WASHINGTON - A letter submitted last month by the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) is notifying the organic hydroponic industry that USDA organic regulations have been “misapplied” in approving two growing media products, Horticubes and Rootcubes.
Despite prior approval, a certifying agent informed the NOP that one of the products did not comply with the regulations, citing an alleged discrepancy in the use of Horticubes and Rootcubes.
The letter reads, “Upon review of the information provided by both parties, NOP has determined that the USDA organic regulations have been misapplied in approving these growing media products for organic hydroponic production, since these products contain synthetic materials that are not on the National List.”
The certifying agent who formerly allowed these products has now been instructed to rescind his approval, according to the letter.
“The National Organic Program took up this issue in response to a request to resolve a discrepancy between certifiers in review of these products,” said Sam Jones-Ellard, Public Affairs Specialist with the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. “All materials used in organic production must be reviewed and approved by the certifying agency as complying with the national organic standards. Accredited certifying agents must approve the use of each input product or material as part of a certified organic producer’s organic system plan in consideration of both the product composition and the practices of the individual organic operation.”
Pete Overgaag, CEO of Hollandia Produce, L.P., tells us, “This action by the NOP will now provide consumers a certainty that the products they are bringing into their homes are grown in a natural media. We see this as a big positive for the public and the organic hydroponic industry.”
The NOP states that in general, synthetic substances are prohibited unless specifically allowed and non-synthetic substances are allowed unless specifically prohibited. Manufacturers may submit their products for review to more than one certifying agent or material evaluation program. In some cases, such as this one, certifying agents and material evaluation programs reach different conclusions on whether the product complies with the USDA organic regulations.
“We are often questioned about why we use the peat moss growing media that is part of our product. The answer is because it is a 100% natural product and is OMRI approved for certified organic growing,” Overgaag said in a memo. “Our plan is to continue using the OMRI approved peat moss product.”
This decision will ultimately help level the playing field for the industry as all organic hydroponic growers are required to use natural growing medium.
