[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 120 (Thursday, September 4, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S11113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today to talk briefly about organic 
agriculture and to recognize the many thousands of organic farmers from 
around the Nation who have helped transform this once nascent industry 
into a thriving and innovative sector of our economy. Today, in 
particular, I extend my greetings to the many organic producers and 
retailers who have gathered in Washington, D.C. this week to 
participate in the annual organic conference.
  Organic agriculture has come a long way over the past 20 years 
largely because of the determination and hard work of our Nation's many 
organic producers. To put this issue in perspective, the amount of 
organic cropland in the United States has more than doubled in the 
1990s, and the annual growth rate of the organic industry in the United 
States has been greater than 20 percent for the past decade. Sales of 
organic food and beverages accounted for over $9 billion in 2002 and 
are expected to exceed $20 billion by 2005. The increase in organic 
production and sales is a reflection of the profitability and high 
consumer demand for organic food.
  While the organic industry would not be where it is today without the 
efforts of its growers and retailers, Congress has an integral role in 
ensuring that consumers have confidence in the products they are 
buying. Many of my colleagues remember that the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture helped to usher in a new era for the organic industry with 
the implementation last November of the first ever national organic 
standards. With these new standards, farmers in my home State of Maine 
were able to sell their organic products to retailers in other States 
with confidence that the organic label will be recognized by consumers 
in those States. Consumers now know that when they buy an organically 
labeled product, it was produced in a healthy and environmentally 
friendly manner.
  From what I heard from farmers in my State over the August recess, I 
can say that the organic rule has been a tremendous benefit to growers 
both small and large. In Maine, organic agriculture accounts for an 
important part of the State's $673 million agriculture-related sales. 
Several blueberry growers in Downeast Maine have recognized the 
profitability of organic agriculture and have begun to add organic 
production. Consumer interest in organic milk has led many dairy 
farmers to switch to organic milk. Six years ago, only one dairy farmer 
in Maine produced organic milk--now, such milk accounts for over 10 
percent of the State's entire dairy production. These are but a few 
examples of the success of organic agriculture from my State, 
demonstrating the enormous potential for growth in the organic sector.
  Here in Congress, we must continue to help the organic agriculture 
sector grow. The organic community celebrated the implementation of the 
national organic rule; however, the continuing success of this rule 
will depend on Congress' commitment to fund the USDA's National Organic 
Program. The modest increase for the National Organic Program in the 
Senate Fiscal Year 2004 Agriculture appropriations bill is a step in 
the right direction. Likewise, investments in organic research and 
development through the Organic Production and Marketing Data 
Collection will help the organic industry move forward by leaps and 
bounds.
  With organic producers visiting from nearly all 50 States, I hope 
many of my colleagues will have an opportunity to hear from an organic 
farmer, rancher, or retailer in their home State. Again, I extend my 
welcome to all those involved in the national organic conference.

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