India: USDA AMS Ends Organic Recognition Agreement with India

Changing its approach toward organic oversight in India, on January 11, 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) ended the organic recognition arrangement with India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). The previous recognition agreement established in 2006 allowed APEDA to accredit certification agencies to certify farms and businesses in India to the USDA NOP standards. According to AMS, a more active oversight presence in India is needed to directly protect organic integrity. The National Organic Program has provided an 18-month transition period for certified organic operations in India to become USDA-certified.

India: USDA AMS Ends Organic Recognition Agreement with India