Agricultural Policy 1

Agricultural Policy

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Agricultural Policy

Agricultural policies are like rules made by government about farming and food. These policies

aims to realize certain goals such as keeping prices steady, ensuring adequacy of food and of good

quality, and management of things like land use and jobs in farming (Forbes & Ramkrishnan, 2019).

The agricultural policy of interest I chose is the National Organic Program (NOP) in the United

States. It was established by the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) in 1990. NOP is a

comprehensive regulatory framework that governs production, handling, labeling, and marketing of

organic agricultural products.

For the policies reach, the NOP applies to all agricultural operations that wish to sell, label,

or represent their products as organic. This includes farms, processors, and handlers. The policy

encompasses a wide range of crops, livestock, and processed goods. The main goal is to establish a

system for organic production that is transparent and standardized with the aim of promoting

ecological sustainability, biodiversity, and soil health. The NOP intends to supply consumers with

confidence in the authenticity of organic products and to foster environmental stewardship among

producers.

Since the establishment of the policy, the NOP has been effective in creating a consistent set

of standards for organic agriculture in the U.S leading to an increased consumer trust in organic

products. It is beneficial to producers because , as they engage in organic farming, they benefit from

the growing market demand for organic products (Forbes & Ramkrishnan, 2019). Also for

consumers, there is increased options but often at a higher price. This affects both producer and

consumer surplus. The magnitude on trade is substantial, as the U.S. exports and imports organic

products.

One externality is the positive impact on the environment due to reduced synthetic input use.

Looking at historical context, the rise of the organic movement in the 1970s and 1980s, coupled

with concerns about inconsistent standards and fraudulent marketing, prompted the need for a
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unified regulatory framework. While many countries have their own organic standards, the U.S.

NOP is aligned with international guidelines. Differences lie in specific regulations and

enforcement mechanisms.

Long-term projections suggest a continued growth in the organic sector as there is increased

consumer awareness and preferences. The NOP intersects with environmental policies by

encouraging sustainable practices. However, conflicts may arise with policies promoting

conventional agriculture. Ethical considerations involve issues of fairness, transparency, and

environmental responsibility. Debates often revolve around the cost of organic products, and

accessibility.
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References

Forbes, S., & Ramkrishnan Balasubramanian PHD, M. B. A. (2019). The USDA National Organic

Program and the Effort to Maintain Organic Food Integrity. Scitech Lawyer, 15(2), 10-17.