Brown and Nunn Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Organic Import Verification

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) and Congressman Zach Nunn (IA-03) have introduced the Organic Imports Verification Act, bipartisan legislation to protect American organic farmers and consumers from fraudulent organic imports. 

The Organic Imports Verification Act authorizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take corrective action and stop the sale of organic imports that test positive for residue contaminants and to submit a complete USDA report to Congress on residue testing for all imported organic feedstuffs shipped in bulk to the United States.  

Companion legislation was introduced last year in the Senate by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Senator Tina Smith (D-MN). 

“When Americans buy organic, they need to know and trust that they are getting the highest quality product. Unfortunately, many imported products are labelled as organic, but do not meet the high standard that the USDA has set, hurting American farmers and consumers. The Organic Imports Verification Act would help ensure that organic labels are accurate, improving food quality and ensuring fairness for American farmers. I’m proud to partner with Congressman Nunn on this bipartisan legislation and look forward to advancing this effort in this Congress,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown. 

“American farmers play by the rules, and they deserve a level playing field with their foreign competitors," said Congressman Zach Nunn. "Right now, imports can come into this country labeled 'organic' without facing the same testing as American producers. That's not fair to Iowa farmers or to the families paying extra because they trust the organic label. Our bill makes sure that if you want to sell a product as organic in America, you have to earn that label.”

The legislation is endorsed by: the National Organic Coalition (NOC), Iowa Organic Association, Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA), the Organic Farmers Association (OFA) and Cyclone Farms, Inc. 

“A fair marketplace is essential for organic farmers to thrive. We are grateful to Representatives Shontel Brown (D-OH) and Zach Nunn (R-IA) for their leadership in listening to the needs of organic grain producers and introducing legislation to help address fraud using a risk-based approach. NOC urges legislators to ensure that this legislation is included in the final Farm Bill, along with adequate Farm Bill funding for core organic programs to provide more opportunities for the growing organic sector,” said Abby Youngblood, Executive Director at the National Organic Coalition.

“We appreciate Congresswoman Brown and Congressman Nunn for introducing the Organic Imports Verification Act that focuses on issues expressed by organic grain producers for over a decade. This legislation helps meet the needs of a growing organic market, protects American producers who farm with integrity, and promotes trustworthy products and a fair marketplace," said Nicole Wolcott, Federal Policy Coordinator, Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association.

"The Iowa Organic Association supports policies that strengthen trust in the organic marketplace and protect the investments made by organic farmers. Organic producers depend on fair competition and confidence in the organic label. We are grateful to Iowa's 3rd District Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA), as well as Representative Shontel Brown (D-OH), for their leadership on this issue and for working across party lines to address concerns raised by organic farmers. By improving oversight and accountability within organic grain markets, this legislation helps safeguard the integrity of organic agriculture and supports the continued success of organic farming communities throughout Iowa and the nation," said Ethan Book of Education & Outreach Coordinator at the Iowa Organic Association.

“OFA supports this initiative to protect the integrity of the U.S. market for organic feed.  By testing imported organic feedstuffs for prohibited chemicals, and excluding from the organic supply chain those which fail testing, this bill will level the playing field for domestic organic farmers and will strengthen consumer confidence in the integrity of the USDA organic seal,” said Pryor Garnett of Garnett’s Red Prairie Farm, President of the Organic Farmers Association.

"As a sixth-generation farmer, I have seen firsthand the need for stronger verification of imported organic feedstuffs. What started as a solution to a longstanding challenge facing organic farmers grew into a grassroots movement as farmers across the country rallied around the need for greater verification, transparency, and consumer trust. I appreciate the leadership of Representative Brown, Representative Nunn, and the many stakeholders who helped transform that farmer-led effort into bipartisan legislation that strengthens organic integrity, supports American farmers, reinforces consumer confidence in the organic seal, and helps ensure everyone competes by the same rules," said Amy Bruch, 6th Generation Farmer of Cyclone Farms Inc in Nebraska.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers the Organic Food Production Act. This Act sets standards for labels on organically produced agricultural products. It creates a national list of approved and prohibited substances for organic production. It also includes an organic certification program, called the National Organic Program (NOP). The USDA and third-party organic certifiers are responsible for testing imported organic commodities under the NOP. Unfortunately, a majority of these imports come from countries with weak verification processes in place. 

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