[Peace-discuss] Fwd: Save Organics! SEND EMAIL~a5692u48896t0~

[Jay Mittenthal]

>Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 16:03:08 -0800 (PST)
>From: Union of Concerned Scientists Action Network <action at ucsaction.org>
>To: mitten at life.uiuc.edu
>Subject: Save Organics! SEND EMAIL~a5692u48896t0~
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>After more than a decade of consideration and hundreds of thousands
>of public comments, the USDA implemented strong federal organic
>standards.
>
>Now, just a few months after the standards went into effect,
>Congressman Nathan Deal (R-GA) attached a last-minute rider to the
>omnibus appropriations bill that was signed into law February 20th.
>The rider allows poultry and livestock producers to use non-organic
>feed, but still label their products as organic.  Senators Patrick
>Leahy (D-VT) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA)
>have introduced legislation to rescind this insidious rider.
>
>SIMPLY HIT REPLY to send the letter below to your senators and member
>of congress and tell them to stand up for organic standards.
>
>You may also personalize the letter and learn more about
>this issue by visiting our action center at:
>http://www.ucsaction.org/index.asp?step=2&item=2492
>
>*****************
>
>Dear Member of Congress,
>
>I am writing today to urge you to stand up for organic labeling
>standards and cosponsor the Organic Restoration Act.
>
>During final consideration of the 2003 Omnibus Appropriations Act,
>ten lines of text were inserted into the 3,000-page bill that
>subverts the will of American consumers and the intent of Congress in
>establishing clear and meaningful standards for organic products.
>The new language allows poultry and livestock raised on conventional
>feed to be labeled as organic if it is determined that organic feed
>costs more than twice the price of conventional feed.  Under the USDA
>standard for organic labeling--issued just four months ago after more
>than a decade of public comment and debate--only food animals raised
>on 100% organic feed can bear the organic label.
>
>American consumers and organic farmers deserve the higher standard.
>At a time when many small and medium-sized farmers are struggling to
>survive, organic farming has grown 20% per year over the past
>decade.  Farmers who make the extra effort to produce organic foods
>are rewarded by customers willing to pay a premium for products that
>support sustainable farming methods.
>
>In addition, the USDA organic labeling standards give shoppers an
>effective tool to make informed buying decisions.
>
>Legislation has recently been introduced to rescind this reckless
>loophole.  As a constituent, I ask you to cosponsor the Organic
>Restoration Act, introduced by Senators Patrick Leahy and Olympia
>Snowe and
>Representative Sam Farr.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>[your name will be inserted]
>
>***********************
>If you have questions, comments or concerns about this action, send
>email to action at ucsusa.org -- replying to this action will send the
>letter.
>
>
>
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