Action Needed Now to Save Organic Codex Alimentarius Commission with meet May The U.S., almost alone among nations, has been opposing any Codex guidance at all, claiming that genetically engineered foods are not different from conventional foods. We hope at the upcoming meeting in Quebec (May 9-13) that the U.S. will allow the very modest document to move ahead but FDA needs to hear that U.S. citizens want action. So far FDA has mostly heard from the biotech industry, an industry that adamantly opposes labeling.

Date:   5/5/2011 12:22:13 PM ( 13 y ago)

http://blog.seedalliance.org/2011/05/02/tell-fda-to-support-ge-labeling-at-co...



← Seed Digest (April 16 – 29, 2011)
Tell FDA to Support GE Labeling at CODEX
Posted on May 2, 2011 by Kristina Hubbard
From Consumers Union:

One Codex Committee is considering adopting a very modest guidance document on labeling of genetically engineered food. The U.S., almost alone among nations, has been opposing any Codex guidance at all, claiming that genetically engineered foods are not different from conventional foods. We hope at the upcoming meeting in Quebec (May 9-13) that the U.S. will allow the very modest document to move ahead but FDA needs to hear that U.S. citizens want action. So far FDA has mostly heard from the biotech industry, an industry that adamantly opposes labeling.

What is Codex?
The Codex Alimentarius Commission is the UN food standards agency. Codex develops standards for everything from pesticide residues to how much fish must be in fish sticks. Codex standards are voluntary, but are frequently adopted by national governments because under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, Codex standards are immune from WTO trade challenges.

Send your comments to FDA through next Thursday, May 5 to this address: ccfl@fda.hhs.gov

SAMPLE MESSAGE TO FDA:

RE: CCFL Meeting, May 9-13, 2011, Agenda Item 6

We urge FDA to support issuance of Codex guidance on labeling of genetically engineered food. [I/we] strongly support mandatory labeling of all genetically engineered food, and is concerned that voluntary labeling of non-GMO foods in the United States could be threatened by World Trade Organization challenges. We believe that Codex should make clear that labeling of genetically engineered food is valid and legal, as long as it is truthful.

In response to consumer concerns, many foods are labeled in the United States as not containing genetically engineered ingredients. In addition, FDA itself, in relation to its decision on the genetically engineered Aquabounty salmon, is considering whether the salmon should carry a label. FDA held a hearing on labeling this salmon in September 2010.

It therefore makes no sense for the United States to oppose issuance of minimal Codex guidance on this topic. A document is currently pending at the Codex Committee on Food Labeling (CCFL) which represents the bare minimum of guidance that is needed. We urge the FDA to support forwarding of this document in its current form to the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME AND ORGANIZATION/BUSINESS]


GET EDUCATED HERE ABOUT ORGANIC SEEDS
http://www.organicology.org/organicology/Intensives.html

Soils (Flyer)
The soils intensive will focus on practical soil management techniques for organic farmers and the research principles that they are based upon. Topics to be covered include nutrient management, soil organic matter and soil structure, disease suppression and opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration. The session will be led by experienced farmers and extension agents from Oregon State University and Washington State University.

