Just go to the Organic Consumers Association webpage for help writing much-needed letters before the deadline of June 12, 2000!

Obviously you can't count on the NOP's "Important Notices" page for updates --their last notice is for June 1999.

Notes below were for previous (first) position paper; deadline was December 14th, 1998
A brief summary of points to be made in your response-letter to the USDA's first position paper on three issues**: It is vital to keep the pressure on the USDA to create an organic standard that maintains the integrity of the organic label. That's why it's important for you to comment on these issue papers. If the USDA continues to receive huge responses on this issue, it will compel them to deliver a worthy standard.

1. No intensive confinement of animals that are to be certified organic. They must have access to the outdoors, including pasture (grassland for grazing), fresh air, and water.

2. Absolutely no antibiotics or other chemical medicationsor any pesticides should be allowed for animals that are certified organic.

3. Certifiers must be allowed to decertify producers if they are found to be breaking the rules. This idea of "granting a perpetual 'USDA Organic' license" that could only be jeopardized after a governmental appeal process is unacceptable. Also, USDA must allow non-governemtal certifiers to certify at a higher standard than that of USDA Organic. A federal organic standard must be a minimum standard and must not set a ceiling on quality. Also, certification fees must not be so high that they are prohibitive to small farmers.

The information below is not up-to-date, but can still be useful -- it is still a good idea to call or write to Congress, the media and local health food stores.

SF/East Bay addresses here or use "Congressional Roll-Call" and House of Representatives "Lookup"

2. Letter to House/Senate Ag Committees (irate letter, calls for Federal investigation)

and their Addresses . (See below for detailed Chairs' contact info.)

3. Try http://web.iquest.net/ofma/leglink.htm for additional pertinent committee addresses.

Some SF/East Bay addresses

Pros and Cons of Irradiation

What is Organic?

Genetic Engineering

I don't buy organic- Why should I care?