PCC submitted comments on the National Organic Program’s (NOP) Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) proposed rule, aimed at addressing the issue of organic fraud and improving the integrity of the organic supply chain.
PCC submitted written comments and provided oral testimony for the virtual fall 2020 meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) advisory committee to the National Organic Program (NOP).
PCC joined a coalition of 68 farmer, antitrust and environmental groups in sending a letter to the U.S. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin wherein the groups urge the department to prioritize COVID-19 relief funding for small and family-owned businesses and not large agribusinesses.
PCC signed onto the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s (NSAC) letter to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue, urging the agency to direct relief funds to farmers most impacted by loss of market channels due to COVID-19.
PCC endorsed Organic Seed Alliance (OSA)’s written testimony to the Senate Committee on Appropriations and related agricultural subcommittees, advocating for funding in 2021 to support critical work related to biodiversity and regionally adapted seeds and animal breeds.
PCC submitted written comments and provided oral testimony for the virtual spring 2020 meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) advisory committee to the National Organic Program (NOP).
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.
PCC submitted comments to WA State Representative Sharon Shewmake on the Sustainable Farm and Field Act (SF&F), supporting the legislation but also encouraging additional amendments to strengthen and improve the bill.
PCC submitted a letter to the Washington State Department of Ecology opposing a proposal to streamline the permitting process for biosolid applications.
PCC submitted a letter to the Washington State Senate Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources and Parks Committee in support of the Soil Health Initiative.
PCC submitted comments encouraging the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement the languishing Origin of Livestock rule, which would clarify requirements for how an organic cow becomes and stays organic.
PCC submitted written comments and in-person testimony for the fall 2019 meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) advisory committee to the National Organic Program (NOP).
PCC joined the Organic Farmers Association (OFA) in a letter to Secretary Sonny Perdue, expressing solidarity against any allowance of genetic engineering in certified organic production.
As a member of the National Organic Coalition (NOC), PCC endorsed the Climate Stewardship Act of 2019, sponsored by U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ). The Act takes bold climate action through a collection of agricultural and conservation projects.
PCC signed on to a letter urging the U.S. Senate to reject the relocation of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research agencies from Washington D.C. to Kansas City.
PCC signed a letter by Seattle Green Spaces Coalition (SGSC) urging the Seattle City Council to fund an assessment of the city’s green spaces as natural capital.
PCC submitted written comments for the spring 2019 meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) advisory committee to the National Organic Program (NOP), which took place in Seattle, Washington.
PCC joined with other organic advocates in endorsing a petition to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to stop labeling hydroponically produced food as organic.
Data indicates as many as 10-31 percent of U.S. organic farms have or could be affected by fracking.
We support full funding for this program that includes farmland preservation.
PCC submits comments on petitions and motions regarding flavors, gums, magnesium stearate, plastic mulch, and impacts of oil and gas drilling to the National Organic Standards Board.
Changing the authority or composition of the NOSB would harm the integrity of organic standards and undermine consumer trust.
Farmers need new seeds that are regionally adapted, for diverse markets, and ensure traditional non-GE American farmers are competitive.
This bill would strengthen documentation and traceability of imported organic products.
Comments to National Organic Standards Board: PCC supports protecting native ecosystems from conversion to farmland. We support the vote to prohibit hydroponics from organic claims.
USDA must fund the National Organic Program to ensure U.S. organic farmers can meet growing demand for organic food.
We do not see sufficient evidence to support a mandatory organic checkoff program. Checkoff programs have high admin costs, weak oversight and favor large companies.
PCC supports Organic Seed Alliance's research for a new overwintering vegetable &emdash; purple sprouting broccoli &emdash; and donates to the project.
Comments to National Organic Standards Board: Carrageenan should not be allowed and harvest of seaweed and algae needs review. PCC supports NOSB position on hydroponics.
PCC asks National Organic Standards Board for a moratorium on use of fracking waste water; to prohibit carrageenan, sodium and potassium lactate, BPA, SIO2; squid and "organic" salmon.
