National standards to govern the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Organic Program and help farmers sell their organically grown crops both at home and abroad were proposed in December 1997.
"These new rules, by setting a uniform national standard and leveling the playing field, will open the door to this tremendously exciting new market and new economic opportunities for our farmers," said Dan Glickman, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary.
It is the intent that the rules will clear up the confusion that sometimes exists in the minds of consumers, processors and merchandisers about what "organic" means. The proposed rule requires that imports meet equivalent standards, so if foreign producers want to sell their "organic" products in the United States, they will have to meet the same criteria as domestic farmers.
According to the proposed standards, "organic" is defined as agricultural products produced through a natural versus synthetic process. The standards also address the methods, practices and substances used in producing and handling crops and livestock and their processed products.
