Xref: 127.0.0.1 alt.agricultu11766 sci.agricultu58360 alt.sustainable.agricultu20991



Fieldale Farms (Springer Mountain Farms & Redding labels)
contributed $4000 to the re-election campaign of Georgia
Representative Nathan Deal.

And in true Quid Pro Quo fashion, U.S. Rep. Nathan Deal, R-Clermont
turned around and introduced a provision (Section 771 of Omnibus
Appropriations Bill, which passed) that allows meat to be labeled
organic even if the animals did not eat certified organic feed.

from http://www.organicconsumers.org/orga...03_organic.cfm

*****Take Action - to Protect The integrity of Organic Standards*****

Senator Leahy (D-VT) is taking the lead by introducing the Organic
Restoration Act to repeal this rider.

Representative Sam Farr will be introducing this same bill in the
House.

Co-sponsors are needed ASAP in the House AND Senate - both Republicans
and Democrats.

For the repeal bill to be successful, we must generate a lot of
interest
and public comment on the bill all across the nation. It is important
that everyone - farmers, consumers, environmentalists, and the entire
organic industry - talk to their members of Congress and get them on
board in supporting these two bills. If we do not stand up to this
blatant attempt by agri-business to have their way with the organic
standards, this is just the beginning of the degradation to come.

****What You Can Do - Take Action!******

Contact your representatives in Washington and demand that support the
Organic Restoration Act to repeal the language inserted into Section
771
of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill undermining the integrity of the
organic label for meat, poultry, eggs and dairy.

The message is simple: Urge your Senators and Representatives to
support
the Organic Restoration Act that was introduced on Feb 26th by Senator
Patrick Leahy and Representative Sam Farr to repeal Section 771 of the
Omnibus Appropriations Bill. Repealing this section is in the
interest
of consumers, organic farmers and the environment. Repealing this
section will encourage continued growth of organic agricultural
production in the United States, one of the bright prospects for U.S.
agriculture overall.

The Senate bill is Leahy's Organic Restoration Act S. 457
You can find your Senator here -
http://www.senate.gov/general/contac...nators_cfm.cfm

The House bill is Farr's Organic Restoration Act HR 955
You can find your Representative here -
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.html

Representative Farr's office has asked that we target the following
Representatives, if you know of folks that live in their states please
forward on this email to them.
Allen Boyd, Jr. (D-FL/2) 202-225-5235 Ag Aide:Charla Penn
Jerold Nadler (D-NY/8) 202-225-5635 Ag Aide: Kisette
Morton Dennis Rehberg (R-MT) 202-225-3211 Chief of Staff: Erik
Iverson
Jim McDermott (D-WA/7) 202-225-3106 Ag Aide: Sean Hughes Wayne
Gilchrest (R-MD/1) 202-225-5311 Ag Aide: Jeri Finke

Please also let your local health food store know what you are doing.
Tell them to carry NO products by Fieldale Farms, the company in GA
that
instigated this movement to gut the organic livestock feed standards.
They also produce poultry under the Springer Mountain Farms and
Redding
labels.

STAY TUNED TO OUR WEBSITE IN THE COMING DAYS FOR MORE INFORMATION AND
SPREAD THE WORD FAR AND WIDE!!!

Tom Taylor
Field Organizer
Organic Consumers Association
Tel: 612-331-7309
Fax: 612-331-7483


PLEASE FORWARD THIS EMAIL TO YOUR FRIENDS WHO WOULD BE INTERESTED.
================================================== ========