Seattlest: Organic Food Is Not Getting Outlawed, People

Organic Trade

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 08:41:06 -0800

Thank you, Katelyn, for questioning the true meaning and implications of HR 875. Currently, there appears to be much concern and some misinformation circulating on the Internet about this and other proposed pieces of federal legislation on food safety. The Organic Trade Association (OTA) supports governmental action to address the safety of the U.S. food supply. OTA appreciates consumer concern and support for organic production and products. OTA’s mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public, and the economy. Furthermore, its vision is to have organic products be a significant part of everyday life, enhancing people’s lives and the global environment. One fear being expressed by consumers about the bills now being proposed is that they will make it illegal to grow backyard gardens and will be the death of organic farming. The fact is that there is no language to regulate, penalize or shut down backyard gardens, nor to stop organic farming. The proposed Food Safety Modernization Act only addresses food safety issues under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The National Organic Program is actually under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Each annual session of Congress, approximately 15,000 pieces of legislation are proposed on the federal level, with only 2 percent becoming law. Any legislation on food safety will take time. Thus, nothing will happen over night, and there will be a time and a place for public comment. OTA’s Executive Director Christine Bushway has announced OTA will be forming a Food Safety Task Force to thoroughly analyze the impact of any food safety legislation being proposed, and will advise the industry and governmental bodies on recommendations that promote and protect organic agriculture and products and improve food safety.

MvB

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:14:41 -0800

I always think the people behind Better Off Ted are spoofing Monsanto with their "better living through technology" Veridian Dynamics company. "Whether it's discovering ways to weaponize a pumpkin or concocting lab-grown, cow-less meat, our team is exceptionally focused on results."

Jack

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:00:41 -0800

Wow, I'd not even heard of Monsanto before reading this post. Having now read about them I imagine them having a Dr. Evil-esque lair hidden deep within the Earth's core where they hatch their diabolical schemes of world domination and mutant babies. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monsanto

Charles Redell

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:39:07 -0800

Man people are funny. They'll believe just about any nonsense, eh? According to the director of LocalHarvest.org which advocates for local food issues and helps people connect with CSAs and farmers' markets: From what we have learned, HB 875 is not the horror story it has been made out to be. It would not, for example, result in "totalitarian control" or "the planned elimination of farmers" as one oft-forwarded email put it. It actually contains some sound ideas. But for some reason, myths and misinformation about this bill have taken root and spread like a noxious weed. [snip] The administration could not publicly promote organic gardening, and then sign off on a bill that would "criminalize organic farming and outlaw home gardening." It's absurd.