January 7, 2005:
I would like to welcome Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns as the next Secretary
of Agriculture. I am pleased to see a fellow Midwesterner selected
for the post.
Once confirmed— almost certain after his unanimous approval
by the Senate Agriculture Committee on January 6—Gov. Johanns
will be taking over a Department of Agriculture with the strongest
organic standards in the world. The Organic Foods Production Act
of 1990, which was fully implemented in October 2002, set rigorous
and uniform production, handling, and labeling requirements.
But there is much work ahead!
The organic sector is expanding rapidly, with U.S. domestic sales
growing at an annual rate of 18-20 percent for the last 10 years
and topping $12 billion in 2003. Published reports indicate that
Gov. Johanns is a strong supporter of innovative, value-added, market-driven
agriculture. Organics is a values-based system of agriculture, and
Gov. Johanns will find that it is ready to continue to grow.
Organic agriculture is consumer-driven, with farmers being rewarded
in the marketplace for implementing environmentally sound farming
practices. As such, it fits nicely with conservative principles
and ideals. (After all, OFPA was signed into law by the first President
Bush, and the organic regulation was fully implemented under the
current administration.)
Care of the land, production of food, and consumer choice are non-partisan
issues, however.
“The customer is always right!” is the first law of
business. It is time for the USDA to listen to consumers and allow
Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) to be fully implemented. COOL
will provide valuable information to American consumers, so that
they can more readily purchase products from American farmers.
The farm press is now predicting an end to the farm subsidy program,
which supports the production of mass quantities of cheap raw materials,
contributes to agri-business consolidation, exacerbates soil erosion
and water pollution, and violates free trade agreements. The subsidies
are predicted to end, not because of their negative impacts, but
because they are too expensive to maintain in times of staggering
budget and trade deficits.
To replace farm subsidies, the Conservation Security Program (CSP)
must be fully implemented. This program rewards farmers who adopt
stewardship practices on working farms. It is encouraging to see
the program offered in 202 watersheds in 2005, up from 18 watersheds
in 2004. It needs to be offered nationwide in 2006, as envisioned
by Congress.
In order to expand consumer choice, increase exports, safeguard
the environment, sustain farm families, and expand rural economic
activity, incoming Sec. Johanns would be wise to strengthen USDA
organic program initiatives.
Priorities to be addressed by Sec. Johanns should include:
- Appointment of an Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS) Administrator who is supportive of organic agriculture.
The AMS Administrator sets the direction for the National
Organic Program (NOP), including staff needs, budget requests,
NOSB appointments, work plans, and regulatory interpretations.
This is a keystone position for protection of organic integrity,
consumer confidence, and growth of the organic sector.
- Coordination of USDA organic research,
data collection, regulatory, outreach, foreign trade, natural
resource conservation, and crop insurance programs. The
USDA’s AMS, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Cooperative
State Research Education and Extension Service (CSREES), Economic
Research Service (ERS), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), National
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS), and Risk Management Agency (RMA) are all providing
valuable services to the organic sector, but those services need
to be expanded and better coordinated to maximize efficiency and
effect.
- Inclusion of an Organic Resource Conservation
Title in the next Farm Bill. Studies by the ARS, University
of Minnesota, Washington State University, The Rodale Institute
and others all show that organic farming systems produce equivalent
yields to conventional agriculture while doing a better job of
protecting ground and surface water and improving soil quality.
Combined with strong consumer demand and sustainable farm prices,
organic agriculture must be a foundation piece of the next Farm
Bill, and USDA has the opportunity to take the lead.
- Strengthen the USDA’s National
Organic Program. The NOP has done an exemplary job
of writing an organic regulation that is true to organic principles
and consumer expectations. They continue to implement a national
(actually international) regulation that impacts all forms of
crops, livestock, and processed products with a miniscule budget
and a staff of six. But the efforts of the NOP need to be reinforced
to meet the following imperatives:
- Train all USDA-accredited certifying agents for consistent
enforcement
- Conduct on-site accreditation audits of foreign certifying
agents
- Institutionalize peer review of the NOP, as required by
OFPA and the regulation
- Adopt standards for apiculture, greenhouses, and mushrooms,
as recommended by the NOSB
- Regulate categories of products that make “organic”
label claims, including aquatic animals, pet foods, nutritional
supplements, fertilizers, and personal care products
- Publish a National Organic Program Quality Manual
- Index the $5000 small farmer exemption (set in 1990) to
the rate of inflation
- Clarify existing requirements for livestock, including
outdoor access for all species and pasture access for ruminants
- Continue the NOSB’s role in management of the National
List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances
- Expand organic opportunities.
Incoming Sec. Johanns can demonstrate leadership by expanding
opportunities for conventional and organic farmers by:
- Ensuring that the national organic certification cost share
program continues to be funded
- Providing nationwide access to NRCS organic transition
incentive payments
- Increasing funds for organic research projects
- Mandating that RMA organic crop insurance programs pay
organic prices for insured organic producers
- Directing the AMS to develop marketing, promotion, and
consumer education tools to support the organic sector
- Improve the regulation of genetically
modified organisms (GMOs). Yes, biotech company scientists
have the ability to create and patent novel organisms by combining
genes from totally different species, families, or kingdoms, but
these transgenic organisms are not part of the Creation, and they
have no place in the natural order.
Studies now confirm that transgenic crops have contributed
to lost markets, depressed farm prices, and increased use of
pesticides. They have also been shown to have negative environmental
impacts, including increases in herbicide-resistant weeds and
pesticide-resistant insects and contamination of foundation
seed sources.
GMOs do not respect property borders and are causing
harm to organic and non-GMO producers through “transgenic
trespass.” Biotech companies and growers of GMOs are exposed
to risk when their products cause economic and/or environmental
harm. Likewise, farmers and consumers who choose to avoid GMOs
are being exposed to these products against their will and without
their knowledge, due to the absence of GMO labeling.
In an editorial of December 6, 2004, the Los Angles Times stated,
“The U.S. needs rigorous rules for labeling organic and
genetically modified foods.” We already have rigorous
labeling requirements for organic foods, but there are no label
requirements for GMOs. The USDA must address this and numerous
other issues related to GMOs to bring a level of regulatory
certainty for both the persons who want to sell, use and consume
GMOs and those who choose to avoid them.
As Governor of Nebraska, Mike Johanns has demonstrated his support
for fiscal conservatism, value-added production, free trade, renewable
energy, and agricultural stewardship. As Secretary of Agriculture,
he will have the opportunity to combine these principles and lead
an agricultural revival in this country.
Organic agriculture is consistent with the incoming Secretary’s
objectives. It is well positioned for growth, and deserves to be
a fundamental part of the USDA’s mission.
Jim Riddle serves as chair of the USDA’s National Organic
Standards Board and organic policy advisor for NewFarm.org. He was
the founding chair of the Independent Organic Inspectors Association
(IOIA).
|
