US to increase organic food production
In 2015, total organic product sales hit a new high of $43.3 billion, up 11 percent from the previous year's record level, according to the Organic Trade Association. These numbers show a growing demand for organic.
The program will "facilitate the investment in transitional agriculture through a consistent set of rules, and ultimately support the continued growth of organic agriculture," the USDA said in a notice.
Farmers must grow crops for three years without using prohibited substances, such as genetically-modified seeds and synthetic pesticides, in order to be certified as fully organic.
"Those who are switching farmland to organic production must follow the same regulations as those who have already been fully certified" the USDA said to try and combat a loophole where current farmers were marking produce as organic when still in a transition.
Farmers who wish to leave the transition period will have to meet regulations for up to one year and following that year be certified by agents accredited by the USDA.
source: reuters.com
