The
US Department of Agriculture budget for Fiscal Year 2007 – which started
October 1, 2006 – has not yet been completed by Congress. As a result,
increased funding is stalled for organic farming research, certification
cost-sharing, and enforcement of organic standards. When the 110th Congress
convenes and takes up the unfinished work in January, organic farmers will
have the opportunity to communicate with legislators about these budget issues.
The
2007 appropriations bills have three key organic items that are in play: research,
enforcement of standards, and the certification cost-share program. The most
important item from OFRF’s perspective is the proposed increase in
funding for organic farming research and education. Thanks to Rep. Rush
Holt (D-New Jersey) the House appropriations bill increased funding by $3.145
Million for USDA’s organic research competitive grants. The Senate
Appropriations Committee only recommended an increase of $93,000.
When
the full Senate acts on the USDA Appropriations bill, OFRF and other groups
will seek an amendment that matches the increase passed by the House. Several
key Senators have indicated interest in supporting such an amendment, or at
least demonstrating Senate support for the House-passed increase when the House
and Senate negotiators meet to work out the final bill. For more information
on the organic research program and the proposed increase, go here. OFRF’s
press release about the amendment is here.
A
funding increase is also slated for the National Organic Program (NOP), the
office that writes the organic certification rules and oversees the certifiers
and the National Organic Standards Board. The budget line for organic
standards and enforcement is set to go from $2 Million to $3.1 Million.
These numbers are the same in both the House bill and the Senate
committee’s package.
However,
the Senate committee version requires that USDA use $500,000 of the NOP
increase to continue funding the certification cost-share program. This program
provides reimbursement to organic farmers up to $500/year for the cost of
getting certified. Without new funding, most states will run out funds this
year. Since the House bill does not mention the cost-share program, and USDA
says it needs the whole NOP increase for enforcement and writing standards, the
Senate language appears to be the only way to ensure that the cost-share will
continue.
A
summary chart of organic provisions in the Agricultural Appropriations process
is here. The website
for the National Organic Program is here.
Look for more updates and specific action alerts as
the new Congress convenes in January
Vicki Morrone
Organic Vegetable and Crop Outreach Specialist
Michigan State University
C.S. Mott Sustainable Food Systems
303 Natural Resources Bldg.
East Lansing, MI 48824
517-353-3542
517-282-3557 (cell)
517-353-3834 (fax)
http://safs.msu.edu/
http://www.mottgroup.msu.edu/