Organic Debate & Dealing with the Issues

Organic Debate & Dealing with the Issues. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

In less than 2 weeks we will know the outcome of the Presidential election and Congress will be getting back to work. American Farm Bureau Deputy Executive Director Dale Moore hopes they will take care of business in a post-election lame duck session instead of kicking the can down the road again - even if there is a new President in January.

MOORE: We can see a scenario where a new President coming in might well want to urge Congress - can you guys, the current administration, get this thing resolved, get it off the table, get all this stuff cleaned up, straightened up before we come in so we can kind of start with a clean slate - clean sheet of paper.

Parents who want to reduce their child’s pesticide exposure may look to organic fruits and vegetables - but the American Academy of Pediatrics says that doesn’t mean they’re safer or healthier than conventional equivalents. The academy says science hasn’t proven that eating pesticide-free food makes people any healthier. Without long-term controlled studies - Dr. Janet Silverstein - a co-author of a new report from the academy - says it can’t be said for certain that organic is better. The report echoes a study released by Stanford University last month.

Now here’s today’s Washington Grange report.

(Grange)

That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.