The National Organic Program provides rigorous standards, under the widely-recognized USDA Organic seal, for the production of organic crops and livestock products, giving consumers confidence that the organic foods they purchase meet their expectations in the fastest-growing food industry segment.
Background: Both demand and production of Certified Organic commodities have grown rapidly in the United States. In 2016, US Farms and Ranches in the US sold approximately $7.6 billion in Organic goods, up 23% from 2015. Of that, 4.2 billion was from crops, and 3.3 billion from livestock, dairy, poultry, and poultry products. The number of Certified Organic farms increased by 11% to 14,217, and total acres increased 15% to 5 million acres.
In the early 2000s, organic sales grew by double digits each year. Currently, growth has slowed to single digits on a larger base but still outpaces conventional sales growth.
Adoption of organic systems is highest in the fruit and vegetable sector, and low for major field crops, with dairy and livestock in between. Overall, only a small portion of crop and pasture acres (less than 1%) were certified organic by 2016; however, the numbers of organic farms have nearly doubled since 2011, the first available year for research.
Program Operation: Since 2000, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has set standards for organic foods in response to a mandate from Congress. AMS defines “organic” as “a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used.”
The USDA organic seal gives consumers the assurance that the product they are buying is in fact organic and has been produced under standards that meet consumer expectations for organic products.
AMS administers the National Organic Program (NOP) but receives advice from its National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), which comprises organic farmers and other experts.
The NOP makes decisions on questions like which substances (e.g., feed additives) are allowed to be used in organic production, and which are prohibited.
Administration and Enforcement: The National Organic Program is operated by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), an agency of the Department of Agriculture. Certification under the program is carried out by independent third parties who must be accredited by AMS. Violations of NOP rules are subject to both financial penalties and suspension or revocation of a farm’s organic certification.
Statutory Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501-6521.
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