Speakers: Nick Andrews, Small Farms Extension Agent, Oregon State University; Doug Collins, Small Farms Educator, Washington State University; John Luna, Associate Professor Dept. of Horticulture, Oregon State University; John Reganold, Regents Professor of Soil Science and Agroecology, Washington State University; Sieglinde Snapp, Assoc. Professor of Soils and Cropping Systems Ecology, Michigan State University; Hal Collins, Soil Scientest/Microbiologist, USDA-ARS Vegetable and Forage Crops Research Unit.
Downloads:
1 - Cover Cropping and Minimum Tillage Systems to Improve Soil Quality (pdf) 13.8MB
2 - Ecology and Soil Organic Matter Management (pdf) 2MB
3 - Within Season Management on Organic Vegetable Farms (pdf) 5.9MB
4 - Using the OSU Organic Fertilizer & Cover Crop Calculator (pdf) 5MB
5 - BIOCHAR - Agriculture’s Black Gold? (pdf) 7.2MB
6 - Soil Testing to Direct Management on Diversified Vegetable Farms (pdf) 1MB
7 - Long Term Organic Management Impacts on Soil Fertility (pdf) 3MB
8 - Soil Health: 25 Years of On-Farm Comparison Studies (pdf) 1.3MB
Download All (zip) 38.1MB
Seeds (Flyer)
Take your seed growing to the next level! You may think you know how to grow seed but we will help you to raise your skills up a notch or two. This intensive is designed for farmers with basic seed production experience who want to improve their skills. Topics will include an in depth look at the fundamental techniques of seed production, including seed crop spacing and timing, fertility and irrigation needs, managing selfers versus crossers, organic disease management and hot water seed treatments as well as determining seed maturation, harvest methods, threshing and cleaning, and handling basics. We’ll have break-out sessions to explore crop specific seed production methods for lettuce, spinach, onions, carrots, beets, and a variety of Brassica crops. Important information on managing isolation distances, avoiding genetic contamination, and selecting seed crops for local adaptation while maintaining healthy, diverse crop varieties will be covered.

Speakers: Jodi Lew-Smith, Director of Research and Production, High Mowing Seeds; John Navazio, Senior Scientist Research and Education, Organic Seed Alliance; Joel Reiten, Seeds of Change; Don Tipping, Producer/President of Family Farmers Seed Cooperative, Seven Seeds Farm.
Downloads:
1 - Intro (ppt) 2.6MB
2 - Which Seed Crops (ppt) 5.5MB
3 - Allium Seed Production (ppt) 8.1MB Download All (zip) 147.4MB
4 - Beet and Swiss Chard (ppt) 7.7MB
5 - Brassica Seed Production (ppt) 12.1MB
6 - Carrot Seed II (ppt) 7.9MB
7 - Lettuce (ppt) 62.3MB
8 - Wet Seed (ppt) 28.2MB
9 - Seed-Borne Disease 2011 (ppt) 6.6MB
10 - Seed Vigor and Testing (ppt) 10MB
Sustainable Business Skill Building for Leadership, Impact and Results (Flyer PDF)
Agenda (Agenda PDF)

This day long intensive is designed for leadership-oriented organic companies who are passionate about building more sustainable businesses, value chains and communities. It's intended to help you take your knowledge and skills to the next level and drive greater returns for your business as well as people and planet. Whether you are a new to the sustainability programming or have established programs, this will provide insight, discussion, information and networking opportunities to help improve performance outcomes and differentiate your organization as a sustainability leader. This training will focus on high-level skill building that empowers you with the essential tools and knowledge to implement leading-edge sustainability practices, and fine tune strategy and implementation plans.

Topics include pressing sustainability issues, concepts and frameworks, implementing strategic sustainability programming, driving organizational change, performance measurement, lifecycle analysis, and effective marketing and communications. This will be a dynamic and interactive, featuring expert presenters, group discussion, breakouts and networking time, offering practical guidance and support to develop actionable plans to improve performance and communications. You’ll leave with new connections, skills, information and clarity about the next steps you can take to make a difference for your business, people and planet from seed to plate.

Speakers: David Allaway, Senior Policy Analyst, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality; Marsha Willard, CEO, Axis Performance Advisors; Alissa Becker, Environmental Coordinator, UNFI; Haven Bourque, Principal, HavenBMedia; Diane Crane, Director of Sustainability, PCC Natural Markets; Dr. Kevin Danaher, Global Exchange Co-Founder, Green Festivals Founder and Executive Co-Producer; Maria Emmer-Aanes, Director of Marketing and Communications, Nature’s Path; Teresa Marquez, Chief Marketing Executive, Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative; Chad Smith, Manager of Sustainability Initiatives, Earthbound Farm; Tom Wright, CEO, Sustainable Business Practices.


Intensives are designed as all day training sessions. These sessions will offer you a deep understanding of the topics and issues at hand. Each intensive must be signed-up for when you register. At the completion of each intensive participants will receive a certificate of completion. Intensive sessions are held on the first day of the conference Thursday February 10th.

