We are doing an analysis of the USDA proposed organic standards for a
graduate policy class in Environmental Studies. We have been doing
exhaustive searches, but a lot of the literature on organic agriculture
doesn't necessarily make it to university libraries. We would appreciate
any information you might have, or where to get it, on the following issues:
1. Certification. Is it too expensive ? If so, for whom (small farmers)
? Are there any studies out there on this issue ? Are farmers not getting
certified because it is too costly ?
2. Elasticity of demand of organic products. Any specific studies you
might know of on this issue.
3. Issues on the sustainability of organic agriculture. Ecological and
social ? Have these issues been raised in specific studies ? Were they a
part of the NOSB analysis ? We have been comparing the USDA proposed rules
with IFOAM standards, where these issues are addressed, but would like to
see some more in-depth analysis.
Thank you very much for your help !
Rob Sirrine
Michael Goodman
Ernesto Mendez
Graduate Students in Environmental Studies
University of California
Santa Cruz, CA
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