CONCERN OVER PROPOSED ORGANIC REGULATIONS
Heavy opposition has come from the Organic Trade Association
(OTA), who feel that the proposed regulations eliminate the dividing line
between organic agriculture and conventional.
Katherine DiMatteo, executive director for the OTA, said, "We strongly believe that the Proposed Rule is not compatible or consistent with current organic practices." She went on to say that OTA fervently believes "that the current draft of the regulations lowers the standard for organic and is unacceptable as written."
The OTA also believes
that the proposed ruling is in direct opposition to the Organic Foods Production
Act of 1990, which was enacted by Congress as part of its acknowledgement
that organic agriculture was different from conventional. The OFPA was part
of the 1990 Farm Bill and established national standards for the production
and handling of foods that were considered organic.
The OTA is hoping that the USDA will rewrite much of the regulations by the
time it releases its final draft.
There will be a one year period of discussion and input from the general public
and the natural foods industry.