Release No. 076-15

Contact:

Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 660-2268

Samuel.jones@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, May 18, 2015 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is inviting proposals or partial proposals from the public on a new industry-funded promotion, research and information order for organic products. The new order would be developed under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (1996 Act).

On May 12, 2015, AMS received a proposal for an organic research and promotion program. AMS staff believes that it is in the best interests of the organic community to solicit a wide range of views before proceeding with the publication of this proposal. Consequently, interested parties are invited to submit alternative proposals or partial proposals to assist with the development of an organic promotion, research, and information program.

Interested parties have until June 19, 2015, to submit other proposals or partial proposals. AMS will consider submissions before publishing a proposed Organic Promotion, Research and Information Order that would create an industry-funded research and promotion program for organic products under the 1996 Act.

Proposals may be submitted to Organic Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Room 3071-S, STOP 0201; Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; Washington, D.C. 20250-0201; telephone number (202) 720-5115. AMS is only seeking proposals or partial proposals. Comments on the submitted proposal or any other aspect of an organic research and promotion program will not be considered. Interested parties will have full opportunity to submit comments when AMS publishes a proposed order.

The 2014 Farm Bill provided the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to issue, under the 1996 Act, an organic commodity promotion order. The 1996 Act authorizes the establishment of programs for developing, financing, and carrying out generic promotion, research, and information programs designed to strengthen the position of agricultural commodity industries in the marketplace, maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets and uses for agricultural commodities, develop new markets and uses for agricultural commodities, or assist producers in meeting their conservation objectives. Under the 1996 Act, programs are funded by mandatory industry assessments.

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