USDA is committed to helping organic
agriculture grow and thrive. To help meet Secretary Vilsack's goal of
increasing the number of certified organic operations, USDA is delivering results through
its many programs which serve the growing organic sector. October 2012 marked
the 10th anniversary of the USDA Organic Seal, and we are proud that it has
become a leading global standard.
What is
Organic Agriculture?
Organic agriculture produces products
using methods that preserve the environment and avoid most synthetic materials,
such as pesticides and antibiotics. USDA organic standards describe how farmers grow crops and raise livestock
and which materials they may use.
Organic farmers, ranchers, and food
processors follow a defined set of standards to produce organic food and fiber.
Congress described general organic principles in the Organic Foods Production
Act, and the USDA defines specific organic standards. These standards cover the
product from farm to table, including soil and water quality, pest control,
livestock practices, and rules for food additives.
Organic farms and processors:
·
Preserve natural resources and biodiversity
·
Support animal health and welfare
·
Provide
access to the outdoors so that animals can exercise their natural behaviors
·
Only use approved materials
·
Do not
use genetically modified ingredients
·
Receive annual onsite inspections
·
Separate
organic food from non-organic food
Organic
Certification Benefits Farms and Businesses
Over 25,000 farmers, ranchers and other
businesses get many benefits from USDA
organic certification. Many
receive premium prices for their products through the growing $35 billion U.S.
organic retail market. Most operations that grow, handle, or process organic
products-and want to call their products organic-must be certified.
Organic
Certification Benefits Consumers
USDA has strengthened its oversight of
organic products, using methods such as inspections and residue testing to
ensure the integrity of organic products from farm to market. We've created a
level playing field by developing clear standards, investigating consumer complaints, and taking action against
farmers and businesses that
violate the law.
USDA
Supports Organic Agriculture
In addition to setting the standards for U.S.
organic products, USDA
supports organic agriculture in all of its agencies. In May 2013, Secretary
Vilsack issued new Guidance on Organic
Agriculture, Marketing and Industry (PDF, 96KB) directing all USDA agencies to support
organic agriculture and markets. USDA offers a wide variety of funding
opportunities, including conservation grants, organic crop insurance, and
simplified microloans. To learn more about USDA programs and how they support
organic agriculture, view the USDA's Organic Resource Guide (PDF, 1.8MB).
Trade partnerships streamline organic exports and imports with other
countries, increasing the market share of organic products worldwide while
maintaining rigorous production standards. Additionally, foreign products certified to the USDA
organic standards can
access the U.S. market. USDA also provides current prices for organic apples
and other market information, funds research at public and private
institutions, and provides practical advice to farmers and ranchers.
Overall, USDA oversees organic
farmers and businesses to
make sure that organic food is produced with organic methods. Each year,
organic farmers update a farm plan and complete an inspection to confirm that
their practices match their records. The farmer must correct any issues to
continue certification. Organic food processors meet similar requirements.
If you are concerned that an organic
product isn't meeting the USDA standards, you can submit a complaint to
the USDA. We investigate
every complaint we receive, and if we find any problems we take action. Anyone
can file a complaint by contacting the USDA.
Have
Feedback on the Organic Standards?
Public comments are an important part of
developing sound and sensible policies for organic farmers, ranchers, and food
processors. The USDA holds two public meetings each year on behalf of its
citizen advisory committee, the National Organic
Standards Board, to hear
a wide range of perspectives from our organic stakeholders. To be notified of
public comment opportunities and other updates, subscribe to the USDA Organic Insider.
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