E-M:/ Urgent-Save Organic Standards

This is a BioDemocracy campaign to save organic standards from genetic engineering, food irradiation, rendered-annimal-protein livestock feed, toxic sewage sludge and pesticide use. Currently nothing is in place to protect us from these degraded foods--except the ORGANIC classification. Consumers have the right to know what is in their food. The Organic Consumers Association urges you to write to the USDA (below) or sign the petition to save organic standards at www.purefood.org or call us at: 218/726-1443.

1.) Genetic engineering and growth hormones have been associated with certain forms of cancer, antibiotic resistance, food allergies and environmental degradation from genetic mutation and "gene pollution". The USDA, and FDA haven't done adequate testing to assure that genetically modified foods are safe.

- Quote: Congressman John Conyers, "Monsanto and the FDA have chosen to supress and manipulate animal health test data in efforts to approve commercial use of Bovine Growth Hormones."

- The March 17, 2000 Washington Post cited a Michigan woman's death from anti-biotic resistant bacteria and a Royal Oak doctor's condemnation of the agricultural practice of feeding antibiotics to livestock.

- Samuel S. Epstein, MD Professor of Environmental Medicine at the University of Illinois, School of Public Health has written a report on Monsanto's Bovine growth hormones (rBGH) which poses serious risks of breast cancer.

2.) Food irradiation is a radiation process that "cooks" food to prolong shelf life and may lead to radiation-resistant bacteria, or food poisoning. In a study performed in India, it caused chromosonal damage in children. Also, consumers cannot tell if produce and meat has been irradiated or not.

3.) Rendered animal protein used as livestock feed in factory farming has been associated with mad cow disease.

4.) Toxic sewage sludge and chemical pesticide use must be prohibited, because they are usafe, unclean and are linked to cancer and environmental degradation.

A) Written comments must be received on or before Friday, May 26, 2000 should be directed to the Michigan Organic Advisory Committee at MDA, PO Box 30017, Lansing, MI 48909 or via e-mail at organic@state.mi.us. All comments received by the deadline will be considered by the Committee.

B )The USDA is currently writing policy on proposed National Organic Standards, and the comment period will expire June 12. Send comments to Keith Jones, National Organic Program, USDA-AMS-TMP-NOP, Room 2945-So., Ag Stop 0275,P.O. Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456, DOCKET #: TMD-00-02PR, REGARDING ORGANIC STANDARDS

C) Action -- Tell FDA to establish stringent pre-market safety testing regulations for genetically engineered foods. (see talking points below)

Send comments to:
Commissioner Jane Henney
FDA Dockets Management Branch
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061 (HFA-305)
Rockville, MD 20852
RE: Docket No. 00P-1211/CP1 and
RE: Docket No. 99N-4282

FDADockets@bangate.fda.gov( Include Docket number is subject line)
EXECSEC1@OC.FDA.GOV(FDA, Executive Secretariat)
JHENNEY@oc.fda.gov(Dr. Jane E. Henney)