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Today the public comment period will close on a USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) rulemaking that, if all goes as planned, should increase the price of organic eggs. With food prices up 8.2 percent since September of last year, why would AMS do such a thing? And
Continue Reading Time for a new label on ‘organic’ eggs?
The rule with the title: “Strengthening Organic Enforcement” is still hanging fire at USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
It’s said to be the single largest piece of organic food rule-making since the National Organic Program (NOP) was birthed by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. The NOP is the
Continue Reading Rule to reform and update enforcement of organic industry remains alive
There are just 10 more days to comment before USDA can finalize the Organic Livestock and Poultry rule for the National Organic Program. If enacted, new animal welfare standards would apply to animals raised under the USDA Organic label.
If it all sounds familiar it should. The rule is similar
Continue Reading Organic Label’s animal welfare rule is close to crossing the finish line
Today marks the beginning of the semi-annual meeting of the National Organic Standards Board, which advises the USDA’s National Organic Program on policies and regulations.
The five-day meeting will be live online with a recorded version to be posted on the National Organic Program website.
“With input from
Continue Reading National organics meeting begins today; watch by Zoom or listen by phone
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is inviting the public to submit written comments or provide oral comments at its Fall 2021 business meeting.
In the United States, organic agriculture makes up less than 1 percent of total agriculture according to the USDA. The majority of those acres are owned
Continue Reading National Organic Standards Board asks for public comments on variety of topics
The USDA’s Organic Program (NOP) is changing its approach to oversight of imports from India.
The USDA is ending its recognition agreement that had allowed Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority accredited certifiers to provide USDA organic certification in India. The APEDA is an apex body under the
Continue Reading USDA increasing certification requirements for organic imports from India
Major players like the Produce Marketing Association, the United Fresh Produce Association, and Western Growers went on record in support of new organic regulations just before an official comment period ended on Oct. 5. Advancing to the final rule writing phase also appears to have the support of the
Continue Reading USDA collects comments on organic changes, moving on to final rule
Federal Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler is a former assistant U.S. attorney who spent much of her career as a top prosecutor for major federal crimes. Her latest assignment as Magistrate for the U.S. District Court for Northern California is to decide if the soil must be used to grow organic
Continue Reading Organic growers say it is in their economic interest to stay grounded in soil
The USDA is today publishing a notice in the Federal Register to further delay and reconsider new mandates for handling and transporting livestock and providing avian “living conditions” for poultry raised as organic food.
Without the action, the new requirements under the National Organic Program would have taken effect today.
Continue Reading USDA delays Obama’s organic livestock standards for review
Consumers buying pricey organic produce would likely be upset if they knew the imported fruits and vegetables they pay premium prices for are sometimes doused with chemicals when they reach the United States.
A new report by USDA’s Inspector General looks at the National Organic Program’s international “arrangements and agreements”
Continue Reading Inspector General again finds weaknesses in organic imports
