Update
JULY
1998 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's expects to release
this fall the results of its second attempt to craft a satisfactory national standard for
organic farms. The USDA's first effort was assailed by more than 200,000 commentators,
many of them using the Internet to weigh in against a rule. The critics contend it would
have bulldozed the letter and spirit of organic farming by permitting such verbotten items
as genetically engineered crops.
A chastened agriculture secretary, Dan Glickman,
promised that there will be no loopholes for biotechnology, irradiation or sewage sludge
in the second draft of the national standards. But the first draft was so far wide of the
market that many remain suspicious and skeptical. When the new proposal is unveiled, the
public will be invited once again to offer comments.
To keep posted on developments, check in with the
USDA's National Organic Programs web site.
For further information, here is a side-by-side comparison of the NOSB
proposal and the proposed rule promulgated by the USDA.
And here is more background on organic advocates'
opposition to the federal standard.
Market
Survey
uA headcount at California farmers markets found that fewer than 20
percent of vendors are organic, though some markets are more organic than others. |
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