2007 Press Releases
OTA's Executive Director Caren Wilcox testifies before Congressional Hearing on Organic Agriculture
For more information, contact:
Laura Trivers (301-229-6481)
Barbara Haumann (413-774-7511, Ext. 20)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 18, 2007)-Caren Wilcox, Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association (OTA), today asked a Congressional panel for a "parity of government resources to build infrastructure" to allow organic to continue to increase its market share and meet the growing consumer demand for organic products.
Wilcox testified, "U.S. organic food sales were about $14.6 billion in 2005 and occupied about 2.5 percent of the retail marketplace. The fastest growing organic product categories include meat, dairy and condiments. Fruits and vegetables represent the largest dollar value category in the organic sector. Pet food was growing as a category even before the recalls, and is growing even faster now."
Today's hearing of the Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic is the first ever devoted to organic agriculture and business. Wilcox called the event "historic" and thanked the subcommittee members for calling it.
Wilcox continued, "U.S. farmers are not keeping up with consumer demand for organic products. The U.S. government does not collect import data on organic goods, but imports must be substantial. OTA wants to enhance the ability of U.S. farmers to provide as much organic food, fiber and other organic products as possible for our country. The Farm Bill is an opportunity to grow this segment."
The OTA Farm Bill plan focuses on four priorities:
1) Fostering Conversion to Organic Agriculture and Trade
2) Eliminating Hurdles to Organic Agriculture and Trade
3) Initiating and Funding Organic Agriculture and Economic Research, and
4) Maintaining and Enhancing Current Agency Programs.
Details of the OTA 2007 Farm Bill plan can be found at www.ota.com.
The hearing included panels of both organic producers and processors, most of whom are members of OTA. They included:
Mr. Manuel Vieriera, A.V. Thomas Produce, Livingston, California
Ms. Mary-Howell R. Martens, Lakeview Organic Grains, Penn Yan, New York
Mr. Scott Lively, President and CEO, Dakota Beef, LLC, Howard, South Dakota
Mr. Robert Pike, Vice President/General Manager, Braswell Foods/Glenwood Foods, Nashville, North Carolina
Ms. Sandra Marquardt, President, On the Mark Public Relations, Silver Spring, Maryland, on behalf of Ms. La Rhea Pepper, Chief Executive Officer, Organic Essentials, Inc., O'Donnell, Texas
Mr. Lynn Clarkson, President, Clarkson Grain Company, Inc., Cerro Gordo, Illinois
Mr. Rich Ghilarducci, President and CEO, Humboldt Creamery, Fortuna, California
Ms. Nicole Bernard Dawes, President and COO, Late July Snacks, Hyannis, Massachusetts.
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the business association representing the organic agriculture industry in North America. Its nearly 1,600 members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA encourages global sustainability through promoting and protecting the growth of diverse organic trade.
Headquarters: P.O. Box 547, Greenfield, MA 01302 USA (413) 774-7511 fax: (413) 774-6432 www.ota.com
Canadian Office: 323 Chapel Street, Ottawa, On K1N 7Z2 (613) 787-2003
Washington, DC Office: (202) 338-2900
