October 24, 2000

Re: Legislative Package submission – Labeling of certain agricultural lands

Dear Commissioners, Senator, and Delegates;

The Potomac River Association is asking for the same legislative action that was requested last year in S.B. 733. That is - proper labeling and recordation of certain agricultural lands.

There is a growing number of stories in the media about corn chips recalled, dangerous levels of pesticides in cottonseed oil, Europeans fearful of American foods, and a growing concern here in our country about the safety and proper labeling of food products. Major agriculture businesses and food companies cannot assure us that our corn tortillas are NOT made with transgenetic corn grain. Government cannot assure us either. Can the State of Maryland give greater assurance to the public that the corn in tortillas did NOT come from agricultural land on which sludge had been recently applied?

This request for legislative action goes deeper than merely building consumer confidence. Organic farming is a viable alternative to traditional farming or development. But organic farming’s credibility is muddled by an industry that has failed to properly track cotton meant for fabrics only, corn that was meant for animal feed only, and transgenetic soybeans in products sent to European nations that specifically said, "No genetically altered products!" Maryland’s organic farmers need your help in assuring that their products are labeled credibly.

We have the support of the Maryland Farm Bureau who wrote last March 8:

"Certain crops cannot be grown on land where sewage sludge has been applied in the recent past. Tobacco and vegetable crops are known to develop irregularly and present potential problems to consumers if grown on fields where sewage sludge has been applied within three years. In addition, federal rules for Organic Foods announced this week prohibit the use of sewage sludge on any product advertised as "organic".

For these reasons, Maryland Farm Bureau policy calls for a permanent record on land deeds concerning the use of sewage sludge. S.B. 733 provides a mechanism for deed recordation and for advance notice to an individual who is considering the purchase of land upon which sewage sludge has been applied. Maryland Farm Bureau fully supports S.B. 733 . . . "

Please sponsor and support this important request.

Sincerely,



Robert Lewis
Vice President