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Organic Integrity from Farm to Table
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| Announcement | April XX, 2014 | |
Greetings!
The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is sending this message to announce: a job announcement for National Organic Program Accreditation Managers, an updated instruction about separation of duties on certification decisions, and three fraudulent organic certificates found in the marketplace.
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Job Announcement: Accreditation Managers | | |
The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service is currently recruiting for Agricultural Marketing Specialists to work in the
NOP. The incumbents in this position serve as Accreditation Managers in the NOP's Accreditation and International Activities (AIA) Division, which is responsible for auditing and overseeing the work of third party organic certification organizations. Positions are based in Washington D.C. and are at the GS-12/13 level.
Access Job Announcement
Application deadline: April 18, 2014 |
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Separation of Duties on Certification Decisions | | |
AMS has heard your comments, and we are happy to respond with a revised instruction for the separation of duties on certification decisions. It clarifies procedures that accredited certifiers should use to make certification decisions, including granting initial or continuing organic certification or issuing any adverse action notices. Thanks for sharing your views and supporting the integrity of the National Organic Program (NOP)!
Instruction: Separation of Duties on Certification Decisions
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Alert: Fraudulent Organic Certificates
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Fraudulent organic certificates listing the following businesses are in use and have recently been reported to the NOP:
Distribuidra Fruta Frescatica SRL, Costa Rica
Tardo Filipinas, Inc., (aka Tardo Group of Companies)
Tam Herb
These certificates falsely represent agricultural products as certified organic under the USDA organic regulations, violating the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. The vigilance of the organic community is a vital force in ensuring organic integrity. Organic handlers should continue to review certificates carefully, validate with their certifying agents where needed, and send any suspicious certificates to the NOP Compliance and Enforcement team. Any use of this certificate or other fraudulent documents to market, label, or sell non-organic agricultural products as organic can result in a civil penalty of up to $11,000 per violation. Persons with information regarding the production or use of this or other fraudulent NOP certificates are asked to send information to the NOP Compliance and Enforcement Division.
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| About the Agricultural Marketing Service | | |
USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) facilitates the competitive and efficient marketing of agricultural products. Through its National Organic Program, AMS facilitates trade and ensures the integrity of organic agricultural products by consistently implementing organic standards and enforcing compliance with the regulations throughout the world. Learn more.
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| About the USDA Organic Insider | | |
The USDA Organic Insider informs the organic community on a wide range of functions, including regulatory updates, requests for public comments, and USDA programs and services.
You are receiving this email because you elected to receive selected updates from the Agricultural Marketing Service. You may manage your profile to receive additional updates or unsubscribe at any time by using the links below.
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