Comments to National Organic Standards Board: irrigating crops with fracking waste water, fish oils, tocopherols, palm olein, celery powder, potassium and sodium lactate, and NOP relations.
PCC urges Congress to support the Farm to School Act. It would improve children's health, increase market opportunities for farmers, and support rural communities.
PCC urges USDA to reinstate the transitional-to-organic program to incentivize domestic growers to meet the growing demand for organic food.
Comments to National Organic Standards Board: nanotechnology, changes to the Sunset Provision, unfilled OFPA provisions, algal flour, tocopherols, fish oil, and non-GMO verification.
The Organic Certification Cost Share Program helps small and medium farms transition to organic methods. It's a tiny program with huge impact for family farmers.
USDA's changes make it harder to keep synthetics out of organics. It's premature to consider feed additives for aquaculture when a framework and regulations haven't been established.
PCC opposed the use of antibiotics in organic apple and pear production. We also comment on a number of other ingredients.
PCC comments to the National Organic Standards Board on poultry living conditions, artificial additives inositol and carrageenan, solvents, and the need for transparency in technical reviews.
Six PCC representatives testified for strong animal welfare rules, on the risks of net-pen aquaculture, and the use of synthetic additives in organic products.
The IAASTD found small-scale, low-input, agro-ecological and organic farming is more effective in feeding the world's hungry than energy- and chemical-intensive models.
PCC proposes measures that encourage fair and competitive markets; funding for organic research, conversion and cost-share programs; and limits to commodity subsidies.
Measures to restore fair and competitive markets would address packer control of livestock markets, set standards for fair contracts, and be transparent.
The NW Cooperative Development Center deserves a USDA Rural Cooperative Development Grant. Co-ops create greater economic benefits than national chains with more profits reinvested in communities.
Regular confinement of lactating cows for other than temporary health issues or extreme weather is not suitable to the species' natural needs, or the needs of the land, and is not acceptable.
PCC decides to not oppose a proposed amendment to the Organic Food Production Act after considering the language and stated rationale.
Market consolidation effectively eliminates free market competition, hurting independent family farmers and consumers. This joint letter proposes legislation to address these concerns.
Thank you to Rep. Linville for supporting and helping to secure funding for WSU's Biologically-Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming (BIOAg) program.
PCC urges Senators Murray and Cantwell to support funding Conservation Security, Country of Origin Labeling, and Farm to Cafeteria programs.
PCC supports funding a Rural Cooperative Development Grant for the Northwest Cooperative Development Center.
Washington's legislators should fund WSU's Biologically-Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming (BIOAg) program, and the WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs.
Thank you, Sen. Murray, for supporting the organic crop research and education program at Washington State University.
Cutting funds for the Value-Added Producer Grant and Conservation Security Programs are short-term fixes. These programs offer long-term benefits to the environment and food security.
The Small Farm and Direct Marketing Program must continue to receive funding, despite cuts and a tight budget. This program has been highly successful and is important for our state's food security.
Thank you, U.S. Representatives, for supporting the requirement of 100% organic feed under National Organic Standards.
Thank you, Sens. Cantwell and Murray, for supporting reinstatement of the 100% organic feed requirement in National Organic Standards.
Thank you Rep. Larsen for efforts in securing funding the Organic and Biologically Intensive Agriculture (BioAg) Program at WSU.
Thank you, Sen. Murray, for helping to secure funding for the Biologically-Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming (BIOAg) program at WSU.
Thank you, Rep. Nethercutt, for helping to secure funding for the Biologically-Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming (BIOAg) program at WSU.
Section 771 of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill should be repealed because it contradicts National Organic Standards requiring all organic feed rations.
We ask the Washington state Senate Agriculture Committee to support small farm, direct marketing programs. Direct marketing delivers higher returns to farmers.
PCC says USDA's second draft for National Organic Standards must not allow genetic engineering, irradiation or sewage sludge. They should support family farms.
