USDA Bans Organic Certifier in China

According to a press release from the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), the USDA has reached a settlement agreement with the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA).  The agreement prohibits OCIA from operating in China, while allowing it to retain its accreditation to certify activities under the National Organic Program (NOP) in other countries.  A representative of AMS stated the importance of "integrity of organic products for consumers" and that "all certifiers and operations, domestic or foreign, must be held to the same standards."


In 2007, "NOP conducted an onsite audit of OCIA and its certified operations in China as a part of the program's organic accreditation renewal process.  The audit found that OCIA used inspectors connected to the Chinese government, who had a conflict of interest with the certified organic operations. In July 2008, NOP proposed revocation of OCIA’s accreditation in China. OCIA appealed the proposed revocation."  The settlement allows OCIA to apply for re-accreditation after one year. 


OCIA began closing its China operation in late 2009 due to "regulatory pressure and financial difficulties."


According to the New York Times, the US "imports $3 billion a year in farm products from China. Trade data does not single out organic farm products, which are believed to account for a small but growing portion of the total. The upward trend can be seen in the number of Chinese organic producers certified under Agriculture Department rules, which rose more than 200 percent, to 669 last year, from 216 in 2008."

For more information on the NOP, click here.

To read the AMS press release, click here.
To read the New York Times article, click here.
To read the Wall Street Journal article, click here.


Posted: 06/21/2010