Organic Research, Promotion, and Information Order Proposed Rules
Docket Number: AMS-SC-16-0112; PR-A1
View the Proposed Rule for the Order at Regulations.gov
View the Comment Period Extension at Regulations.gov
Submit Comments by the following date: April 19, 2017
Docket Number: AMS-SC-16-0112; PR-B
View the Proposed Rule for the Referendum Procedures at Regulations.gov
View the Comment Period Extension at Regulations.gov
Submit Comments by the following date: April 19, 2017
Supporting Documents
Background
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) submitted a proposal for a promotion, research, and information program covering domestic and imported organic products to USDA on May 12, 2015.
The purpose of the new program would be to maintain and expand markets for organic products by funding promotion, research, and information programs to increase demand and create markets for organic products. If established, this program would be implemented under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996.
- Original Organic Trade Association proposal (pdf) (Submitted May 12, 2015)
- Revised Organic Trade Association Proposal (pdf) (Submitted May 3, 2016)
Partial Proposals
Following OTA’s proposal, AMS issued a news release inviting alternative proposals or partial proposals during the period of May 18 until July 20, 2015. AMS’ invitation did not include a request for comments on OTA’s proposal or the merits of an organic research and promotion program; however, interested parties will have the opportunity to submit public comments on these topics through Regulations.gov should AMS publish a proposed order. AMS received 8 partial proposals:
- Food & Water Watch (FWW) (pdf)
- Midwest Organic & Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) (pdf)
- National Farmers Union (NFU) (pdf)
- Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (NODPA) (pdf)
- Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) (pdf)
- Ohio Ecological Food & Farming Association (OEFFA) (pdf)
- Organic Farmers’ Agency for Relationship Marketing (OFARM) (pdf)
- Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance (WODPA) (pdf)
Contact Information
Please contact us at ProposedOrganicRP@ams.usda.gov