Tag: organic
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USDA Inspector General Report Finds Gaps in Organic Program Oversight
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) has published a March 2010 audit report recommending several improvements to the National Organic Program (NOP) administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). “We conducted the audit because of the size and growth of the organic industry as well as the public’s increased interest in…
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NOSB Meeting to Review Substances Allowed in Organic Production and Handling
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced an April 26-29, 2010, meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), which makes recommendations about whether a substances should be allowed or prohibited in organic production or handling; assists in the development of organic production standards; and advises USDA on implementation of the Organic Foods Production…
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Organic Industry Watchdog Challenges Ethics and Accuracy of Bread Marketing Claims
The Cornucopia Institute has written to the CEOs of Sara Lee and National Public Radio to express its concerns with the marketing campaign for Sara Lee’s EarthGrains® products. In its February 22, 2010, letter, the institute refers to a study it made of the claims and calls for Sara Lee to “immediately suspend promotional activities…
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USDA Issues Final Rule Setting Pasture Requirements for Organic Livestock
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Agricultural Marketing Service has issued a final rule that amends National Organic Program (NOP) regulations to establish “a pasture practice standard for ruminant animals.” Seeking “to satisfy consumer expectations that ruminant livestock animals graze on pastures during the grazing season,” the final rule requires producers to (i) “provide year-round access…
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Shook Attorney Co-Authors ABA Article on ANSI Draft National Standard for Sustainable Agriculture
Shook, Hardy & Bacon Of Counsel Jim Andreasen has co-authored an article providing an update on the American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI’s) draft national standard for sustainable agriculture. The article appears in the January 2010 issue of the American Bar Association’s (ABA’s) Agricultural Management Committee Newsletter. This committee is part of the ABA’s Section of…
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National Organic Program Proposes Amendments to National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Marketing Service has issued a proposed rule that would amend the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) to reflect the recommendations of the National Organic Program Board (NOPB). The National List “identifies the synthetic substances that may be used and the nonsynthetic (natural) substances that may…
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USDA Closes Complaint in Wrongful Organic Advertisement Charge Against Target Corp.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) National Organic Program has reportedly closed its investigation of Target Corp. for erroneously including in newspaper advertisements organic labeling on Silk® soy milk products. The Cornucopia Institute, which charged the retailer with violating federal organic regulations, apparently made public a letter obtained from the USDA indicating that Target admitted…
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Livestock Operation Loses Organic Certification Amid Allegations of Poor Recordkeeping
An administrative law judge recently issued an order suspending a Nebraska-based livestock operation’s organic certification for four years, agreeing with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 2008 complaint that the company failed to keep and produce adequate records. In Re Promiseland Livestock, LLC, No, 08-0134 (USDA, Nov. 25, 2009). A supplier for Aurora Dairy and other organic…