2008 Press Releases
Organic Trade Association Reiterates Its Opposition to Ohio's Proposed Action on Dairy Labeling
News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Barbara Haumann 413-774-7511, Ext. 20
Flood of Consumer Letters Urges Ohio Dept. of Agriculture to Reject Proposed Rule
COLUMBUS, Ohio (April 8, 2008)- For the second time in less than a month, the 1,650-member Organic Trade Association (OTA), which represents all sectors of the organic business community in North America, presented testimony against Ohio Department of Agriculture's (ODA) proposed rule on dairy labeling (proposed revised Administrative Rule 901:11-8-01) and its 'emergency' implementation by Governor Ted Strickland.
"This proposed rule prevents organic farmers and processors from truthfully communicating with consumers about federally regulated organic production practices and denies consumers the right to receive information about organic production on the labels of their milk in Ohio," testified Caren Wilcox, Executive Director of the OTA.
"As the Director (of the Ohio Department of Agriculture) knows, substantial numbers of consumers have been contacting his office to express their desire to continue to receive information about organic production on the labels of their milk in Ohio," said Wilcox, referring to the more than 2,441 letters that have been sent from concerned citizens to Ohio's Governor, Joint Committee of Agency Rule Review Chairman, and Director of Agriculture.
The OTA's testimony also suggested that the ODA lacks authority to impose labeling rules on organic dairy products when those rules conflict with federal labeling authorizations. Said Wilcox, "ODA has not objected at any time to the well-established national labeling rules in effect under the National Organic Program (NOP), which has implemented the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 during the five years that they have been in effect and enforced by USDA."
Wilcox stressed that the labeling restrictions will cause a new and burdensome cost of compliance for organic dairy processors selling into the Ohio market while filling orders in the region and nationally. Having to segregate and label product for a single state and work with a regional retailer to achieve that segregation would impose a significant financial and management burden, and cause a direct and negative impact to farmers.
"Organic farmers and processors would be deprived of the opportunity to tell consumers the exact methods they use to raise dairy herds and deliver organic milk--without the use of synthetic growth hormones, without the use of antibiotics, and with feed and pasture that is certified by a USDA accredited organic certifier, and without the use of prohibited methods or materials. OTA is certainly troubled that consumers in Ohio will not have an opportunity to learn how organic farmers do their work to produce products that consumers want," concluded Wilcox, who suggested that the rule be revised to meet the needs of Ohio consumers and to harmonize with U.S. laws governing organic agriculture.
Wilcox's full testimony on behalf of OTA is available by contacting bhaumann@ota.com.
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. Its more than 1,650 members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA's mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.
Headquarters: P.O. Box 547, Greenfield, MA 01302 USA (413) 774-7511 fax: (413) 774-6432 www.ota.com, Washington, D.C., Office: (202) 338-2900
Canada: P.O. Box 6364, Sackville, NB, Canada E4L 1G6
Canada East (506) 260-7537 Canada West (250) 335-3423 Ottawa, (613) 787-2003
