The government is in shutdown mode and there’s no end in sight. You might be wondering how this affects the USDA organic program, a federally administered system. While organic certification is always handled by state departments of agriculture or private certification entities like OneCert, certifying agents administering the organic program are impacted by the shutdown. […]
Sam Welsch was what I’d call a True Believer in organic. Not just a true believer in organic as a label, but a true believer in organic as a whole system—a guiding principle for transforming how we manage the resources of this planet. He recognized that farming—both destructive and necessary–could be done in a way […]
Read More… from In Memoriam: Sam Welsch, a great advocate for organic and the planet.
The OMRI list (www.omri.org) is a useful tool for certified operations to determine the suitability of inputs for use in organic production and handling. It’s always reassuring to know that a product you’d like to use on your farm or in your processing operation is OMRI listed before you go to your certifier for approval. […]
Earlier this year, the USDA rolled out the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) regulations, bringing a wave of significant changes to organic import requirements. Whether you’re an importer, exporter, or just curious about organic products, here’s a quick rundown of the key points you need to know. End of the Grace Period The unofficial USDA grace […]
Read More… from Navigating the New USDA Organic Import Rules: What You Need to Know
On May 17, the USDA launched its new GLOBAL Organic Integrity Database or ‘GLOBAL OID.’ The new GLOBAL OID is a clone of the current Organic Integrity Database, but includes operations certified to both the Canadian Organic Regime (COR) standards and USDA standards by accredited certifying agents. GLOBAL OID is part of the Trade Partners […]
Read More… from USDA Launches GLOBAL Organic Integrity Database
The National Organic Program (NOP) introduced new regulations that will be implemented on March 19, 2024. Operations that will require certification under this rule must be certified by this date. The new regulations, known collectively as the “Strengthening Organic Enforcement” rules, or “SOE,” limit the number of operations that can continue to go uncertified by […]
Read More… from The New SOE Rules: Is my business required to get certified?
Types of Handlers: What needs to be certified?
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Read More… from Different Classes of Handling Operations & Their Certification Obligations
Is there a ‘master list’ of cleaners and sanitizers we can use to clean equipment prior to Organic processing? –A Curious Manufacturer Dear Curious Manufacturer: Unfortunately no, there isn’t! Such a list would be impossible to maintain since it would involve tracking and evaluating every new cleaner and sanitizer product that comes out on the […]
The organic standards require that a progressive approach to facilities pest management be taken by organic growers and handlers. The organic pest control regulations described below can be found at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205/subpart-C/section-205.271. (Level A) First, pests must be controlled through management practices like sanitation, removal of pest food sources and habitat, controlling access to pests, and […]
On April 5, 2022, the USDA finally published the long-awaited Origin of Livestock Rule, clarifying the provisions of 7CFR § 205.236. The Proposed Rule was introduced in April of 2015 and went through three separate comment periods, generating more than 2,600 public comments before it was finally ratified. The final rule goes into effect today, June […]
Read More… from USDA Publishes Long-Awaited Origin of Livestock Rule