Today, the Senate Agriculture Committee will markup the chamber's version of the 2018 Farm Bill, which includes a dangerous provision that could mean long-lasting damage to organic integrity. If passed, the language could have significant consequences for a critical component of the U.S. organic program. Committee Chair Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced the long-awaited Senate bill last week and expect the markup to go quickly.

The Senate bill would add unnecessary language into the Organic Foods Production Act, the law which established the USDA organic seal and the requirements of the national organic program. It seems to reiterate an already existing provision of OFPA related to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB): that a 2/3 majority vote is considered decisive. But pushing new language into the statute without full consideration is potentially harmful, and may have significant ramifications for the function and process of NOSB.

"This provision threatens organic integrity and potentially undermines the strength of the existing organic statute," says Andrew Kimbrell, Executive Director of Center for Food Safety. "OFPA was created through years of deliberation with input from the organic community. Changes to the law must not be undertaken frivolously."

For the past few months, CFS has raised concerns that Congress may attempt to change the organic law and attack the NOSB, in particular. The organic community, including thousands of CFS's members, have rallied together to provide a unified voice to legislators that the role of NOSB is vital to the integrity of the organic label and industry.

"Any language altering the organic law or weakening NOSB stems from a lack of basic understanding of the U.S. organic industry," says Kimbrell. "NOSB's role as the voice of stakeholders advising USDA is integral to the value consumers see in the organic label."

The Committee will consider amendments from committee members today before voting to send the bill to the full Senate for discussion. The House Farm Bill, which contains several attacks on organic, conservation, and pesticide regulations, failed to pass before the full chamber. It is expected to be revisited later this month.