Feb 15, 2022

The US organic program wants your thoughts on regulatory priorities

The USDA will gather feedback on regulatory priorities to develop clear organic standards that support a level playing field and market development.

The virtual meeting is scheduled 1-3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Monday, March 21, 2022. Details on how to sign up to make oral comments, submit written comments and the meeting link (via Zoom), will be posted to the National Organic Program (NOP) Priorities Listening Session web page.

The deadline to sign up to make oral comments during the virtual meeting is February 28, 2022, according to a newsletter from the USDA. The deadline to submit written comments is March 30, 2022.

“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,” according to the USDA’s newsletter. “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.”

Above, Organic vegetables at the Each Peach Market in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Photo: USDA/Tiffany Edmundson