In fact, we have heard that the USDA will not be issuing anymore
of these "issue/position" papers prior to the second round because of
the huge response they received. What this means is that the USDA will
issue the second round of organic standards after July, 1999 and we must be
prepared!
We expect that the comment period for the second round will not
be 135 days like it was for the first round. Although, until the second
round is printed in the Federal Register we will not know for sure how
long the comment period will actually be.
We need to have a network in place to be able to organize consumers
across the United States to participate in this second round as this
will be last opportunity for public comment prior to the USDA's
final ruling.
What can you do?
-If you have email, join our listserve and receive Food Bytes, our free
electronic newsletter.
-Get all of your family, friends and co-workers who have email to join our
efforts and subscribe to Food Bytes. We need to build an email
network.
-If you belong to a coop, CSA or buying club, make sure that they
are continuing to display our SOS flyers and handing them out to every
member.
-We have free packets available that include posters and flyers. If
your coop doesn't have our display or isn't making the display visible
(best place for the counter top display is by the register), please ask
them to contact us for a display pkt. or ask the store manager to
place the displays by the register where they will be more visible.
Stores can make additional copies of the flyer(an original white copy
of the flyer was sent to each store for making copies).
-Let us know of any conferences or workshops where our flyers
should be and we will send a pkt.
During the next few months we will be sending out OCA membership flyers
and an action alert as soon as the USDA Organic Standards, second round
comes out, to all of coops/stores/CSA's.
In addition, we are working on a Organic Consumers Association newsletter,
and trying to raise funds(via phone calling) to support our grassroots
efforts. Any donation will be greatly appreciated. If you are in our
telephone database you might receive a phone call and be asked for a
donation. The more money we receive, the more effective we can be! We have
changed our name from action to association.
Thanks for all of your support.
Debbie
Debbie Dunbar Ortman
National Field Organizer
Organic Consumers Association
3547 Haines Rd.
Duluth, MN 55811
(218) 726-1443
(218) 726-1446 Fax
safefood@cp.duluth.mn.us
http://www.purefood.org
Join the Organic Consumers Association in
your local area. If you want to become a member or a volunteer--or make a
donation--call (218)726-1443
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send an email to: majordomo@mr.net
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