USA: OTA is setting up Integrity Task Force

In response to the discovery of fraudulent imports of soybeans and corn from Turkey that violated federal organic regulations, USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) has revoked the organic certification of Beyaz Agro—a major Turkish grain exporter (read also our report). But the Organic Trade Association (OTA) is also setting up a Global Organic Supply Chain Integrity Task Force to address a vulnerability recently revealed in the organic supply chain.

A best practices guide should be developed to use in managing and verifying global organic supply chain integrity to help brands and traders manage and mitigate the risk and occurrence of organic fraud, explains OTA. We learn that all who want to serve on the task force must be actively participating in organic trade as a supplier or buyer and/or have strong knowledge and experience of supply chain management and/or strong knowledge and experience with record keeping and verification systems for organic certification.

There is OTA´s Gwendolyn Wyard who is the person to speak with if somebody is interested in serving on the task force or want to learn more about participation and time commitments.