| This bill repeals the statutes relating to the certification |
| and labeling of foods as natural, organic or from Maine due to |
| the establishment of a national organic program in October |
| 2002 by the United States Department of Agriculture's |
| Agricultural Marketing Service. The national program |
| establishes standards for the production and handling of fresh |
| and processed organic foods, as well as labels and labeling |
| requirements for organic products, and is carried out by |
| accredited certifying agencies. The State has chosen not to |
| offer organic certification services under the new federal |
| program because of limited staffing and resources and in order |
| to avoid competing with the private sector for these services. |
| Consequently, the State's organic certification program is |
| obsolete. |
