Fwd: Organic Bytes: Organic Goes Political, Oregon Alert, OCA in Court, and more...

[Guest guest]

Note: forwarded message attached.

Hello Michele ,

ORGANIC BYTES #136

Health, Justice and Sustainability News Tidbits with an Edge!

6/9/2008

Written and edited by Craig Minowa and Ronnie Cummins

Subscribe:http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/signUp.jsp?key=411

Safe Unsubscribe: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/unsubscribe.jsp

IN THIS ISSUE:

ALERT OF THE WEEK: ORGANIC CONSUMERS FUND LAUNCHES GRASSROOTS NETROOTS ALLIANCE

SPECIAL OREGON ACTION ALERT: POLICE ATTACK PESTICIDE PROTESTORS

GOVERNMENT SLASHS PESTICIDE REPORTING LAWS

GOVERNMENT MANIPULATING DATA ON WORKERS INJURIES AT SLAUGHTERHOUSES

SOUTH KOREA BANS U.S. MEAT

SWITZERLAND BANS GMOs

OCA FILES SUIT FOR FALSE AND MISLEADING "ORGANIC" CERTIFICATION OF PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

A DEEPER LOOK AT THE VALIDITY OF HOMEOPATHY

CONSUMER TIP OF THE WEEK: HOW TO READ ECO-LABELS

SPECIAL STATE NEWS AND ALERTS: AZ, CA, IL, NC, OR, WI

ALERT OF THE WEEK:

ORGANIC CONSUMERS FUND LAUNCHES GRASSROOTS NETROOTS ALLIANCE

The Organic Consumers Fund, the legislative and electoral advocacy group that Organic Consumers Association works with, focuses on promoting organic agriculture as a solution to the food safety problems, environmental destruction, diet-related diseases and climate imbalance that stem from industrial agriculture. We also see ourselves as part of a larger movement for health, justice, sustainability, peace and democracy. As a contribution to this larger movement, we've launched the Grassroots Netroots Alliance (GNA): http://www.grassrootsnetroots.org (subscribe to GNA's email alerts here: http://grassrootsnetroots.org/subscribe.cfm).

The first GNA project is a survey that asks politicians 40 detailed, substantive policy questions that explore concrete solutions to the current crisis, including this question:

Would you support the conversion of 20% of U.S. farmland to energy-efficient and carbon-sequestering organic farming by 2020 and 50% by 2040, with at least 5-10% of the USDA's annual $90 billion budget immediately being targeted to rebuild local food systems and help farmers make the transition to organic?

Please read the survey: http://grassrootsnetroots.org/2008platform.cfm

Give us your feedback: http://www.grassrootsnetroots.org/about.cfm

Then, click here to send the survey to the local, state and federal elected officials and candidates in your area: http://grassrootsnetroots.org/alert.cfm?alertid=11154006 & type=ML

___________________________________

SPECIAL OREGON ALERT: Take Action: Eugene Police Attack Pesticide Protestors with Taser Guns.

Contact Eugene Police Department here:

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=24777

---------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL NEWS & ALERT OF THE WEEK:

GOVERNMENT SLASHES PESTICIDE REPORTING LAWS

Bowing to pressure from Monsanto and the agro-toxics industry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced May 21 that it plans to eliminate pesticide reporting at National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The program has tracked national pesticide use and provided critical information for consumer groups, scientists, farmers and environmental groups monitoring pesticide use and hazards.. NASS' elimination of the Agricultural Chemical Use Database is a direct attack on consumers and farmworkers' Right to Know about pesticide residues and food safety. Pesticide reporting has become particularly important in the last ten years with Genetically Engineered crops requiring more and more pesticides.

Please contact USDA Secretary Ed Schafer and your Congressperson today: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_12662.cfm

________________________________

SOCIAL JUSTICE NEWS OF THE WEEK:

GOVERNMENT MANIPULATING DATA ON WORKERS INJURIES AT SLAUGHTERHOUSES

For over two decades, the meatpacking industry has held the undesirable position as America's most dangerous industry. The rate of injury among workers began escalating during the union-busting days of the 1980s. For example, the repetitive-motion-disorder incidence rate is 30 times higher for meatpacking workers than the average for all private industries. Disregarding worker's rights, government officials at the U.S. Department of Labor, appointed by President Bush, have dramatically altered laws that were originally designed to require industry to report worker injuries. As a result of the new law, government statistics now inaccurately indicate that worker's injuries have magically dropped by 50%, thereby taking the heat off the meatpacking industry to improve working environments.

