I think this brings up an interesting question. WHO EXACTLY asked that this
be done and why? I do understand the importance of standards, etc., but
these are largely important only when there is not direct contact between
the organic grower and the consumer. When there is a fairly direct
relationship (farmer-store, farmer-restaurant, farmer-consumer), the grower
an explain what they do and why. When the relationship is indirect
(farmer-wholesaler-distributer(US)-distributer(foreign)-store(foreign)-consu
mer(foreign)), that's not possible.
I used to work for minimum wage in a crunchy-granola hole-in-the-wall food
co-op. Last year, I heard a talk by a rep from an organic beans and grains
company. I was for all the world like a talk from any ag wholesaler. The
organics made a difference from a marketing standpoint, but not from any of
the ways that "sustainable" ag is important: farmers, farmworkers, ecology,
community, etc.
Maybe the question is, Who benefits from standardization?
ciao
bill