Congress could deregulate proposals to organic standards

Organic food producers claim stringent regulations are vital to ensuring consumer trust in U.S. Department of Agriculture organic labels. But according to a report in Organics News, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) may be overhauled under a congressional plan that could end several proposed regulatory changes to farming and manufacturing organic products. These include proposals on animal welfare, pet food production and beekeeping.

Created in 1990 to oversee the National Organic Program, the NOSB comprises a panel of individuals across the organic community to help protect organics against special interest groups. Congress wants the NOSB to allow employees of organic farms or producers to be permitted to have board positions. Congress also has proposed that the NOSB give politicians the ability “to sidestep its authority to approve substances such as the fertilizers and pesticides used in organic production.”

To learn more about the NOSB and its practices, click here.