20 April 2007

2 minute read

North America

The Congressional panel heard from three groups of leaders in the organic industry: one representing the organic industry as a whole, one representing organic producers and one representing organic manufacturers. Mr. Lively, a leading expert in the organic beef industry in the United States, was invited before the Subcommittee specifically to discuss the economic and environmental impacts of organic production and processing in the U.S.

"I was overwhelmingly impressed with the knowledge possessed by the Subcommittee members. They were extremely well-informed and had clearly done their research prior to the hearing," said Mr. Lively. "They had very specific questions and listened intently to our testimony," he added. According to Mr. Lively, a majority of the questions asked by the Subcommittee members centered on the three year transition period in moving a farm or ranch from conventional to organic and the impact of imported agricultural products and their effect on the U.S. organic production market.

Congressman Dennis A. Cardoza (D-CA) chairs the House Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture. Ranking Minority Member Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) is joined by Subcommittee Members Bob Etheridge (D-NC) Lincoln Davis (D-TN), Tim Mahoney (D-FL), John Barrow (D-GA), Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY), John R. "Randy" Kuhl, Jr. (R-NY), Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and K. Michael Conaway (R-TX). The testimony provided by Mr. Lively and other organic industry leaders is expected to help shape portions of the upcoming 2007 Farm Bill.

Source: PR Newswire