I feel somewhat like a proud father who has waited anxiously through a very, very long gestation period. Two of your predecessors have grappled with this new area of food production, and you have brought this project across its first finish line. The care and effort that you and your staff have invested in this proposal are evident. These proposed regulations, without doubt, are the basis for the toughest, strongest, and most protective standards for organic products in the world. I am confident that in short order, U.S. standards will become the global model.
Consumers are sometimes confused with a variety of organic seals, labels and logos.
This proposal will prevent that confusion. National standards will mean that farmers will know the rules. I recognize that the rule will be criticized by some for not including an absolute prohibition on the use of irradiation, genetically modified organisms, and organic waste. You have resisted pressure from many sources to introduce these issues into the regulations themselves and instead are inviting comments by raising these subjects in the preamble. All those concerned need to recognize that this is a proposal not a final rule.