The USDA National Organic Program (NOP)

Based on a law passed by Congress in 1990

Implemented by regulation October 2002 CFR 7 Part 205

Harriet Behar, MOSES Organic Specialist

harriet@mosesorganic.org

www.ams.usda.gov/nop
Prepared by MOSES www.mosesorganic.org
USDAs Role
Accredit certifying agents
Compliance and enforcement
Promulgate new and amended
regulations
Recognize foreign governments
Perform equivalence determinations
Approve State organic programs
(certification and/or enforcement
capabilities)
The USDA does NOT certify individual
operations.
 While organic producers avoid toxic synthetic materials,
organic systems represent so much more than just that
Definition of organic from the USDA:
Organic production- A production system that is
managed in accordance with the Act and
regulations to respond to site-specific

conditions by integrating cultural, biological

and mechanical practices that foster cycling of
resources, promote ecological balance and
USDA definition of sustainable agriculture -an integrated system of plant and animal production practices
conserve
having a site-specificbiodiversity.
application that will, over the long term:
satisfy human food and fiber needs;
enhance environmental quality and the natural resource base upon which the agricultural economy depends;
make the most efficient use of nonrenewable resources and on-farm resources and integrate, where
appropriate, natural biological cycles and controls;
sustain the economic viability of farm operations; and
enhance the quality of life for farmers and society as a whole."
 Organic agriculture can contribute to
more than just not hurting the
environment, but actually improving it.
Dead zone at the base of the Mississippi River,
caused by excessive nitrogen runoff, pesticides and
herbicides.

Organic farmers do not use herbicides and very few

pesticides. Our slow release natural fertility inputs
are not as prone to run off as synthetic nitrogen. In
addition, our crop rotations with leguminous forages
have been shown to reduce N losses by 49-62
percent. (Journal of Environmental Quality, July
2007)
 Organic farmers are good land stewards, and
strive to protect and enhance their natural
resources.

While many nonorganic farmers also strive to be good

stewards, there is no oversight the encourages continual
improvement.

Organic farmers have a yearly visit by an

inspector to verify protection of natural resources
Before After
as well as compliance to all aspects of the organic
regulation.
Organic agricultural advocates promote the
precautionary principle, which means that we do
not use a material if we are unsure of the long term
effects. Organic farmers do not use GMO seeds.
The Bt toxin, found in the DNA of many genetically
modified corn plants, remains present in the corn
stalks and has been found in streams, more than 6
months after harvest.

Indiana University research finds that this GMO Bt

corn harms aquatic insects which results in a
disruption of the streams ecosystem and food chain.
Caddisfly larva have high mortality and stunted
growth when exposed to Bt corn pollen and crop
residues.
 The European Union uses the precautionary
principle, which means that they are less
likely to use a material if we are unsure of the
long term effects.
For our own health, and the long term health of our
planets numerous ecosystems, we should seek out and
support agricultural systems that avoid environmental
damage and go beyond environmentally benign to
being environmentally beneficial.
Organic farming can do this and feed the world.

Exposure to pesticides of numerous types have

correlations to many health problems and diseases.
Recent study shows Glyphosate in U.S. mothers milk
and none detected in EU mothers.
Source: Moms Across America and Sustainable Pulse
 While GMO crops may not have shown short term
health problems, these seeds are a package deal
with herbicides.
Rather than lessening the use of toxic herbicides, the 527
million pound increased use of herbicides in the U.S. between
1996 and 2011 has led to herbicide resistant weeds.

The pervasive use of herbicides or pesticides leads to

resistance the need for even more toxic materials or pesticide
cocktails.

This is a treadmill that organic farmers do not support.

Instead, we develop SYSTEMS that respect and use the tools
that nature provides, promoting life and biodiversity.
Organic farmers do not use toxic seed
treatments, such as neonicotinoids.
These neonicotinoids, which move systemically from
the seed coating into the plant, have been identified
as a contributing cause to colony collapse
disorder of honeybees. These neonicotinoids also
harm other pollinators as well as aquatic life.

This toxic material is becoming pervasive throughout

the Upper Midwest in our streams and lakes.

