Please review the information below for the complete story regarding issues currently receiving attention.
Horizon Organic Postion Statement on FDA Cloning Announcement
January 15, 2008
To Our Valued Customers:
Today’s announcement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that milk from cloned animals and their offspring is safe to be sold in the marketplace does not change Horizon Organic’s policy of not accepting or selling milk from cloned animals.
We had hoped for a different decision from the FDA. Milk from cloned animals contradicts the intent of the organic movement and is inconsistent with consumers’ expectations.
The practice of cloning is prohibited by the USDA’s National Organic Program regulations. At Horizon Organic we have never accepted milk from cloned animals or their offspring, and will never do so in the future. Moreover, we will work diligently to ensure that organic laws and regulations never allow for organic milk to come from cloned cows or their offspring.
Blaine McPeak, President of Horizon Organic
The organic status of Horizon Organic's Idaho Farm
There are no outstanding investigations of our company-owned farms. A recent complaint against our farms was dismissed by the USDA. USDA’s dismissal of the complaint confirms the standing of our company-owned farms organic certification, heritage, and integrity. Horizon Organic fully complied with an extensive review after activist groups questioned the farm’s ability to comply with organic standards. USDA found the complaints to be without merit. After making repeated visits to Horizon Organic’s property, USDA reviewed hundreds of detailed records and management systems for cattle, land, and pasture.
Our two company-owned farms in Maryland and Idaho must consistently meet high standards. Not only must they comply with USDA, they are also held accountable to Horizon Organic’s own “Standards of Care.” These standards, which govern everything from cow management to holistic pasture practices are more comprehensive than USDA’s regulations.
The pioneer in organic milk production, Horizon Organic supports USDA’s review and certification process, as well as accrediting the appropriate agencies to certify organic dairies. Also, we support clearer and more stringent USDA standards because it is crucial that farmers, processors and consumers understand and have confidence in the USDA organic seal.
With consumer interest and demand growing, the organic community must work together to educate, inform, and build trust and consumer confidence in the organic seal. Through collaboration and unity organic supporters can continue to responsibly grow the organic market.
About large organic farms
A farm's ability to produce organic milk is not a matter of the number of milking cows. Organic milk production is all about the method used to care for and manage the animals and the land, including active grazing. We believe that a farm's ability to produce organic milk is scale neutral.
Statement from Horizon Organic regarding the Cornucopia Institute
We listen to all voices, and while Horizon Organic respects freedom of speech, we believe the Cornucopia Institute's ongoing attacks on our company are filled with inaccuracies, and, worst of all, confuse consumers who seek quality certified organic products.
We especially listen to experts in agricultural practices, people such as Hue Karreman, Holistic Management International (HMI), Conservation International and value their input as objective, science-oriented observers.
We will bring the facts about us to you directly, without filters. Horizon Organic will not engage with those who are more interested in disparaging the organic milk industry, farmers and processors, than in sharing facts and building unity and opportunity across the organic milk community.
These are exciting times for the organic food industry. With consumer interest and demand growing, we believe that the organic milk community must work together to educate, inform, and build trust and consumer confidence in the organic seal. Through collaboration and unity we can make this community even stronger.
About how Horizon Organic treats their cows
We believe organic dairy farmers have a moral obligation to care for and treat their animals humanely and with respect. On our company farms, cows are sheltered in clean, comfortable surroundings, with ample room for sleeping, eating and moving about freely.
Horizon Organic believes that cow health is improved by allowing cows to be outside as much as possible, year-round, for fresh air, exercise and interaction with the land. When not on pasture, Horizon Organic provides appropriate housing that protects cows from the elements; provides shade, dry bedding, ample feed, forage, and clean water; and helps to maintain optimum health throughout the year.
Retailers boycotting Horizon Organic products
Natural food stores are important to Horizon Organic and have been over our 16-year history. The majority of these stores have been, and continue to be, very supportive of the Horizon Organic brand. Currently Horizon Organic sells products through 300 natural channel food stores. Initially, a few of those customers left because of a misinformation campaign. Since then, some have returned.
