Shea-Porter Offers Amendment to Protect Organic Farmers

Press Release

This week, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter offered an amendment that would have helped New Hampshire's organic farmers by providing more equitable levels of insurance for their crops.

"Those in the farming industry are well aware of the differences between traditional and organic crops, including more stringent guidelines to receive an "organic' designation," Shea-Porter said. "Yet, for too long, the price for organic crop insurance has not taken these differences into account. My amendment would have swiftly addressed this problem and helped organic farmers get back to focusing on farming."

Congresswoman Shea-Porter's amendment would have required the USDA to use all relevant data available, such as transition yields and information obtained by the 2008 Organic Data Initiative, to provide organic price elections by 2015 to all organic crops. This means that insurance would more accurately reflect market prices and the added risk of organic producers, thereby allowing for fair and stable competition within the industry.

The amendment is both fair and cost effective. It is revenue neutral, and it included extra standards to label foods as organic in an effort to protect the valuable brands of a wide variety of organic New Hampshire crops.

This measure was recommended by an Inspector General audit of the Risk Management Agency's organic farm program.

"I'm proud of this amendment, and I'm disappointed that Speaker Boehner would not allow a vote on legislation to protect New Hampshire's organic farmers and organic consumers across America," Shea-Porter concluded. "I will continue to work on addressing this important issue."

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