USDAS ATTEMPTED CO-OPTION OF ORGANIC COMMUNITY DETAILED IN REPORT BY FORMER NOSB CHAIR. If you care about the future of the organic community and your familys continued access to high quality authentic organic food, then this concise report by former NOSB Chair - and certified organic Montana farmer - Barry Flamm is MUST READ material. In its Report (1990) on the bill, the Senate Agriculture Committee stated that, The Committee regards this Board as an essential advisor to the Secretary (of Agriculture) on all issues concerning this bill and anticipates that many of the key standards will result from recommendations by this Board….(it) is generally responsible for advising the Secretary on all aspects of the implementation of OFPA, specifically, the Board is responsible for evaluating substances for inclusion on the Proposed National List...In 2013, all began to change without public notice or opportunity to comment or consult with the NOSB...The issues may sound complicated, but it really boils down to two questions: 1) Does the organic community and public want a strong NOSB as prescribed by OFPA? 2) Does the organic community and the public believe and want the implementation of the overall principle of OFPA that for any product to be labeled organic it must be produced and handled without the use of chemicals with only temporary exemptions allowed and then only after stringent review? Will there now be a community uproar as occurred in the nineties when USDA tried to push through unsuitable regulations? The future of organic hangs in the balance. Please become informed and get involved. We will continue to post important developments in the on-going efforts to protect organic and return independence to the NOSB.
Posted on: Sun, 31 Aug 2014 14:38:59 +0000