I don't mean to bring up "veganism" again, but thought you all might be interested in the following info: Jackie ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS NOT ORGANIC WASHINGTON, DC, October 16 (ENS) - The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) has decided that genetically altered foods cannot be labelled organic. The 15 member board, with a nearly unanimous vote, approved the following statement: "The National Organic Standards Board recommends that genetically engineered organisms and their derivatives be prohibited in organic production and handling systems." "Genetically engineered" is defined as, "made with techniques that alter the molecular or cell biology of an organism by means that are not possible under natural conditions or processes. Genetic engineering includes recombinant DNA, cell fusion, micro- and macro-encapsulation, gene deletion and doubling, introducing a foreign gene, and changing the positions of genes. It shall not include breeding, conjugation, fermentation, hybridization, in-vitro fertilization and tissue culture." The statement, issued late last month, means that companies working on genetically engineering many common foods such as wheat, potatoes and tomatoes will not be able to have these foods certified, labelled and marketed as organic. As controversy rages over whether or not genetically engineered foods must be labelled as such for general marketing, this decision of the National Organic Standards Board could increase the number of consumers shopping at organic food or "natural" food stores. The NOSB ruling on genetically engineered foods is in harmony with the policies of individual states. Ray Dobert from the Biotech Information Center at the U.S. Department of Agriculture said, "It is my understanding that nearly all of the state organic certification programs that currently exist already prohibit genetically modified organisms from organic production systems." International opinion, too, is forming against inclusion of genetically altered food products in the definition of organic foods. Dobert said, "I also believe that the international foods standards body, the Codex Alimentarius, has taken a stance that organic foods cannot be labeled as such if they utilize genetically engineered organisms, although this policy has yet to be formally adopted. Codex moves very slowly in making and implementing decisions." The National Organic Standards Board was created by the 1990 Farm Bill to develop a single national organic standard to replace varying state-based organic accreditation programs. The 15 members are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture for five year terms and serve without compensation. Four of the members must own or operate an organic farming operation; two must own or operate an organic handling operation; one must be a person who operates a retail store with a significant number of organic products; three must have experience in environmental protection and resource conservation; three are people who represent public interest or consumer interest groups; one must have experience in toxicology,ecology or biochemistry and one must be a certifying agent for organic produce. The legislation that created the NOSB defined "organic agriculture" as, "a holistic system with the primary goal of optimizing the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals, and people. Management practices are carefully selected with an intent to restore and then maintain ecological harmony on the farm, its surrounding environment and ultimately the whole planetary ecosystem." --- The EnviroNews Service | E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] A Project of the EnviroLink Network | Phone : (412) 683-6400 General Info: [EMAIL PROTECTED] | Fax : (412) 683-8460 To un/subscribe, send an e-mail message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word: HELP as the body of the message. Please send us your news, press releases, etc. to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] IF YOU WISH TO REPRINT ANYTHING WITHIN THESE ARTICLES, please send e-mail to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] to request permission. All information contained within is Copyright (c) 1995 The EnviroLink Network unless noted otherwise.
