02
Apr
Defend Organic by Providing a Public Comment to the NOSB
(Beyond Pesticides, April 2, 2015) Just one more week to make your voice heard! Help protect the integrity of organic and defend human health and the environment in the process. The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is seeking YOUR input to determine what should be allowed on organic food. It’s up to you to maintain the integrity of the organic food label or let USDA and big food take it over.
Our draft comments and summaries are now posted so check out our website to learn more about the issues and our positions and to submit a comment by April 7, 2015.
Major issues before the spring 2015 NOSB include:
”¢ Synthetic methionine should be phased out of organic poultry feed as the NOSB originally decided. Methionine is an amino acid that acts as a growth promoter (comparable to the synthetic growth promoter rGBH used in dairy cows). The new proposal increases use instead of increasing space and outdoor access, and alternative feed sources —without any scientific support. Neither synthetic amino acids nor synthetic growth promoters are compatible with organic practices. The phase out requires an expiration date. Learn more here.
Ӣ Nonorganic agricultural ingredients in organic products should be eliminated based on health and environmental impacts and the ability to produce them organically. Documentation for decisions has been lacking, including environmental and health impacts of pesticides used in their production. Organic agriculture can now supply most, if not all, of these materials. Learn more here.
”¢ “Inert” ingredients in pesticides used in organic production must be individually reviewed without further delay, according to processes recommended by the NOSB. So-called “inert” ingredients in pesticide products are neither chemically nor biologically inert, but designed to enhance the pesticidal activity of pesticide products and can have toxic properties that do not meet the standards of the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA). Learn more here.
”¢ Organic should be chlorine-free, to the extent possible. Chlorine is hazardous in its production, transportation, storage, use, and disposal. EPA’s Design for the Environment has identified safer viable alternatives for some or all uses, including other materials on the National List. It is time for the NOSB to update its thinking and approach to cleaners and disinfectants. Learn more here.
We ask that you submit comments on as many issues and materials as you can by the April 7, 2015 deadline. For help crafting your comments, view Beyond Pesticides’ commenting guide.
Please go to Beyond Pesticides Keeping Organic Strong webpage to learn more about these and other substantive issues and provide a unique public comment. Thank you for continuing to work with Beyond Pesticides each NOSB meeting to uphold the public’s voice in organic issues and the integrity of the organic label. Organic is only as strong as our voice. Our future is only as healthy as organic.
All unattributed positions and opinions in this piece are those of Beyond Pesticides.
Synthetic methionine should be phased out of organic poultry feed as the NOSB originally decided. Organic means free of toxic chemicals. Keep organic, organic.
April 2nd, 2015 at 10:07 amEating organic food (pesticide-free, GMO-free,) makes me feel healthy in my body and brain. I can breathe better and think clearer, because I’m getting more nutrients. Organic food tastes twice as good.
April 2nd, 2015 at 1:14 pm