For more information about the USDA’s proposed National Organic Program, contact http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop. The public comment period on the proposed NOP has been extended until May 1, 1998. Public hearings on the subject are being held around the country, with one of them having been held in Austin on February 12 and another in Ames, Iowa last week. Steve Sprinkel is on the road attending the hearings and e-mailed the following suggestions for consumers interested in participating in the public commentary. If you’re interested in being added to Sprinkel’s e-mail list, contact him at sprinkraft@aol.com.
“The public response must be directed to the U.S. Congress. All the agencies involved in the creation of the proposed NOP may ignore what is said at the hearings and in the public commentary, but they will be less inclined to ignore a bi-partisan inquiry from the Congress. That inquiry has begun on an informal level with Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin and Sam Farr of Santa Cruz, California showing exceptional leadership. Communities in each congressional district need to work to ensure that representatives get the message that during the current election campaign incumbents do not want to be on the wrong side of vocal, well-informed consumers railing against a bureaucracy bent on trashing grassroots free enterprise. Consumers’ right to choice is paramount.”
Address letters on this issue to the following offices:
Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
284 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
senator@hutchison.senate.gov
Senator Phil Gramm
370 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
Rep. Lamar Smith
Round Rock City Hall
221 E. Main, Ste. 318
Round Rock, Texas 78664
lamars@mail.house.gov
Rep. Lloyd Doggett
763 Federal Bldg.
Austin, Texas 78701
lloyd.doggett@mail.house.gov
– V.B.W.
This article appears in February 27 • 1998 and February 27 • 1998 (Cover).