Should “Organic” Have Stricter Rules?
by Kyla @ 12:01 am 2 comments »
Business is booming for Horizon Organic Milk, dubbed “the Microsoft of organic milk” by author Michael Pollan. The label under the happy cow’s face assures consumers that cows have plenty of room, sunshine, and grass, adding that “all of our products proudly carry the USDA Organic seal and that says it all.”
But does a label really say it all? Farms with classic organic values raise a variety of produce and animals to self-sustain similar to the way nature does, which provides its own supplies and cleans up after itself. Animals roam free-range.
But a Horizon milk farm in Idaho looks much different from this ideal, according to this article via organicconsumers.org. Cows rarely have access to pasture, as the organic certification does not specify how long they must be permitted to graze. Cows are housed in crowded pens and fed a diet of organic alfalfa, grains, hay and soy shipped from around the country. A Horizon farm looks much more like a factory farm than the local family farm we imagine.
So, no, the label doesn’t say it all. Is the label misleading? Should further restrictions apply, such as requirements for how long an animal must be permitted to graze and how crowded a pasture can be? Tell us what you think.
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Yes, yes, yes! Organic standards are wonderful to have, but like so many other government-regulated programs, it has been diluted further than it should have been already.
Great post!
Yea, you point out some serious issues in need of careful attention. However, I do not believe that the solution lies within the realm of more strict labeling and certification requirements. Or even legislation for that matter.
In my view, it is what it is. And, if people keep buying it, it will keep on coming.
I believe solutions for improvement involve transparency, authenticity and respect for the dignity of all consumers. Given the correct information, consumers, generally speaking, will make the correct choice.
We are seeing this occur in green markets. People want what is good for them and the planet. The confusion sets in with smokescreens. We need to advocate for clarity as then and only then would conscious consumerism be given the chance to work with the full potential that it has.
Todd
Come check out my blog http://www.healingspaceblog.com/