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News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
DEM TO HOLD HEARING THURSDAY, MARCH 6, ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO ORGANIC CERTIFICATION REGULATIONS PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management will hold a public hearing on Thursday, March 6 on proposed amendments to regulations governing organically labeled farm products.The proposed amendments ensure consistency of the state's organic regulations with federal standards and facilitate timely inspections of organic operations applying for certification. The proposed amendments also increase the fees charged for organic certification from the current $50 to a maximum of $300 for producers and $550 for handlers to cover the increased cost charged by the US Department of Agriculture to maintain DEM's accreditation as an organic certification agency. Because DEM is now a participant in a USDA program that reimburses eligible certified organic producers 75 percent of the cost of certification, the effective maximum cost for certified producers would be $75. However, DEM expects to adjust the proposed fee increases downward. The proposed fee increase has been reviewed and approved by the state's Organic Advisory Board, formed by DEM in 2007 to advise the Department on organic program issues including its proposed regulations. The five-member committee includes the president of the Rhode Island chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association, a producer of organic crops, a producer of organic livestock, a handler of organic products, and a member knowledgeable about organic product marketing. Currently, there are 21 Rhode Island-certified producers of organic products, and three Rhode Island-certified handlers of organic products. The proposed amendments can be found on DEM's website, www.dem.ri.gov, by clicking on "Agriculture" under "Offices and Divisions", and then clicking on "Public Notice re: Draft Rules Related to Cultural Practices for Branding Products of the Farm." Copies are also available by calling DEM's Division of Agriculture at 222-2781 weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The March 6 hearing will take place at 11 a.m. in Room 300 at DEM Headquarters, 235 Promenade Street in Providence. Written comments on the proposed amendments may be submitted by mail to the DEM Division of Agriculture, 235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908, prior to the hearing date, or may be hand-delivered during the public hearing. -30- |
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