[MPWG] QUESTION OF THE MONTH: Certification Schemes

[Cafesombra at aol.com]

Certification is currently a voluntary process.  So in terms of  needing 
"less government," the organic movement grew for some thirty years  out of private 
growers and agencies who brought it to a point at which 10% of  consumers 
wanted what they had. A "niche" market is defined at under 6% so,  it had broken 
out of the niche catagory. Then the government got involved  and there have 
been problems, in the form of compromises or intended  compromises, ever since.  
The fair trade movement, also voluntary, has been  thriving in Europe for 
over two decades.  Here in the US it isn't taking  hold well, one can only 
speculate about the reasons.  To me, the  fundamental problem is that most people 
simply no longer understand what farming  is about.  Consumers especially in the 
US have no idea what any of the  certifications mean.  Less than 1% of us are 
farmers.  So those  who don't learn more about it decide that certification 
is just a gimmick, a  liberal plot to control everyone, or at best they think 
organic products  somehow protect them personally (no chemicals on their 
apples).  That may  be true.  But the fact is these certifications are about 
justice.   Organic certification is about tending to the earth in a way that merits  
our deserving what we harvest.  Fair trade is about treating people  decently 
and making sure that farmers can survive.  The fact that  these things are 
voluntary to me is a crime against the planet and  humanity.  I suppose since I 
live in a free country I am allowed to believe  that. 
Thanks for your kind attention.  
Jennifer Chesworth
Sombra Buena Organic Forest Products
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