Dr. Bronner’s Leaves the Organic Trade Association and Announces IFOAM
For any movement to be successful, there have to be multiple voices and organizations coming together to influence the conversation. In no way is this more obvious than what we just demonstrated with #epigate. Parents from around the world joined together to help American families take on Mylan pharmaceuticals. Multiple organizations joined forces. Those that once accepted Mylan’s money came clean, broke up with them, and tomorrow, there is a Congressional hearing to begin the investigation into their unethical business practices.
The same thing is needed in the food movement. We need to create and have multiple organizations come together to tackle the myriad of issues we now have in our food system – from the retail level all the way down to the soil. Every voice matters.
Perhaps one of the most important issues that we face is our shortage of organic farmland here in the U.S. Right now, organic is less than 1% of all farmland in the U.S. David Bronner is a superstar. And with his vision now locked in on expanding organic agriculture, expect huge yields. His company joins a growing number of other companies doubling down on these efforts. They can’t come soon enough.
Dr. Bronner’s Announces Resignation from the Organic Trade Association and Escalates Commitment to Organic Agriculture and Other Causes
VISTA, CA – Dr. Bronner’s, North America’s leading natural brand of soap and organic body care products, has resigned from the Organic Trade Association (OTA), citing the association’s betrayal of the consumer-led GMO labeling movement, and general drift away from the core principles that drive the organic movement. The OTA compromised their initial position of opposition to the DARK Act and lent the crucial support that allowed anti-labeling legislators to push that same legislation through the Senate and be signed into law by President Obama this summer. For further background, Dr. Bronner’s CEO, David Bronner’s August 3rd statement in the Huffington Post is available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-bronner/on-the-organic-trade-association_b_11306156.html
Following the resignation, Dr. Bronner’s has pledged to instead use its organizational resources to help power consumer, farmer and industry organizations that more authentically and courageously represent the vision of regenerative organic agriculture, versus the disaster of soil destroying industrial agriculture.
“We are particularly thrilled to support Rodale’s new Organic Farming Association and the expansion of their regional teaching farms across the country, as well as participate in the North American General Assembly of the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM) at Expo East*,” says Dr. Bronner’s Cosmic Engagement Officer (CEO), David Bronner. “We encourage all true organic companies, whether they choose to remain a part of the OTA or not, to support and participate in both,” continues Bronner.
*IFOAM’s North American General Assembly will be convening on Thursday, September 22, 2016 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at Pratt Street Ale House, 206 W Pratt St, Baltimore, MD 21201 to coincide with the Natural Products Expo East trade show.
While maintaining its commitment to strategic progressive initiatives in general, Dr. Bronner’s also is pleased to be deploying resources to help campaigns win minimum wage, cannabis reform and animal welfare battles in various states this November:
- Bronner’s donated $250,000 to the Fairness Project to support campaigns to lift the minimum wage to $12 by 2020 in Colorado, Arizona and Maine; and $13.50 in Washington. Dr. Bronner.’s was also active in the campaign to raise the minimum wage in Washington, D.C. to $15 by 2021, which achieved victory in June of this year, and also celebrated major movement victories in Oregon, California and New York earlier this year.
- Bronner’s, working with allies New Approach and the Marijuana Policy Project, is dedicating more than $660,000 into responsible cannabis legalization and regulation campaigns in California, Massachusetts, Maine, Arizona and Nevada. The expected sweep of these states will exert enormous pressure on federal lawmakers to end the racist outdated policy of cannabis prohibition, that shreds productive citizens’ lives and families for no good reason, and focus law enforcement resources instead on actual crime.
- Bronner’s, working with allies at the Humane Society of the United States, recently gave $100,000 to the Yes on 3 campaign in Massachusetts to end the cruel confinement of veal calves, egg-laying hens and pigs in that state.
“Looking forward, Dr. Bronner’s is particularly keen to help power and coordinate the animal welfare and regenerative organic movements, in their common aim to end the horribly cruel and unsustainable factory farming of animals, fed by monoculture deserts of carbon and water intensive grain,” adds Bronner. “One-third of the Earth’s surface is covered in arable farm and range land. Regenerative practices can restore soil health and organic matter relatively quickly, and coupled with a global commitment to eating much less but much more humane and sustainably raised animal products, can also significantly mitigate climate change.”
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Dr. Bronner’s is a family business committed to honoring the vision of founder Emanuel Bronner by making socially and environmentally responsible products of the highest quality, and by dedicating profits to help make a better world. Dr. Bronner’s commitment to progressive business practices, social justice and environmental sustainability is part of the company’s mission to put into practice the principles that inform the philosophy printed on the company’s iconic soap labels written by founder Emanuel Bronner. The company is the top-selling natural soap maker in North America and a major brand worldwide. Based on 2015 sales, a bottle of Dr. Bronner’s soap was sold, on average, every 3 seconds throughout the year.
