Web Note: For Collin Peterson’s previous outrageous statements on how organic consumers are “dumb” for paying more for local and organic foods see “Dumb Quote of the Week” in Organic Bytes #121:
http://organicconsumers.org/bytes/ob121.cfm
Now after a slew of irate letters from some of the nation’s organic consumers, Representative Peterson appears to have experienced a dramatic shift in consciousness, or at least a realization that he should keep his pro-corporate agribusiness, thoughts to himself.
for getting the Organic Consumers Association award for the dumbest
quote of the week: organicconsumers.org/articles/article_8104.cfm
Update on Collin Peterson Quote in Financial Times
Collin Peterson, Chair of the House Agriculture Committee, has clarified his earlier comments with the following statement.
“The growing markets for organic, locally grown and sustainable agriculture are exciting new opportunities in agriculture, and that is why I’ve emphasized issues important to these sectors as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, including the establishment of a new subcommittee to focus on organic food production and Farm Bill programs to help organic and local producers. In my conversation with the Financial Times, I wanted to point out that the market now pays a premium for organic and locally grown products, and that is a good thing for producers and a new opportunity in agriculture. That is why I worked closely with representatives of organic, locally grown and sustainable agriculture groups to include priorities important to these sectors in the 2007 Farm Bill. Despite a tight budget, we successfully included $1.3 billion in new programs for specialty crops, including organic agriculture. Our Farm Bill has $22 million for USDA’s cost share program, which helps organic producers and handlers get organic certification, $25 million for organic research and $3 million to collect and publish marketing data for organic products. Additionally, our Farm Bill removes barriers to conservation, crop insurance and other programs for organic producers. I will continue to seek solutions and identify opportunities to improve public policies that support organic, locally grown and sustainable agriculture.”