Thank you everyone for your response to our ‘Organic
Technicality’ survey. Overwhelmingly the response was Choice A – to no longer
use the term organic. I read through your comments too and felt I should fill
you in on what is happening. A few of us smalltime co-operatives have been
handed notice from the National Organics Program (NOP) to stop using the term
organic. I responded immediately by phoning them. They asked a few pointed
questions and decided from my answers that we are closer to ‘handlers’ than
‘retailers’, which has a lot more restrictions. Retailers have much more
leniency with use of the term, but it still seem like we cannot call ourselves
organic without certification.
I spoke to the owner of another local organic co-op, and she
proceeded to hire a very expensive lawyer. The latest with them is they have a
verbal ok to continue as a ‘retail’ operation, though she is still waiting for
the written letter. I hired a different lawyer, and we have sent in our
response, arguing that we are retailers. We may also be considered retailers,
but even retailers can’t use the term ‘organic’ in their name without being
certified. The term ‘organic’ has a giant list of regulations behind it, which
is part of what we love about organic foods. In some ways, this is just the NOP
doing their job.
We are waiting now to hear the NOP’s response. They may have
decided we aren’t worth the effort and we won’t hear from them. If we do, we
won’t take it to court, and are just preparing for the next step. Our lawyer
suggested I ask you all, which you would prefer. With about half the co-op
responding, over 80% chose to not use ‘organic’, 6.5% wanted us to become
certified, and 13% was happy either way. I have to say, I too would prefer not
having to go through the hoop jumping involved with the certification process,
though loosing organic in the name would have a negative marketing impact. I
can’t help but feel their time could be better spent making sure the farms
themselves are compliant.
