*MEDIA STATEMENT*
The Organic Trade Association applauds the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee for releasing a draft bill on Wednesday that includes increased funding for the National Organic Program and protects organic dairy farmers by requiring a final rule on the Origin of Livestock.
Over 200 members of the association are in Washington this week, and met with more than 180 legislative offices on Tuesday to advocate for organic, including the full authorization of $18 million for the National Organic Program, and clear and consistent standards for the organic dairy sector. The draft bill instructs the Secretary of Agriculture to issue a final rule on the origin of organic livestock not later than 180 days after passage of the bill.
“These are big wins for the organic industry, and are the direct results of the hard work of our members,” said Laura Batcha, CEO and Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association. “We also want to thank the many members of Congress that supported us in this request.”