The Organic Trade Association (OTA) announced a plan to move the industry toward a voluntary industry-invested organic research, promotion, and education checkoff program. It will be put together and in place by stakeholders across the organic supply chain. Laura Batcha is CEO of the Organic Trade Association. She says the group recognizes the industry’s demand for coordinated organic research and …
FDA to Consider Organic Labeling Claims
The Food and Drug Administration will apparently investigate labeling claims of organic products. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb took to Twitter this week, responding to a critical Wall Street Journal editorial, which a former FDA official argued under the headline “The Organic Industry is Lying to You,” that the agency has been lax in allowing the use of non-GMO and pesticide-free …
Organic Foods Set to Continue Growing
Around the globe, organic farming is practiced in 162 countries. North America leads the charge in sales and has the highest projected growth rate. In a new report by Zion Market Research, the global organic food and beverage market was estimated to be worth around $125 billion last year, and is expected to nearly triple in size by 2024, climbing …
Organic Farmers Association Applauds Organic Checkoff Withdrawal
The Organic Farmers Association is happy the U.S. Department of Agriculture took action to terminate the rulemaking process to establish a mandatory national research and promotion program for organic. The proposed program was causing divisions among the organic community. Checkoff programs must have the support of an entire industry to be implemented, which this didn’t have. The proposed Organic Research …
Organic Groups Suing USDA over Livestock Rule
Four organic groups have filed a lawsuit against The U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, regarding the organic livestock welfare rule. Led by the Center for Food Safety, the groups say the decision to withdraw the rule was “outrageous and unlawful,” similar to what USDA called the rule. In the March 13th decision, USDA claimed the regulations …
Organic Livestock Rule Delayed Until January
The U.S. Department of Ag announced it will delay the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule until January 19. The Hagstrom Report says the announcement was strongly criticized by several House Democrats but praised by House Ag Committee Chair Michael Conaway, a Texas Republican. There are several provisions under the rule, an example of which is requiring outdoor access for …
Consumers See ‘Organic’ and ‘non-GM’ Food Labels as Synonymous
A study by University of Florida shows consumers regularly mix up food labels. University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences says consumers mix up foods labeled “organic” and “non-genetically modified” and some view the two labels as the same. A national survey of more than 1,000 consumers gauged their willingness to pay for food labeled genetically modified versus …
NIFA Invests in Research to Help Boost Organic Farming, Ranching
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced grants to help farmers and ranchers grow and market high-quality organic food, fiber, and other products. The grants are funded through the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) and Organic Transitions Program (ORG). “Organic farming is one of many approaches to making American agriculture sustainable …
Organic Field Crop Production Numbers Rising
Organic farming is a rapidly growing segment of U.S. agriculture. Organic vegetables, fruits, and livestock make up the bulk of the entire segment. However, a new USDA report shows organic field crops are making gains in the number of acres planted and overall value. The National Ag Statistics Service released the numbers showing that U.S. farms and ranches produced $7.6 …
Head of USDA Organic Program Stepping Down
The leader of the Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program will step down at the end of the month. Miles McEvoy will vacate the position overseeing the program and return to his home state of Washington. McEvoy led the program that oversees organic regulations and the USDA organic seal for eight years. McEvoy told Fern’s Ag Insider that his original …