It is too late to submit comments to the USDA now, but write to Congress and the media!

jumpto SAMPLE LETTERS-> USDACongress <-MediaEASY-forms Inspirations

COMMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY DECEMBER 14th, so e-mail or fax them NOW!
Write letters to USDA, Congress, and the White House. (A personalized letter will get the most consideration, and a letter that makes comments on individual Sections or Topics is what the USDA's rules call for. But you may want to be aware that many activists are not playing that game but simply calling for withdrawal and a rewrite. I do not know which tactic will be most effective.)

Various organizations have put together lists of important points to mention when you compose your letter. Following are a few of them:

  • The Organic Alliance
  • Pesticide Action Network -- (if you want technical details, see their comments to CDF
  • Puget Consumers' Co-op

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    Write (fax) or call Congress NOW. here are things to say on the phone.
    1. Sample letter to Congress (withdraw NOP and redo; requests Congressional investigation).

    SF/East Bay addresses here or use "Congressional Roll-Call" and House of Representatives "Lookup"

    2. Letter to House/Senate Ag Committees (irate letter, calls for Federal investigation)

    and their Addresses . (See below for detailed Chairs' contact info.)

    3. Try http://web.iquest.net/ofma/leglink.htm for additional pertinent committee addresses.
    Write to local media NOW and request coverage!
    Sample letter (needs updating)

    Some SF/East Bay addresses
    Too late to write to the USDA. Must be RECEIVED by April 30! FAX #: (202) 690-4632

      [#1-6 deleted: May 1st 1998]

      7. Send a CC: of your letter to the Chairs of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees. They are crucial to this mess! Addresses & fax numbers/e-mail here.

      8. After you write your letter, be sure to go to the USDA's NOP web site and paste it in online! Gird yourself; they do not make it easy!
    Use an easy comment form to write USDA and officials (but remember, a personalized letter will get the most consideration):
    1. OFMA's form (pre-addressed to snail-mail to USDA)

    2. Wild Oats' e-mailer, sends your letter with 3 Section number citations and additional comments to USDA, the White House, and some states' senators

    3. The Campaign to Save Organic's automated comment procedures are in place now and include Congressional Reps, the President, the First Lady, and Mrs. Gore, among other recipients!

    4. For total automation, go to Pop Conscious, where a pre-written e-mail message is sent "to thirty-six key policy makers"

    Print out these postcards to hand out to people to make it easy for them to write to the USDA : Go to Save Organics Foundation and use the "Act Locally" link to get their postcard.
    Write letters to health food stores; see sample letter. TOO LATE now!
    Inspiration/Ideas:

    Pros and Cons of Irradiation

    What is Organic?

    Genetic Engineering

    I don't buy organic- Why should I care?

    Back to Save Endangered Organics page

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