USDA seeks oversight of Nat'l Organic Program

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National Organic Coalition

 

www.NationalOrganicCoalition.org

 

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

 

NATIONAL ORGANIC COALITION

APPLAUDS USDA'S DECISION TO SEEK INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT OF NATIONAL ORGANIC

PROGRAM

 

 

 

 Action Ensures Consistent Enforcement of Organic

Standards

 

 

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 6, 2009) - At the urging of the National Organic

Coalition and

others, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that

it will subject its National Organic Program (NOP) to a stringent audit and

continued oversight by the National Institute of Standards and Technology

(NIST).  In a July 29 letter addressed to

the National Organic Coalition, USDA Deputy Secretary, Kathleen Merrigan

underscored the value of scrutinizing the NOP to strengthen the integrity of

the program and the USDA organic seal.The NOP is USDA's regulatory

body that develops, implements, and administers the USDA organic seal and

national standards for organic agricultural products sold in the U.S. It

accredits domestic and foreign certifying agents who inspect organic production

and handling operations producing organic food sold in the U.S. as compliant

with USDA organic standards.NIST's National

Voluntary Conformity Assessment Systems Evaluation (NVCASE) program reviews

accreditation programs such as the NOP to assess their ongoing conformity with

international standards for management of accreditation program through onsite

audit,

evaluation of office system, and oversight of record keeping, enforcement, and

corrective actions.   " Third-party recognition is important for many of USDA's

audit-based

programs, " Merrigan said in her letter to the National Organic

Coalition.  " We understand the value of this step as we continue working to

strengthen the integrity of the NOP and to build the organic community's trust

in the program. "    Merrigan anticipates

that the NIST review will begin October 1,

2009. " We applaud USDA's willingness to submit its organic program to the

rigors of these international norms and believe this will pave the way for

continued growth and success of the U.S. organic industry, " said Robynn

Shrader, a National Organic

Coalition founding member and CEO of the National Cooperative Grocers

Association. In June, the National

Organic Coalition met with Merrigan to discuss the need for greater consistency

in the implementation of NOP rules.  The coalition proposed that the

NOP apply to NIST at the U.S. Department of Commerce for recognition of its

accreditation function and to make a commitment to strictly comply with NIST

requirements. 

  " USDA's organic seal is the best guarantee for people who

want to eat healthy foods grown without the use of toxic pesticides, GMOs or

artificial growth hormones such as rBGH, " said Liana Hoodes, National Organic

Coalition policy coordinator.  " We anticipate that the potential changes NOP

will

make to earn NIST recognition will result in greater consistency and integrity

in USDA organic standards, greater fairness to organic farmers and handlers,

and greater consumer confidence in the USDA organic label. "    The National

Organic Coalition (www.nationalorganiccoalition.org)

is a non-governmental alliance of organizations working to provide a

" Washington voice " for farmers, ranchers, environmentalists,

consumers and progressive industry members involved in organic agriculture.In

order for the NOP to be

recognized by the NIST NVCASE program, National Organic Coalition anticipates

NOP will be required to make significant modifications to its accreditation

procedures. " We think the USDA and

the entire Obama Administration have sent a clear message that maintaining and

improving the integrity of the organic industry is a national priority, and

that the USDA will continue to build a trusting alliance with the broader

organic

community as the NOP grows and matures, " Hoodes added.

# # #Media contact:Liana HoodesNational Organic CoalitionCell:  914-443-5759

 

www.NationalOrganicCoalition.org

 

Liana

 

For a pdf of this release, or for a copy of the letter from Deputy Secretary

Merrigan, go to www.NationalOrganicCoalition.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Information

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Liana

Hoodes

 

        National Organic

Action Plan

 

        National

Organic Coalition

3540

Route 52

 

Pine Bush, NY  12566

 

Phone and Fax:  845-744-2304

 

www.NationalOrganicCoalition.org

 

Liana

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