Bill Introduced to Crack Down on Fake Organic Product Imports

Posted by Christina Herrick|October 3, 2017

U.S. Reps. John Faso (R-NY) and Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) announced the introduction of the Organic Farmer and Consumer Protection Act.

The bipartisan legislature provides for a modernization of organic import documentation, new technology advancements, and stricter enforcement of organic products entering the U.S.

“Protecting the integrity of organic is critical for the advancement of organic, and we applaud Rep. Faso for introducing this important bill. Our farmers have to have a level playing field, and organic consumers have to be able to trust that they are getting what they pay for when they buy organic,” said Laura Batcha, Executive Director and CEO, Organic Trade Association. “We’re operating in a growing global market. It is essential that we modernize and get up to speed to prevent organic fraud and to ensure that every stakeholder in the organic chain is playing by the rules. This bill takes important steps towards making that happen.”

When fraudulent organic products enter the U.S, local producers are hurt by lower prices and consumers are hurt by inauthentic products.

“This bill will improve trade oversight in our global market by providing the funds to give USDA and certifiers the tools to better respond to threats to the integrity of organic,” George Siemon, CEO, Organic Valley, La Farge, WI, said. “The USDA organic integrity and the seal i.s the backbone of the organic market.”