by 4×4jeepchick
USDA’s Organic Factory Farming Scandal Continues to Unravel:
[Via Common Dreams NewsCenter - Progressive NewsWire]
The article details the assessment that Promiseland Livestock violated several laws and should have its organic certification revoked. The clue that the 22,000 head were not really organic (hard to see how managing 22,000 head would be possible to maintain) was the need for replacement calves. A good organic farm does not need to replace cows providing milk. As one farmer says, he has cows that are 12 years old and have names.
These guys needed replacements because they were slaughtering cows as soon as milk production dropped, in as little as to years. So when the USDA shows up for a surprise inspection, they refuse to allow them to do so. Turns out they have little documentation, keep the cows in pens rather that free graze and using cattle that were not certified as organic.
As is obvious, the lack of real oversight in food inspections can have very real consequences for human health (i.e. try and find a tomato these days). The USDA needs to come down really hard here. It will be interesting to see if anything is really done. But remember the name – Promiseland.
Technorati Tags: Environment, Health
