“Stop a minute, right where you are. Relax your shoulders, shake your head and spine like a dog shaking off cold water. Tell that imperious voice in your head to be still.” ~Barbara Kingsolver
NOP News
NOP Warns of Fake Emails and Phishing Scam
The National Organic Program warned certifiers and certified operations about an email phishing scam that included the USDA logo or Organic Integrity database banner. The scam emails threatened to suspend or revoke the certifier’s or operation’s organic license, which some readers may believe refers to their USDA accreditation certificate or an organic operation certificate, and requested sensitive information.
If you are a certifier or certified operation and receive an email that claims to be from the USDA, AMS or NOP, and you are concerned about its authenticity, you may contact your Accreditation Manager (for USDA certifiers) or your certifier (for certified operations) to verify the email’s validity.
If you received such an email and have already clicked on the link or provided sensitive information, we encourage you to report it to your organization’s information technology department, reset your passwords, and scan your computer/device for malicious viruses/malware.
SOE Update
Unofficial Grace Period To End September 19
Although the Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule has been in effect since March 19, 2024, the National Organic Program has allowed an informal grace period to enable entities in the supply chain to obtain certification. However, starting September 19, 2024, any organic shipments to the U.S. without valid National Organic Program Import Certificates will not be allowed to be sold as organic in the U.S. To avoid disruptions, ensure that your suppliers are certified organic — this can be verified using the Organic Integrity Database (OID).
It’s Time for Your Compliance Checkup
Ensuring your supply chain meets the latest NOP standards and the new Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rules is crucial for establishing and maintaining your organic certification and the trust of your customers. Navigating these stringent regulations can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Reach out to learn more about how we can help. We have built a proven seven-point system with action steps and checklists that help you not only stay compliant but stay competitive:
- Comprehensive Supplier Verification
- Enhanced Record-Keeping Practices
- Improved Traceability Systems
- Rigorous Compliance Training Programs
- Strengthened Internal Auditing Procedures
- Enhanced Risk Management Strategies
- Collaboration with Certifying Agents
Let’s work together to ensure your success in the organic industry.
International News
Canada to Fund Organic Sector Development
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will invest more than $2 million in the organic sector through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
Under the AgriMarketing Program, the Canada Organic Trade Association will receive up to $1,175,841CA over three years to help resolve market access issues, ensure Canadian organic products are competitive, build export capacity, and foster domestic opportunities. Trade missions, international trade shows, technical training, and marketing campaigns are included in the plans.
The Prairie Organic Development Fund will receive up to $985,985 over three years to conduct data aggregation and benchmarking, grow organic supply and leadership through education, tools, and skill-building, and strengthen public trust in Canadian organic products.
Taiwan and India Initiate Mutual Recognition for Organic Products
Effective July 8, India and Taiwan have implemented a mutual recognition agreement for organic products. Organic products that meet India’s National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) and have proper documentation from an NPOP accredited certifier are allowed for sale in Taiwan as organically produced including display of the “India Organic” logo. Similarly, agricultural products produced and handled organically in conformity with the Organic Agriculture Promotion Act and accompanied by documentation issued by an accredited certification body under the Taiwanese regulation are allowed for sale in India as organically produced including display of the “Taiwan Organic” logo.
Fairtrade International Advocates for Simpler EU Organic Regulations
The transition period for operators in countries outside the European Union to meet the new EU organic regulations ends December 31, 2024. Fairtrade International estimates that of Fairtrade certified organic producers, 60% of coffee producers, 60% of cocoa producers and 95% of small-scale banana producers do not currently meet the new European Union organic regulations. The organization is encouraging the European Union to simplify the regulations, especially the definition of “Groups of Operators” and the procedures for residue testing before import.
France Supports Organic Farming to Protect Drinking Water
Farmers in the Paris, France watershed can participate in a $51.8 million project by the public water organizations, Eau de Paris and the Seine-Normandy Water Agency, to reduce fertilizer and pesticide use. The program is designed to reduce the need for costly drinking water treatments by keeping the water cleaner at the source. Farmers in the program can opt to convert to organic production, and 58% of them have done so.
