News

New Global Organic Textile Standard Online Database Lists All Certified Companies

Nearly 2,800 facilities gain GOTS certification in 2009, a 40% increase over 2008

For Immediate Release

Sandra Marquardt, 301-592-0077, smarquardt@onthemarkpr.com

GREENFIELD, Mass. (March 17, 2010) – According to the online database of companies certified to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) on its web site which was re-launched today, approximately 1,500 companies with a total of 2,811 facilities in 55 countries around the world were certified to the organic apparel and textile standard in 2009. That is almost a 40 percent increase over the 1,977 facilities certified to the standard in 2008. The GOTS standard was approved in 2006.

Growing Canada’s Organic Market Opportunities

www.ota-canada.ca
613-482-1717

(Charlottetown, March 6, 2010)—The Organic Trade Association (OTA) in Canada is pleased to announce a partnership with the Government of Canada to develop a long-term international marketing strategy to expand Canada’s organic sector. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is investing over $118,000 in OTA in Canada’s international market development strategy for the organic sector.

“We are excited about what this means in terms of building new international markets for Canadian organic products,” said Matthew Holmes, managing director of the Organic Trade Association in Canada. “The global organic market is expanding rapidly and this support will allow Canada to establish itself as a supplier of quality organic products. When you know more about supply and demand in foreign markets, you are in a better position to make sales.”

Organic Trade Association honors Congressman Collin Peterson

Barbara Haumann
413-376-1220, bhaumann@ota.com

House Ag chairman to be recognized for his service to organic agriculture

Washington, D.C., (March 8, 2010)—The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today announced it will honor Congressman Collin Peterson (MN-7) with its 2010 Public Servant Award.

Rep. Collin Peterson (MN-7), chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, will receive OTA’s highest award for a public servant in an evening reception April 14 as part of OTA’s 2010 Policy Conference and Hill Visit Days in Washington. The reception hosted by OTA will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. April 14 in the House Agriculture Committee Hearing Room.

All Things Organic™ and Natural Products Expo East to Co-Locate

Contact: Sue McGovern
sue@mcgov.com
781-648-7157

Expo East to Serve as Business & Education Hub of Organic Community

GREENFIELD, Mass. (March 4, 2010) – Natural Products Expo East has been selected as the new home for All Things Organic™, the organic community’s leading business and educational gathering place in North America. In making the announcement, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) stated that the conference will co-locate with Expo East, a partnership that will extend for at least seven years.

“This exciting new partnership unites the business and educational strengths of All Things Organic™ and Natural Products Expo East,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive Director. “It will better serve the organic business community by increasing traffic, buyers and attendance at the trade event. Expo East will become the organic hub of the nation.”

Organic Trade Association applauds USDA release of final Pasture Rule

Contact: Barbara Haumann
bhaumann@ota.com
(413) 376-1220

Washington, D.C. (Feb. 12, 2010) – The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today welcomed the release of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) final access to pasture rule for organic agriculture.

“It clearly defines access to pasture for organic ruminant livestock and sets a mechanism into place for strict regulation and enforcement. This will help enable producers and certifying agents to consistently implement National Organic Program regulations. As a result, consumers can be assured that the U.S. organic program for organic livestock remains the most stringent in the world,” according to OTA’s Executive Director Christine Bushway.

Organic Trade Association Appoints Legislative and Advocacy Manager

Contact: Barbara Haumann at bhaumann@ota.com, 413-376-1220

WASHINGTON – Feb. 10 - The Organic Trade Association (OTA) www.ota.com has hired Will Telligman to fill the new position of Legislative and Advocacy Manager in the organization’s new Washington, D.C. office.

Telligman most recently served as Legislative Affairs Coordinator for the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) in D.C. after a year stint as Legislative Affairs Assistant with IDFA. Previously, he served as a congressional intern in D.C. for Representative John Spratt.

Organic is answer to those seeking foods produced without antibiotics

Contact: Barbara Haumann
413-376-1220


GREENFIELD, Mass. (Feb. 10, 2010)—Choosing foods bearing the organic label is the only way consumers can be sure meats and dairy products they buy have been produced without the use of antibiotics, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA) in response to a CBS Evening News with Katie Couric segment on livestock production airing Feb. 9 and 10.

“Organic practices recognize and respect the powerful nature of antibiotics. As a result, organic practices prohibit the use of antibiotics, synthetic hormones or other animal drugs in animal feed for the purpose of stimulating the growth or production of livestock,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s executive director.
Respected organizations such as the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization have recommended against the non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in agriculture in order to protect public health. Those organizations point out that such uses of antibiotics in agriculture contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

ORGANIC. IT’S WORTH IT IN SCHOOLS.

