February 14, 2011
I am pleased to share the good news that the OTA Annual Fund has surpassed the $500,000 mark, getting us all the more closer to our $650,000 goal for 2011. If you still haven’t pledged your support, please do so today, because from where I sit in Washington, D.C., things are really heating up. The new Congress’ majority perspective about the budget and spending will have tremendous implications for organic agriculture and trade, and makes it all the more crucial that the organic industry has strong representation here on the Hill.
This week, the House will take up a budget bill to provide government funding for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011, as the Continuing Resolution that currently funds the government will expire on March 4th. Facing pressure from the more conservative Members of the Republican Party, the House Appropriations Committee has increased cuts to Fiscal Year 2011 spending. Programs important to the organic were included in these cuts.
OTA is setting its sights on four critical areas and will lead the effort to defend funding for:
• the National Organic Program (NOP),
• organic data initiatives,
• organic research,
• and the certification cost-share program.
The industry cannot thrive into the future without a strong NOP that enforces organic standards and guarantees the trustworthiness of the organic seal. This is OTA’s number one budget priority. Likewise, organic data initiatives and organic research are fundamentals that all agriculture sectors need for long-term viability.
Luckily, the organic industry invested in OTA’s Washington, D.C. office-- we are wearing a well-trodden path from our door to Capitol Hill. OTA has met with over 20 Republicans and Democrats on the House Appropriations and Agriculture Committees in the past two weeks to defend the programs that are critical to the organic industry. Additionally, OTA has been meeting with key offices in the Senate to be sure they are aware of the cuts organic programs are facing in the House bill. While the Senate will be looking for ways to reduce government spending, OTA is working with offices to explain the necessity of these programs so they will be defenders of organic programs in the Senate bill and in the Conference that will take place to draft the final bill.
The House is scheduled to begin debate on the bill tomorrow, and vote later this week. Amendments will be allowed on the floor, so changes will happen minute by minute. The Senate is not expected to complete its version of the spending bill by March 4th, so another short term funding bill is expected. The organic industry has several friends on the Senate Agriculture and Appropriations Committees that will be important to stopping the House’s efforts to reduce organic programs. However, the Senate will also look for ways to reduce spending, which means the industry must be prepared to fight.
As this process moves along, it is crucial for OTA members to be ready to reach out to their Members of Congress to tell them how important these programs are. We’ll keep you posted.
In addition to contacting Members of Congress to help OTA protect NOP and other programs that advance organic agriculture and trade, you can help by pledging or increasing your support to OTA's Annual Fund so that we can be an effective voice for the industry in these current and upcoming budget battles.
Your for organic,
Christine Bushway
Executive Director / CEO
Organic Trade Association
802-275-3833
703-922-4161 (DC office)
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