S. 1398: Organic Imports Verification Act of 2025

This bill, known as the Organic Imports Verification Act of 2025, primarily focuses on enhancing the oversight of organic feedstuffs that are imported into the United States. Below is a detailed description of the key provisions of the bill:

Short Title

The bill is formally referred to as the "Organic Imports Verification Act of 2025."

Definitions

The bill defines several key terms necessary for its implementation:

• Covered Organic Feedstuff: Any organic feedstuff that is shipped in bulk and is accompanied by a national organic program import certificate.
• National Organic Program Import Certificate: This is a certification for organic products as defined in the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990.
• Organic: Refers to feedstuffs produced organically.
• Shipped in Bulk: This refers to organic feedstuffs that are transported loose in a ship hold, railcar, or similar method, excluding packaged goods.

Annual Reporting Requirements

The Secretary of Agriculture is mandated to submit an annual report to Congress. The report will cover:

• Residue testing conducted on each covered organic feedstuff.
• Residue testing on other imported organic feedstuffs that meet specific criteria.

The report must include details such as:

• Frequency and methods of testing.
• Results of the testing, including the standards used for analysis.
• Actions taken based on the test results.

Testing Protocol and Actions

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, is to develop and update risk-based protocols for the following:

• Determining which organic feedstuffs will undergo residue testing.
• Establishing the parameters for residue testing, including the frequency and type of testing.

Confidentiality of the List

The Secretary will create an annual list of imported organic feedstuffs designated for testing. However, this list will not be made publicly available to protect sensitive information.

Corrective Actions Upon Detection of Prohibited Substances

If residue testing reveals any prohibited substance beyond permitted levels:

• The organic feedstuff involved will be excluded from organic sale.
• It cannot be sold, labeled, or represented as being produced organically.

Implementation Timeline

The Secretary is required to start the residue testing regime and submit the first report no later than 180 days after the bill is enacted.

Intended Purpose

The overarching purpose of the bill is to ensure that imported organic feedstuffs meet the necessary safety and organic standards by establishing robust testing and reporting protocols.

Relevant Companies

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