The National Organic Standards proposal was finally released by the USDA on Dec. 16, 1997, and it is a shocking document. The USDA took 4 years to do what should have been a simple rubber-stamping. The reason the standard took so long to be processed was that agribusiness got to put greedy fingerprints all over it, contaminating it beyond recognition. Consequently, the mighty forces aligned to push this thing off on us are awesome.

This is the time for letter writing, faxing, e-mailing, phoning, badgering health stores*, petitioning, screaming, and yelling. Public comment period ends April 30, 1998! <<Comments must be RECEIVED by then!>> There are technical comment guidelines available from the CDFA to make your comment carry full weight with officials. Alternatively, see model letters linked at left and below, and/or use the Comment form at http://web.iquest.net/ofma/ltr.htm. (Note: Do not staple pages together.)

A well-written article, "ORGANIC AGRICULTURE ENDANGERED" can be found on the "Rachel's Environment and Health Weekly" site. Additionally, info on the devious developments as of 2/15/98 is at "The Battle We Can't Afford to Lose" (Pure Food Campaign).

When you write a letter, be sure that you mention more things than just the inclusion of genetic engineering, irradiation, and use of toxic sludge as fertilizer in the new "organic" standard. There are plenty more problem items, and it is feared that the USDA will leave all the rest of them in if nobody mentions them! (Sort of a "bait and switch" tactic?) In fact, you should call for the withdrawal of this proposal. Other items you might mention: High fees for certification mean that only large agribusiness concerns will be able to afford it. Drift of chemicals from neighboring farms will be allowed. Many more synthetics and drugs will be allowed. Eco-labeling will be prohibited (only USDA-approved "organic" --no other terms allowed). The language used in the proposal is often not direct enough--could be easily turned into loopholes that will work against the spirit of organics. Last but not least: The NOSB was legally appointed to advise the USDA what to put in the standards, and the USDA failed to take their advice.

	The following links go to a sample/model flyer and to letters and names and addresses to write to. The flyer is based on an e-mail that has been circulating on the Net. An excellent source for addresses, which includes all pertinent Congressional committees, is at http://web.iquest.net/ofma/leglink.htm

Get others involved! Groups such as Buddhists, animal-rights groups, vegetarians, and people with chemical sensitivities or allergies should be particularly concerned -- let them know.

--> Latest news reports <--
REPORT  From the Seattle USDA hearing: Good background on the issues					REPORT  On the April 1st rally in San Francisco, with photos.
REPORT CDFA's March 3rd public hearing in Oakland: lots of letter-writing inspirations from people's comments					CONCERT TO SAVE ORGANIC ? And the most crucial point to make in your letters!
REPORT March 5th USDA hearing in Piscataway, NJ -- BIG meeting! (--Loren Muldowney)					Former USDA attorney raises some excellent QUESTIONS