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 A major part of OTA’s work to ensure that organic products are on consumers’ tables (and in all rooms of the house!) is making sure that OTA is at the table in official Washington, D.C. We may not win on every issue, but Washington works through trade associations and our daily presence here has made OTA the primary organization sharing the organic industry’s perspective on a multitude of topics.
Two issues came to a head in the past week—the deregulation of genetically engineered (GE) alfalfa and the release of the final version of Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. While the immediate outcomes were quite different, both illustrate the value of OTA’s front-and-center position in Washington.
First, late last week, USDA announced plans to allow commercial planting of GE alfalfa without any federal requirements to prevent contamination of the rest of alfalfa seed and plantings. The decision came after months of stakeholder briefings, conversations among affected parties, and a Congressional forum. OTA is outraged about this USDA decision. In response, it has harnessed its power and activated a letter-writing campaign to the White House, among other political and media strategies, to bring additional pressure to bear on this critical issue. Thousands of individuals have responded to OTA’s White House push, sending personalized messages of complaint from organic farmers, companies, suppliers and retailers. These letters represent tens of thousands of votes!
Although the GE alfalfa decision was very disappointing, we are clearly in a new landscape with regard to organic and GE agriculture. This is a watershed moment. OTA participated in meetings to bring the industry’s position to the highest levels of USDA, and USDA Secretary Vilsack was genuine in his attempt to accommodate organic. In his testimony before Congress, he stated that organic agriculture has a right to exist and that government policy shouldn’t put the organic industry in a disadvantageous position. More importantly, conditions for deregulating GE crops are now “on the table” for future debates and opportunities. OTA will continue to fight for the integrity of organic agriculture, the livelihood of organic farmers, and consumer choice.
OTA and the organic industry had a small but resounding victory this week when the final version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans was released without the inclusion of a misleading reference concerning organic foods that was part of the original draft. That document stated there was no difference between organic and conventional foods. I testified before the Advisory Panel preparing the guidelines and made the case that statements in the document were in direct conflict with the government’s advice put forth by the President’s Cancer Panel regarding ways to reduce environmental cancer risk. Follow-up meetings were held with USDA officials and, as a result of OTA’s advocacy on the issue, the final Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010, no longer malign organic farming and foods.
This week marks the mid-way point of OTA’s 2011 Annual Fund Campaign. We are over halfway toward our goal. I want to remind you that your membership dues and Annual Fund support make it possible for OTA to be an effective representative of organic in Washington, D.C., with the media, and with consumers. Help us to continue to fight the good fight!
If you haven’t already done so, please make a pledge to OTA’s 2011 Annual Fund and consider adding a bit more. We’ve got lots of work ahead of us. With your support, OTA will continue to represent the interests of organic agriculture and trade at every opportunity.
Yours for organic,
Christine Bushway
Executive Director / CEO
Organic Trade Association
802-275-3800
703-922-4161 (DC office) |
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