Media Contact:
Renee Kelly
612-372-6450
renee@habermaninc.com

Organic Trade Association Launches Contest for Students, Teachers to Win Organic Garden or Fully Stocked Organic Vending Machine

Greenfield, Mass. (Jan. 13, 2010) – Reading, writing, arithmetic, and now, the fourth R: real food. This spring, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) is helping schools access and offer students more organic food with a national contest to award a winning school with an organically grown garden or an organic vending machine.

The Organic Trade Association opens its first D.C. office

Contact: Barbara Haumann
413-376-1220

Washington, D.C. (Jan. 5, 2010) ─ The Organic Trade Association (OTA), headquartered in Greenfield, Massachusetts, has opened its first Washington, D.C., office in the Hall of the States at 444 North Capitol Street, NW.

Christine Bushway OTA’s Executive Director and CEO, made the announcement, saying, “OTA is very excited about achieving this milestone at the beginning of its 25th anniversary year. This office, located three blocks from Capitol Hill, will help the trade association increase its visibility and effectiveness in D.C. with Congress, the Executive Branch and all regulatory agencies including the National Organic Program housed at USDA.”

2009 plantings of U.S. organic cotton are highest since 2001

News Release
Contact: Barbara Haumann
413-376-1220; bhaumann@ota.com

GREENFIELD, Mass. (Dec. 21, 2009) —U.S. growers of organic cotton increased plantings of organic cotton acreage by 26 percent in 2009 over that planted the previous year, according to preliminary data collected by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) in a survey funded by Cotton Incorporated.

Analysis of available data collected by an OTA survey of U.S. organic cotton producers and preliminary data from the Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative (TOCMC) put planted area at 10,731 acres in 2009, up from an estimated 8,539 acres in 2008. The 2009 plantings are the highest since 2001, when 11,586 acres were planted by U.S. cotton growers.

The Organic Trade Association launches new consumer web site

News release
Contact:Jennifer Rose
413-376-1234
jrose@ota.com

Greenfield, Mass. (Dec. 9, 2009) ─ Something exciting is in store for consumers looking to learn more about organic agriculture and products.

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today launched a new consumer web site, “Organic. It’s Worth It,” located at www.organicitsworthit.org. The site, launched in beta format, offers a wide range of informational resources, including basic facts about organic, tips on using organic around the house, and organic recipe ideas. The site also features the latest in organic news and trends, as well as a poll, allowing consumers to share their thoughts on a variety of issues related to organic agriculture and products. In addition, the site boasts a “Featured Expert” section, where consumers have the opportunity to learn directly from experts from across the organic community.

OTA’s Bushway to participate on panel on future of animal agriculture

Contact: Barbara Haumann
(413-376-1220; bhaumann@ota.com)

Future Trends in Animal Agriculture Symposium slated for Dec. 2

GREENFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 16, 2009)—Christine Bushway, Executive Director and CEO of the Organic Trade Association (OTA), will participate in the Future Trends in Animal Agriculture Symposium: The Future of Animal Agriculture 2030 planned for Dec. 2 in Washington, D.C.

Bushway will take part in a panel entitled “What Should Animal Agriculture Look Like in 2030?” Other panelists will include Paul Shapiro of the Humane Society of the United States, and Marie Wheatley of the American Humane Association.

Foreign Ag Service Awards Organic Trade Association $1,666,000

Contact: Barbara Haumann
(413-376-1220; bhaumann@ota.com)

Monies will be used to reduce trade barriers for U.S. organic products

GREENFIELD, Mass. (Oct. 6, 2009)--The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) has approved $1,666,000 in Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops (TASC) funding over five years to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), in partnership with Sustainable Strategies, for projects that analyze and address trade issues for U.S. organic products.

“This funding will be used to help further understand hurdles that impede the trade of U.S. organic products and help work toward finding solutions to opening trade options for U.S. organic producers,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive Director.

Organic Trade Association congratulates new NOSB appointees

For immediate release
Contact: Barbara Haumann
(413-376-1220; bhaumann@ota.com)

Organic Trade Association congratulates new NOSB appointees

GREENFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 25, 2009)— The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today congratulated the five persons selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to serve on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) beginning in January.

Organic Trade Association welcomes new National Organic Program head

Contact: Barbara Haumann (413-376-1220)

GREENFIELD, Mass. (Sept. 17, 2009)—The Organic Trade Association (OTA) today expressed delight at the selection of Miles McEvoy as the new Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) National Organic Program (NOP).

“As Organic Program Manager for Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Organic Food efforts, Miles has been very active as a long-time member of the Organic Trade Association (OTA). OTA is pleased that he will be filling this very important position in USDA. OTA is confident that, with his experience, he will provide invaluable guidance and clear thinking that will further the integrity of the National Organic Program,” said Christine Bushway, OTA’s Executive Director.

RSS news are provided by: Organic Trade Association