The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) is changing their approach to organic oversight in India. The U.S-India organic recognition, which was established in 2006, is being terminated as the USDA does not have direct visibility or enforcement authority over many organic certifiers and operations in India that sell into the U.S. […]
USDA News
Tamarind Seed Gum added to the National List, Effective December 7th
On November 5, 2020 the NOP published a final rule amending the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) to add non-organic tamarind seed gum. Tamarind Seed Gum was added to § 205.606, which means it may be used in organic products when organic tamarind seed gum is not commercially available. This ingredient is […]
Importing Organic Ingredients: Resources & Regulations
The proposed rule requires that most importers & exporters, brokers & traders, and other parties that negotiate sales of organic goods acquire organic certification. […]
Labelling Under the USDA Recognition Agreement with India
India’s National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) requires the manufacturer of an organic product to be identified on the product label. What does this mean for products destined for the United States? Under the terms of the USDA recognition agreement with India, products certified to the USDA organic standards must comply with USDA labeling requirements, […]
Funding available: Second round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP-2)
On September 17, the USDA announced a second round of funding available under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFPA 2). If you missed the application deadline or were ineligible for CFAP 1, the second round of CFAP includes expanding eligibility criteria and is open for applications until December 11, 2020. Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 […]
U.S. and Japan Expand Organic Trade Opportunities Livestock Added to Arrangement
Effective July 16, 2020, the U.S.-Japan organic trade arrangement adds livestock to the list of products that may be certified to either country’s organic standards for sale as organic in both markets. “Opening new markets for America’s organic farmers and ranchers continues to be a priority for USDA,” said the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Marketing and Regulatory […]
An Uncertain Future for U.S. Hemp?
It seems like there are new developments surrounding the hemp industry every day–and not all of them are positive. The European Union recently voted to deny a hemp industry-supported application to add hemp & hemp-derived CBD extracts to the EU’s list of “novel foods.” Hemp’s addition to that list would have allowed all hemp parts […]
Reduced Cost Share Reimbursement & How to Apply
On August 10, 2020, the USDA’s Farm Service Agency announced a change in reimbursement for those participating in the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). Per the announcement, certified producers and handlers are now eligible to receive reimbursement for up to 50% of the certification expenses, up to a maximum of $500 per scope. Previously, […]
The USDA’s Game-Changing Proposed Rule: Open for Comments
On August 5, 2020 the USDA released their “Strengthening Organic Enforcement” proposed rule, opening a 60 day public comment period. The changes are meant to improve organic oversight and to protect integrity in the organic supply chain. The proposal includes: Because the proposed changes are likely to have significant impacts on your certified operation and […]
United States Streamlines Organic Trade with Taiwan
The American Institute in Taiwan and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States signed and exchanged letters on behalf of the U.S. and Taiwan to establish the new organic equivalence arrangement. The arrangement covers certified organic products grown, produced or with final processing in the U.S. or Taiwan and eliminates the […]