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From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jerome Rigot
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2007 8:59 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [oeffadirect] Info on Proposed Organic Rule

TELL USDA TO GIVE THE PUBLIC MORE THAN 7 DAYS TO
COMMENT ON NON-ORGANIC MATERIALS ALLOWED IN ORGANIC PROCESSED PRODUCTS

COMMENT PERIOD ENDS TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2007 AT 5:00 PM EASTERN

The USDA has proposed a list of 38 non-organic agricultural products to be allowed in or on processed products labeled as organic when the product is not commercially available in organic form.  The comment period for this Proposal was 7 Days and ends Tomorrow!

•       Yet, NOP has yet to approve the NOSB recommendation regarding Criteria for Commercially Available products, nor has the NOSB completed its definition of what is agricultural and non-agricultural, which is crucial for these criteria.
•       The NOSB has not gotten independent unbiased technical reviews of the information on the adverse environmental and health impacts from the conventional farming practices used to grow the crops, raise the animals, and make the products. All of the information the NOSB has reviewed is from industry sources and biased in favor of allowing non-organic products.
•   Organic farmers will be shut out of opportunities to grow high-value specialty niche crops.

Non- organic ingredients allowed in organic products must be carefully reviewed due to concern about the use of chemicals that are not  allowed in organic production, including  unacceptable residues of pesticides, fertilizers, and animal drugs.  Some of the proposed materials include processes or substances that are not compatible with organic:

•    Even though water extraction is possible in most of the colors proposed, the extraction method is not defined, and therefore could include chemical extraction
•   Casings from non-organic beef would be allowed for organic sausage production, yet even the USDA’s own FSIS has determined this to be a BSE risk
• Use of non-organic fish oil and other  fish products may contain unacceptably high levels of heavy metals and other contaminants

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING COMMENTS:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/PublicCommentInstructions.html

TO SEE THE TEXT OF THE ENTIRE PROPOSED RULE:
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/ProposedRuleNoticeTodaysNews051107.pdf