Additionally, NOP auditors observed
that organic systems plans, an integral
part of the USDA Organic certification
system, sometimes use more of a check-list style rather than narrative framework. This indicates a heavy reliance on
metrics as opposed to the NOP-pre-ferred comprehensive systems approach.
As one official noted, given the unique
nature of each operation and the creative methods farmers employ to optimize production on their fields, a system
of expository documentation allows
them to capture the nuances of their individual farming techniques. On the
other hand, a checkbox next to the basic
requirement for crop rotations, for example, may not encompass other plant
species or methods the farmer is introducing to build the soil.
In this way, areas requiring greater
certifier training were brought to light.
At the same time, NOP specialists noted
the high degree of certifier competency
in agricultural systems as well as inspector training and knowledge of USDA Or-
ganic standards.
“Office and field staff are clearly experienced and well educated when it comes
to production and processing as well as at the administrative aspects of record
keeping and managing quality systems,” said Crail. “Inspectors also have an excel-
lent knowledge of the different international organic standards and a strong un-
derstanding of record-auditing techniques, like verification procedures to trace
back products to their sources.”
The NOP noted that some certifiers recorded global positioning system (GPS)
coordinates on client locations, an excellent feature. Additionally, all accredited
certifying agents that were part of the NOP’s compliance assessment had robust
pesticide residue sampling programs that occurred frequently, if not during each
inspection. In areas of administrative duties, like submitting adverse actions and
noncompliance points to the NOP Appeals Office and clearly notifying opera-
tions of noncompliance findings, certifiers demonstrated a need for more consis-
tent application.
The comprehensive compliance assessment in China revealed cultural differences, especially among growers in rural areas, many of whom might be illiterate
or whose farming systems esteemed manual labor over technology. It also brought
to light a congruity of production systems that were simultaneously complying
with numerous countries’ organic standards.
“I’m generally pleased with the caliber of certifiers operating overseas,” noted
Crail, who has observed multiple foreign certifiers operating in different coun-
tries. “Employees of certifying agents are steeped in agronomy and have already
been certifying for a long time for the European Union, which means they aren’t
new to organic agriculture. Those operating within the organic system try very
hard to comply with our standards be-
cause they have plenty of incentive:
they don’t want their products to be
rejected by importing countries for
any reason.”
“Those operating within the
organic system try very hard to
comply with our standards
because they have plenty of
incentive: they don’t want their
products to be rejected by
importing countries for any
reason.”
Organic inspector verifying production
area maps with the producer.
Hands-on Education in Africa
In July of 2011, the NOP also conducted assessments of organic producers and handlers in Africa as part of its
efforts to provide greater oversight of
foreign organic operations. During
this visit, representatives of the NOP,
USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
(FAS) and Washington State University’s Organic Agriculture Program
conducted a four-day workshop in
Accra, Ghana. This workshop was designed to help develop opportunities
for certification and trade of organic
agriculture produced in Ghana and
was funded by FAS’s Borlaug Fellowship—a program that helps developing countries strengthen sustainable
agricultural practices.
In July 2011, representatives of the
NOP, USDA Foreign
Agricultural Service and Washing-
ton State University conducted a
four-day workshop in Ghana.
Organic farmers in Ghana.
At this time, there are no NOP-accredited certifiers based in Africa. Organic farmers and handlers must rely
on foreign certifiers, primarily from
Europe, to provide certification. Moreover, access to European and U.S. organic markets is underdeveloped