Policy (Flyer)
The organic sector had significant gains in the last Farm Bill with increased funding and support in many areas including research, education, marketing, cost-share, crop insurance, conservation stewardship and the administration and management of the National Organic Program. We’re a growing body of producers, processors, retailers, consumers and activists and with additional efforts we can increase our impact on the 2012 Farm Bill.

The Farm Bill is a big, blunt, imperfect tool. In order to be more effective as an organic sector it will be important for advocates to listen, work together, and be both visionary and realistic in our requests. One criticism of the Farm Bill is that it thinks in such short (five year) cycles. Agricultural professionals such as Fred Kirschemann and Wes Jackson have suggested that we need to build a “Fifty Year Farm Bill” and work backwards from there in five year increments in order to truly improve agricultural sustainability, food safety, food access and security, organic integrity, and farmer sovereignty and success.

The “Food and Farm Policy – Inter-Generational Farm Bill Thinking” will be led by a group of leaders with decades of experience in shaping agricultural and food policy. Panelists will present the key shifts in policy and funding we want to make over the next 50 years, with focus on the priorities and actions needed for the 2012 bill. We will discuss attainable goals in the next farm bill cycle, how to improve communication and leverage our weight in media and to policy makers, as well as how to attract food companies, farmers, and consumers to increase their engagement in developing food and farm policies at a federal level.

Speakers: Eliav Bitan, Climate Specialist, New Era Agriculture; Liana Hoodes, Director, National Organic Coalition/National Organic Action Plan; Ariane Lotti, Senior Policy Analyst, Organic Farming Research Foundation; Michael Sligh, Director, Rural Advancement Foundation USA (RAFI); Laura Batcha, Chief of Policy & External Relations, Organic Trade Association.
Downloads:
1 - Ariane Lotti Organicology 2011 (pdf) 1.4MB Download All (zip) 11.7MB
2 - Bitan_organicology_policy (pdf) 1.8MB
3 - Organicology farm bill policy intensive (pdf) 4.1MB
4 - OTA Farm Bill Priorities (pdf) 1.9MB
5 - Sligh_Policy Intensive Feb 2011 (pdf) 283KB

EATING (Flyer)
We are intimately connected to the food we eat. Of the requirements for life – breathable air, clean water, adequate warmth and digestible sources of nutrients - food is alone in its significance in providing us not only with sustenance, but emotional, spiritual and intellectual stimulus. It connects us to our landscape and climate and serves as a component of all cultures. How food is produced affects not only our personal well-being, but the environment and the creatures who share it with us.

The artistry, skills, and knowledge of culinarians (chef’s, produce handlers, deli managers, food writers and nutritionists) who work with our food play a crucial role in the organic foods movement.
They are at the forefront of trends in sourcing, preparation, education and appreciation of food, communicating to the public and supporting organic agriculture through sustainable kitchen practices.

This intensive will engage all of the senses as we explore the evolving roles of those who interact directly with eaters, and provide tools and resources to support professional efforts at engaging customers in the quest for the best.

Ecotrust, Slow Food, Chef’s Collaborative and the Organic Center will participate.

Join us to invoke your senses and awaken your mind in the exploration of organic foods. Eaters welcome!

Speakers: Charles Benbrook, Chief Scientist, The Organic Center, Deborah Kane, Vice President Food and Farms, Ecotrust; Tom Barkin, Regional Governor for Oregon and Idaho, Slow Food USA, Aaron Stark, Chef, Cultivated Palette Catering/Brassica Restaurant; Laura Anderson, owner, Local Ocean Seafood and Restaurant; Tricia Butler, Sassafras Catering and Chef’s Collaborative; Amy Grondin, Organic Seed Alliance; David Lively, Organically Grown Company; Nash Huber, Nash’s Organic Produce; Darryl Williams, Processing Program Reviewer/Inspector, Oregon Tilth. Panelists: Chef Daniel Brophy, Chef Green Lawson, Brian Wilke.




 

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