The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the leading voice for the U.S. organic sector on Capitol Hill and with federal agencies. Through our advocacy, we work to ensure that organic standards remain strong, transparent, and responsive to marketplace needs, while securing the resources and policies organic farmers, businesses, and consumers need to thrive. From advancing continuous improvement in organic standards to strengthening supply chains and supporting family farms, OTA champions policies that protect the integrity of the organic seal and drive the growth of organic agriculture for people, the planet, and the economy.
The Domestic Organic Investment Act (DOIA) directs competitive USDA grants to farmers, processors, and businesses and supports expanding storage, processing and distribution capacity. The grant would also help businesses modernize manufacturing and information technology systems, better enabling them to meet organic certification standards and opening new markets for U.S. grown products currently supplied by imports.
DOIA addresses a core challenge facing the organic sector: strong and growing consumer demand is too often being met by imports rather than American producers. By investing in domestic infrastructure, DOIA reduces dependence on foreign supply chains and keeps organic production and businesses thriving in the U.S.
The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), reflecting bipartisan commitment to strengthening America's organic supply chain.
The current organic oversight system applies uniform requirements to all operations regardless of risk level — creating unnecessary costs and administrative burdens without improving organic integrity. Since 2020, certified organic operations in the U.S. have declined 10.4 percent for crop certifications and 6.2 percent for livestock certifications, with domestic production gaps increasingly filled by foreign producers.
The Risk-Based Oversight for Integrity Act directs USDA to modernize organic oversight by scaling requirements based on risk to organic integrity. The legislation maintains strong enforcement where risk is highest, while reducing unnecessary burdens on low-risk operations, cutting red tape, and keeping organic certification accessible for all farmers and producers. U.S.-based operations would be eligible for flexible, risk-based inspection schedules, while international operations would continue to face annual on-site inspections.
The bill was introduced by Representatives Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) and Andrea Salinas (D-OR).
National Organic Program (NOP): $30M
Organic Market Development Grants: $25M
Organic Transition Research Program (ORG): $15M
OREI: +$10M discretionary funds
Certification Cost-Share: $11M
Organic Data Initiative: $1M
Enforcement & Tracking (SOE/OCTT): $1M
The Farm Bill is the cornerstone of U.S. agriculture policy, renewed every five years. Organic priorities in the Farm Bill focus on ensuring that standards keep pace with consumer and marketplace expectations, while providing the research, risk management, and infrastructure tools farmers need to succeed.
OTA’s Farm Bill priorities include:
Continuous Improvement in Standards (CIAO Act)
Establishing a predictable five-year cycle for updating organic standards based on stakeholder input, science, and market demand. This ensures that organic rules remain modern, credible, and enforceable
Domestic Organic Market Expansion (DOME)
Addressing supply chain gaps by funding processing capacity, equipment, and market development to strengthen domestic production and reduce reliance on imports.
Organic Dairy Data Collection Act
Directing USDA to collect and publish transparent data on organic feed costs and milk prices, ensuring organic dairies have access to the same critical market information as conventional producers.
Organic Imports Verification Act (OIVA)
Requiring testing for imported feedstuffs to reduce fraud in organic soy and corn imports, while creating new opportunities for U.S. producers.
Farm Workforce Modernization Act
Establishing a more reliable, legal agricultural workforce by modernizing H-2A processes and creating a pathway for experienced farmworkers.
Organic thrives on consumer trust. The National Organic Program is responsible for ensuring that products bearing the USDA Organic seal meet consistent standards. Continuous investment in enforcement, transparency, and modernized regulations is essential to protect that trust.
OTA advocates for:
- Continuous Improvement: Through CIAO, establishing a transparent, stakeholder-driven process for regular updates to organic standards
- Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE): Implemented in 2023, SOE enhances oversight of imports and supply chains to prevent fraud. Ongoing funding is required to ensure effective enforcement and level the playing field for U.S. farmers
- Grower Groups: OTA supports regulatory frameworks that allow small-scale and cooperative producers to access organic certification efficiently while maintaining high standards.
- International Trade & Equivalency: Expanding and maintaining equivalency agreements ensures U.S. organic farmers and businesses remain competitive in global markets
The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is prohibited in organic. Organic farmers cannot plant GMO seeds, feed animals GMO crops, or use GMO-derived ingredients in processed organic foods. Certifiers test annually to ensure compliance, and any crop testing positive above federal thresholds must be diverted to the conventional market.
OTA reinforces that organic = non-GMO and more:
- Organic certification requires systems to prevent contamination from prohibited substances.
- Organic seed and plant breeding efforts are critical to protecting the integrity of the supply chain. OTA advocates for policies that strengthen the organic seed supply and safeguard against emerging genetic technologies.
Pollinators are essential to organic farming systems. OTA supports research, conservation, and regulatory frameworks that protect pollinator health and biodiversity, recognizing their vital role in sustainable food production.
In FY26, USDA’s decision to allocate zero specialty sugar quota will impose $85M in new tariffs on organic sugar imports. Because organic products cannot substitute conventional sugar, this policy could raise costs for consumers and limit growth in organic food categories. OTA is engaging with USDA and Congress to protect access to affordable organic sugar.