By
Carlen Stadnik
What
is Organic?
Organic is a label for
agricultural products that are produced with approved substances under specific
biological, mechanical, and cultural methods that support biodiversity,
ecological balance, and the recycling of natural resources.
Under
what conditions can the USDA organic seal be used?
The
USDA organic seal can only be used to label, sell, or represent raw or
processed products under the USDA organic regulations. Processors or “handlers” must be
certified. For example, a dairy farm
that processes organic cheese needs to be certified for both milk production
and cheese processing. Misuse of the label can result in a fine of up to $11,000
for each individual violation. The
USDA performs investigations and enforcement activities to confirm that organic
labeled products satisfy the USDA organic regulations. CFR Section 205
displays USDA organic standards, prohibited practices, requirements, and the National
List of Allowed and Prohibited Materials.
Suppose
you were considering buying organic poultry and you saw competing (non-organic)
poultry product labeled “no added hormones.”
What would you think of this competing claim?
In
addition to the organic label, “no added hormones” and “raised without hormones” are examples of other labels for
livestock that are verified by the USDA Food Inspection Service. Synthetic growth hormone or steroid use in
poultry, pork, or goat has never been permitted by federal regulations. When considering hormones, organic poultry is
no different from non-organic poultry labeled as “no added hormones.” Therefore, this label should not influence
the choice of the consumer. Other
differences between the organic and the non-organic option should instead influence
the consumer’s decision.
In
addition, consumers often confuse hormones with prophylactic antibiotics. Prophylactic antibiotics are used for
prevention purposes. Antibiotics are fed
to chickens, hogs, and cows to keep them healthy, so they can grow faster. They protect the animals against their
exposure to stress, such as being enclosed in a small space with many other
animals. Organic regulations require
antibiotic use when animals are diagnosed as sick, but prohibit prophylactic
use.
Synthetic
hormones are only permitted in milk production.
The use of the rBST synthetic growth hormone is permitted for
dairy cows. The use of this hormone was very common, but not anymore because it’s not worth the sum of the direct and
indirect costs. The direct costs indicate
the price of the hormone and the indirect costs denote the possible poor
long-term health of the cows.
What are the four (big) things that
may not be used in organic agriculture?
Genetically modified organisms (GMO’s), synthetic
fertilizers and pesticides, radiation, and sewage sludge may not be used in
organic agriculture.
Suppose
you are a small farm growing a few crops using organic methods. Do you need to get USDA certification to use
the word “organic” in any marketing or sales materials?
A small
farm that grows a few crops using organic methods and sells less than $5,000 of
products per year does not need to obtain USDA certification to use the word
“organic” in any marketing or sales materials as long as the USDA organic seal is
not used. The farm must become certified
if sales increase beyond the $5,000 per year threshold. To become certified, there is a specific
organic certification process that must be followed. The farm owner must apply to a USDA-accredited certifying agent and provide specific information for
acceptance.
Is USDA organic certification free? If not, what can you tell me about
certification costs?
The USDA organic
certification is not free. The
certification costs depend on the type, size, and complexity of the operation
and the certifying agent. The costs may
be between a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Before applying, it is
important to understand the certifier’s fee structure and billing cycle. There
is an application fee, assessment on annual production or sales, annual renewal
fee, and inspection fee. The USDA
Organic Certification Cost-Share Programs can reimburse the operation up to
seventy-five percent of the certification costs after certification.
Supposed
you, a small farmer, became convinced that you wanted to convert to organic
methods immediately. How long, if at
all, would you have to wait before you could sell certified organic products?
An owner of a
small farm must use organic methods for three full years before using an
organic label. Labeling with the USDA
organic or certifying agent’s seal, selling, or representing products as
“organic” is prohibited before three years.
Land used for raw organic produces must not have prohibited substances
applied to it for three years, as well.
Name
and explain three challenges facing the U.S. organic industry.
The U.S. organic production has more
than doubled, since the 1990’s. However,
the more rapid growth of the consumer market has caused an input and product
shortage in organic supply chains. High
cost products and competition from new environmental labels are also challenges
facing the U.S. organic industry.
