Federal Organic Rules Update: USDA Releases Three “Issue Papers” for Public Comment Period Ending Dec. 14

WASHINGTON—In a surprise move, USDA on Oct. 28 released three “issue” papers for public comment on its proposed federal rules for organic production.

According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), based in Greenfield, MA, the papers, which have already been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget, may form the basis of the next version of the proposed organic rules.

The papers deal with three issues on which USDA says it wants more feedback—animal confinement, animal medications and procedures for producer certification. “The national organic standards must be acceptable to both the public and the industry,” Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman said in a statement. “That’s why USDA is seeking additional comment.”

OTA Executive Director Katherine DiMatteo says OTA is concerned that the comments won’t provide a clear direction to USDA. “The papers are brief outlines with short paragraphs and can be misleading and confusing to people unfamiliar with the industry’s technical workings. USDA also wants yes and no answers to questions that can’t be answered with a yes or no,” she says.

DiMatteo thinks USDA has missed the mark in a way. “I am reluctant to jump on them,” she says. “Their intent is to create a dialog. But the way USDA uses language so differently than we do in business and the community makes it very unsatisfying for us.”

The issue papers are available for review in the Oct. 28 Federal Register or on the Internet at www.ams.usda.gov/nop. DiMatteo says that OTA always welcomes public comment, but that the papers deal with technical and procedural questions with which consumers may not be familiar. However, OTA is encouraging individual industry members to comment on the papers. The comment period began on Oct. 28 and ends Dec. 14. OTA is now organizing its response to the papers on behalf of the industry.

Comments can be sent by mail, fax or e-mail to: Eileen Stommes, Deputy Administrator, USDA-AMS-TM-NOP, Room 4007-S, Ag Stop 0275, PO Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456; fax: 202.690.4632; e-mail: NOPIssue_Papers@usda.gov.