Lujan Grisham Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Fake Organics, Support Organic Farmers

Washington, D.C. - October 2, 2017 - (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Representatives Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) and John Faso (R-NY) announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation, the Organic Farmer and Consumer Protection Act.

“Organic farming and ranching is the fastest growing segment of agriculture in New Mexico,” said Rep. Lujan Grisham. “However, fraudulent organic imports threaten the integrity of the USDA Organic label that so many New Mexicans rely on. The bipartisan Organic Farmer and Consumer Protection Act will provide the National Organic Program at USDA with the resources needed to update their tracking technology and the authority necessary to crack down on fraudulent organic imports for years to come.”

Congressman Faso said, “Fraudulent ‘organic’ grain and feed originating overseas is not only deceptive to consumers, but it artificially drives down the price of real organics, hurting legitimate organic farmers in Upstate New York and across the country. I am proud to introduce the Organic Farmer and Consumer Protection Act alongside Congresswoman Lujan Grisham as it will crack down on these fake organics. This is commonsense legislation that puts American consumers and farmers first.”

The Organic Farmer and Consumer Protection Act provides for a modernization of organic import documentation, new technology advancements and stricter enforcement of organic products entering the US.

When fraudulent organic products enter the US, local producers are hurt by lower prices and our consumers are hurt by inauthentic products.

“Organic farming and ranching is not only a fast growing segment of agriculture in New Mexico, but across the United States,” said Jeff M. Witte, New Mexico Director/Secretary of Agriculture. “This is a market ripe for fraud and deception, especially from products imported and out of reach of US inspectors and certifiers.  This act will provide much needed resources and authority to USDA to protect the integrity of organic agriculture in the United States and continue assuring the consumers they are getting what they intended to purchase.”