Learn more: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_12659.cfm

__________________________________

WORLD NEWS TIDBITS

SOUTH KOREA BANS U.S. MEAT:

The South Korean government has responded to a rally last week involving more than 60,000 citizens protesting American beef imports. Major Asian markets have upheld a ban on American beef since the discovery of new cases of Mad Cow Disease in the U.S. raised consumer health concerns. Despite international pressure on the Bush Administration, the U.S. continues to ignore food safety concerns and violate World Health Organization guidelines by feeding slaughterhouse waste to animals and refusing to test all animals at slaughter for Mad Cow Disease. http://www.organicconsumers.org/madcow.cfm

----------------------

SWITZERLAND BANS GMOs: The Swiss government has voted to extend its ban on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) until 2012. The extension will provide time to assess health implications, biological safety, and coexistence ramifications with organic crops. http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_12591.cfm

-----------------------

ITALY UNITED NATIONS MEETING

TAKE ACTION- U.S. FORCES WORLD TO EAT GE FOODS: Over the course of the next week, world leaders will be meeting in Rome at Food and Agriculture Association (FAO) of the United Nations to address the global hunger crisis. Top on the United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer's agenda is to push Genetically Engineered Crops on the world's hungry. GE crops are untested and unwanted by the majority of the planet's population. GE crops will only deepen the global food crisis. Use OCA's handy online tool to send an instant letter to the editor of your local newspaper here: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/letter/?letter_KEY=986

------------------

SWEDEN TO MARKET "GREENER" BIOFUELS: Following a recent announcement from the United Nations advising a moratorium on biofuels, like ethanol and biodiesel, the Swedish biofuel company SEKAB has announced, within two months, it will become the first company in the world to sell ethanol certified to be environmentally and socially sustainable. Although the degree of environmental friendliness is debatable, depending on who you ask, it's a step in the right direction regarding the first certification of its kind for more ethically produced fuels. http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_12626.cfm

----------------------

__________________________________

OCA CAMPAIGN UPDATE:

OCA FILES SUIT FOR FALSE AND MISLEADING "ORGANIC" CERTIFICATION OF PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

The plot has definitely thickened in OCA's Coming Clean Campaign. As revealed in previous issues of Organic Bytes, a number of well known body care product companies were recently sued by Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps for misleadingly labeling or certifying their products as "Organic," even though many of their main ingredients are composed of conventional agricultural and petrochemical material, with no certified organic material. The French certifier Ecocert has been particularly outrageous in certifying such products as "Organic" and last month filed a pre-emptive lawsuit against the OCA, in a fruitless attempt to silence concerned organic consumers and farmers. OCA has filed a counter-suit against Ecocert and the brief can be read on-line at: OCA is a party with Dr. Bronner's in the consolidated litigation going forward with all defendants. We appreciate any and all donations to help us win this crucial fight to preserve organic integrity in personal care.

Learn more and take action: http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/

DONATE HERE!

HELP OCA FIGHT FOR HEALTH, JUSTICE, & THE ENVIRONMENT

Support OCA with your stimulus check.

During a recession, nonprofits need private donor help more than ever.

http://www.organicconsumers.org/donations.htm

___________________________________

ORGANIC NEWS OF THE WEEK:

OCA PRESENTS TESTIMONY TO GOVERNMENT PANEL

The advisory panel established to oversee U.S. federal organic standards (National Organic Standards Board) met in Washington D.C. last week to discuss various issues related to the organic market. OCA's is Baden-Mayer was there to present testimony on behalf of organic consumers everywhere. is covered a wide variety of topics of concern, including organic mislabeling, fish farming, synthetic ingredients in organic products, dairy pasture guidelines, and community grower groups.

Read her full testimony here: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_12488.cfm

_________________________________

NATURAL HEALTH NEWS OF THE WEEK:

A DEEPER LOOK AT THE VALIDITY OF HOMEOPATHY

In the last issue of Organic Bytes, we notified our readers about a recent article in Consumer Reports wherein their journalist, Doug Podolsky, recommended consumers avoid homeopathic medicines, an alternative medical practice that has been used for more than two-hundred years. Our readers sent over 4,000 letters to Consumer Reports, hoping the publication would take a second look at the validity of homeopathics. Consumers Union, a nonprofit overseeing the Consumer Reports publication, is a longtime close ally of the OCA, and they have indicated they will be investigating further scientific studies on the matter. The OCA strongly agrees with the portion of Podolsky's article highlighting the need for clear labeling of these products, so consumers can distinguish between homeopathic medicines and their counterparts.

