S.O.S.
SAVE ORGANIC
STANDARDS
To help organize an SOS Campaign in your local area Contact:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is attemping
to redefine organic foods to include foods that are genetically engineered,
irradiated, factory - farmed, and grown on top of toxic sewage sludge. This
represents nothing less than an "unfriendly takeover" of the organic
foods industry by agribusiness, chemical-biotech corporations, and giant
supermarket chains.
On Dec, 15, the USDA announced their proposed national organic standards.
These standards define what can be legally certified and labeled as organic.
Following final approval, it will basically be illegal for producers and
retailers to uphold and promote standards stricter than the USDA allows.
Currently, when we shop for foods labeled "organic," we can be
reasonably certain of what we're getting. But under the proposed USDA laws,
there are no explicit prohibitions against:
Genetic Engineering
Using genetic engineering to produce foods.
Factory Farming
Using inhumane, intensive confinement, factory farm style production methods
on farm animals
Toxic Sludge
Spreading toxic sewage sludge and industrial wastes, so-called "biosolids,"
on pastures and farmlands where animals graze and food is grown.
AnimaI Cannibalisin
Feeding back diseased and waste animal body parts, offal, and blood
to farm animals.
Food Irradiation
Using radioactive nuclear wastes to "kill bacteria" and prolong
the shelf life of food products.
IT'S NOT TO LATE.
STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS!
HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY SAVE ORGANIC STANDARDS!
Join the SOS Action Network in your local area.
Send a letter, fax, or email to the USDA (to
the address and docket number listed below) demanding that they maintain
strict organic standards by explicitly prohibiting the unacceptable agricultural
practices listed on this leaflet. Demand also that they allow private and
state organic certication bodies to maintain stricter organic standards
than those the USDA requires. Remind the USDA that this is a basic issue
of free speech and of consumers' right to choose. Ask your natural food
store to provide materials so that consumers can write these letters while
they are shopping.
Make copies of your comment letter to the USDA
and send them to your legislators and local media. Follow up your letter
to your legislators with a telephone call. Tell them that, as a constituent,
you want them to put their position on organic standards in writing so that
this can be forwarded on to the USDA.
Contact natural food stores, farmers markets,
and community-oriented restaurants in your area and get them involved in
the SOS campaign.
Letters to the USDA should be sent to:
USDA-National Organic Standards
Docket # TMD - 94 - 00 - 2
Address: USDA, AMS, Room 4007 - S
AgStop 0275, P.O. Box 96456
Washington, D.C. 20090-6456
Fax: Include Docket Number (202) 690-4632
e mail: see http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop
Pure Food Campaign/ Save Organic Standards
860 Hwy 61 Little Marais, MN. 55614
Tel 1-800-253-0681 or (218) 226-4164 Fax: (218) 226-4157
email alliance@mr.net http://www.geocities.com/athens/1527