Organic Trade Association Optimistic About Farm Bill

GREENFIELD, Mass., May. 15 /PRNewswire/ --

GREENFIELD, Mass., May 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is pleased that the Farm Bill has passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate by majorities far beyond the two thirds vote necessary to override any Presidential veto. While OTA hopes that the President will not veto the bill, it will work to see that a final bill is passed if there is a veto.

The bill as just passed would increase mandatory spending on organic agriculture and programs to over $100 million over the life of the bill, roughly four times what the last Farm Bill provided. The bill also cites organic agriculture as eligible for many programs within the bill which have been difficult for organic farmers to access in the past. Some other programs such as support for the National Organic Program are "authorized" and OTA will support them in the future in the Appropriations Committees in order to have them fully implemented.

"Congress has made excellent progress for the organic farm community," said Caren Wilcox, executive director of the Organic Trade Association. "Members of the Organic Trade Association have worked hard to be sure their voices were heard as this bill was being developed."

According to the National Organic Standards Board, organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. Food and beverage products labeled as organic for sale in the United States must meet or exceed federal requirements for organic production, in addition to meeting or exceeding all federal state and local food safety requirements.

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. Its more than 1,700 members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA's mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.