This time with the letter attached.

 

Dear Friends,

 

The Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman, Pat Roberts, has his sights on gutting the authority of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The board is the heart of the transparent, democratic process that upholds the organic seal. This could end organic as we know it.

 

This is a move that would open organic standards to the dictates of political and special interests and to the addition of toxic pesticides and GMOs. It would lead to the organic program increasingly serving corporate interests over family farmers. There is already noxious language toward this end in the House Farm Bill. Advocates were able to amend it to somewhat contain the damage, but we still need to neutralize it, and Roberts is expected to go much further in his attack.

 

Please sign on by COB next Wednesday, May 23rd.   Please circulate widely!

 

Data show that organic farming is a blueprint for a sustainable food future. It is an economic driver in rural communities, delivers impressive conservation benefits, and reduces human exposure to toxic pesticides. Please consider signing your organization on to this letter to the Senate Agriculture Committee to demonstrate broad support for strong organic standards, the integrity of the National Organic Standards Board, and the organic and conservation agriculture programs that are fundamental to growing the U.S. organic sector.

 

This quick turn-around ensures that Senators receive the letter before they go on recess. And the letter will be a great tool for groups doing in-district visits the week of May 28th.  We still believe the committee will either release or finalize language by May 28th.

 

Please use this form to sign on by next Wednesday, and please circulate widely!

 

FOE is also organizing a Twitter storm next Tuesday, 5/22. Please contact Kendra at kklein@foe.org for details and sample tweets.

 

Thank you,

Ben

 

 

Ben Schreiber

Senior Political Strategist

FoE Bullet Points Friends of the Earth U.S.

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