National Organic Standards Released

December 21, 2000
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 6:40 a.m. ET

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Organic growers in California, which led the
push to eliminate pesticides and other manmade chemicals from the
food supply, say new federal standards could legitimize organic
farming and be a boon to the industry.

Under U.S. Department of Agriculture standards released Wednesday,
foods grown using approved organic methods will bear a seal that
reads ``USDA Organic.'' The standards are rooted in the efforts of
a small cooperative, California Certified Organic Farmers, which in
1973 began inspecting and certifying member farmers' methods and
setting standards for just what ``organic'' means.

"It's going to mean an additional standard of integrity in the
marketplace and the ability to move product from state to state and
country to country,'' said Ray Green, organic program manager for
California's Department of Agriculture.

"In terms of the old supply and demand thing, it's going to create
more integrity, consumer confidence and legitimacy, and that will
fuel growth.''

The rules may make organic farming and processing more attractive
to bigger growers, which could drive prices down.

"I think, because they're federal, we'll see more of the large
retailers getting into organics,'' said Brian Leahy, CCOF's
executive director. "I think we'll see prices getting closer to
conventional.''

California growers had worried that federal standards would be
weaker than the state's law, but the USDA included ways to monitor
compliance. California had only required organic farms and
processors to register with the state and promise to comply with
the rules; inspectors rarely checked whether they were followed.
The federal standards require annual certification.

"We're long-term organic growers. We've been in this 22 years,''
said Jonathan Steinberg, co-owner of Route 1 Farms in Santa Cruz.
"It probably won't affect the way I grow much, but it'll be
interesting to see if it affects my costs and if I see more
competition.''
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On the Net:
California Department of Agriculture:
http://www.cdfa.ca.gov
California Certified Organic Farmers: http://www.ccof.org

USDA's
National Organic Program: http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop
Organic Trade Association: http://www.ota.com

The New York Times on the Web
http://www.nytimes.com