Washington, D.C.—The Senate Appropriations Committee has requested that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) ease rules that the Natural Products Association (NPA) had cautioned would have "a devastating impact on the U.S. hemp industry." As WholeFoods previously reported, NPA took issue with a proposed rule saying: “a cannabis derivative,...
Florence, S.C.—Rodale Institute has partnered with Clemson University researchers to study organic agriculture soil challenges keeping South Carolina farmers from participating in the organic industry, according to a press release from Clemson. Rongzhong Ye, an Assistant Professor at Clemson’s Pee Dee Research and Education Center (REC), has received a $500,000...
Washington, D.C.—The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released the results of the 2019 Organic Survey, which show total sales of $9.93 billion in organic products—an increase of $2.37 billion, or 31%, from 2016. The survey also found that there were 16,585 certified organic farms, a 17% increase from...
Washington, D.C.—The Organic Center will be collaborating on a project to help protect organic farmers against pesticide contamination and on a project to make agricultural technology available to all, according to a press release. The projects are made possible through two grants awarded from the USDA’s Organic Agriculture and Research...
Washington, D.C.—The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced a reduction in the amount of funding organic farms can receive as reimbursement under the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). In previous years, the notice explains, eligible certified organic operations could receive reimbursement of 75% of their eligible costs incurred...
Washington, D.C.—USDA has recognized the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA) Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions as an example of an effective private initiative for preventing fraud, according to a press release from OTA. The press release quotes USDA’s Strengthening Organic Enforcement Proposed Rule, in which USDA wrote: “Private initiatives in the organic...
Washington, D.C.—The USDA has posted the 2020 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee’s final scientific report, a review of the latest available science on specific nutrition topics, according to a statement from USDA. The findings will inform USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as they develop the 2020-2025...
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) has released a draft version of a proposed rule to strengthen organic enforcement. The proposed amendments are “intended to protect integrity in the organic supply chain and build consumer and industry trust in the USDA organic label by strengthening organic...
Silver Spring, MD—The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has reported a range of supply chain issues to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), according to a press release. The issues were submitted by members and by others in the herbal community. AHPA is continuing to collect supply chain data to...
Washington, D.C.—In response to a query from USDA regarding potential disruptions in the food supply chain, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) surveyed its 120 voting members for their concerns regarding supply chain disruptions. Some of the issues they noted: Concerns regarding ingredients and packaging materials from China: Closed factories...
