News & Events

USDA Rescinds Directives

In another victory for the organic movement, the USDA has announced that it will rescind directives made in April allowing limited use of antibiotics and chemical pesticides in the production of food carrying the Organic Label and another stating that they would no longer monitor the organic labeling of non-food products. Faced by strong opposition from consumers and organic trade groups, Secretary of Agriculture Ann Venemen, announced the action on Wednesday.

For more information http://www.organicconsumers.org/organic/reversal.cfm

Monsanto Backs Down on GMO Wheat. Anti GMO Forces Declare Victory.

Faced with stiff opposition from a broad coalition of consumer groups, farmers and foreign governments, Monsanto has withdrawn plans to commercialize its genetically engineered (GE), "Roundup Ready" Wheat. On May 10th, citing dwindling market opportunities and extensive consultation with the farming industry, the chemical and seed giant announced that it would discontinue it's research program on the controversial crop. Monsanto had spent a reported 5 million annually for several years to develop the variety of spring wheat which would be resistant to their widely used Roundup brand of herbicide (Glyphosate).

Viewed by many as a stunning victory for the organic movement, some see this as a major turning point away from the commercialization of genetically modified crops, especially those associated with food for human consumption. "This is the beginning of the end of genetically engineered crops" states Ronnie Cummings of the Organic Consumer's Association, "This is a bitter defeat for Monsanto and a well-deserved victory for family farmers and consumers."

In an unusual move, farmer's groups representing industrial scale agriculture, who have embraced other genetically modified crops such as soy, canola and corn, resisted the introduction of the GE wheat, citing consumer wariness and fear of loosing major export markets. Resistance to GE crops remains strong in Europe while Japanese wheat buyers went as far as saying they would no longer import US wheat of any kind if the controversial crop was brought into production because it would be nearly impossible to prevent intermingling of GE wheat with conventional crops.

For more information contact the OCA at http://www.organicconsumers.org/monsanto/wheatwin051004.cfm

Nature reports on our Organic Future

The highly regarded science journal Nature recently published and article entitled "Organic: Is it the future of farming." While not answering the rhetorical question with a definitive yes, the article, written by Colin Macilwain, examines the ways in which longtime proponents of chemical-based agriculture are discovering the benefits of restoring soil integrity in their farming operations as touted by organic growers and researchers. After years of promoting destructive practices such as heavy tillage and intensive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in search of the highest yields possible, many Mainstream agronomists are now questioning the sustainability of this approach and are moving toward a hybrid system that incorporates many ideas from the organic movement such as restoring organic matter in the soil by use of cover crops, and increasing the diversity of soil organisms by decreased tillage and reducing toxic chemical applications.

While not completely embracing sustainable organic methods, Macilwain points out that large scale agriculture is taking steps in that direction as they see dwindling returns from ever increasing inputs and consumer demand for clean food. The article is available free online through the end of the month.

http://www.nature.com

Common pesticides found linked to low birth weight.

A recent study in New York City reports a significant increase in infant birth weights after two commonly used insecticides were banned for home use. Chlorpyrifos, a pesticide manufactured by Dow Chemical, and diazinon, which is produced by Syngenta, were widely used against cockroaches and other household pests until most of these uses were banned by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) in 2001 and 2002.

The current study, published in the April issue of Environmental Health Perspectives, looked at 314 mother-infant pairs and is part of an ongoing project by Colombia University evaluating the effects of indoor air pollutants on minority mothers and their newborns in New York City. Study authors had reported earlier that pesticide residues were detected in virtually all low-income pregnant mothers studied, noting a strong correlation between dilapidated housing and pesticide exposures.

Click below to read the rest of this article from the Pesticide Action Network. (PANNA) http://www.panna.org/resources/panups/panup_20040416.dv.html

Celebrate Raw Foods!

Ever wonder why the raw foods movement is taking off in this country and beyond? Why not attend this year's International Raw Foods Festival in Portland, Oregon, from August 18 through 22? There will be dozens of speakers including raw foods gurus Cherie Soria, Gabriel Cousens, Paul Nison, Dr. Doug Graham, Professor Roz Gruben and numerous workshops expounding on the health and culinary benefits of raw food. There will also be free ongoing mini lectures entitled "Why Raw" and "Raw and Heath Benefits" and a food court and vendors area open to the public for those who want to sample and learn about raw foods without paying admission to the conference.

For more information contact:
Intl' Raw Foods Assoc.
8700 SW Borders
Ptld, OR 97223
503-246-1684
RawFestival@aol.com