Task forces make recommendations to OTA on policy issues, association programs and special projects. OTA has many active task forces with dozens of members working on everything from commenting on FDAs Food Safety Rule revisions to analyzing Mexico’s Operating Guidelines for Organic Agriculture.
All of OTA Task Forces are time-bound (not necessarily short-term), task-charged, and outcome-focused groups with specific mandate statements. Task forces can be convened by the board, staff, or members (e.g. through Member Forums or Sector Councils) in order to recommend a course of action or accomplish a specific objective. Task Forces form to:
- gather input on specific programs, issues, new initiatives, or overall strategic planning
- convene an advisory group that would recommend a course of action to either the board or staff
- consider a narrow subject within a broader topic area
- focus attention and recommend service for a particular sector of the organic industry
- accomplish a specified project/task, as needed, using OTA and/or participants volunteer time.
Open Task Forces
Global Organic Supply Chain Integrity Task Force
The mandate of this task force is to develop a best practices guide to use in managing and verifying global organic supply chain integrity to help brands and traders manage and mitigate the risk and occurrence of organic fraud.
Hydroponics and Container Production Task Force
The Hydroponics and Container Production Task Force's mandate is to inform the Organic Trade Association’s development of recommendations and positions on NOSB proposals related to hydroponics and container production.
Mexico Organic Trade Task Force
The mandate of this task force is to monitor, analyze, and discuss existing and emerging issues from organic trade discussions and issue resolutions between the United States and Mexico. The task force will provide input to FAS, NOP, and USTR on the industry's perspective on trade issues, technical talks, Mexico’s recently implemented organic regulations, and market potential. Task force members will also provide industry support and concerns regarding the potential opportunities and challenges that will be created by entering an organic equivalency arrangement with Mexico. Additionally, the task force will provide issue assessments regarding organic seed treatments in support of OTA/ FAS/ APHIS work on this issue.
Strengthening Organic Seed Usage Task Force
The Strengthening Organic Seed Usage Task Force's mandate is to assist the Organic Trade Association in identifying the strengths and weakness of NOSB’s draft proposals on seed, annual seedlings, and planting stock used in organic crop production, and inform the trade association’s comments to the NOSB on the areas of improvement needed.
Sugar Supply Task Force
The mandate of this task force is to decide on and implement a strategy to either (1) raise the US tariff rate quota for organic sugar, (2) create an organic Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ), or (3) implement both options, if they are decided to be compatible.
Task Force Policies and Procedures Task Force Roles and Responsibilities Submit Task Force Request Form Online
OTA announces new task forces and opportunities to get involved in the weekly News Flash e-newsletter for members.
Contact
Engagement Coordinator, Government Affairs & Member Working Groups
(202) 403-8644
