Organic Consumers Association Action Alert
Posted 2/27/2003

Note to reader: an updated alert was posted on 3/7/2003

Last week Congress passed an appropriations bill which overturns USDA regulations requiring all organic livestock to be fed 100% organic feed.

*****Take Action - to Protect The integrity of Organic Standards*****

Senator Leahy (D-VT) is introducing the Organic Restoration Act (S.457) to repeal this rider along with Representative Sam Farr (D-CA) in the House. Both of these bills were introduced on February 26, 2003. Co-sponsors are needed ASAP in the House AND Senate - both Republicans and Democrats.

For the repeal bill to be successful, we must generate a lot of interest and public comment on the Organic Restoration Act all across the nation. It is important that everyone - farmers, consumers, environmentalists, and the entire organic industry - talk to their members of Congress and get them on board in supporting the Organic Restoration Act. We must stand up to this blatant attempt by agribusiness to have their way with the organic standards.

****What You Can Do - Take Action!******

Contact your Senators in Washington and demand that support the Organic Restoration Act (S.457) to repeal the language inserted into Section 771 of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill undermining the integrity of the organic label for meat, poultry, eggs and dairy. The message is simple: Urge your Senators to support the Organic Restoration Act that was introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy and Representative Sam Farr to repeal Section 771 of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill. Repealing this section is in the interest of consumers, organic farmers and the environment.

Repealing this section will encourage continued growth of organic agricultural production in the United States, one of the bright prospects for U.S. agriculture overall. You can find your Senator here - http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm You can find your Representative here - http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.html

• Please also let your local health food store know what you are doing. Tell them to carry NO products by Fieldale Farms, the company in GA that instigated this movement to gut the organic livestock feed standards. They also produce poultry under the Springer Mountain Farms and Redding labels.
  
  
  STAY TUNED TO OUR WEBSITE IN THE COMING DAYS FOR MORE INFORMATION AND SPREAD THE WORD FAR AND WIDE!!!
  
  Tom Taylor Field Organizer Organic Consumers Association
  Tel: 612-331-7309 Fax: 612-331-7483