The Survey Says…
International Surveys Assess Awareness of “USDA Organic” Label
The Organic Trade Association sponsored surveys of consumers in Germany, United Arab Emirates and Japan to better understand their perceptions of the “USDA Organic” label. Over the three markets, consumers are familiar with organic claims and sometimes value specific attributes of organic production (such as ‘raised without antibiotics’) higher than the organic label itself. In addition, consumers have higher recognition of their national or local organic label than they do the USDA logo. The full report is available for free to OTA members, and for sale to others.
Which Labels Drive Meat and Dairy Purchases for Europeans?
A nationally representative sample of 3178 consumers from the United Kingdom, Czechia, Sweden, Spain, and Switzerland ranked 18 product attributes as drivers for meat and dairy purchases. For dairy, freshness was the top attribute across all five countries, followed by quality/taste, and animal welfare. Nutrition and price were also important, but sustainability-related attributes, including organic, carbon footprint, food miles and sustainable packaging were less important. Organic came last in both the meat and the dairy rankings, but had a relatively high median score, which researchers attributed to the multiple product attributes organic can represent. More.
What Do Farmers Think About Microbiomes?
A survey of 85 organic vegetable farmers in New York found that 96% of them believed the microbiome on their farms influences plant defenses and pest suppression. Farmers who believed on-farm practices such as no-till or cover crops are important for influencing the microbiome also tended to adopt those practices, said the study’s lead author Elias Bloom. The researchers identified seven belief clusters, based on the farmers’ agreement with the microbiome impact of on-farm practices, external factors, or a combination of those. The paper, “Motivating organic farmers to adopt practices that support the pest-suppressive microbiome relies on understanding their beliefs,” is published in Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems.
Certified Regenerative Organic Products Gain Momentum
As part of a mid-year trends update, Midan Marketing found that “Certified Regenerative Organic” grew 39% in unit growth year-over-year by the end of 2023, even as sales of organic products were down 4%. They noted a shift in priorities for consumers of sustainably-raised meat. In 2021, animal welfare was the top priority, and in 2023, nearly a third of meat consumers associate sustainable meat and poultry primarily with environmental issues. Animal welfare was still important, but no longer the top issue.
Consumers Want to Know More About Regenerative Agriculture
A report from the EIT Food Consumer Observatory examines European consumers’ understandings of regenerative agriculture. Among the findings:
- Consumers do not see the need to transform current agricultural practices
- Consumers confuse regenerative agriculture with organic agriculture
- Health and taste are the biggest drivers for choose foods from regenerative agricultural methods
- Most consumers believe products produced through regenerative agriculture are healthier.
- Consumers want to know more.
Recommendations in the report include telling a compelling story about the advantages of regenerative agriculture, using a consumer-centric definition that includes product-level benefits, explaining the differences between regenerative and organic, and addressing concerns about scale, farmer benefits and prices.
Inside the Beltway
More Crop Insurance Improvements for Organic Growers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding crop insurance options for specialty and organic growers beginning with the 2025 crop year. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is expanding coverage options by allowing enterprise units by organic farming practice, adding enterprise unit eligibility for several crops, and making additional policy updates. Some of the changes include:
- Expanding Enterprise Units (EU) to almonds, apples, avocado (California), citrus (Arizona, California, and Texas), figs, macadamia nuts, pears, prunes, and walnuts.
- Allow non-contiguous parcels of land that qualify for Optional Units (OU) to also qualify for EU.
- Allow EUs by organic farming practice for alfalfa seed, almonds, apples, avocado (California), cabbage, canola, citrus (Arizona, California and Texas), coarse grains, cotton, ELS cotton, dry beans, dry peas, figs, fresh market tomatoes, forage production, grass seed, macadamia nuts, millet, mint, mustard, pears, potatoes (northern, central, and southern), processing tomatoes, prunes, safflower, small grains, sunflower seed, and walnuts.
- Expand OUs by organic practice to all remaining crops where OUs are available, and the organic practice is insurable.
New Timing for EPA Analysis Will Protect Against Pesticide Spray Drift
Rather than wait 15 years for registration review to conduct an assessment of potential danger from exposure to a pesticide’s spray drift, the Environmental Protection Agency will complete a chemical specific spray drift analysis during a pesticide’s initial registration or during reviews for new and amended uses of the product. This will put any necessary protections for farmworkers, their families, and the general public near where pesticides are applied in place from the start of a pesticide’s use.
