Senate Ag Committee Chairman says regulations are hindering farmers of organics produce

Senate Ag Committee Chairman says regulations are hindering farmers of organics produce

Maura Bennett
Maura Bennett
As the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry continues gathering testimony for the 2018 Farm Bill, farmers who choose organics have an ally in the chairman.

Chairman, Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas opened the 6th hearing saying too many obstacles stand in organic farming's way.

"Far

mers in rural America can choose organics not necessarily because they believe there is anything wrong with conventional production but, because they recognize organics as a value added opportunity. They are responding to a market signal and increasing their productions. And boy is that market signal working today. However it seems that uncertainty and dysfunction have overtaken the National Organics Standards Board

Senator Roberts says that creates an uncertain environment and prevents farmers who choose organics from using technology and operating in an effective manner.

"Simply put this hurts our producers and economies in rural America"

Roberts told the hearing that we will need to find ways to do more with less in the next Farm Bill.

, to reduce burdens of over-regulation, and ask tough questions as we reexamine programs to determine their effectiveness and if they are serving their intended purpose.

He says changes need to be made so that our own regulations and processes are not holding people back.

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