Monday, May 1, 2017

Could changes in U.S. politics affect the organic industry?


"There's an opportunity to thrive on chaos."

—Robert B. Anderson, Organic Trade Association 

Part 1: 'We are in limbo'

Highlights:

  • George Washington University's Kathleen Merrigan, Ph.D., discusses potential domestic program budget cuts. 
  • Former U.S. Ambassador Eric Bost talks trade and immigration and the impact on U.S. agriculture. 
  • The Organic Trade Association's (OTA) Robert B. Anderson proposes that organic needs to position itself politically in terms of economic growth. 

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Part 2: Maintaining integrity 

Highlights: 

  • Clarkson Grain's Lynn Clarkson relays the importance of keeping integrity as organic scales. 
  • OTA's Laura Batcha raises questions about the impact of congressional decisions on the USDA. 

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Part 3: The organic economy 

Highlights:

  • Panelists discuss how to "champion" organic as an economic force. 
  • The role of organic in the global economy and risks perceived in global trade. 

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Part 4: Future obstacles 

Highlights:

  • Panelists discuss National Organic Program (NOP) reform. 
  • How the organic community and policy is supporting sustainable agriculture as a whole. 
  • Obstacles around GMOs and misconceptions about the word "natural."

This session—The Political Outlook for Organic—was recorded at Natural Products Expo West 2017. 

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