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Re: A Few Thoughts
As always, CV. B.'s point is thoughtfully, constructively and patiently
presented. But I suggest the underlying issue goes beyond differences
in farming methods or healthier vs. less healthier food. It's who will
pay the cost of maintaining the biosphere habitable and above all, does
the political will exist to take that cost into account and mandate the
inclusion of that criteria in the marketplace. It's easier to cut
corners because vested interests and lazy perception on the part of both
the public at large AND many concerned professionals in the field would
rather sell out - or postpone excercising that basic responsibility. Am
I referring to an impractical or overly ambitious task? Some will say
yes. But then again, maybe complacency and / or inability to get to the
crux of the matter are too inbred among those intellectuals best capable
of acheiving that goal, and I don't expect much support for this point
of view from this forum at this time.
D.H.
Charles Benbrook wrote:
>
>the underlying and very real problems Sal has raised.
>
> Venting his spleen may make Sal feel better, but it does not a
> movement make. If Sal (and other farmers) were to divert his (their) time
> to making the case for change and coalition building, who would tend his
> (their) farm(s)? ... It remains
> unclear whether the organic farmer will receive a fair share of the
> benefits/burdens when all is said and done.
>
> How can Sal and other concerned and knowledgeful farmers help? By
> educating the variety of trade, consumer, environmental and other
> organizations that will be doing comments on the proposed organic program
> regulations. Sal has put some key issues on the table that WILL be addressed
> in the regs at length -- fee structures, the size of farms exempt from
> sales, how the exemption should be applied, need to avoid duplicative
> paperwork and overlapping certification, fair treatment of organic farms
> sprayed as part of APHIS region-wide programs (like med-fly control), role
> of genetic engineering in organic farming.
>
> In response to Deb's questions, both private NGO-like organizations
> and state governments run c
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