*MEDIA ADVISORY*
Location
United States
District of Columbia
Washington
February 24, 2025
Washington, D.C. (February 24, 2025) — Almost a year ago, the biggest changes in organic regulations since the creation of USDA’s National Organic Program went into effect with the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule. The Organic Trade Association (OTA) led the advocacy efforts for the sweeping new rules, and at this week’s USDA Annual Agricultural Outlook Forum, Scott Rice, OTA’s Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs. will update on how the $70-billion organic sector has adjusted.
Speaking at the forum’s Organic Outlook session on Friday, Feb 28, Rice will talk about what’s been working and hasn’t been working. In his presentation “Strengthening Organic Enforcement, One Year On: Successes, Challenges and Opportunities,” he will explain the need for SOE, what SOE covers and the industry reception to SOE.
The SOE requires USDA certification of nearly all operations in the organic supply chain, the use of import certificates for all organic product brought into the U.S., and the incorporation of supply chain traceability and organic fraud prevention into operation practices. These changes have introduced greater transparency, some industry challenges, and opportunities for growth.
Other panelists in the session will provide an organic market outlook, the global trends in organic, and an overview of the federal programs for organic farmers.
Media interested in interviewing Rice at the event should contact Maggie McNeil at mmcneil@ota.com
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About the Organic Trade Association
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for the organic trade in the United States, representing organic businesses and producers across the nation. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers' associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, brands, retailers and others. OTA's mission is to promote and protect ORGANIC with a unifying voice that serves and engages its diverse members from farm to marketplace.