a category of agriculture that is
safer than any other."
We, certified organic farmers and handlers along with consumers have too long
hidden in the closet. Organic food and fiber is safer than food and fiber
produced with toxic substances. We are partially to blame for Glickman's
misrepresentation of organic because the coalition that managed Congressional
passage of the final OFPA in 1990 through political pressure were forced to
renounce organic as symbolizing "safer food."
Let me further comment on responses to the proposed rule that came in from
many organizations, consumers, environmentalists and public interest. We,
certified organic farmers have been keenly aware for a long time that most
consumers (though buying our farm products) and almost all organizations
(although an integral part of the organic community) lack understanding of the
comprehensiveness, detail and depth that certified organic farmers have.
Organic farming, handling, certification and marketing is very complex and
forces on the farmer and handler a fundamental reexamination of the way
conventional farming and business is done.
Continuing on responses to the proposed rule, I would like to direct you to
www.iquest.net/ofma/ The Organic Farmers Marketing Association has offered
an incisive and detailed critique of the proposed rule comparing it to the
Organic Foods Production Act that was circulated to multitudes of people
nationwide.
Farming is my present occupation, organic farming of vegetables, livestock and
field crops on 80 acres. Your presentation for a new food movement, though
holding some truths, lacks experience and judgement, certainly lacks many
relevant facts.
Organically produced will not be taken over by multinationals, nor manipulated
by very large conventional growers gone organic. The answer on how to prevent
is simple, certified organic farmers and consumers will not let a USDA or its
staff, a NOSB, an Organic Trade Association, processors, multinationals or any
overwhelming self interest group to misuse or usurp the term "organic." We
brought USDA to a halt, now have a qualified staff director and will see a
revised organic rule consistent with OFPA or we will go back to the grass
roots, to the centers of power ourselves. We, organic farmers and consumers
never thought change was simple. Organic grew out of the late sixties, when
unrealistic challenges were met and exceeded weekly.
Best Regards, Eric Kindberg
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