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Bipartisan effort to protect U.S. organic markets

The executive director of the Organic Farmers Association says a bipartisan proposal introduced in Congress is a much-needed step in protecting U.S. organic markets.

Kate Mendenhall says the Organic Imports Verification Act of 2025 would require the USDA to establish testing to ensure the integrity of feedstuffs imported as organic.

“Fraudulent players in the global marketplace want to take advantage of the organic premiums.”  She says, “We’re seeing a lot of grain coming into this country from other countries who, questionably, can produce the amount of grain coming in organically.”

Mendenhall tells Brownfield that the legislation, introduced by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Senator Tina Smith (D-MN), creates a more equitable organic marketplace.

“Checking organic grain at the point of entry for prohibited residues.”  She says, “A lot of our domestic growers are being asked to do residue testing when they’re dropping off loads of grain for domestic buyers and we just feel like that imported grain needs to have the same scrutiny.”

She says the fraud adds instability at a time when farmers can’t afford it.

“We know that consumers are paying a little bit more for organic products because they trust that that label is pure, and that they’re getting a really pure, environmentally friendly product and food for their families.”  She says, “It’s essential that we can maintain high integrity in the marketplace for everyone involved.”

She says the bill builds off the recently enacted Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule, which improves enforcement and traceability in the organic sector.

Mendenhall says numerous groups are working to get the legislation included in a new farm bill. 

AUDIO: Kate Mendenhall – Organic Farmers Association