USDA Backs Down on Attempt to Degrade Organic Standards

May 26, 2004

Guidelines on Organic Labeling Rescinded
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Agriculture Department is dropping new organic food
guidelines that allowed limited use of pesticides and antibiotics and drew
criticism from some consumer groups and organic farmers.

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman announced the action Wednesday after
critics said the guidelines made the organic label seem less meaningful. The
department's Agricultural Marketing Service, which oversees the guidelines,
will work with industry representatives to clarify the standards, she said.

In a telephone briefing, Veneman said the guidelines had stirred ``a
tremendous amount'' of interest and concern.

Her announcement was met with approval by the Organic Trade Association, an
industry group.

``This is actually fantastic news. I have to say I'm very surprised,''
Katherine DiMatteo, the group's executive director, said Wednesday. ``We
didn't think the secretary would take action either this quickly or make a
move to rescind all of them, but it's exactly what we wanted.''

Organic supporters have said they were concerned that the new guidelines and
enforcement directives created loopholes in the national organic standards.

The rules would have allowed producers to use pesticides that may contain
inert chemical ingredients if a ``reasonable effort'' cannot determine what
the ingredients are.

They also would have let milk from cows treated with antibiotics to be sold
under the department's organic seal, as long as the animal did not receive
antibiotics for 12 months.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat who was a key supporter of starting
the organic labeling program, said it was welcome news that ``the secretary
has decided to follow the law and to consult with the National Organic
Standards Board.'' The board recommends policy to the department.

The organic program's credibility was built on full participation by the
public and the industry, and ``we need to keep it that way,'' Leahy said in
a statement.

The guidelines also would have allowed ground fish be used as a protein
supplement in livestock feed.

A scientist at Consumers Union in Yonkers, N.Y., Urvashi Rangan, said the
provisions weakened the value of the label, and she cited fishmeal as an
example. Fish are not certified as organic, and some fish contain mercury
and other chemicals, she said.

Agriculture Department spokeswoman Julie Quick said the department's
National Organic Program, which oversees organic certification, will work
with members of the National Organic Standards Board and other industry
officials.

Asked if the guidelines were dead, Quick said that would depend on the
outcome of discussions between the department, the board and the industry.

Consumer and organic groups have said the department should have checked
with the board before issuing new guidelines.

Jim Riddle, chairman of the National Organic Standards Board, said the
department's decision to hear from the board is ``refreshing.'' The agency
often has ignored the board's recommendations, he said.

Riddle said the board might make new recommendations on the guidelines at
its mid-October meeting in Washington.

Copyright 2004 The Associated Press