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Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
USDA is funneling more assistance to producers looking to maintain their organic certification as the department also stands up a new grant program to develop markets for the products.
The continued growth of the organic foods industry requires an increased funding commitment and regulatory predictability from the federal government, the Organic Trade Association said in outlining its priorities for the next farm bill.
U.S. organic sales topped $60 billion for the first time in 2020 and more than doubled the sales growth rate the industry experienced in 2019, the Organic Trade Association said in a report released Tuesday.
New regulations in Mexico threaten to disrupt more than $100 million in organic food trade with the U.S., and the Biden administration has less than three months to address the situation before the requirements take effect.
Advocates for minority farmers say historical discrimination justifies providing payments totaling 120% of debt held by “socially disadvantaged” farmers, as approved by the House Agriculture Committee in its $16.1 billion COVID relief package, part of a larger $1.9 trillion relief bill to be considered by the full House of Representatives.
The U.S. is willing to negotiate a new deal on organic standards with the European Union, but the outcome for an agreement in the years to come is uncertain.
Despite sharp attacks on two specific changes affecting the National Organic Standards Board, the U.S. organics industry has enthusiastically welcomed the new farm bill that President Trump signed into law Dec. 20.
