Now's your chance! National Organic Coalition In the waning months of the Bush Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a proposal to completely overhaul regulation of genetically engineered (GE)crops. The plan significantly weakens USDA oversight. The proposed rules would virtually ensure that contamination of organic and conventional crops will become even more frequent, and even excuses the Agency from taking any action to remedy such contamination. The rules would continue to allow the dangerous practice of producing drugs and industrial chemicals in food crops grown in the open environment, and in many cases even allow the biotechnology industry to decide whether their GE crops are regulated at all. You can comment on this rule and make your voice heard. The public comment period, noted below, has been extended until June 29.

Posted in Action Alerts

Urge the NOSB to remove soy lecithin from the national list, comments due Monday, April 20th UPDATE: Last fall, we urged members of the organic community to write to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) in support of the first petition in the history of the USDA's Organic Program to remove a food ingredient from the National List of Approved and Prohibited Substances (conventional soy lecithin). Our action alert, thanks to you, was a success. The NOSB Handling Committee received more comments on this topic - in favor of this petition - than all other comments combined. And they heard you! The Committee, which reviewed the petition this past winter, unanimously recommended that the removal of conventional lecithin be approved at the vote of the full NOSB, at their meeting next month. We must show the NOSB that organic stakeholders are still engaged - tell them we expect them to cast their final vote in the interest of organic consumers and innovative organic companies. Our action alert below outlines why this precedent-setting vote is so important for the future of organics.

Posted in Action Alerts

SAMPLE LETTER -- click here: We Must Tell Congress to also Protect High Quality Organic and Local Food Supporting Viable Federal Oversight over Corporate Agribusiness Local/Organic Farming: Part of the Solution, Not Part of the Problem! 1. HR 875: The Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 2. HR 759: The Food and Drug Administration Globalization Act of 2009 3. HR 1332: Safe FEAST Act of 2009 The blogosphere has sounded the alarm warning that Congress and agribusiness and biotechnology lobbyists are conspiring to pass legislation that will force organic and local farms, and even home gardeners, out of business. What are the threats and opportunities, and how should we gear up to communicate with our congressional representatives?

Posted in Action Alerts

Action Alert Message to Obama: Please Fix the USDA's Organic Mess Overhaul of Management and Culture Needed Please urge President Obama and new USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to take immediate action to repair the USDA's increasingly dysfunctional National Organic Program (NOP). Suspect imports of grains, nuts, and vegetables from China and other countries, questionable organic milk, beef, and eggs from giant factory farms, and the erosion of opportunity for family farmers are plaguing the organic sector. Make your voice heard by

Posted in Action Alerts

We need change at the USDA, or the "People's Department," as President Lincoln so aptly called this agency. We need new management to create a culture supporting the thousands of ethical organic family farmers, and their consumer allies, who have built the vibrant organic agricultural and foodmarket. The timing is exquisite for the new Obama administration and the USDA to hear the serious concerns of the organic community.

Posted in Action Alerts, Cornucopia News