A new bill that aims to ensure the integrity of organic products while putting American organic farmers on a level playing field has been supported by the Organic Trade Association (OTA), describing such moves as "critical" for the category. 

The OTA yesterday thanked Representative John Faso (R-NY) for introducing the Organic Farmer and Consumer Protection Act, which would make significant strides to improve the oversight of global organic trade

The legislation would provide support and necessary funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) to keep pace with industry growth and to carry out compliance and enforcement actions in the U.S. and abroad.

The OTA said it also strengthened the emphasis on the NOP’s authority and capacity to conduct investigations to keep organic markets strong; it invests in technology and access to data to improve tracking of international organic trade; it helps provide the necessary information to ensure a transparent marketplace.

Specifically, the bill does the following to modernize the global oversight system: Specifically, the bill does the following to modernize the global oversight system: 

• Authorizes funding for the National Organic Program to keep pace with organic industry growth;

• Provides one-time funding for technology systems to modernize and improve international trade tracking systems and data collection; 

• Improves effective oversight, robust investigations and enforcement across the entire supply chain. 

• Directs coordination and provides access to available cross-border documentation systems administered across other federal agencies and departments;

• Requires USDA to close regulatory loopholes by mandating that uncertified entities, such as ports, brokers, importers and online auctions, become certified;

• Requires USDA’s National Organic Program to issue an annual compliance report to Congress, which would include domestic and overseas investigations and actions taken. 

The OTA highlighted that in a survey of more than 500 organic stakeholders last year, showed the top priority for the next Farm Bill was the need for a stronger program to increase the transparency and tracking of international trade.

A recent report from United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) revealed areas that need to be improved in the oversight of international organic trade and the enforcement of organic standards for imported organic products.

This legislation addresses the concerns of stakeholders and takes important steps to improve some of the key deficits identified in the system.

"Protecting the integrity of organic is critical for the advancement of organic, and we applaud Congressman Faso for introducing this important bill," said OTA executive director and CEO Laura Batcha.

"Our farmers have to have a level playing field, and organic consumers have to be able to trust that they are getting what they pay for when they buy organic.

"We’re operating in a growing global market. It is essential that we modernize and get up to speed to prevent organic fraud and to ensure that every stakeholder in the organic chain is playing by the rules. This bill takes important steps towards making that happen."

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