The Organic Advisory Committee seeks to preserve the integrity of organic agriculture and organic certification. We recognize the confusion for consumers surrounding the meaning of organic in the marketplace and the need to protect against false labeling, misleading advertising, and fraudulent practices. We also want to ensure that those growing, processing or handling organic products be certified as complying with certain minimum standards that protect the organic product, from the farm to the consumer.

To achieve these goals, Michigan must develop, administer, and enforce organic agriculture laws. These laws must:

In addition, there is a need to promote the value and importance of organic agriculture to the public and to commercial markets. Such promotion is intended to provide research and education about the benefits of organic agriculture to the general public, support research, and provide for additional marketing opportunities for Michigan's food and fiber products. Further, we support a partnership with the MDA to assist in promoting Michigan's food and fiber industry.

The Committee believes its recommendations are consistent with the mission of the MDA to serve, promote, and protect the food, agriculture, environment, and economic interests of the people of the State of Michigan.