AMS National Organic Program Strengthens Organic Control Systems through Training
The National Organic Program Hosts Organic Control Systems Training in Chile
Over the past decade, the Latin American region has seen significant
growth in the production and market share of organic agriculture, with many
countries becoming key U.S. trading partners for organic products. Ensuring
strong organic control systems and harmonized regulations in these countries is
important for protecting the integrity of organic products imported for sale in
the U.S., and for facilitating trade.
On April 24-28, 40 delegates from the competent authorities (typically
government agencies) for organic agriculture from 16 countries in Latin
America and the Caribbean gathered in Santiago, Chile, to participate in a
training on organic control systems. The training was organized through a
partnership between the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP), the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, the
Inter-American Commission for Organic Agriculture, and Chile’s Ministry
of Agriculture. Instructors from The American National Standards
Institute delivered the course content.
The training provided an overview of standards under the
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that are relevant for
organic control systems, including ISO Guides 17011, 17065, and 17021.
Participants were given opportunities to apply core concepts from the standards
to real challenges they face in the regulation, certification and enforcement
of organic products. Through these activities, delegates learned ways to help
them lead the development of stronger control systems and clear, enforceable organic
regulations in their own countries.
For the NOP, the training was an important
opportunity to build knowledge and partnerships that will protect the integrity
of organic products traded in the Western Hemisphere. The training was also an
important step towards preparing trading partners for possible future organic
equivalency arrangements that will benefit organic producers both in the U.S.
and in Latin America.
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