Consumers Union Experts Available To Discuss New National Organic Program And What It Means To Consumers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8TH, 2002

MEDIA ADVISORY:
CONSUMERS UNION EXPERTS AVAILABLE TO DISCUSS NEW NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM AND WHAT IT MEANS TO CONSUMERS

Standards set to take effect October 21st; Visit CU's Eco-labels Web site for more info at
http://www.eco-labels.org/usdaorganic & http://www.eco-labels.org/organicpubs

WHY:	The United States Department of Agriculture is launching the much-anticipated National Organic Program on October 21st, which will oversee the certification of organic agriculture and livestock products. "Consumers Union is very pleased to see that the government is launching the National Organic Program. This is a valuable new tool for obtaining the benefits of a practice that has been in use for more than 20 years by farmers. Organic farming conserves resources and minimizes pollution by doing without synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, genetic engineering, irradiation, antibiotics, and animal by-products. Consumers can now be assured that when they see organic labels, they should mean the same thing consistently from product to product," says Urvashi Rangan, director of Consumers Union's www.eco-labels.org web site that tracks the meaning and credibility of environmental labels on food, wood, and personal hygiene products. "We will continue to monitor the new government program to ensure that the integrity of the organic label is not compromised."
WHAT:	Consumers Union experts have submitted more than 10 sets of public comments to the government on the development of these standards. CU still has concerns about the USDA organic program that the organization hopes can be resolved by October 21st. These concerns include the need for: · Consistent Enforcement. Industry groups are currently lobbying the USDA to issue waivers, requesting exemptions from requirements under the new organic laws. For example, one Georgia chicken processor has applied for a waiver that would allow non-organic feed to be fed to chickens and another waiver to restrict poultry access to the outdoors. CU believes granting these waivers would undermine the integrity of the organic label. · Public Disclosure. To date, the USDA has approved more than 50 organic certifiers, private companies who approve farms as organic, and another 50 are pending. However, the USDA has not publicly disclosed any information about how the agency evaluated each certifier nor has it disclosed any conditions that the certifier needs to fulfill in order to be able to issue the use of the organic label. CU has urged complete openness. · Product Clarification. CU believes the USDA should finalize a decision before the Oct.21st deadline on the following products, which have previously carried the organic label and may no longer be eligible to carry it under the new law: honey, fish, mushrooms, personal care products, fertilizers, pet food and fibers.
WHO:	Urvashi Rangan, PhD in Environmental Health Science and Director of www.Eco-labels.org, Consumers Union Ned Groth, PhD, Senior Scientist, Consumers Union
HOW:	To set up interviews, contact: Jennifer Shecter, (914) 378-2402, shecje@consumer.org

View Files Sorted By Office: Consumers Union OPI, New York - Washington DC Office
West Coast Regional Office - Southwest Regional Office - Consumer Policy Institute

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