Utah
Among First 10 States with
Certified Organic Program
Salt Lake City,
May 3, 2002 - Utah is among the nation's first ten states to employ
certified organic inspectors. The step means that Utah now has accredited
inspectors who will certify organic production and handling operations
to comply with National Organic Program (NOP) standards.
This is an important step in the launch of the Utah Department of Agriculture
and Food/USDA's organic program to provide greater marketing choices
in the supermarket.
"We are pleased to be among the first states to offer this service
to our organic farmers and ranchers, " said Cary G. Peterson, Utah
Commissioner of Agriculture and Food. "I believe we created an
easy-to-use system that will help growers develop new and profitable
markets," he added.
October 21, 2002, is the deadline to ensure that all qualified organic
production and handling operations are certified to use the USDA organic
seal on fresh and processed products.
The new organic standards offer a national definition for the term "organic."
It details the methods, practices and substances that can be used in
producing and handling organic crops and livestock, as well as processed
products.
All agricultural products
labeled organic must originate from farms or handling operations certified
by a state or private agency accredited by USDA. Farms and handling operations
that sell less than $5,000 worth per year of organic agricultural products
are exempt from certification.
The 10 State Accredited Certifying Agents are:
- Idaho Department
of Agriculture
- Iowa Department
of Agriculture
- Maryland Department
of Agriculture
- Montana Department
of Agriculture
- New Hampshire
Department of Agriculture
- New Mexico Organic
Commodity Commission
- Texas Department
of Agriculture
- Utah Department
of Agriculture and Food
- Virginia Department
of Agriculture
- Washington State
Department of Agriculture
