Yes! Organic food production has been conclusively
demonstrated, by science in support of common sense, to be more healthful, for both people and planet,
then conventionally produced counterparts.
Seriously, who
wants petrochemicals and a multitude of other toxicants in their food, in
their food-chain, and in their neighborhood? These things ravage our health and the health of our ecosystems (a whole other post)!
After about a half century of hard work our Organic and healthfully
minded community has developed demand in support of a large multibillion dollar
healthful alternative to large scale industrial agriculture.
This healthful alternative now hangs in the balance as large
corporations and their powerful lobbyists infiltrate policymakers and move
toward eliminating these alternatives.
There are several mechanisms by which this elimination is
actively occurring. Several main issues are large scale corporate acquisition of
smaller values-based companies, altering organic certification standards, and an overall lack of supply chain clarity.
For example, check out Cornucopia Institute’s Who Owns
Organics. They are doing a
great job reporting on the work of Dr. Phil Howard, a Professor in the Community,
Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies program at Michigan State
University. Dr. Howard is responsible for the creation and
updating of the organic food business consolidation chart on Cornucopia’s site.
In my view, it is clear and disturbing that a majority
of the Organic industry is now owned by large-scale food processing entities.
Also, check out the Organic Consumers Association as they point out numerous specifics on the lowering of Organic certification
standards.
Yikes! So then, where to?
I came across a good post: Should “Organic” Have Stricter
Rules? by Kyla of the Alternative Consumer.
In fact, it was she and one of her commenter’s who inspired me to this post.
She asks a great question! And, one commenter
stated a resounding yes, Organics should have more strict rules.
I respectfully disagree. We need more than this! We need less confusion all around!
The question points out some serious issues in
need of careful attention. However, I do not believe that the solution lies
within the realm of more strict labeling and certification requirements. Or
even legislation for that matter.
In my view, it is what it is. And, if people keep buying it, it will keep on
coming. This is all commerce here and now that there is money to be made in Organics, they will keep coming!
I believe solutions for improvement involve corporate transparency, authenticity and
respect for the dignity of all consumers. Given the correct information,
consumers, generally speaking, will make the correct choice.
We have seen this occur in the development of the green, Organic markets. People want what is good for them
and the planet. The confusion sets in with smokescreens. We need to advocate
for clarity and careful understanding of supply as then and only then would conscious consumerism be given the
chance to work with the full potential that it has.
I want all the information in clear form when making my consumptive decisions and in effect as I vote with my commerce.
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