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Last week, we highlighted the new organic standard being developed by the Real Organic Project (ROP). The standard will exclude CAFO and Hydroponic production methods in organic in an attempt to “reclaim the original meaning of organic”.
By Melody Meyer
OPN spoke with the Coalition for Sustainable Organics (CSO), a group of growers committed to maintaining the USDA’s current high standards for certifying organic produce. They advocate for the continued allowance of containerized growing methods under the National Organic Program, while enabling growers to select the most appropriate production system for their specific site and commodity needs.
They believe that everyone deserves organic produce, and growers must continue to find ways within the organic framework to expand supply.
It turns out that last fall’s NOSB decision affected their coalition in a positive yet uncertain way.
When the NOSB voted at the fall 2017 meeting against making hydroponics and aquaponics prohibited practices, CSO supported the decision
Members of the Crops Subcommittee indicated that there is interest in creating clear definitions for container production systems and how those systems comply with organic regulations. However, the USDA’s recently published work plan for the NOSB shows the topic will not be on the agenda of the upcoming spring 2018 meeting in Tucson, AZ. April 25-27th.
Nearly all of the members of the NOSB who voted to make hydroponics and aquaponics prohibited have taken leadership positions with the new group named the Real Organic Project. They are proposing to create standards for an “add-on” label to distinguish growers who would follow an additional set of rules in addition to the current USDA regulations and requirements.
Likewise, the Rodale Institute has released a standards document that establishes a Regenerative Organic Certification. The idea is to create a different “add-on” label that establishes more specific soil practices, animal welfare rules and social justice standards.
Lee Frankel is the Executive Director of CSO and outspoken on the current state of hydroponic and container growing in the US organic standards, as well as the movements to create additional add-on labels in the organic marketplace.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) clearly reaffirmed its position on the inclusion of hydroponic, aquaponic, and aeroponic within the organic program in the recent edition of the Organic Insider newsletter, “Frankel said. “We support efforts by producers to share information about their farms and production facilities with the consumers of their organic products. In fact, our members proudly tout their ability to reduce the use of natural resources like water and land when communicating with consumers.”
Frankel notes CSO supports organic producers educating their customers on the steps that they take that go beyond the requirements of the USDA organic standards; however, the CSO would not support efforts that may denigrate fellow organic farmers by claiming their various production methods are superior.
Furthermore, the National Organic Seal is one of the most widely recognized and trusted consumer seals in the food industry. “Changes to that seal have the potential to dilute this trust and cause significant consumer confusion.” Frankel said.
Frankel believes “the efforts of our growers and other members of the organic community helped to create more regulatory certainty through the most recent vote of the National Organic Standards Board.”
Opponents continue to the direct complaints and legal actions against the USDA in attempts to find avenues outside of the NOSB and the formal rule making process to overturn long standing National Organic Program policy supporting the rights of growers to incorporate containers into their farms.
“Their efforts to create additional labels could lead to the disparagement of fellow organic growers and their products, threatening consumer trust in the organic label, “Frankel said. “We embrace inclusion in organic growing practices and the expansion of sustainable practices, including containerized growing methods.”
