🌱 Same Label, Same Standards

When Iowa families pay extra for organic products, they expect that label to mean something. And when Iowa farmers spend years of hard work meeting rigorous organic standards, they deserve a level playing field to bring their crop to market. 

Right now, they’re not getting either.

The problem: Foreign feedstuffs are entering the U.S. labeled as ‘organic’ without consistently facing the same verification and testing requirements that American producers must meet. As a result, foreign suppliers can undercut Iowa farmers while benefiting from a premium label they may not have fully earned.

In 2024 alone, an estimated $1 billion in organic feedstuff demand was met through imports instead of American-grown products — representing a lost opportunity for U.S. farmers and raising questions about the integrity of the organic label.

What’s new: This week, we introduced the bipartisan Organic Imports Verification Act to stop foreign producers from gaming a label Iowa farmers spend years earning.

Our bill would: 
🔬 Require the Agriculture Department to conduct risk-based testing of imported organic feedstuffs for the prohibited substances that American organic producers are already forbidden from using.
🚫 Prevent shipments that fail testing from being marketed or sold as organic in the United States.
🌱 Create a more level playing field by holding foreign imports to the same standards Iowa farmers are required to meet. 

Why it matters: Iowa families pay a premium because they trust organic products meet a higher standard. When foreign competitors can skip the rules Iowa farmers work years to satisfy, that trust is undermined. The consequences are real: American farmers lose market share, consumers lose confidence, and the value of the organic label is weakened for everyone who plays by the rules.

Bottom Line: Iowa farmers play by the rules, and they shouldn’t have to compete against foreign producers who don’t. I’m working to protect the integrity of the label, ensure farmers can compete fairly, and consumers can buy with confidence.