The current Administration is providing increased oversight and enforcement of the National Organic Program (NOP).
èUSDA’s Office of Inspector General released its audit report of NOP and made seven key findings that needed to be addressed to ensure the integrity of organic agricultural products sold in the United States. Included were 14 specific recommendations, which the Agricultural Marketing Service has already reviewed and is either currently addressing or taking steps to address.
è USDA issued its final access to pasture rule for organic agriculture which clearly defines access to pasture for organic ruminant dairy livestock and sets a mechanism in place for strict regulation and enforcement.
èThe U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Lubbock Division, has sentenced Basilio Coronardo, a partner in Sel-Cor Bean and Pea, Inc., operating of Brownfield, TX, to 24 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release and to pay $523,692.08 in restitution after being convicted of fraudulently selling non-organic products as organic.
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