2007 Press Releases
Organic Farm Bill Provisions are good steps, says Organic Trade Association
GREENFIELD, Mass. (June 7, 2007) As debate over the 2007 Farm Bill moves forward, the Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association (OTA) today thanked members of the House subcommittee with responsibility for organic production and processing for their commitment to organic agriculture. "The Horticulture and Organic Subcommittee approved additional key steps today that will help strengthen the infrastructure for organic agriculture," said Caren Wilcox, the executive director of OTA, the trade association representing all aspects of the organic business community.
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"OTA appreciates so much the interest this subcommittee has shown in organic agriculture, including holding the first ever hearing on organic production and processing. We look forward to working with them as the Farm Bill moves to full committee in the coming weeks," Wilcox said.
The Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture today approved provisions that benefit organic producers:
1) $22 million to help farmers pay for organic certification. The certification cost-share program would provide up to $750 per farmer, increased from the current $500, to help cover the costs of organic certification. Farmland is deemed organic by USDA accredited certifiers.
2) $3 million for organic price and production data. USDA collects reams of data on agriculture prices and production, and will now include data on organic prices and production. In addition, information will be used to analyze crop loss data for organic production - leading to better risk management tools for organic producers.
3) In addition, provisions to increase Farmers Market programs will help small and new organic farmers have an immediate local outlet for their products, enabling them to become established as organic farmers and to grow and prosper in their areas.
In May, the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research extended the Organic Research and Extension Initiative to examine optimal conservation and environmental outcomes for organically produced agricultural products, and to develop new and improved seed varieties that are particularly suited for organic agriculture. The subcommittee authorized $25 million per year for each fiscal year through 2012. That subcommittee also included language making loans for water and soil projects to organic producers a priority; and permitted organic transition to begin at the end of CRP (Conservation Reserve Program). It also gave organic farmers access to EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) Conservation Innovation grants providing that each fiscal year, $5 million will be used for outreach to organic and specialty crop producers.
These proposals are part of OTA's comprehensive plan for the 2007 Farm Bill. There are two more subcommittee mark-ups to come and full committee action on the Farm Bill in the House Committee on Agriculture. OTA has additional objectives to improve organic farming crop insurance and to develop transition programs for non-organic farmers to more easily "go organic." "This fast growing part of American agriculture has much to contribute to building the economic and environmental health of farming communities across the United States," said Wilcox.
Additional details on the OTA proposal are available at www.ota.com.
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the business association representing the organic agriculture industry in North America. Its 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
