New Organic Pasture Rule. The highly anticipated Pasture Rule was just released. QAI welcomes rule change regarding access to pasture and will be attending the USDA trainings over the next few months, including the training in LaCrosse, WI on February, 25, 2010 in conjunction with the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service conference. QAI will be working closely with all our clients to ensure continued compliance with the regulation. If you have any questions, please view the USDA's Q&A or contact your certification project manager.

2009 U.S. Families' Organic Attitudes & Beliefs Study. Tightening their spending habits amid economic uncertainty, U.S. families, however, are not giving up their purchases of organic products. In fact, nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of U.S. families buy organic products at least occasionally, chiefly for health reasons. The largest category of organic buyers . . . Read More

Canada Organic Regulations Went Into Force June 30, 2009. On June 30, 2009, the Canada Organic Regulations went into force. The regulations are the Government of Canada's response to requests by the organic stakeholder groups to develop a regulatory system for organic products to address consumer protection and domestic and international market access issues. The regulations were published on June 24, 2009, after submission to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and after a 75-day comment period by industry stakeholders. The regulations form the basis for oversight of the industry via the Canada Organic Regime.

The scope of the regulations is food and drink intended for human consumption, food intended to feed livestock, (including agricultural crops used for this purpose), and also to the cultivation of plants. Read More of the Announcement

Quality Assurance International (QAI) Clarifies Washington Post Comments. View Statement

OTA Offers Members COR Speaking Points. View the attached two pager, which gives you some helpful basics on organic, our standards, what the regulations will do, Canada's new labelling rules, and what the organic equivalency agreement with the U.S. will mean.

Organic Monitor May/June 2009. To view the issue's news updates and information on the global organic industry, click here.

NOSB May 4-6, 2009 Recommendation Summary. To view the items the NOSB developed and reviewed, click here.

Announced Funding for Organics - In a press release issued yesterday, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, announced $50 Million for a new initiative to meet the Obama Administration's promise to encourage more organic agriculture production. Funding for the initiative is being made available as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Full Article

Following that announcement, the OTA expressed delight that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering $50 million in new funding to encourage greater production of organic food in the United States. OTA Release

Organic. It's Worth It - When you choose organic, you're making a positive difference for your family, your home and our environment. You're also investing in the future, and the investment is worth it. In an effort to deepen understanding about the value of organic, Quality Assurance International and others nationwide are joining the Organic Institute's new campaign: 7quot;Organic. It's worth it." Learn more and get involved at www.OrganicItsWorthIt.com.

QAI to Offer Joint Inspector Training - Training Course Will Provide Background on Genetically Modified Organisms and the Non-GMO Project

July 23, 2008 - SAN DIEGO, CA - Quality Assurance International (QAI), in conjunction with the Non-GMO Project and the International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA), will offer a one-day training course for inspectors on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). (Read more...)