U.S. Department of Justice backs the Coalition for Sustainable Organics in lawsuit

According to a press release by Blue Book Services, a platform for credit rating and marketing information for the produce industry, the DOJ is seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit that challenges the USDA’s decision to allow hydroponic operations to be certified organic. The Coalition for Sustainable Organics, a group that advocates for hydroponic organic agriculture, opposed of the Center for Food Safety’s efforts to limit the availability of fresh organic fruits, vegetables, herbs and mushrooms. According to the release, the DOJ defended the organic growers’ rights to incorporate appropriate and legitimate growing techniques in their organic operations and the CSO was pleased with the response.

Lee Frankel, executive director of the CSO said, “The lawsuit takes aim at all container systems. The requested decertification of organic growers would include everything from microgreens grown in a tray using soil to tomatoes grown with plastic lining under the planting bed to berries grown in a pot to leafy greens grown in a circulating water system.”

Frankel also addressed the effect the coronavirus has had on the industry.

“Demand for organic produce has grown even stronger in recent weeks as consumers are looking for ways to strengthen their immune systems by avoiding unwanted chemicals, hormones and antibiotics in their diet,” he said. “We oppose this lawsuit and support the most recent vote of the National Organic Standards Board to not make containers and hydroponic production methods prohibited practices.”

The USDA responded to the complaint by saying, “certifiers have certified organic hydroponics operations since the beginning of the program and continue to certify organic hydroponics operations.”

Frankel added, “if producers, marketers and retailers truly support bringing healthy food to more consumers, especially in light of the pressures many households are facing as a result of the recent economic contraction, they must speak out against these efforts to restrict supplies.”

For more information regarding the CSO’s response, please contact Executive Director Lee Frankel at info@coalitionforsustainableorganics.org; 619-587-4341