News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Barbara Haumann 413-774-7511, Ext. 20

Flood of Consumer Letters Urges Ohio Dept. of Agriculture to Reject Proposed Rule

COLUMBUS, Ohio (April 8, 2008)- For the second time in less than a month, the 1,650-member Organic Trade Association (OTA), which represents all sectors of the organic business community in North America, presented testimony against Ohio Department of Agriculture's (ODA) proposed rule on dairy labeling (proposed revised Administrative Rule 901:11-8-01) and its 'emergency' implementation by Governor Ted Strickland.

"This proposed rule prevents organic farmers and processors from truthfully communicating with consumers about federally regulated organic production practices and denies consumers the right to receive information about organic production on the labels of their milk in Ohio," testified Caren Wilcox, Executive Director of the OTA.

"As the Director (of the Ohio Department of Agriculture) knows, substantial numbers of consumers have been contacting his office to express their desire to continue to receive information about organic production on the labels of their milk in Ohio," said Wilcox, referring to the more than 2,441 letters that have been sent from concerned citizens to Ohio's Governor, Joint Committee of Agency Rule Review Chairman, and Director of Agriculture.