U.S. and Mexico Announce Organic Trade Partnership

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service
(AMS) and the National Service for Animal and Plant Health, Food Safety
and Quality of Mexico (SENASICA) have announced a joint Organic
Compliance Committee to “ensure the integrity of organic products trade
between the United States and Mexico.” With implementation of Mexico’s
organic regulations slated for 2017, the two countries agreed to form
a committee to achieve “equivalency in organic production and trade,” as
well as enhance enforcement controls on organic products.

According to an October 19, 2016, press release, the committee will
“establish requirements for the use of import certificates in both
countries within six months to provide verification of each shipment of
organic products between the United States and Mexico.” Under the new
arrangement, the committee will sample organic products for chemical
residues, share the results with AMS and SENASICA, and “engage with
certifiers operating in Mexico by conducting listening sessions to determine
any additional training, oversight, or policy guidance needs.”

“We deeply value our relationship with Mexico as we work towards
organic equivalency,” stated AMS Administrator Elanor Starmer. “The
committee’s work will strengthen monitoring and enforcement controls,
and improve traceability of organic products traded between the U.S.
and Mexico.”

Issue 620