The world’s two largest markets for organic food expand organic market access

Contact: Barbara Haumann (bhaumann@ota.com; 802-275-3820)

NUREMBERG, Germany, and WASHINGTON, D.C. (Feb.15, 2012) – At a press event today at BioFach Germany, European Commissioner Dacian Ciolos for the European Union’s (EU) Agriculture and Rural Development and Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan of the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the signing of an organic equivalence arrangement between the world’s two largest markets for organic food. Under the proposed arrangement, the EU and United States will work together to promote strong organic programs, protect organic standards, enhance cooperation, and facilitate trade in organic products.

Officials noted the EU – U.S. organic equivalence cooperation arrangement will expand market access for organic producers and companies by reducing duplicative requirements and certification costs on both sides of the ocean while continuing to protect organic integrity.

“This monumental agreement will further create jobs in the already growing and healthy U.S. organic sector, spark additional market growth, and be mutually beneficial to farmers both in the United States and European Union as well as to consumers who choose organic products,” said Christine Bushway, Executive Director and CEO of the U.S.-based Organic Trade Association (OTA). She added, “Equivalence with the EU will be an historic game changer.”

As a result, certified organic products as of June 1 can move freely between the United States and EU borders provided they meet the terms of the new arrangement. Under the agreement, the EU will recognize the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) as equivalent to the EU Organic Program and allow products produced and certified as meeting USDA NOP standards to be marketed as organic in the EU. Likewise, the United States will allow European products produced and certified under the EU Organic Program to be marketed as organic in the United States.

The agreement will allow access to each other’s markets provided (1) antibiotics were not administered to animals for products entering the United States, and (2) antibiotics were not used to control fire blight in apples and pears for products entering the European Union. To facilitate trade, the EU and United States have agreed to work together to promote electronic certification of import transaction certificates.

The arrangement is limited to organic products of U.S. or EU origin produced, processed or packaged within these jurisdictions. Additionally, both programs have agreed to exchange information on animal welfare issues, and on methods to avoid contamination of organic products from genetically modified organisms. General country labeling requirements must still be met.

“On behalf of the U.S. organic industry, OTA extends its sincere appreciation to the U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), National Organic Program, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), and OTA’s U.S.-EU Equivalency Task Force for all their efforts in maintaining and expanding foreign export markets for USDA certified organic products globally. The results are mutually beneficial arrangements with our major trading partners that uphold the integrity of food grown and labeled as organic,” Bushway said.

OTA convened its U.S.-EU Equivalency Task Force in May 2010 to monitor, analyze and discuss emerging issues from organic equivalency discussions between the United States and EU, and directly advised FAS and USTR on the industry’s perspective on these negotiations and market potential. This task force is made up of 34 industry volunteers from across the supply chain, from produce and grain companies to dairy producers and certification agencies. It is led by OTA’s Executive Vice President Laura Batcha and Jake Lewin of California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) as co-chairs, with Bob Anderson (Sustainable Strategies—Advisors in Food & Agriculture) serving as ex officio.

For more information, see OTA’s US EU Equivalency page, or USDA’s website. For a high-resolution photo of the signing, contact Barbara Haumann.

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing over 6,500 organic businesses across 49 states. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers’ associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers and others. OTA’s Board of Directors is democratically elected by its members. OTA’s mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.

Baltimore Convention Center

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Seven Springs Mountain Resort

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About the FAIR: The MOTHER EARTH NEWS FAIRs are fun-filled, family-oriented sustainable lifestyle events that feature dozens of practical, hands-on demonstrations and workshops.

About the Venue: Seven Springs Mountain Resort is nestled in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, located within 200 miles of the major metropolitan areas of Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland and Washington, D.C. Seven Springs is a full-service resort featuring a complete conference and exhibit center, a 418- room hotel and nearly 1,200 condominiums and townhomes.

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Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center

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Ag Progress Days (APD) at Penn State, Pennsylvania’s largest outdoor agricultural exposition, is held annually during three days in August. Sponsored by Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, the event is held at the Russell E. Larson Agricultural Research Center at Rock Springs, nine miles southwest of State College, PA.

The 2012 events schedule is under way. You may view the 2011 Program Guide for a listing of last year’s events. We will post events and information as they become available.

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Grange Fairgrounds

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Come together with family and friends to celebrate the bounty and beauty of a sustainable lifestyle that lives in harmony with the good earth. Join organic producers and consumers of all ages for fun activities, education and lively entertainment beginning Friday evening August 3rd and all day Saturday, August 4th.

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For more information, please visit: farmfest2012.paorganic.org

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Join PCO staff and volunteers to clean up and care for the 2-mile section of highway on Route 144 East (between Old Fort and Route 322)! At PCO, we are committed to serving our community and our participation in the Adopt-A-Highway program is just one way we like to show it! If there is inclement weather, it will be rescheduled. For more information or to volunteer, please contact the PCO office at (814) 422-0251. We would love you to join us!

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Come and learn from the experts about improving soil health and harnessing the power of diversity to improve soil function. Sessions on equine pasture management, managing weeds and multi-species grazing, and improving your bottom line with better record keeping.

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The event will feature keynote speakers Woody Tasch and Andrew Kimbrell, 70+ workshops, local and organic meals, kids’ conference, childcare, a trade show, and more. There are also two full day pre-conference events on Friday, February 17: “Slow Money for Ohio? Financing the Local Food System” featuring Woody Tasch, and “No Till, No drill, No problem: Integrating No-Till Methods into Organic Production Systems” featuring Jeff Moyer.

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PCO and the International Organic Inspector Association (IOIA) will cosponsor Basic Crop Inspection Training and Livestock Inspection Training running concurrently April 2-6. Each basic course includes 4 days of instruction including a field trip to a certified organic operation, plus ½ day for testing.

Advanced Organic Inspector Training will precede the training on March 31-April 1. Topics include sampling for residue analysis and unannounced inspections. All trainings will be held at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. Application forms are available at http://www.ioia.net/images/pdf/PAinfo.pdf

For questions, contact Johanna Mirenda, PCO Inspections Coordinator (johanna@paorganic.org, 608-665-3354)

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Come together with family and friends to celebrate the bounty and beauty of a sustainable lifestyle that lives in harmony with the good earth. Join organic producers and consumers of all ages for fun activities, education and lively entertainment beginning Friday evening August 3rd and all day Saturday, August 4th.