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“ORGANIC AGRICULTURE” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Senate section on pages S11113 on Sept. 4, 2003.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to talk briefly about organic agriculture and to recognize the many thousands of organic farmers from around the Nation who have helped transform this once nascent industry into a thriving and innovative sector of our economy. Today, in particular, I extend my greetings to the many organic producers and retailers who have gathered in Washington, D.C. this week to participate in the annual organic conference.
Organic agriculture has come a long way over the past 20 years largely because of the determination and hard work of our Nation's many organic producers. To put this issue in perspective, the amount of organic cropland in the United States has more than doubled in the 1990s, and the annual growth rate of the organic industry in the United States has been greater than 20 percent for the past decade. Sales of organic food and beverages accounted for over $9 billion in 2002 and are expected to exceed $20 billion by 2005. The increase in organic production and sales is a reflection of the profitability and high consumer demand for organic food.
While the organic industry would not be where it is today without the efforts of its growers and retailers, Congress has an integral role in ensuring that consumers have confidence in the products they are buying. Many of my colleagues remember that the U.S. Department of Agriculture helped to usher in a new era for the organic industry with the implementation last November of the first ever national organic standards. With these new standards, farmers in my home State of Maine were able to sell their organic products to retailers in other States with confidence that the organic label will be recognized by consumers in those States. Consumers now know that when they buy an organically labeled product, it was produced in a healthy and environmentally friendly manner.
From what I heard from farmers in my State over the August recess, I can say that the organic rule has been a tremendous benefit to growers both small and large. In Maine, organic agriculture accounts for an important part of the State's $673 million agriculture-related sales. Several blueberry growers in Downeast Maine have recognized the profitability of organic agriculture and have begun to add organic production. Consumer interest in organic milk has led many dairy farmers to switch to organic milk. Six years ago, only one dairy farmer in Maine produced organic milk--now, such milk accounts for over 10 percent of the State's entire dairy production. These are but a few examples of the success of organic agriculture from my State, demonstrating the enormous potential for growth in the organic sector.
Here in Congress, we must continue to help the organic agriculture sector grow. The organic community celebrated the implementation of the national organic rule; however, the continuing success of this rule will depend on Congress' commitment to fund the USDA's National Organic Program. The modest increase for the National Organic Program in the Senate Fiscal Year 2004 Agriculture appropriations bill is a step in the right direction. Likewise, investments in organic research and development through the Organic Production and Marketing Data Collection will help the organic industry move forward by leaps and bounds.
With organic producers visiting from nearly all 50 States, I hope many of my colleagues will have an opportunity to hear from an organic farmer, rancher, or retailer in their home State. Again, I extend my welcome to all those involved in the national organic conference.
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