Archive for May, 2004

USDA Secretary Veneman Pulls Organic Food Directives But Major Program Reform Still Needed

Wednesday, May 26th, 2004

At a news conference this morning USDA Secretary Ann Veneman announced that the agency is withdrawing its recent policy directives clarifying certain organic food production standards. The move comes amidst a rising tide of criticism from organic food producers, consumers and marketers who viewed the directives as a weakening of federal standards and an attack upon the integrity of organic agriculture.