• Home
• Listen to Ron
• Ag News
• Markets
• Calendar
• Auctions
• Weather
• Email Archives
• Agri-Innovations
• Beef Buzz
• RON Radio Affiliates
• Contact Us

advertisements
   
   
   
   

   

Agricultural News

Organic Trade Association Applauds Senate Passage of Farm Bill

Tue, 04 Feb 2014 15:17:26 CST

The Senate's passage of the Agricultural Act of 2014 today clears the way for the bill to proceed to President Obama for final sign-off into law. The legislation, adopted by the House of Representatives on Jan. 29, includes numerous priorities the Organic Trade Association (OTA) has been seeking for more than two years.


"We are pleased that the organic industry received strong support in the Farm Bill that cleared the Senate today. More and more, consumers and farmers alike are choosing organic. Giving them that choice is important," said Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association (OTA). She added, "OTA especially wants to recognize the Senate Agriculture Committee leadership who made this positive vote possible-Chairman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Ranking Member Thad Cochran (R-MS), and organic champions Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). The Senate has demonstrated strong support for diversity in agriculture-recognizing that organic production plays a vital role in offering production options to U.S. farmers, food choices for American families, and strengthening our country's economy."


The provisions in the bill passed in the Senate include allowing organic farmers, distributors, and marketers access to the same agriculture research and promotion programs available to conventional farmers by authorizing USDA to consider an application from the organic sector for its own check-off program, as well as clarifying that the current exemption from conventional check-off programs applies to all certified organic operations. In addition, it provides increased funding for the National Organic Program to enforce organic standards, improve technology, and negotiate international trade agreements, as well as funding for organic research, data collection, and certification cost share.


Batcha added, "The Farm Bill that has now gained approval in both houses of Congress demonstrates that the consumer-driven, farmer-powered organic sector-the fourth-largest food and feed commodity-is an important part of the U.S. agricultural community. It is a victory for organic farmers, businesses and consumers. We now look forward to quick action by President Obama to sign this legislation into law."



   

 

WebReady^TM Powered by WireReady® NSI

 

Top Agricultural News

Oklahoma Youth Expo Sale of Champions Sale Order Available Here- Sale Set for 4 PM Friday  Fri, 17 Mar 2023 04:50:54 CDT

Rural Voters Dominated Vote to Defeat Recreational Marijuana March 7th  Fri, 10 Mar 2023 07:13:05 CST

Ron Hays Talks to Israeli Ag Tour Guide Colin Lotzof About the Miraclel of Ag in Israel  Wed, 22 Feb 2023 22:11:04 CST

OALP Members Experience First Hand View of Cutting Edge Drip Irrigation Technology as Israel Travel Ends  Wed, 22 Feb 2023 10:51:49 CST

OALP Members Get First Hand View of Cutting Edge Drip Irrigation Technology as Israel Travel Ends  Wed, 22 Feb 2023 10:50:10 CST

Oklahoma Ag Leadership Program Sees Fruit, Beef and Dairy Production North of the Sea of Galilee in Israel  Mon, 20 Feb 2023 21:56:02 CST

Oklahoma Ag Leadership Program Sees Diverse Farm Operations in Jordan River Valley of Israel  Sun, 19 Feb 2023 21:17:30 CST

Israeli Tour Guide Mark Kedem Talks About The Cultural Aspects of What Class XX of OALP is Experiencing   Sat, 18 Feb 2023 22:17:23 CST

More Headlines...