From Organic Consumers Association, May 18 2009: The USDA waited five years before sending auditors to China to examine the practices of that country’s certifying agents. And even when in China, the USDA’s auditors visited only two farms in the entire country. On these two farms, they found multiple noncompliances with U.S. organic standards. USDA auditors also discovered that Chinese-based organic certifying agents did not always provide a translated copy of the U.S. standards to clients who apply for organic certification.
The Chinese findings support concerns that American farmers have raised for years, which is that organic imports from China may not always be held to the same strict standards as American crops. They also raise serious questions about whether Chinese farmers are adequately informed about the USDA organic standards and requirements.
“If the reputation of organic food is impugned through illegal and fraudulent activities in China, and an incompetent level of oversight by the USDA, it will be the domestic farmers and entrepreneurs that built this industry who will be harmed,” added Kastel.
Yes, American farmers have a legitimate concern but don’t we as consumers have the same concerns about any USDA organic certified product regardless of country of origin. Is there any reason to believe that the USDA would do a better job of auditing here vs. China or any country?
http://www.cgfi.org/2006/08/09/can-you-trust-the-usda-organic-label/
