Also included in the bill is a major revision to the crop insurance rates required of organic farmers, which has been higher than for non-organics. From a press release put out by the Organic Trade Association:
In addition to the funding, the House of Representatives also directed the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation to provide equitable crop insurance to organic producers. Currently, organic producers pay a 5% surcharge, and if losses occur, they are paid at the conventional, not the organic, price.
Non-organic farmers do not have to pay the 5% surcharge. Why do the organics? Do they have different droughts? Floods? They deal with pests, just without chemicals.
This would be a big help in bringing down the price of organic foods. Please contact your US Senators' office and request that they support this provision of the 2007 Farm bill.
- Organic products meet stringent standards
- Organic food tastes great!
- Organic production reduces health risks
- Organic farms respect our water resources
- Organic farmers build healthy soil
- Organic farmers work in harmony with nature
- Organic producers are leaders in innovative research
- Organic producers strive to preserve diversity
- Organic farming helps keep rural communities healthy
- Organic abundance – Foods and non-foods alike!
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