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OTA U.S.-EU Trade Partnership Webinar Coming Up

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 16:55:05 +0000

News of the historic organic partnership formed between the European Union and the U.S. broke last week. Now the Organic Trade Association is holding a live webinar discussing how the U.S.-EU trade partnership can help open the world's second-largest organic market to U.S. growers and companies.

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NOSB's Final Recommendations and Transcripts from Last Meeting Available Now

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 12:34:16 +0000

As you may remember, the last National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting of 2011 happened on November 29 - December 2, 2011 in Savannah, Georgia. The final recommendations for this meeting, along with transcripts are now available for your viewing pleasure.

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Historic Organic Partnership Formed Between European Union and the U.S.

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 17:57:52 +0000

News of the new US-Canada Organic Equivalence Arrangement barely broke and now another big announcement from the USDA National Organic Program.

As of today, February 15, 2010, both the U.S. and European Union jointly announced that as of June 1, 2012, organic products certified in the U.S. or Europe may be sold as organic in either region.

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UN Conference Forum on Organic Trade

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:00:54 +0000

Yesterday a United Nations-backed conference kicked off with the intention of addressing the future of access to markets for organic products. Delegates and experts are gathered together, maybe as we speak, to examine the impact of trade standards as they relate to organic farmers in the developing world.

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Will You Watch the Film "In Organic We Trust"?

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:01:13 +0000

There's a new documentary out, In Organic We Trust. So far it appears screenings are only scheduled in San Francisco and Washington DC - too bad because at the very least, this documentary looks interesting.

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U.S. Organic Cotton Market Continues to Grow

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:29:04 +0000

According to the 2010 and Preliminary 2011 U.S. Organic Cotton Production & Marketing Trends report conducted by the Organic Trade Association (OTA), the U.S. organic cotton market is growing steadily. In part, this growth is due to consumer demand but price premiums and regulatory shifts on marketing restrictions for organic cotton products have also played a part in recent growth trends.

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Comments Requested on Bulk Unpackaged Organic Products

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:16:13 +0000

The National Organic Program is requesting that folks submit public comments on draft guidance for accredited certifying agents and certified operations related to unpackaged bulk goods (pdf), clarifying the requirements and limitations of 7 CFR § 205.101 of the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations.

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Finding the Right Organic Certification Agency

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:03:16 +0000

It's a fact - if you're transitioning your business to organic or starting a new organic business you will need an organic certification agency. But, how to find the right one to meet your needs?

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"HACCP for the Organic Professional" Training Coming in March 2012

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:48:10 +0000

This year, prior to Natural Products Expo West 2012, in Anaheim, CA, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) and NSF International's Training and Education Division will be offering a two-day intensive program - HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) for the Organic Professional.

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Information About Organic Violations

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:12:24 +0000

Organic certification can be tricky. Sometimes people violate NOP policy on accident, less often folks may violate NOP policy on purpose. In any case, it's wise to be on top of common violations and issues that may pop up so you don't make a mistake in your place of business.

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