Their concern is based on the fact the USDA has not finalized an organic standard for farmed fish and yet is allowing imported seafood, certified as "organic" by various European bodies, such as farmed salmon and cod, to be sold in U.S. grocery stores and restaurants with an "organic" label.
The USDA's National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is in the process of developing an organic standard for farm-raised fish. Earlier this month, the NOSB Livestock Committee recommended that, without further dialogue, fish from open net cages and those that are fed fish should not be permitted in U.S. organic aquaculture standards. While the PSC supports organic standards for non-carnivorous fish farmed in closed systems such as tilapia and catfish, it says it is not in support of organic certification for carnivorous fish such as salmon raised in open net cages in the marine environment.
The first meeting of the National Fisheries Institute's Organic Seafood Committee is set for Tuesday, March 13 in Boston and the PSC is concerned that this new aquaculture industry-driven committee will work to promote imported organic seafood labels that don't come close to matching U.S. consumers' expectations of organic food.
The USDA's National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is in the process of developing an organic standard for farm-raised fish. Earlier this month, the NOSB Livestock Committee recommended that, without further dialogue, fish from open net cages and those that are fed fish should not be permitted in U.S. organic aquaculture standards. While the PSC supports organic standards for non-carnivorous fish farmed in closed systems such as tilapia and catfish, it says it is not in support of organic certification for carnivorous fish such as salmon raised in open net cages in the marine environment.
The first meeting of the National Fisheries Institute's Organic Seafood Committee is set for Tuesday, March 13 in Boston and the PSC is concerned that this new aquaculture industry-driven committee will work to promote imported organic seafood labels that don't come close to matching U.S. consumers' expectations of organic food.