I am a believer in organic farming for its long-term benefits to health and the environment. It is encouraging that people in Hong Kong are gradually becoming aware of the need for organic practices, thanks to the work of many voluntary groups and merchants of honest practices. However, on Sunday I visited a sales fair in East Point City which featured a rice-paddy terrace and had the Chinese brand 'Organic Farm' everywhere. I found a great assortment of produce and agricultural products, but none with an authorised organic label. A large proportion was repackaged bulk imports. Some were from mainland companies self-accredited as 'organic'. All were marked with price tags within the range of, or approaching, genuine organic products. The Vegetable Marketing Organisation (VMO) had a stall there, also without any authentic organic labels. I found this all very upsetting, in two ways. First, because in the so called 'world-class' city of Hong Kong, commercial operators can get away with using organic labels on non-organic products to cheat consumers and make obscene profits. Second, because a semi-government organisation - the VMO - was taking part and, in effect, endorsing these activities. There is a thin line between laissez-faire and anarchy. It is extremely unfair for the public to have to be responsible for protecting themselves from unscrupulous and cheating merchants when these very traders are being endorsed by a semi-government agency. As a consumer who wants real organic food for my health, the environment and my children's future, I ask the government, and other concerned parties, that we stop such misconduct and educate the public on proper organic practices and labelling. Leo Kwan, Kowloon