Sunday, January 27, 2008

Washington to Redifine "Cloned" as "Naturally Raised"

What's Natural for the Feds? Monday is the Last Day to Comment

USDA regulators are considering new rules that will redefine terms like "naturally raised" for packaging and marketing materials. But farmers are concerned that big agribusiness has pushed the USDA too far, with the regulations even allowing "naturally raised" to apply to cloned animals raised on factory farms.

Monday, January 28 is the last day to comment on the regulations. You can do so directly at the USDA website:

http://www.regulations.gov/

In the "Comment or Submission" box, type "naturally raised" and hit "go." You will be directed to your search results. The first, "United States Standards for Livestock and Meat Marketing Claims..." is what you are looking for. You can click on the link for more details, or proceed directly to "Send a comment or submission."

For more information:

Organic Consumers Association
http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/oca/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=22287

http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_9591.cfm

Center for Rural Affairs
http://www.cfra.org/node/1008

A Vermont Hog Farmer's Take on the Proposal
http://www.ethicurean.com/2008/01/10/naturally-raised/?cat=57