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National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Fall Meeting

Wednesday, October 24, 2018 - 8:30am to Friday, October 26, 2018 - 6:00pm

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) typically meets twice per year in various locations around the United States. During meetings, the NOSB listens to public comments, discusses agenda items, and then votes in a public forum. Detailed meeting information, including agendas, locations, proposals, and public comments will be posted below as it becomes available. All meetings are free and open to the public. For information on previous meetings, visit the NOSB meetings page.

From Wednesday, October 24 at 8:30am to Friday, October 26 at 6:00pm, the NOSB will meet to discuss: substances petitioned for addition to or deletion from the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List), substances due to sunset from the National List in 2020, and guidance on organic policies. For more information, contact Gwendolyn Wyard

Meeting Information:

October 24-26, 2018 

InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront

St. Paul, MN

Consumer Federation of America’s 41st Annual National Food Policy Conference

Wednesday, March 28, 2018 - 8:00am to Thursday, March 29, 2018 - 12:30pm

The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is an association of non-profit consumer organizations that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, advocacy, and education. For 41 years, the National Food Policy Conference has been a Washington institution and a unique collaboration between consumer advocates, the food industry and government.

Laura Batcha, CEO & Executive Director of the Organic Trade Association, will be speaking at the Conference on a panel entitled “Growing Pains: What’s in Store for Organic?”, taking place March 28th from 11:15am - 12:30pm. Panelists will discuss the rapid growth of the organic industry and the challenges that the National Organic Program has had to confront in recent years. The conversation will touch on issues such as protecting animal welfare, food fraud, the list of approved substances in organic foods, and the governance of the organic program. Click here for the full conference agenda.

Conference Information

March 28 - 29, 2018

Washington, D.C. 

 

Position on GMO Labeling Standard

RESPONSE TO THE NATIONAL BIOENGINEERED FOOD DISCLOSURE STANDARD

Organic Trade Association deeply disappointed in USDA final GMO labeling rule

WASHINGTON, D.C. (December 20, 2018) – The Organic Trade Association is deeply disappointed in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s final GMO labeling rule and calls on companies to voluntarily act on their own to provide full disclosures on their food products about GMO content.

Farmers Advisory Council Fly-In

Tuesday, November 28, 2017 - 8:00am to Thursday, November 30, 2017 - 5:00pm

The Organic Trade Association’s Farmers Advisory Council (FAC) is organizing a farmer fly-in scheduled for November 28-30.  FAC’s goal during this event is to meet with members of the Senate and House Ag Committee to discuss the upcoming Farm Bill.  Meetings are also expected to be scheduled with USDA, White House, and other DC-based Ag groups to discuss issues of concern to organic farmers.

For more information contact Allison Rice, Engagement Coordinator. 

Event Information:

November 28-30, 2017

Washington, D.C. 

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SIAL Paris

Sunday, October 21, 2018 - 8:00am to Thursday, October 25, 2018 - 5:00pm

SIAL Paris is a unique global food event featuring the world’s leading retail and foodservice buyers in one location.  Occurring every two years, SIAL attracts over 150,000 visitors from not only the European Union but also from the rest of Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

The Organic Trade Association will host a pavilion at the show through its U.S. Organic Worldwide program funded through USDA’s Market Access Program (MAP). Come visit us at booth #4L008! For more information contact OTA's International Trade Manager, Alexis Carey

Trade Show Information: 

October 21-25, 2018

Paris, France

 

 

 

EcoFarm Conference

Wednesday, January 24, 2018 - 8:00am to Saturday, January 27, 2018 - 5:00pm

The Ecological Farming Association (EcoFarm) is a non-profit educational organization whose mission is to nurture safe, healthy, just, and ecologically sustainable farms, food systems, and communities by bringing people together for education, alliance building, advocacy, and celebration. EcoFarm Conference features over 70 workshops, intensives, keynote speakers, an exhibitor marketplace, seed swap, awards banquet, live entertainment, mixers, and organic culinary fare. Workshops cover practical and cutting edge information on crop production, livestock, soil health, marketing, distribution, and farming and food system issues. As the oldest and largest organic farming conference in the West, EcoFarm is a prime networking and educational hub for farmers, ranchers, distributors, retailers, activists, researchers, and educators. For more information, contact Gwendolyn Wyard

The Organic Trade Association will be presenting in the following sessions at the Conference:

Organic Integrity in a Global Marketplace

Thursday, Jan. 25 - 8:30am Location: Chapel

Incredible growth in the organic marketplace is driving demand for organic crops sourced from around the world. The influx of organic imports is presenting new enforcement challenges and in 2017 the Washington Post highlighted some cases of fraud. While fraud is the exception, not the norm, any gap in oversight must be quickly addressed to protect organic producers and consumers. Join this session to learn how the National Organic Standards Board, organic certifiers and other stakeholders are working to establish new processes and best practices that will ensure the integrity of the global organic supply chain.

Speakers: Gwendolyn Wyard (OTA), Scott Rice (WSDA Organic), Jake Lewin (CCOF)

A Farm Bill For an Organic Future

Thursday, Jan. 25 - 3:30pm Location: Heather

Farm Bill is coming, and it will affect you! The Farm Bill is a defining piece of federal legislation that will frame the next five years of agriculture, conservation, social welfare, and other programs. Join organic policy experts to learn about this critical legislation and how organic advocates are working to build better policies and financial support for organic farmers and consumers in California and beyond. The session will highlight how farmers can get engaged by attending farmer fly-ins in D.C., meeting with elected representatives, and more.

Speakers: Laura Batcha (OTA), Kelly Damewood (CCOF), Brise Tencer (OFRF)

Meeting Information: 

January 24-27, 2018

Asilomar State Beach and Conference Grounds 

Pacific Grove, CA

WEBINAR: Global Organic Trade Update & Web-Platform for Organic Sourcing

Thursday, August 17, 2017 - 3:30pm

The Organic Trade Association will share the latest organic trade trends and export activity results for efforts in EU and Asia in an international trade webinar August 17 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time. Organic Trade Association member Ekowarehouse will give a non-U.S. global organic trade perspective, and introduce the Ekowarehouse platform and how it benefits both organic suppliers and buyers. In addition, Organic Trade Association member Magnis Group will discuss virtual employee options and optimizing social media for brand representation in Europe. Register to participate or contact Monique Marez for more information.

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WEBINAR: What you need to succeed in organic: Regulatory 101

Thursday, August 10, 2017 - 2:00pm

Are you ready for Expo East 2017? The Organic Trade Association will hold a special webinar entitled “What you need to succeed in organic: Regulatory 101” on Thursday, August 10, at 2 p.m EST.  The free webinar is open to all organic stakeholders, focusing on key issues for the best trade show experience. Join Organic Trade Association staffers Gwendolyn Wyard (Vice President, Regulatory and Technical Affairs) and Monique Marez (Director of International Trade) as they discuss industry topics such as regulatory issues, international programs and trade show basics. Learn how the Organic Trade Association is working with businesses across the industry and how you can be trade-show ready for Expo East 2017. For more information, contact Gwendolyn Wyard.

Register

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OTA submits comments on GMO labeling standard

OTA submits comments on Proposed National GMO Food Disclosure Standard

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