CFS Victory! 🎊 Organic Stakeholders’ Statement on District Court’s Decision’s Ruling Denying Challenge to Organic “Grower Group” Certification 🌱 Early this week, the United States District Court for the District of Oregon ruled against a pending legal challenge to organic “grower group” certification, a longstanding practice codified in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) 2023 revisions to its rules applying the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA). OFPA is the law governing organic farming standards and organic food labeling. The federal district court held that the plaintiff, a U.S. organic hazelnut grower, had failed to show how the lawful application of the challenged USDA grower group certification rule had injured his business and thus lacked standing. The organic stakeholders’ amicus brief explained how and why the certification system is a critical element supporting organic practices globally and for the inclusion of millions of smallholder farmers in the organic marketplace. The “grower group” organic farming certification system has been in operation for decades and is widely recognized internationally, enabling millions of low-income small farmers around the world to grow organically certified crops, which would otherwise not be financially or logistically viable. “Smallholder farmers play a vital role in our organic global supply chain, and this decision is a significant step in safeguarding their contributions. It ensures that these farmers can continue to participate in the organic global food system, safeguarding their livelihoods and the future of sustainable agriculture in rural farming communities around the world,” said Tony Bedard, CEO of Frontier Co-op, an amici in the case. SIGN UP for our email list to receive updates like this on our work 🔗: https://lnkd.in/ec47in6r #organic #organicfood #organicfarmers #organicfarming #regenag #organicleaders
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