Meeting Demand for Organic Produce Act

This bill changes federal organic food rules. Under current law, crops sold as organic generally cannot be grown on land where prohibited substances were used in the 3 years before harvest. The bill would add a second option: a farm could qualify if its soil or other growing medium is confirmed, by testing or other methods certified by the Secretary of Agriculture, to contain no prohibited substances, including synthetic chemicals, before planting. The same option would be added to organic plans for managing wild crop areas. The Secretary would have 60 days to begin a rulemaking process to set standards for approved testing methods.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Dan Newhouse Republican sponsor
• 0 cosponsors