An organic trade pact between the U.S. and Japan has been expanded to include livestock products, the Department of Agriculture and U.S. Trade Representative announced Tuesday.
The change, which goes into effect Thursday, allows livestock goods certified as organic in either country to be sold as such in both markets without additional certifications. According to USTR, plant-based products have been certified as meeting both countries’ organic standards since 2014.
“Opening new markets for America’s organic farmers and ranchers continues to be a priority for USDA,” Greg Ibach, USDA’s undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, said in a statement. “Japan is already one of the top export markets for U.S. organic products. This agreement opens additional opportunities for everyone involved in the international supply chain for livestock, from farm to table.”
Gregg Doud, chief ag negotiator at USTR, said the expanded agreement “protects and increases access for American organic farmers, ranchers, and businesses to the third largest U.S. organic export market.”
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USDA says it has established equivalence arrangements with major organic export markets including Canada, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland and Taiwan. These arrangements eliminate the need for dual certifications, avoiding double fees, inspections and duplicative paperwork.
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