Rising consumer demands aids organic industry sway
Source: AP-Excite
By MARY CLARE JALONICK
WASHINGTON (AP) - The organic food industry is gaining influence on Capitol Hill, prompted by its entry into traditional farm states and by increasing consumer demand.
That's not going over well with everyone in Congress.
Tensions between conventional and organic agriculture boiled over this week during a late-night House Agriculture Committee debate on farm legislation that for decades has propped up traditional crops and largely ignored organics.
When Rep. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., a former organic farmer, offered an amendment to make it easier for organic companies to organize industry-wide promotional campaigns, there was swift backlash from some farm-state Republicans. One lawmaker said he didn't want to see the industry get a free ride and a second complained about organics'"continued assault on agriculture."
FULL story at link.
Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20130517/DA6B5DQG2.html
In this Feb. 22, 2009, file photo, bottles of Heinz organic tomato ketchup are on display inside Costco in Mountain View, Calif. The organic industry is gaining clout on Capitol Hill, prompted by rising consumer demand and its entry into traditional farm states. But that isnt going over well with everyone in Congress. Tensions between conventional and organic agriculture boiled over this week during a late-night House Agriculture Committee debate on a sweeping farm bill that has for decades propped up traditional crops and largely ignored organics. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
wordpix
(18,652 posts)silvershadow
(10,336 posts)about organics'"continued assault on agriculture."
Yes. Tell me how organic farming is assaulting the rights of big agriculture. This guy and his thinking is a true perversion.
wordpix
(18,652 posts)snip:
And, of course, it's precisely these corporate interests that fuel the gusher of lobbying cash. Consider that of the $173.5 million total lobbying expenditures, organic interests spent just $269,000an amount nearly offset by the Fertilizer Institute's $245,000, and dwarfed by Monsanto's $2.46 million outlay. Altogether, Monsanto and its peers spent $9.9 million on lobbying; ethanol and other biofuel interests spent $23 million; commodity interests including Archer Daniels Midland spent $17 million; industrial meat packers, led by Tyson and JBS, dropped $5.7 million; and food manufacturers like Kraft spent $11 million. snip
TygrBright
(20,759 posts)msongs
(67,405 posts)Cha
(297,196 posts)imagine how much change I've seen across the country.
thanks Steve
freshwest
(53,661 posts)It's my choice.
Is it too much to ask agribusiness bullies to respect my choice?
To every argument against, I still say:
It's my body.
It's my choice.
Not your body.
Not your choice.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)Call me crazy but I just don't trust those big corporations. The organic bananas I get at Trader Joe's and the organic pineapples I get at the health food stores are Dole. I don't know... but I don't like it. I mean I love organic, just don't know about how organic those corporate foods really are.
Also, keep in mind, while that Heinz ketchup may be organic, that doesn't mean it doesn't have sugar and other crap in it. I'd find a brand that doesn't.well I'd prefer to support smaller brands anyway when possible.
socialsecurityisAAA
(191 posts)I only support start ups. If from inception a companies philosophy isn't organic I won't buy it. That way I am not increasing influence of corps like dole that are guilty of crimes against humanity(use of pesticides on and around farmers w/out warning them resulting in mass sterilization and miscarriages)
I grow Italian Plum tomatoes. Just 3 plants usually is enough in a good year. You can blanch tomatoes, take the skin off and freeze them for a day when you have time to make the catsup and process in a water bath. It's not hard. It just takes some planning and time.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)you made your own "corporate labels saying "certified organic"."
Good idea on the homemade catsup, and welcome to DU!
NCarolinawoman
(2,825 posts)One thing I have found out is that Horizon milk is NOT organic. Yet it is always in the organic section competing with the real organic milk, of course at a much lower price.
Tom Harkin once called these guys out, and specifically named Horizon. Harkin said he was going to do something about it....then NOTHING. Must have gotten pressure from somebody.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)roody
(10,849 posts)NCarolinawoman
(2,825 posts)But the label still stands. After doing a little online research, it looks like Vilsack may have been involved in squelching Harkin's good intentions. Harkin had made it very clear that he was going after Horizon.
Beartracks
(12,809 posts)====================
L0oniX
(31,493 posts)For fucks sake "organics'"continued assault on agriculture" WTF!
lovuian
(19,362 posts)they are smarter and one thing they have learned ....the Government lies
Marrah_G
(28,581 posts)It's good for you and for the local economy.