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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Lawmakers may save a state Organic Certification Program by doubling the fees that farmers, ranchers and producers of organic products pay to get the organic seal.
The certification program is facing possible elimination due to state budget woes, but a legislative appropriations subcommittee has recommended increasing the fees as a way to generate enough money to save the program.
Utah Commissioner of Agriculture Leonard Blackham says farmers are glad the program could be saved.
The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food this year charged those getting the certification from $50 to $2,500 on a sliding scale based on gross sales.
Department spokesman Larry Lewis says the program cost $75,000 last year but brought in only $46,000 in revenue.
Information from: Deseret News
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
