It took Danone terminating the contracts of 89 organic dairy farmers to get the full attention of politicians.
Read ArticleIt took Danone terminating the contracts of 89 organic dairy farmers to get the full attention of politicians.
Read ArticleFarmers and advocacy groups are hoping the Biden administration will take action on the 2018 National Organic Standards Board recommendation to close this loophole.
Read ArticleAt the Organic Trade Association’s annual membership meeting, Secretary Vilsack announced, among other things, the re-establishment of the position of USDA Organic Policy Advisor and “tens of millions of dollars” more for the USDA’s Organic Certification Cost Share program.
Read ArticleThe Organic Trade Association believes a “potential amicable resolution” is near in its ongoing lawsuit against the USDA for the withdrawal of the organic animal welfare standards.
Read ArticleThe legal case against allowing hydroponics in organic — one of the real injustices in our industry — starts tomorrow with the public oral argument.
Read ArticleJust like Tablas Creek, many other wineries — and organic brands — will be seeking the Regenerative Organic Certified label.
Read ArticleLast week, we discussed the USDA’s preview of a proposed rule to fight organic fraudulent organic imported grains. Now that proposed rule has been officially published in the Federal Registrar.
Read ArticleThe USDA has missed the Congress-mandated deadline to finalize the very important Origin of Livestock rule.
Read ArticleA very positive development — The USDA now has 180 days to reconsider its justification in withdrawing the Organic Animal Welfare Standards.
Read ArticleAn update on CCOF’s discussion about whether it should continue to certify hydroponic operations as organic.
Read ArticleA look at what is the Regenerative Organic Certification and why the USDA organic seal may lose its status as the gold standard in our industry.
Read ArticleThe USDA is hiring multiple Accreditation Auditors and Investigative Specialists — positions needed more than ever.
Read ArticleA final rule published by the USDA now requires the use of certified organic flavors in certified organic products when they are commercially available.
Read ArticleWhile the USDA might characterize its new rule to combat fraud as “game-changing,” others would classify it as “long overdue.”
Read ArticleSome advocates are working to close a loophole that they say has created unintended consequences, including destruction of vulnerable ecosystems anathema to the label’s promise.
Read ArticleDr. Bronner’s Cosmic Engagement Officer (CEO) talks about why the new certification is so meaningful for brands and consumers, and how Dr. Bronner’s is getting involved.
Read ArticleThis gives credence to the idea that organic products certified through Regenerative Organic Certification and The Real Organic Project can charge slightly more for their products — an argument that I have been making for quite a while.
Read ArticleMany organic farming and trade groups have signed a joint letter urging Secretary Sonny Perdue to support the proposed Origin of Livestock rule and to end the delay in issuing a final rule.
Read ArticleThe trade association stated that USDA acted in an unlawful and arbitrary way when it killed the organic animal welfare livestock standards.
Read ArticleOrganic Consumers Association and OrganicEye are calling for the National Organic Standards Board to ban celery powder in organic because of its carcinogenic effects in meat. OCA’s petition is here and OrganicEye’s petition is here.
Read ArticleBeginning in December, U.S. law states that ‘non-synthetic flavors’ may be used when organic flavors are not commercially available, while new rules in the EU regarding organic produce come into effect in January.
Read ArticleOFARM’s former executive director John Bobbe and Cornucopia’s Anne Ross have joined forces to again impress upon the USDA’s National Organic Program that the import crisis is ongoing and that the agency has not done enough to stop it.
Read ArticleU.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said this past week that loopholes in federal organic regulations are hurting small organic dairies, and he vowed to close them.
Read ArticleThe Real Organic Project’s Dave Chapman discusses why hydroponics is such an enormous problem for our industry and how large scale industrial producers are taking over the USDA organic label.
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