Understanding Organic Equivalency Arrangements

An Introduction to the National Organic Program Established by Congress and announced in 2000, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (“USDA”) National Organic Program (“NOP”) is a federal regulatory program which develops and enforces uniform national standards for organically-produced agricultural products sold in the United States. NOP operates as a public-private partnership which accredits third-party organizations to certify that farms and businesses meet the national organic standards. By enforcing its standards, NOP ensures a level playing field for producers while protecting consumer confidence in the integrity of the USDA organic seal.

The NOP’s Compliance & Enforcement Division (“C&E”) is involved in enforcement organic standards. C&E enforces rules by working with independent certifying agencies. Independent certifying agencies accredited by the USDA conduct periodic inspections or audits.

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US Imposes additional tariffs on EU goods

On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), announced the revision of its Section 301 Action: Enforcement of U.S. WTO Rights in Large Civil Aircraft Dispute (86 FR 674).

 

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Comment Today! USTR Publishes Preliminary List of EU Products To Be Covered By Additional Duties. 

Until recently the Section 301 Tariffs have been associated with China deceptive practices. The USTR is now expanding Section 301 Tariffs to the European Union (EU).  As a result of the World Trade Organization (WTO) repeatedly finding that EU subsidies to Airbus have caused adverse effects to the United States; the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has launched a process under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 to identify products of the EU to which additional duties may be applied. These additional duties will be in effect from the dated published until the EU removes those subsidies.

USTR estimates the harm from the EU subsidies as $11 billion in trade each year. The final amount is expected to be issued summer of 2019.  “Our ultimate goal is to reach an agreement with the EU to end all WTO-inconsistent subsidies to large civil aircraft.  When the EU ends these harmful subsidies, the additional U.S. duties imposed in response can be lifted.” USTR’s determination will reflect with the outcome of the WTO dispute settlement proceedings should the findings show that the EU and certain member States have denied U.S. rights under the WTO Agreement. […]

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