Rationale for Three-Tiered Labeling System
Since organic farmers are making arguments on behalf of the three production systems (all currently in use), it would be beneficial for organic producers and consumers to be able to easily differentiate them in the marketplace, with a clear label for each one.
Consumers are increasingly interested in grass-fed meats, and some might be surprised to find out that "organic" and "grass-fed" are not synonymous. The environmental advantages of grass-based livestock agriculture, its nutritional superiority as well as animal welfare benefits, are reported not only in scientific articles, but are also covered extensively in the popular media, ranging from Mother Earth News to Time Magazine, Forbes and the Oprah Winfrey Show.
On the other hand, promoters of organic grain-fed beef strongly believe that consumer preference and the marketplace dictate their production practices. American consumers are accustomed to the texture and flavor of meat from corn-fed feedlot cattle, and the USDA's grading system for meat rewards high levels of intramuscular fat in beef -- which is more easily achieved through finishing cattle on grain instead of grass.
A three-tiered labeling system will allow the marketplace to determine the viability of each production system, as well as creating economic opportunity for farmers who want to raise organic beef matching the demands and desires of organic consumers.
There are arguments in favor of each production system, which are outlined in greater detail in The Cornucopia Institute's full-length position paper, available at:
http://www.cornucopia.org/2010/04/position-paper-organic-feedlotgrass-based-beef/
Send Your Comments to the USDA
While the exemption, allowing organic beef producers to use feedlots for grain finishing, has been published in the final rule, the NOP is accepting comments until April 19th from organic beef and other ruminant producers and the general public.
We urge both organic producers and consumers to share their thoughts with the USDA before the April 19th deadline, including expressing their support for a three-tiered labeling system.
Send your comments to the USDA before the April 19th deadline.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SENDING COMMENTS
To send comments electronically:
1. Visit www.regulations.gov.
2. Select "Submit a comment"
3. Enter "AMS-TM-06-0198à ‚¬ ³ in the search bar
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