> "Since, so far, USDA has not bothered certifying conventional crops for the
> benefit of folks paying the salaries of its employees . . ."
>
> i think the premise here is false . . . usda does certify both the safety
> and various qualitative attributes of meat and eggs . . . usda establishes
> standards and grades for most other commodities, and, in cooperation with
> the states, operates inspection programs for those commodities . . . where
> inspection and grading is done by a private firm, it must still conform to
> usda standards, and not to conform is a violation of federal law
That does not include vegetables, herbs, fruits, nuts and seeds, as you
well know.
Regarding meat:
Remember the deaths of the poultry processing workers in the plant in
Raeford, NC when the plant caught fire and workers were trapped inside
because the exit doors were locked from the outside - the USDA
plant inspectors had not done the job they were PAID to do, had hardly
ever visited the plant. Despicable b......s.
> in general the cost of the usda services are actually paid by the processor
> or first handler . . . presumably those costs are factored into the price
> which the processor or first handler offers the producer for the commodity .
> . . similarly, even if the first handler does the certification, presumably
> the cost is reflected in the price received by the grower
This has nothing whatsoever to do with informing the public as to any
contamination (pesticide residues constitute contamination, in case you
weren't aware of this fact) from pesticides or soil supplements, i.e.
toxic waste incinerator by products incorporated into fertilizer and
sewage sludge, of marketed products.
> thus the effect of the ofpa, if it is ever implemented, will be to bring
> organic commodities in line with other commodities, not to make organic
What do you mean by "in line"?
> commodities different from other commodities
Sure, organic and "other" commodities are both food. Organic food, though,
needs a minimum standard clearly defined and enforced by government in an
impartial and fair manner.
What do you mean by "different".
> cheers,
>
> craig
>
>
> craig k harris
> department of sociology
What is your agricultural background?
> michigan state university
> 429b berkey hall
> east lansing michigan 48824-1111
> tel: 517-355-5048
> fax: 517-432-2856
Lawrence F. London, Jr. Venaura Farm
http://metalab.unc.edu/intergarden
/permaculture /intergarden/orgfarm /ecolandtech
lflondon@mindspring.com london@metalab.unc.edu
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