For Immediate Release (June 30, 2008)

Contacts:
Holly Givens 413-774-7511, Ext.18 hgivens@ota.com
Sue McGovern 781-648-7157 sue@mcgov.com

ORGANIC TRADE ASSOCIATION CHALLENGES
OHIO'S NEW DAIRY LABELING RULE IN FEDERAL COURT
Files suit to protect integrity of organic standards
& consumers' Constitutional rights to truthful product information

COLUMBUS, Ohio (June 30, 2008) -The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today filed a legal complaint against Ohio's Department of Agriculture, challenging as unconstitutional an "emergency" rule seeking to prevent labeling that tells a consumer whether the cows were treated with rBST, the synthetic growth hormone manufactured and sold by Monsanto under the brand Posilac(r). The lawsuit represents a determined effort not only to protect the consumer's rights to receive truthful information about how organic milk and dairy products are produced, but also to protect the rights of organic dairy farmers and processors to communicate truthfully with consumers,

"The Organic Trade Association firmly believes that consumers have a right to know, and want to know, about the products they purchase, and organic farmers and processors have a right to communicate with their consumers regarding federally regulated organic production practices," stated Caren Wilcox, executive director for the OTA. Attorney Randall J. Sunshine, a partner at Liner Yankelevitz Sunshine & Regenstreif LLP, is representing the OTA in this matter.