Instead, organic farmers plant pollinator habitat to

encourage beneficial insects to help them with pest
control and pollination.
Organic farmers do not use herbicides, allowing
native plants to grow.
The extensive use of roundup ready crops and encouraged
use of the herbicide, has led to a great decrease in
milkweeds, and has contributed to the steep decline of
monarch butterflies.
Imagine if our agricultural research dollars
were spent on studying natural systems
and developing regionally adapted seeds
and agricultural practices that mimic and
enhance rather than destroy the elegant
and complex natural world.
Organic research is less than one tenth of one
 Why does organic food cost more?
Organic foods are a small part of the overall agricultural system,
without the benefits of economy of scale found in the nonorganic
food system. Organic seed, approved natural fertilizers, organic
planting, harvesting, storage and transportation all have higher
costs than nonorganic.

Organic farmers must use a crop rotation that includes soil

improving crops and protects natural resources. They cannot grow
high value, but environmentally problematic, crops every year.

Organic farmers, because they are not part of the big ag system
which includes government subsidies, have to charge the real cost
of producing the food.
Why does organic food cost more?
The USDA regulation clearly details the clear difference
between organic and nonorganic production. Reliance on
fossil fuel based fertility inputs, many toxic pest and disease
materials and lack of environmental stewardship are not
allowed in organic.

Instead, use of naturally based fertility, insect or disease

management materials, a focus on good agronomic
practices such as crop rotations which lessen insect and
disease problems and improve soil fertility and protection of
natural resources are all mandated by our organic law.
The organic label has an
international legal definition that
is enforced in the marketplace
No legal definition:
Natural
Local
NonGMO
Confusion in the marketplace ?

Prepared by MOSES www.mosesorganic.org

 Organic is a production claim.
Organic is about how food is
produced
and handled.
Organic is not a content claim.
It does not represent that a product
is free of something.
Organic is not a food safety
claim.
Organic is not a judgment about the
quality and safety of any product.

Prepared by MOSES
www.mosesorganic.org
ORGANIC CERTIFICATION is
based on annual on-site
inspection and certifying agent
review.
The production, processing or
handling system is clearly
identified and methodically
assessed to conform to organic
Any farmer or processor who sells more than
$5000 annually of organic production, must be
Certified to use the organic label,

with a yearly
inspection to
continue their
certification.

Exempt operations cannot sell crops that are further

processed, this would include livestock feed.

Prepared by MOSES
www.mosesorganic.org
Farmer chooses certification agency and
receives application
Application received by agency
Agency reviews application and may ask for
more information
Agency assigns inspector, crops must be seen
during growing season
Inspector writes report and sends to agency
Agency reviews all documentation, and either
approves or denies certification, with comments.

Prepared by MOSES
www.mosesorganic.org
Organic Production and Handling Requirements

Components of the
Organic System Plan
Practices
Materials used
Field activity book
Monitoring
Recordkeeping
Management
and buffer zones

Prepared by MOSES www.mosesorganic.org

 Land Requirements
No prohibited
substances applied to
it for a period of 3
years immediately
preceding harvest of
the crop. Fields must
have distinct
This includes boundaries and buffer
no use of zones.
nonapproved seed
treatments for the
transitional years.
Prepared by MOSES www.mosesorganic.org
The Big Three Nos
NOT
Genetically engineered
Grown with sewage sludge
Irradiated

And
Not Grown with synthetic materials
that have not been placed on the
national list of approved substances.
Prepared by MOSES www.mosesorganic.org
 Buffer Zones Required
25 to 30 foot buffer area ---roads, grass, hay or trees
where prohibited sprays from the neighbor may present
a risk to the
organic integrity of their crop.
Herbicide damage in the
Nonorganic field buffer zone along fence
line.

