Vote Organic in November--Comparing Kerry & Bush

>From <www.naturalfoodmerchandiser.com> Oct. 2004 Issue

How Candidates' Views May Affect Industry
By: Mitchell Clute

It's easier to make campaign promises than it is to legislate lasting
change, which makes it difficult to compare John Kerry and George Bush as
candidates for president. However, it's worth taking a look at both
candidates' actions and statements on issues that could affect the natural
products industry.

Organic agriculture
Bush: The Bush administration has not taken an official stance on organic
agriculture. However, last year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued
three guidances and one directive that would have undermined the National
Organic Program. These changes included allowing the milk of dairy cows
treated with antibiotics and other drugs to be sold as organic beginning 12
months after the drug was administered, and narrowing the scope of the
federal organic certification program, meaning that no standards would be
developed for fish, nutritional supplements, cosmetics or personal care
products. Public outcry eventually forced USDA to rescind the changes.

The Bush administration has also cut funding for the Value Added Producer
Grant program, which provides capital for farmers to create new enterprises
and cooperatives, and halted implementation of a country-of-origin-labeling
program enacted by Congress. In addition, the Bush administration has
adopted a policy that bars farmers from bringing suits against pesticide
manufacturers when a pesticide or herbicide either harms crops or fails to
work as promised.

Kerry: In his campaign statements, Kerry has supported organic agriculture
and has proposed a federal insurance program to protect organic crops
against contamination by genetically modified crops. Kerry has also proposed
incentives for community supported agriculture; conservation incentives for
family farms; implementation of the country-of-origin-labeling program for
fresh meats, fish, fruits and vegetables; and increased funding for the
Value Added Agriculture program.

GMOs/biotechnology
Bush: President Bush has taken a strong stance in favor of biotechnology and
genetically modified crops, arguing that the European Union's rejection of
GM crops is based on "unfounded, unscientific fears," and that rejection of
biotechnology contributes to famine in Africa and elsewhere, which could be
avoided with "the most advanced methods of crop production."

Kerry: Kerry is also a strong supporter of biotechnology. He argues that
genetically modified crops will help ensure adequate, safe and sustainable
food production. He proposes giving government agencies adequate power to
effectively regulate GM food products both before and after market. In a
Kerry administration, the level of support for biotech would depend in part
on whether his appointments to key positions, including agriculture
secretary, were pro-agribusiness.

DSHEA
Neither candidate has gone on record with a specific stand on the Dietary
Supplements Health and Education Act. Under the Bush administration, Food
and Drug Administration head Tommy Thompson has been instrumental in
implementing a ban on ephedra products, but it is Congress that will
ultimately decide what changes, if any, will be made to DSHEA.

Citizens for Health rates members of Congress based on voting records in
two areas: "Whole Person Health" and "Ecological Health." In the Senate,
Kerry was seen as somewhat supportive of Whole Person Health, which includes
legislation impacting access to dietary supplements, alternative medicine
and medical privacy.

Though the dietary supplements industry has Democratic supporters, including
Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa and Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, Democrats have
traditionally favored stricter industry regulation than Republicans. Races
in the House and Senate may have a greater impact on the future of DSHEA
than the presidential race.

Environmental issues
Bush: President Bush's environmental legacy includes the Clear Skies
legislation, which makes power plant emissions reduction a voluntary
program, and the Healthy Forests Initiatives, a response to forest fires
that allows timber companies free access to national forests previously
off-limits to logging. Bush has also revoked Clinton-era protections for
roadless areas and has proposed privatizing many National Park Service jobs.
The Bush administration has also lobbied to open the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling to reduce dependency on foreign oil. Former
Interior Secretary Stewart Udall says, "This is the first administration in
the last century that is clearly anti-conservation."

Kerry: In Congress, Kerry has been a environmental advocate, and until this
past session has received ratings of 88 to 100 percent from the League of
Conservation Voters. If elected, Kerry has vowed to reverse rollbacks to the
Clean Air Act and to implement a campaign to restore the 45 percent of
American waterways that do not meet the standards of the Clean Water Act.
Kerry advocates a tax credit for the purchase of hydrogen-cell vehicles and
the development of renewable fuels, including ethanol and biodiesel. Kerry
also calls for a $10 billion investment in clean coal use to reduce power
plant emissions.

Small-business issues
Bush: The Bush tax-reform package phases out the estate tax by 2010. Levied
on all inheritances of more than $1 million in value, the tax has forced the
sale of family farms and businesses. According to the Bush campaign, a study
by the California Farm Bureau shows that, in cases where the principal owner
of the farm died, 44 percent of farmers would have to mortgage their farms
to pay the estate tax and 28 percent would be forced to sell all or part of
the farm.

Kerry: Kerry favors a progressive tax structure and would work to reinstate
the estate tax, while reducing the tax burden of middle- and lower-income
households.

Workers' rights
Bush: The Bush administration has opposed increases in the minimum wage and
has reduced the enforcement power of the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration. Bush repealed the ergonomics rule adopted by OSHA in
November 2000, which was designed to reduce injuries due to repetitive
motion. The administration also has proposed cuts for workplace safety
enforcement and sought to limit the legal rights of workers with repetitive
motion injuries.

Kerry: If elected, Kerry has promised to oppose recent legislative and
judicial actions that weaken the Americans with Disabilities Act. He would
also reform the H-2a guest worker visa program for immigrant farm workers
and to pass the Agricultural Benefits and Opportunity Act to improve wages
and working conditions for farm workers. Kerry supports increased
enforcement power for OSHA.

Mitchell Clute is a free-lance writer in Crestone, Colo.

Natural Foods Merchandiser volume XXV/number 10/p. 15, 22