The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking stakeholder feedback to set regulatory priorities for the development of organic standards.
The USDA states that it intends to use information received through public comments to guide the prioritization of future organic standards development that will support a level playing field and market development. Specific recommendations that have been received from the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will be included in this process.
To receive public comment, the USDA has scheduled a virtual meeting on Monday, March 21, 2022, from 1:00-3:00 pm Eastern Time. Details on how to sign up to make oral comments, submit written comments, and the meeting link (via Zoom), are posted to the NOP Priorities Listening Session web page, here.
The deadline to sign up to make oral comments during the virtual meeting is February 28, 2022. The deadline to submit written comments is March 30, 2022.
Background: USDA certified organic products are an increasingly important part of American agriculture, and the organic community represents one of the fastest-growing food and farming sectors in the U.S. and global marketplace. The National Organic Program (NOP) protects the integrity of the USDA organic seal, which supports growth in the organic market for organic farms and businesses, and those interested in exploring the organic market. NOP develops the market and protects organic integrity by developing and enforcing clear standards to create a level playing field, and through providing oversight of third-party accredited certifying agents, and providing technical assistance to support farmer and market development.
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MCIA is a USDA NOP-accredited Accredited Certifying Agent that provides organic certification services to operations in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. For more information about MCIA Organic Services, please visit: https://www.mncia.org/services-programs/organic-services.