Grants Available for Composting and Food Waste Reduction Projects
As part of efforts to support urban agriculture, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for Composting and Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) pilot projects for fiscal year 2024. The cooperative agreements, using remaining funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, are jointly administered by USDA’s Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Projects, each two years long and starting in June 2025, will develop and test strategies for planning and implementing municipal compost plans and food waste reduction plans. Applications are due September 4.
Import Inspection Fee Changes Proposed
A proposed rule from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) would change how fees are charged for the import inspection and certification of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other products. These proposed changes include a per-pound fee structure for certain Section 8e import inspections, a minimum fee equivalent to a 2-hour charge computed at the current established hourly rate, whichever is greater, and a 50 percent reduction to the sublot fee. Comments can be submitted via the Federal Register and on are due August 19, 2024.
GMO News
Monsanto Withdraws Legal Challenge to Mexican GMO Ban
After numerous court rulings unfavorable to Monsanto and Bayer (which purchased Monsanto) and related appeals, Monsanto has withdrawn its legal challenge to Mexico’s 2020 presidential decree banning glyphosate and genetically modified corn for human consumption. In the wake of decision, the Mexican government’s National Council of Humanities, Sciences and Technologies highlighted alternative agricultural practices and vowed to continue efforts to ensure GM corn and glyphosate are removed from the Mexican food supply.
EU Approved Three GMO Corn Imports
On July 2, 2024, the European Commission approved three genetically engineered corn crops for food and animal feed. The authorizations were published in the European Union’s Official Journal on July 4, 2024, and they remain valid for 10 years. The authorization and renewal decisions apply to food and feed for import and processing, but do not cover cultivation. All products will be subject to the EU’s strict labelling and traceability rules. More.
Gene Editing Causes Unintended Genetic Changes
A study recently published in Nature Genetics demonstrates that use of CRISPR/Cas ‘gene scissors’ causes unintended genetic changes that differ from random mutations. The results have implications for assessing plants created using new genetic engineering. More.
New Genetically Engineered Potato Cleared for Planting
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service found that a new potato variety genetically engineered for longer cold storage without accumulating reducing sugars would be unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk compared to other cultivated plants. As a result, they are not subject to regulation under 7 CFR part 340. Developed at Michigan State University, the Kal91.3 potato is considered the first genetically engineered vegetable developed by a land-grant university to be exempt from this regulation.
Organic Community
Visit Us At Newtopia Now
Wolf & Associates will be exhibiting at the Newtopia Now industry event August 25-28 in Denver, Colorado. We’d love to connect with you if you plan to attend, and cook up some good work together.
Learn About Organic Production with Rodale Institute
The Rodale Institute will hold a series of events in the Great Plains and around the country for farmers, agricultural professionals, producers and distributors. Upcoming topics include a reduced-till organic corn field walk in Nebraska, mid-large scale organic grain production in the central Great Plains, and a specialty crop symposium.
Our Condolences
Harold (Hal) Sewall Ricker, who headed a number of programs at United States Department of Agriculture, passed away June 13. His work culminated in the 1996 publication of the first National Organic Standards, in collaboration with the National Organic Standards Board (created in 1992). Katherine DiMatteo, who worked closely with him in those early years of the organic standards development, said, “He was exceptionally patient with us, helpful, interested and collaborative given that he was assigned our mandate in addition to his other work.”
Grants for California Farmers Support Transition
The California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) Foundation, along with the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is providing three-year grants for transition to organic agriculture. Eligible farmers in California must apply by August 2.
Share Your Ideas at the Organic World Congress
IFOAM—Organics International seeks proposals for its Organic World Congress, to be held December 2-4, 2024 in Taiwan. Abstracts, research papers, oral presentations, poster presentations, creative works and more are being accepted. The submission deadline is July 31, 2024.
IFOAM—Organics International Is Hiring
The Bonn, Germany office of IFOAM—Organics International seeks an office coordinator, and a membership communications coordinator.
Rodale Institute Has Multiple Job Openings
Rodale Institute is looking for a variety of positions, including Organic Compliance Specialist Program Manager, farm managers, interns, and more. Positions are available in Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Washington.