The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service's (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) has published its Compliance and Enforcement/Appeals Summary report for the second quarter of fiscal year 2017. This report outlines NOP's compliance, enforcement and appeals activities for January - March 2017. The data highlights the number of incoming and completed complaints; the initial actions taken; and case dispositions, including settlements made and penalties levied.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced new data indicating the organic industry continues to grow domestically and globally, with 24,650 certified organic operations in the United States, and 37,032 around the world.

The 2016 count of U.S. certified organic farms and businesses reflects a 13 percent increase between the end of 2015 and 2016, continuing the trend of double digit growth in the organic sector.

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) protects the integrity of USDA organic products throughout the world, so consumers can trust the organic label. The size and complexity of organic trade has grown over time, and many U.S. businesses rely on imports to create the organic products that consumers want. As the organic market grows, many growers, processors, and handlers are working within multi-business supply chains, often across borders.