The new U.S. Organic Standards go into effect this October 21st. From that day on, agricultural products (production and handling facilities) can only be labeled “organic” in the U.S. if they meet national certification standards. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) accredited certifying agents are now posted on the USDA website – a major milestone toward full implementation of national organic standards.
The USDA will oversee and enforce the entry of only qualified organic food products into the United States, thus providing shoppers with the assurance that all organic food products sold in the United States meet stringent standards. Four certification agencies from outside the United States are among those accredited by USDA.
The new national organic standards will allow four different labeling options based on the percentage of organic ingredients in a product.
The sample cereal boxes to the right illustrate the four labeling categories. From left: cereal with 100 percent organic ingredients; cereal with 95-100 percent organic ingredients; cereal made with 70-95 percent organic ingredients; and cereal, with up to 70 percent organic ingredients. The makers of the cereal with up to 70 percent organic ingredients may list specific organically produced ingredients on the information panel of the box, but may not make any organic claims on the front of the box.
The 2002 Farm Bill creates opportunities for organic certification, research, and marketing, and is a great first step toward the recognition organic farms deserve, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA).
Provisions for organic agriculture sprinkled throughout the 2002 Farm Bill include:
$13.5 million for a national organic certification cost-share program to assist producers and handlers of organic products obtain certification
$15 million dedicated to organic research
Establishment of set-aside funds totaling $3.75 million for marketing value-added organic products
Establishment of an Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative to assist in marketing organic products and conducting farm research
Requirement that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) gather production and marketing data on organic agricultural products
Requirement that USDA examine the impediments and constraints caused by the federal marketing orders on organic agricultural products
Requirement that USDA facilitate access of organic producers to international organic research
Requirement that USDA report back to Congress on the impact of the national organic program on small farms
A provision allowing the organic industry to establish a national voluntary generic research and promotion program.
Many of these provisions are milestones for the industry. Finally we will begin to get data on the organic industry thats been lacking as well as more research to help advance farmers use and understanding of effective organic practices, says Katherine DiMatteo, OTAs executive director. Its provisions will give farmers the tools they need to transition to organic agriculture and the knowledge they need to become viable, organic businesses.
Organic agriculture, which still represents a small portion of U.S. agriculture, is growing quickly. It is difficult to estimate how many farms are managed organically due to the lack of government tracking to date. The U.S. market for organic food and beverage products has experienced 20 to 24 percent growth each year for more than the past decade, and is expected to continue to grow, particularly with full implementation of national organic standards in October.
Organic Trade Association: www.ota.com.
USDA National Organic Program: [sorry this link is no longer available]
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