Herbruck’s massive “organic” operation in Michigan managing nearly two million birds (Click on image for larger version) Almost a decade after The Cornucopia Institute brought public scrutiny to the issue of giant “factory farms” producing organic eggs and poultry, the USDA has finally released its long-awaited draft rule to constrain abuses in the industry. Cornucopia… Read more »
Search Results for: national organic program
National Organic Program Releases Clarification Regarding Glyphosate in “Organic” Hydroponic Production
Recent discussions surrounding “organic” hydroponic operations have had the organic community in an uproar. Serious questions first raised by the Real Organic Project were raised again at the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting this past April regarding rumors of hydroponic operations spraying glyphosate or other pesticides on the land just prior to erecting a… Read more »
State Eliminates Organic Certification Program
The Salt Lake Tribune By Dawn House Without knowing how much the state will save, Utah is eliminating its nationally recognized organic certification program that has provided small farmers and processors a niche market. State officials say private inspection companies can fill the void. But farmers worry that private labels will not have the clout… Read more »
Audit of Organic Program Is Ordered
Agency’s Standards Will Be Scrutinized Washington Post By Kimberly Kindy The U.S. Agriculture Department has ordered an audit of its National Organic Program, saying that external scrutiny is needed to improve the integrity, transparency and reliability of the seven-year-old food program. The audit will look at whether the program is using strict, internationally recognized standards… Read more »
Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance Stalls USDA/OTA National Certified Transitional Program (NCTP)
Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (WODPA) by Richard H. Mathews, Executive Director On February 14, 2017, WODPA, through its Attorney, made demand of the USDA to terminate the NCTP and related programs in lieu of WODPA commencing litigation against the USDA. While denying wrong doing the USDA Office of General Counsel letter of March 17, 2017,… Read more »
Listing of Certified Organic Operations Now Available from the National Organic Program
Agricultural Marketing Service – USDA AMS No. 226-10 Soo Kim WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2012–The National Organic Program (NOP) made available today a complete listing of organic operations certified by U.S. Department of Agriculture accredited certifying agents during the 2009 certification year. For the first time, the listing, available at http://apps.ams.usda.gov/nop/, can be searched by keywords,… Read more »
Proposed Budget Cuts Make Organic Farmers Wary
Santa Cruz Sentinel By JENNIFER PITTMAN WATSONVILLE — For Jennifer Robinson, the new owner of a seven-acre pinot noir vineyard in Watsonville, federal budget proposals to make steep cuts to conservation efforts and organic agriculture would have a direct impact on her dreams to transition eventually to an organic farm. “I have lots of reactions… Read more »
Industry Watchdog Calls for Independent Investigation of USDA’s National Organic Program
Asserts the Will of Congress/Organic Law is Being Violated In a letter to the USDA’s Office of Inspector General, The Cornucopia Institute has requested an independent audit of the National Organic Program (NOP), charging a multiplicity of illegal actions and inactions. The Wisconsin-based farm policy research group alleges that the National Organic Program has failed… Read more »
Is the National Animal Identification System Mandatory or Voluntary?
By Judith McGeary Numerous sources have reported that the National Animal Identification System, or NAIS, is voluntary. But is that really true? On November 22, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) published a “User Guide“ for NAIS. In it, USDA states that NAIS “is voluntary at the federal level.” Those are critical words — they… Read more »
USDA Undermines the Will of Congress
Ill-timed and unilateral decision cuts vital assistance to authentic organic farms The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced on August 10 that it will be reducing reimbursement amounts paid to organic farmers under the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). It will now reimburse 50% of certification costs (up to $500 per scope). The program… Read more »