Organic field, road is

buffer

Prepared by MOSES www.mosesorganic.org

 Materials and the National List
All naturals approved

All synthetics prohibited

If a natural is on list, then prohibited

If synthetic on list, then approved

List is broken into crops, livestock and

ingredients in processed products.
Prepared by MOSES www.mosesorganic.org
Evaluation Criteria for National List
5) Biological and
1) Potential detrimental
chemical interactions. chemical
interactions in the
2) Toxicity and mode of
action. agroecosystem.
3) Environmental 6) Alternatives to using
contamination during the substance
manufacture, use, including practices.
misuse or disposal.
7) Compatibility with a
4) Human health effects
system of
sustainable and
organic agriculture.
Abridged from Organic Food Production Act of 1990 The organic
 Pest, weed and disease control hierarchy
1st: Cultural (crop rotation, sanitation, seed variety)
Mechanical or physical (exclusion, beneficial
insect habitat, lures, traps, repellants, mulches, flame)

2nd: Natural biological,

botanical or mineral inputs

3rd: Approved synthetics on the national list- provided

the CONDITIONS for use are DOCUMENTED and the
previous 2 were ineffective
Prepared by MOSES www.mosesorganic.org
 Farming Systems Trial
Rodale Institute

Crop residues
Crop residues Cover Crops
Animal manure

20 years of similar tillage intensity

Different quantity of Carbon inputs
Feed the soil, not the plant
 Organic seed MUST be planted,
unless not commercially available.
High price is not an
acceptable reason to
not buy organic
seed.
No captan, apron or other nonapproved
seed treatments for three years.
No GMO nitrogen fixing bacteria allowed,
nonGMO inoculants are allowed.
Cover crop seeds MUST be organic as well.
Slaughter animals

Livestock products that are to be sold,

labeled, or represented as organic must be
from livestock under continuous organic
management from the last third of gestation

Prepared by MOSES www.mosesorganic.org

Poultry or edible poultry products must be
from poultry that has been under continuous
organic management beginning no later than
the second day of life.

Prepared by MOSES
www.mosesorganic.org
 Organic dairy production
One year transition to organic.

Feed must be organic.

Health care within organic requirements.
Pasture is mandated.
Housing must allow for freedom of movement.
Records maintained on health and feed
Prepared by MOSES www.mosesorganic.org
 All feed contains only
organic agricultural
ingredients.
Feed
supplements
do not contain
poultry or
mammalian
by-products

No artificial colors, flavors, dust

Prepared by MOSES
suppressants, anti-caking agents.
www.mosesorganic.org
 Pasture mandated for ruminants
Pasture. Ruminants must receive 30%
of their dry matter intake during the
grazing season from pasture, minimum
120 days.
Good pasture management mandated
under organic regulations.
 Administration of vaccines and other
veterinary biologics ALLOWED

Use of antibiotics is prohibited in all livestock

production sold as organic.
Cannot withhold necessary medication to retain
the organic status of the animal, humane treatment
mandated.
Prepared by MOSES www.mosesorganic.org
 Livestock Living Conditions
The producer of an
organic livestock
operation must
establish and
maintain livestock
living conditions
which accommodate
the health and
natural behavior of
animals, including:

Prepared by MOSES www.mosesorganic.org

Provision of conditions which allow for exercise,
freedom of movement, and reduction of stress
appropriate to the species;

Prepared by MOSES www.mosesorganic.org

Access to the outdoors, shade, shelter, exercise
areas, fresh air, and direct sunlight suitable to
the species, its stage of production, the climate,
and the environment;

Prepared by MOSES
www.mosesorganic.org
Food Processing

Raw

Transformation:
physical,
chemical,
biological

36
Finished
Processing defined as ..
Cooking Baking Heating
Drying Mixing Grinding
Churning Separating Extracting
Cutting Fermenting Slaughtering
EvisceratingPreserving Dehydrating
Freezing Or otherwise manufacturing

Packaging Canning Jarring

Or enclosing in any type of container

205.270 a
Preparation of an agricultural product
for market.
 Protection of Organic
Integrity
Foods go through many hands and
processes before they are ready for sale.

Cannot becommingled or contaminated.

 Commingling
Physical
contact
between
unpackaged
organically
produced
and nonorganically
produced agricultural products
during production, processing,
transportation, storage or
handling.
Contamination
Contact
with
prohibited
substances.
 Pest Control
Sanitation Procedures&
Materials

Sec. 205.272 Transport:

Non Organic
Co-Mingling & Truck
Processing
Contamination Inspections

Packaging:
Boiler
Preservatives
Additives
Re-Use
 Labeling
4 types for retail packaged
organic products
100% Organic - certified
Organic - certified
Made with Organic -
certified
Organic only as an adjective
in ingredients listing NOT certified