News & Research
Stay up-to-date on the latest from OCIA International, our operators, and the organic industry.News: Updates from the Organic Industry
We’ve compiled the latest news from the organic industry to help you stay up-to-date on industry innovations and regulatory updates.
India Requires a Certificate of Inspection for Exports to the United States
The National Organic Program (NOP) reminds certifiers and importers that India requires a Certificate of Inspection for the export of organic products to the United States. The Certificate is to be issued by a government-accredited certification agent via India’s...
USDA Adds Digital Options for Farmers & Ranchers to Apply for Coronavirus Funds
USDA’s Farm Service Agency announced that it will now accept applications for the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) through an online portal, expanding the options available to producers to apply for this program, which helps offset price declines and...
USDA FUNDING AVAILABLE TO HELP CONTROL SOIL EROSION ON CROPLAND
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has funding available to help Nebraska’s farmers control erosion on their cropland. This funding is available through the Ephemeral Gully Control Initiative under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program....
Proposed Changes to the National List for Organic Livestock and Handling
The U.S. Department of Agriculture published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to amend the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). The proposed changes are based on April 2019 recommendations from the National Organic Standards...
United States Streamlines Organic Trade with Taiwan
USDA today announced a new U.S.-Taiwan equivalence arrangement, effective May 30, 2020, that streamlines organic trade with Taiwan. The arrangement allows organic products certified in the United States or Taiwan to be sold as organic in either market. It also...
Specialty Crops Producers Can Now Apply for Financial Assistance Through USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
Specialty crops producers can now apply for USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which provides direct payments to offset impacts from the coronavirus pandemic. The application and a payment calculator are now available online and USDA’s Farm Service...
2020 Organic Inspections During COVID-19 Pandemic
OCIA has created an Emergency Remote Inspection Policy and Procedures document. This summary explains the main points of the policy and procedure. It is recommended that operators stay inspection-ready at all times. As on-site inspections are preferred and there may...
USDA to Host Webinar April 29
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will host a webinar on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at 2 p.m. ET, for farmers, shippers and other suppliers interested in learning more about the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. This...
New Developments in Canada
OCIA has been accredited by IOAS to offer certification of cannabis production and cannabis processing in Canada, through the OCIA International Certification Standards. The OCIA International Certification Standards are OCIA's private standard. Certification under...