Oct 6, 2020

Industry groups comment on proposed USDA organic enforcement rules

The Produce Marketing Association (PMA), Western Growers Association and United Fresh Produce Association jointly submitted comments Oct. 5 on USDA’s proposed Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) Rule.

According to a news release, the intent of the rule, which is the most significant update since the National Organic Program was established in 2002, will strengthen oversight and enforcement of the production, handling, and sale of organic agricultural products. The rule is expected to yield greater integrity and reliability in the organic supply chain and will continue to build consumer and industry confidence in the USDA organic label.

The comments focused on four areas:

• Imports to the United States – Noting the unique perishability of organic fruits and vegetables coming across the border, the comments proposed quick turnaround on approval and issuance of the import certificate.  Longer term, the groups recommended a risk-based approach to certificate issuance and more close integration with the CBP’s Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) electronic collection and reporting system.
• Certificate exemptions – Submitted comments noting that the proposed regulations define the types of handling operations that are exempt, but needs to more clearly define requirements for handlers that are not exempt. The three groups proposed descriptions and definitions for handlers.
• Supply chain traceability – Requested more clarity on how a variance in product quantity, or mass-balancing, will be handled across the supply chain.
• Labeling of non-retail containers – Comments noted that the proposed regulations needed to more clearly differentiate between the different uses of non-retail containers, especially on-farm, and the information required on the respective labels. The submitted comments included a sample PTI label incorporating the requirements of the proposed regulations.

The comments were developed by a Task Force of industry stakeholders with extensive operations and experience across the organic supply chain.

The rule will become effective one year after publication of the final rule by USDA.