Reinstate 100% organic feed requirement

This letter was sent to U.S. senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray.

March 26, 2003

Senator
717 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D. C. 20510

Dear Senator,

Thank you for supporting the Leahy-Snowe bill, S. 457, to reinstate the 100 percent organic feed requirement in the National Organic Standards. The measure will restore the integrity of the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Organic label for meat, poultry, and dairy.

The National Organic Standards adopted last October gave the $11 billion organic industry and consumers the most clarity and consistency ever. Repealing Section 771 of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill via S. 457 will encourage continued growth of organic farming, one of the brightest spots in U.S. agriculture and one that produces $200 million worth of goods in Washington state alone.

S. 457 is smart for business and for consumers’ trust in USDA standards. I appreciate your leadership and support.
Yours truly,

Tracy Wolpert, Chief Executive Officer
Randy Lee, Chief Financial Officer

Related reading

Funding for the Soil Health Initiative

PCC submitted a letter to the Washington State legislators to request that the Soil Health Initiative, passed in 2020, receive its full funding allocation during the 2021-2023 biennial operating budget.

Support for Agricultural Resilience Act

PCC issued a statement of support for the Agricultural Resilience Act (ARA) introduced by Congresswoman Chellie Pingree of Maine. The ARA would set goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector, while protecting and supporting rural communities and farmers.

A proposed checkoff program for organic

We are unable to find convincing evidence the checkoff model would deliver the desired results.