Exporters of organic grain and food are struggling to get their products to the U.S. market as new rules designed to curb organic fraud hit Canadian companies.
The new regulations, known as Strengthening Organic Enforcement, require all organic products coming into the United States to have a National Organic Program import certificate.
The rule “is overly affecting Canadian exporters” because this certificate wasn’t required in previous trading relations.
The Strengthening Organic Enforcement regulations came into effect March 2024, but Canada was able to negotiate an extension of the deadline.
That extension lasted until July 15.
In the past, many Canadian exporters of organic grains and foods would sell directly to a U.S. customer or retailer.
The American business didn’t need to be certified as organic and acted as the importer of record, but that is no longer acceptable.
