bake - June 2015 - 14

legislation

Organic Goes to Vote
A national check-off program for organics could raise

Organic producers, handlers and importers with gross

more than $30 million a year to advance the industry,

organic revenue below $250,000 per year would not be

according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA). The

required to pay into the check-off program. If they did

National Farmers Union, however, has concerns over

so voluntarily, they would be eligible to vote in program

how the money will be spent.

referendums.

The OTA, in collaboration with the GRO Organic Core

A referendum would be required every seven years to

Committee, on May 12 petitioned the US Department

decide whether or not to continue the program. Every

of Agriculture to begin steps to conduct a vote on

certiﬁcate holder subject to the assessment would have

and implement a research and promotion check-off

a direct vote. A check-off board would be made up of

program for the organics industry. The program would

50 percent producers and 50 percent handlers.

feature mandatory fees, which is similar to a program
already in place in the meat industry and known for the

Seeking proposals

slogan "Beef. It's What's For Dinner."

The USDA is inviting proposals or partial proposals
from the public on a new industry-funded promotion,

"The organic industry in America is thriving and

research and information order for organic products.

maturing, but it is at a critical juncture," says Laura

The USDA now will accept other proposals or partial

Batcha, CEO and executive director of the Washington-

proposals until June 19. Then the USDA's Agricultural

based OTA. "Many consumers remain unaware of what

Marketing Service will consider the submitted proposals

that organic seal really means. Organic production

before publishing a proposed organic promotion,

in this country is not keeping pace with the robust

research and information order, which would create an

demand. An organic check-off program would give

industry-funded research and promotion program for

organic stakeholders the opportunity to collectively

organic products under the Commodity Promotion,

invest in research, build domestic supply and commu-

Research, and Information Act of 1996.

nicate the value of the organic brand to advance the
entire industry to a new level."

"AMS staff believes that it is in the best interests of
the organic community to solicit a wide range of

The program would educate consumers about the

views before proceeding with the publication of this

USDA's organic seal and how it distinguishes organic

proposal," the USDA said May 18. "Consequently, inter-

claims from other claims such as "natural," conﬁrm the

ested parties are invited to submit alternative proposals

science behind organic beneﬁts, fund research to solve

or partial proposals to assist with the development

problems such as pests and weeds, and bring new

of an organic promotion, research and information

farmers into organic production through information

program."

and technical assistance.
Proposals may be submitted to Organic Promotion,
The GRO (Generic Research and Promotion Order for

Research, and Information Order; Room 3071-S, STOP

Organics) program proposes an assessment rate of one-

0201; Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA; 1400

tenth of 1 percent of net organic sales. Organic handlers

Independence Ave., S.W.; Washington DC 20250-0201.

would be required to pay this rate. Organic producers

Call (202) 720-5115 for more information. The 2014 farm

would have the option of paying one-tenth of 1 percent

bill provided the Secretary of Agriculture the authority

of either net organic sales or producer net proﬁt.

to issue an organic commodity promotion order.

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