It is time for taking “Beyond Organic” for discussions by the USDA, the National Academy of Sciences, State Ag Departments, and Food Buyers.
Mani Skaria, PhD
Founder & CEO @ US Citrus, LLC | Bringing a New Outlook to the American Citrus Industry Professor Emeritus of Citrus Pathology, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
November 3, 2019
Why should I bring this up? Am I qualified to comment?
Is there an emerging moral law concerning “beyond organic ” food production?
There are many reasons for me to bring this up.
Many food producers in the USA feel it is time to revisit and re-align organic food production standards in this country. More so that no American consumers would be taken for a ride. State and federal government officials have identified the need for a re-alignment, but no public comments, yet.
I can speak with some degree of subject matter expertise in citrus – an earned say-so via my education and experience. And I testified to the National Organic Standards Board about it. I showed an argument why a young man today would not be economically successful with organic citrus farming in the USA.
This is not an attack on Organic Farming. There are many genuine organic producers in the USA. I have seen their spirit, enthusiasm, and passion, and my hats off to them.
In my foreign travels and experience, I have seen or known about organic food producers of a different standard. They produce “organic-labeled” food targeting a gullible organic food buyer in North America, the EU, Asian countries, and the Middle East.
This note is an attempt to bring awareness that a gullible American organic food lover is taken for a ride by the influence of greed-driven organic food sellers.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have an issue that needs attention, logical thinking, alignment of need, and deliverables.
Dear members of the National Academy of Sciences and the USDA scientists and the administrative hierarchy, we have an issue that needs a task force attention.
The author is a citrus scientist, professor emeritus, entrepreneur, and actively function in an advisory role to universities, state, and federal agencies.