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USDA OIG Publishes Report Highlighting AMS Work to Strengthen Organic Enforcement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducts independent audits and investigations of the Department's programs and operations. OIG also investigates and publishes informational reports on topics of significant interest to USDA stakeholders. The OIG has published an informational report detailing control activities implemented by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) to strengthen enforcement of the USDA organic regulations.
In March 2023, the OIG began its review of how AMS would evaluate the effectiveness of the new organic regulations, known as the Strengthening Organic Enforcement final rule. The report identifies several measures AMS has taken to strengthen its organic program oversight, including:
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Deepening Global Organic Control Systems
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Risk-Based Oversight and Enforcement
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Organic Trade Enforcement Interagency Coordination
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Intellectual Property Protection
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Reducing the types of uncertified entities in the organic supply chain
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Requiring NOP Import Certification for all imported organic products entering the U.S.
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Strengthening recordkeeping and supply chain traceability
As the organic community grows and supply chains become more complex, NOP continues to increase its oversight capacity to meet the evolving needs of the organic community.
Organic Industry Experiences Benefits of
TOPP Firsthand
Jessy Beckett Parr, CCOF – top right in red hat, and organic certification reviewers and inspectors took part in an Organic Transition Tour with TOPP Technical Assistance recipient Domitila Tapia (bottom left).
Grassroots networking and communication are key to spreading the word about opportunities available through the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP regional leads are planting boots on the ground to connect producers interested in transitioning to organic with organic farmers interested in mentoring them.
In early summer, Southwest TOPP Regional Lead California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) toured Domitila Tapia's operation, Mimi’s Organic Farm is a 67-acre berry and vegetable farm in Watsonville, California. A part of Mimi’s Organic Farm was certified organic in 2015. The tour highlighted how the TOPP participant is receiving support in transitioning her remaining acreage to certified organic. As a Spanish-speaking program participant, Domitila receives technical assistance in Spanish for activities including completing organic certification paperwork.
CCOF’s private and philanthropic partners also awarded Mimi’s Organic Farm grant funding aimed at helping underserved farmers build more regenerative food systems, advance equity in agriculture, and scale sustainable farming practices. The funding is helping Mimi’s Organic Farm expand organic acreage and increase the availability of sustainably grown fruits and vegetables.
The recent CCOF tour of Domitila's operation included local organic industry professionals interested in seeing how operations can benefit from TOPP. The tour showcased how the much-needed TOPP resources can help grow the organic community and provide equal opportunity for anyone interested in transitioning to organic. The tour highlighted challenges non-English speaking and transitioning producers face and offered first-hand learning experiences for organic certification reviewers and inspectors.
About the Transition to Organic Partnership Program
The USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is investing up to $100 million over five years in cooperative agreements with non-profit organizations that are partnering with others to provide technical assistance and wrap-around support for transitioning and existing organic farmers. USDA built partnership networks in six regions across the United States with trusted organizations serving direct farmer training, education, and outreach activities.
Southwest Regional Lead California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) partners with organizations experienced in the organic industry to provide mentoring services, technical assistance, community building, and organic workforce development for transitioning and existing organic farmers.
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