European Union, United States Partner for Organic Trade
13 March 2012 The European Union and the United States, the two largest organic producers in the world, have taken steps to expand organic agriculture sector which brings in $50 billion combined each year.
The regions have agreed to sell products certified as organic in either the EU or the US to be sold as such in either region beginning June 1, 2012.
“This partnership connects organic farmers and companies on both sides of the Atlantic with a wide range of new market opportunities,” said US Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan in a USDA statement. “It is a win for the American economy and President Obama’s jobs strategy. This partnership will open new markets for American farmers and ranchers, create more opportunities for small businesses, and result in good jobs for Americans who package, ship, and market organic products.”
Previous standards required growers to acquire separate certifications. The new agreement only requires growers to go through one set of procedures.
US and EU organic standards are similar except for their stances on antibiotic use. USDA organic regulations prohibit the use of antibiotics except to control invasive bacterial infections (fire blight) in organic apple and pear orchards, according to the USDA. EU organic regulations allow antibiotics only to treat infected animals. Certifying agents need to prove antibiotics were not used for any reason based on new policies.
In addition, all products traded under the partnership must be shipped with an organic export certificate, according to the USDA. The document will show the production location, identify the organization that certified the organic product, verify that prohibited substances and methods weren’t used, certify that the terms of the partnership were met, and allow traded products to be tracked.
Source: USDA
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