You expect the organic label to mean the food you're buying is just that. But the national board that advises the USDA on setting organic standards doesn’t seem to think that applies to the fish you buy. That stinks.
A vote is scheduled in Washington shortly on what kind of fish can be labeled organic. Tell the National Organics Standards Board that organic fish must meet the same high standards as all other organic products and livestock.
The board recommends that fish can be labeled 'organic' even if they’ve been fed wild fish, which come from polluted environments and are high in mercury and PCBs. Potentially toxic organic fish? That defeats the whole purpose.
And the board recommends fish raised in open ocean net pens be eligible for the organic label. This type of fish farming is highly polluting, as large amounts of waste are released into the environment.
Sign our petition to make sure we're not sold down the river. Let's make sure consumers' voices are heard on organic standards!
Dear Ms. Valerie Frances, Executive Director, NOSB:
As a consumer who puts value and faith in the organic label, I expect fish labeled as organic to meet the same high standards as all other organic products and livestock. Anything less is a disservice to the organic label and American consumers.
As you complete your organic aquaculture standards, I urge you to ensure that fish labeled as organic eat 100 percent organic feed, and be produced in a way where waste can be captured and not released into the environment.
Organic fish should not be fed wild fish, since some wild fish come from polluted environments and are high in mercury and PCBs.
Fish raised in ocean net pens also should not be allowed to carry the organic label. Ocean net pens, such as those used to farm salmon, can be highly polluting, with a great deal of waste, disease, and escapes entering and directly impacting the surrounding natural ecosystems. Organic production should be environmentally sound and should not pollute in this indiscriminate way.
Americans understand these issues. A 2007 Consumers Union poll found that some 74 percent of consumers are concerned about environmental pollution from "organic" fish. The poll also showed that 91 percent of consumers want contaminants in fish to be absent or present only at very low levels.
Please ensure that the organic label continues to have integrity, and is used only on food produced according to very high environmental standards. Fish labeled as organic should not be raised on non-organic feed or in facilities that release waste into the environment.
