SAREP-USDA partnership assists organic feed crop research

Last fall, SAREP was contracted to conduct a survey of organic producers in the western states, in order to evaluate claims concerning the supply and price of certified organic feed crops. SAREP is one of three contractors nationwide providing the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with data on acreage trends, crop type, and pricing of certified organic crops used as feed ingredients. SAREP has now begun providing USDA with production data that will help inform policy actions. In March 2003, SAREP submitted a final report to USDA on certified organic feed grain production in the western United States. The report, representing initial results of a survey conducted by SAREP postgraduate researcher Samuel Prentice and director Sean L. Swezey, characterizes organic feed grain production over the past two years in the western states. The USDA will use SAREP’s report as it makes decisions concerning organic regulations. National organic product sales are currently approaching $12 billion annually, and sales of organic poultry and beef are one of the fastest growing segments.

On Feb. 13, 2003, a last minute rider was added to the Omnibus 2003 Congressional Appropriations Bill that permits organic livestock producers to feed their organic animals conventional feed and still label the products meat, dairy and eggs “organic.” The rider was inserted by Georgia Congressman Nathan Deal on behalf of Fieldale Farms to exempt the Georgia poultry producer from having to raise its organically marketed poultry on 100 percent organic feed under certain conditions (if the cost of certified organic feed exceeds twice the cost of conventionally-produced feed).

The Congress-approved rider (Section 771 of the Fiscal Year 2003 Consolidated Budget Bill) does not allow funds to be used to enforce the 100 percent organic feed requirement for certified organic livestock operations unless a report prepared by the Secretary of Agriculture confirms that organically produced feed is commercially available at no more than twice the cost of conventionally produced feed. This exemption is in direct contrast to the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and the National Organic Standards implemented in October 2002, which require that organically labeled meat, poultry, eggs or dairy products be from livestock fed 100 percent organic feed.

On Feb. 26, 2003, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman criticized the rider included in the spending bill President Bush signed in mid-February. She said “It is important to maintain a strong organic program that ensures the integrity of the organic label placed on consumer products. The best way to do that is by maintaining the organic standards as we implemented them in October 2002.”Senate (Leahy) and House (Farr) bills were introduced February 26 for the repeal of Section 771 of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill.

[Editor’s Note: In early April 2003, the U.S. House of Representatives reinstated funding for enforcement of the organic food requirement. The Senate is expected to uphold the House's vote.]