Learn more: http://nationalcenterforhomeopathy.org/

_________________________________

WEBSITE & CONSUMER TIP OF THE WEEK:

HOW TO READ ECO-LABELS

Having a hard time deciphering the lingo on all of these new eco-labels? The Consumers Union has put together a great website to help you wade through the gobbledy-gook.

Did you know?

The "free-range" label doesn't necessarily mean the animals have been raised outdoors.

"Fair Trade Certified" means more than paying producers a fair wage.

Meat labeled as "natural" can contain artificial ingredients.

Learn more at http://www.eco-labels.org

___________________________________

LISTEN TO PODCAST WITH ORGANIC BYTES

According to NaturalNews.com, the #1 health/wellness podcast on the internet is "Real Health" with Dr. Steve. This podcast will now be highlighting each issue of Organic Bytes with in-depth interviews of OCA staff. Tune-in to the podcast today to hear OCA experts talk about the news stories we're covering in this issue of Organic Bytes. http://web.mac.com/drsteve720/Site/Podcast/Podcast.html

___________________________________

Bookmark http://Organicconsumers.org as your daily source of

news, analysis and inspiration.

___________________________________

SPECIAL STATE NEWS AND ALERTS

Arizona: Let SB1167 Go to the Floor! A bill to fund wilderness restoration faces filibuster

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/t/6488/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=24792

California: Support Green Jobs in California: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/t/1961/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=24045

Illinois: Documentary on Teenagers and Food "All Jacked Up" Playing in Chicago June 10th and 12th.

http://www.organicconsumers.org/state/IL.cfm

North Carolina: Oppose Coal From Mountaintop Removal

http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=24775

Wisconsin: Visit OCA's Wisconsin State Page for a Great New Resource for Eating Local in the Madison Area!

http://www.organicconsumers.org/state/WI.cfm

__________________________________

******** support our supporters*********

EDEN FOODS OFFERS OCA CUSTOMERS 15% DISCOUNT

Eden Foods is one of the few national organic food producers who goes beyond the USDA Organic Standards. Although Eden Foods is USDA certified, their products do not bear the USDA seal, because they say the USDA standard really represents a "minimum standard" that Eden Foods goes far beyond. As a subscriber to Organic Bytes, you can enjoy a discount rate on any Eden Foods products by clicking here

Please forward this publication to family and friends, place it on web sites, print it, duplicate it and post it freely. Knowledge is power!

__________________________________

NOTE TO CO-OP AND NATURAL FOOD STORE SUBSCRIBERS:

Organic Bytes is a great tool for keeping your staff and customers up to date on the latest issues. Feel free to forward this email to your staff and print for posting on bulletin boards and staff break tables. You are also welcome to use this material for your newsletters. There's an attractive print-friendly PDF version of this available for free download at http://www.organicconsumers.org/organicbytes.cfm

_________________________________

ORGANIC BYTES is a publication of:

ORGANIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION

6771 South Silver Hill Drive

Finland, Minnesota 55603

Phone: (218)- 226-4164 Fax: (218) 353-7652

__________________________________

Subscribe:http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/signUp.jsp?key=411

Safe Unsubscribe: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/642/unsubscribe.jsp

YOU ARE SUBSCRIBED AS epifany97523@...

Please forward this publication to family and friends, place it on web sites, print it, duplicate it and post it freely. Knowledge is power!

__________________________________

NOTE TO CO-OP AND NATURAL FOOD STORE SUBSCRIBERS:

Organic Bytes is a great tool for keeping your staff and customers up to date on the latest issues. Feel free to forward this email to your staff and print for posting on bulletin boards and staff break tables. You are also welcome to use this material for your newsletters. There's an attractive print-friendly PDF version of this available for free download at http://www.organicconsumers.org/organicbytes.cfm

_________________________________

ORGANIC BYTES is a publication of:

ORGANIC CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION

6771 South Silver Hill Drive

Finland, Minnesota 55603

Phone: (218)- 226-4164 Fax: (218) 353-7652

__________________________________

Click here to unsubscribe