Nebraska Panhandle News

U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts and Tina Smith have introduced the Organic Imports Verification Act, a bipartisan legislative effort aimed to bolster protections for American organic farmers against fraudulent imports. The proposal seeks to reinforce the certification and monitoring practices of domestic organic commodities.

"Fraudulent organic imports hurt American farmers and degrade consumer trust. This must stop," stated Senator Ricketts, emphasizing the need to enhance oversight and enforce stricter controls. "This bipartisan legislation levels the playing field for our domestic organic producers."

Senator Smith echoed these sentiments, highlighting the premium many Americans are willing to pay for organic food. "This bill will help ensure that items labeled organic are indeed organic, protecting the quality of food we eat and farmers' livelihoods," she remarked.

The Organic Imports Verification Act outlines several key provisions, including a requirement for residue testing reports to detail the frequency, methods, results, analysis standards, and any actions stemming from the tests.

Senator Tim Scott is also co-sponsoring this legislation, which has garnered the support of the Organic Trade Association, Organic Farmers Association, and the National Organic Coalition.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture currently oversees organic imports under the Organic Food Production Act through the National Organic Program (NOP). However, concerns persist over the authenticity of imported organic goods, particularly from high-risk countries with inadequate verification processes.

In the previous year, the U.S. witnessed a substantial import of 1.3 million metric tons of organic feedstuffs, largely from nations with uncertain organic enforcement. This influx equates to $1 billion in financial repercussions for domestic farmers, significantly affecting commodities like soybeans, corn, and sunflowers entering through complex supply chains.