organic standards ( was Help! Meat Wars at my Coop)

March 30, 2002

>>>All that organic means is that the cattle were fed organic food, which

usually means corn, grain, and soy--not real grass.

***OK, I see a few people have mentioned that organic doesn't mean much more

than the fact that the animal eats organic food. But my understanding of the

organic standards (which I admittedly have not read since, maybe, 6 months

ago) is that there ARE other differenced between organic and non-organic

other than just the food. At least there are in *my* states organic

standards, which of course will become obsolete soon I am going to pick

up some meat/bones/organs today at a local organic farm. I had a

conversation with the farmer a few days ago (a 79-year-old woman who runs

the farm) and she told me that her cattle *have to* have access to the

outdoors due to the organic standards. I told her about the other farm I had

recently visited in which all the cows and steer were in stanchions, and I

don't think those animals saw the light of day in winter, nor could they

even walk one foot since they were in head locks. This organic farmer keeps

her cattle in one large area in her barn but they can and do go out in the

pasture all winter long. Not that they're eating grass or anything because

the pastures are covered in snow, but at least these animals are able to

walk about, stretch their legs and get fresh air. This farmer's been

following MOFGA standards (Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners' Association)

for years, but my understanding is that the new federal standards are a bit

'watered down' compared to state standards here in Maine. As an example,

" organic " will now actually mean *95%* organic. The other 5% is what worries

me...However, a product labeled " 100% " organic, will be indeed 100% organic

(if that's truly possible).

I do understand that many of the new standards are somewhat meaningless, but

I think that any standard which stipulates that animals not be kept in

confinement (and worse, stanchioned for long periods) is a very good thing.

Even if they can't graze in the winter months in some areas of the country,

exercise, fresh air, and a modicum of free will is all health-giving, which

is reflected in the meat and milk, IMHO.

Suze Fisher

Web Design & Development

mailto:s.fisher22@...

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