In line with the Trump administration’s regulatory freeze, the USDA is extending the comment period by 30 days on the proposed organic checkoff, to April 19. The Organic Trade Association, the sponsor of the proposal, said it hoped the USDA will perform a timely review of comments and call a vote on the checkoff.
“Organic stakeholders deserve the chance to cast their vote and to decide for themselves if they want to implement an organic checkoff,” said the OTA. The checkoff is estimated to raise $30 million a year for research and promotion projects that would help U.S. producers meet burgeoning demand for organic goods. If approved, the checkoff would be the first based on a mode of production rather than on a product.
USDA announced the extension in a Federal Register notice. The proposed checkoff was tendered for public comment in the final week of the Obama administration, following a year-and-a-half of internal review. Organic food accounts for 5 percent of U.S. grocery sales, chiefly fruit, vegetables and dairy.