2008 Press Releases
Proposed pasture rules
For immediate release
Contact: Holly Givens, 413-376-1218; hgivens@ota.com
Proposed pasture requirements:
Organic Trade Association’s initial impression is favorable
Greenfield, Mass. (Oct. 23, 2008)--The U. S. Department of Agriculture tomorrow will publish proposed regulations that will clarify issues around pasture requirements for organic ruminant livestock. The Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) initial impression is that this regulation will continue to reinforce for shoppers that organic dairy products and beef, for example, are from animals that are receiving proper feed, access to fresh air and sunshine, and well-managed living conditions.
OTA believes that these proposed regulations are in the spirit of practices that most organic farmers have been using on their lands for years., Organic businesses have sought clarification of pasture requirements in order to facilitate compliance and enforcement of stringent federal organic regulations in place since 2002.
For immediate release
Contact: Holly Givens, 413-376-1218; hgivens@ota.com
Proposed pasture requirements:
Organic Trade Association’s initial impression is favorable
Greenfield, Mass. (Oct. 23, 2008)--The U. S. Department of Agriculture tomorrow will publish proposed regulations that will clarify issues around pasture requirements for organic ruminant livestock. The Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) initial impression is that this regulation will continue to reinforce for shoppers that organic dairy products and beef, for example, are from animals that are receiving proper feed, access to fresh air and sunshine, and well-managed living conditions.
OTA believes that these proposed regulations are in the spirit of practices that most organic farmers have been using on their lands for years., Organic businesses have sought clarification of pasture requirements in order to facilitate compliance and enforcement of stringent federal organic regulations in place since 2002.
“This rule will continue to reassure shoppers that milk, beef, lamb, and other products are from animals that have access to well-managed pasture according to the strict national organic standards,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s executive director. “Organic production is about continuous improvement of farms and the environment, and this proposed regulation is the next step in improvements for organic dairy, beef, lamb, and goat production in the United States.”
Current regulations that prohibit organic farmers from using genetically engineered growth hormones, antibiotics, irradiation, sewage sludge, and cloned animals remain in place, as do requirements that organic farmers build healthy soil without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and certification for all but the smallest farms. Organic production is the most strictly regulated system of agriculture in the world.
USDA is accepting public comments on the proposed regulations until Dec. 23. Read the proposed rule on the National Organic Program web site at www.ams.usda.gov/nop. OTA plans to study the proposed regulations, consult with members about all the details, and participate in the public comment process.
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. Its 1,700 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. www.ota.com
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