SAF CEO Peter Moran is urging the industry's growers to participate in a Feb. 29 meeting that could ultimately influence what's considered the "green" growing practices for floriculture.
The Draft National Standard for Trial Use, which would certify a company's products as sustainable, is being considered by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to become a national standard by 2010. As part of the process, representatives from all parts of the industries affected by the standard are invited to offer their input in the process.
Already two "informational" teleconferences have been held, and on Feb. 29 a meeting will take place in Arlington, Va., which all "stakeholders" are invited to attend.
"There's a lot of energy going into this. It's much better to be at the table defining your future, versus having somebody defining it for you," Moran says.
Johna Roth, project manager at the Leonardo Academy, says meeting attendees will "learn about the ANSI process and the elements of the draft standard" along with being able to express their concerns and thoughts regarding their specific fields of interest in the industry.
Moran identifies several concerns from industry members based on the current draft standard: a lack of clarity over what defines organic versus sustainable practices; the absence of support in the draft standard for the use of biotechnology; and equating organic practices with "best agricultural practices."
SAF fully supports sustainable business practices, says Moran, but the practices have to be achievable and based on proven science.
"If these standards are going to have a lifespan in this industry, business owners need to be comfortable that the standards are attainable in way that ultimately won't put them out of business." Moran says.
The Leonardo Academy is encouraging producers, farm organizations, environmentalists, government representatives, labor rights organizations, distributors and consumer organizations to participate at the February meeting in Virginia.
"Attendees will gain an understanding of the ANSI process of developing a National Standard which will allow them to make a more informed decision about their level of involvement in the process" Roth says. "The draft standard will be discussed and attendees will be introduced to the eight elements of the Standard."
--Kori Kamradt
kkamradt@safnow.org
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