USDA Swayed by Groundswell of Opposition to Proposed Organic Rule

November 1998

USDA Will Try Again on Organic Standards

A third of a million letters from the public apparently isn’t enough. The U.S. Department of Agriculture wants still more feedback on proposed federal standards for organic food.

"The national organic standards must be acceptable to both the public and the industry," Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman said in a statement in late October. "That’s why USDA is seeking additional comment."

The department said it wants more feedback on three subjects of "intense interest": animal confinement, animal medications and procedures for producer certification.

Comments must be received by Dec. 14. Agriculture Department officials had hoped to make the rules final by the end of the year but a spokesman said it looks likely that deadline will have to be extended.

The USDA’s proposed plan was announced last December and was vehemently attacked by many in the organic movement. The department was flooded with nearly 300,000 comments from the public, the most ever received on a proposed rule. Most of the comments were in opposition to a proposal that according to critics could allow genetically engineered plants and crops treated with sewage sludge and irradiation to be labeled organic.

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. Here is more background on organic advocates' opposition to the federal standard.