Clean Up Your Organic Certification Act!
OK…you do remember when I got on my high horse about this issue awhile ago! I was pointing out what a total “farce” it was over at the Aurora Dairy with their “not-so-wholesome” cows that were NOT spending their days out grazing in the pasture on grass, etc. and that major issues existed that needed to be reviewed and addressed with the USDA and true “Organic Certification”.
Well…as of yesterday…a little (and that means not nearly enough) progress was made when the Aurora Dairy (High Meadows label and private label for Safeway, Cosco, Trader Joe, Wild Oats, and Wal-Mart) signed an agreement that will lead to them “cleaning up their act”!
The consent decree gives them some time to present new plans for several dairies in Colorado and Texas, changes in specific practices that will either result in them losing or restoring their “organic” status, and their facility (ies) will be monitored by USDA personnel for a year. Let’s hope (demand) that the USDA/AMS sends someone out to the farm that actually knows what to look for, what is either bending or complying with the “rules”, and is genuinely honest!
Aurora agreed not to seek renewal for their Woodward, Colorado facility. They also agreed to change the size of the herd in Platteville and to eliminate “transitional” cows that “transitioned” improperly (imagine that!), and actually keep accurate records.
You get the picture! These commercial (as compared to family) farms were trying to bend the rules, break the rules, and ignore the rules…as if the rules didn’t apply to them and who would notice anyway? When a business is in business just to make money, instead of being passionate about their occupation and calling in Life…well – this is what you get.
It becomes an issue about compliance and profit…nevermind the cows and the quality of the milk they produce! That’s what undermines the very nature of the beast we are making an effort to change. The family farmer loves his/her Life on the land, they love their cows, they love the early morning hours and don’t quit until the work of the day is done…and that’s the lifestyle that caring for animals requires. These are the people who you want to supply you with your milk, cheese, and other dairy products.
But – at least there is some progress and that is commendable!
The lesson to learn here is that if you are going to drink cow’s milk and consume dairy products; then you are really going to have to do your due diligence. Who are you buying from? What kind of operation do they run? Is this their passion or just a business? Can you trust them?
Why? Do you really want to risk contaminating your body with synthetic chemicals, risk exposure to prions that could lead to Mad Cow Disease in your brain tissue, develop obese body size because the growth hormones fed to calves are still (bestrol) present in the meat of commercial-quality foods that you find at the grocery store mislabeled “organic” when they are not! You really need to take this seriously! Your health is at steak (stake) here!
Yes, it’s good that an effort is being made to “clean up” their act in order to stay in the “organic” certification game! Let’s hope they play fairly and honestly now, during their one year of monitoring, and as long as they remain in business!
