Co-Op in Colorado Newest Co-Op to Join Boycott of Horizon Dairy Products: Not Living Up To Obligations Under National Organic Standards Regulations

A few months ago, I wrote about Horizon and the lies they are spreading regarding their operations and their treatment of animals. You can see that at this link, along with a few links to pictures that expose this truth -
http://geari.blogspot.com/2005/11/
myth-of-dean-foods-horizon-organic.html

Article:

For Immediate Release:

May 5, 2006

BOULDER CO-OP MARKET BOYCOTTS HORIZON DAIRY PRODUCTS

NPR to Provide National Coverage

Boulder,Colo.—After careful consideration, Boulder Co-op Market has decided
to join other co-ops across the country in boycotting Horizon dairy
products. The market’s concern is that Horizon—which is owned by Dean Foods,
the nation’s largest milk bottler—may not be living up to its obligations
under the National Organic Standards Regulations. The Co-op is specifically
concerned with regulations governing livestock pasture, feed and
confinement.

While reporting on the growing criticism of Horizon across the United
States, National Public Radio interviewed members of Boulder Co-op's staff
andBoard of Directors yesterday asthey physically removed Horizon products
from store shelves.

Amy Wyatt, Assistant General Manager for the Co-op, sees a Horizon boycott
as the right thing to do forBoulder’s only community-owned vegetarian
grocery. “We are entrusted by our members to make the best choices for
products in the store that fit into our by-laws,” said Wyatt. “Based on our
concerns regarding Horizon's practices, we didn't feel that continuing
tocarry this company’s products was consistent with our mission and values.”

Last year, The Cornucopia Institute of Wisconsin, a progressive farm policy
research group, filed formal complaints with the U.S. Department of
Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Compliance, asking that it investigate what
are believed to be violations of the law, particularly sections §205.237,
§205.238 and §205.239 of the National Organic Standards Regulations.

The complaints ask the USDA to investigate whether it is legal to confine
cows in an industrialsetting, without access to pasture, and still label
milk and dairy products as organic. According to Mark Kastel, Cornucopia’s
Senior Farm Policy Analyst, "Real organic farms have made great financial
investments in converting to pasture-based production, enhancing the
nutritional properties of the milk and enhancing animal health,­while it
appears that these large corporate-dominated enterprises are happy just to
pay lip service to required organic ethics."

Boulder Co-op Market is urging all other merchants who cater to organic
consumers locally—such as Wild Oats, Whole Foods Market and Vitamin
Cottage—to join in the boycott of Horizon.