RAISING THE STANDARD.

Some 275,000 mostly angry public comments later, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has finally redrafted the National Organic Standards --to exclude precisely the questionable practices that drew such widespread criticism in the first place. Unlike the 1997 proposal, the newly developed rules would strictly prohibit use of genetic engineering, sewage sludge and irradiation in foods labeled "organic." The standards also set ground rules for acceptable methods of organic crop and livestock production, and outline clear labeling criteria to reduce consumer confusion. Currently regulated by independent certifiers (see "Food Porn," Currents, May/June 1998), national standards aim to add continuity to the individual standards of private and state organizations, and stimulate sales for the rapidly growing $6 billion industry.

The standards, called by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman the "strongest in the world," were announced in concert with $5 million earmarked for organic research in the 2001 budget, pilot organic crop insurance program, and a marketing research agreement with the University of California, Davis. The public comment period will run through June 12. CONTACT: National Organic Program, [phone], FAX: [phone], www.ams.usda.gov/nop.