During the National Organic Standards Board’s discussion on hydroponic crops Monday afternoon, it became evident that there is no agreement on whether soil-less crops should qualify for organic certification. “Clearly, this is not an easy subject to resolve,” remarked Tom Chapman, the board’s chairman. “It has been on the agenda since 1995.” The board, which provides guidance to the U.S. Department of Agriculture on matters related to certified organic food and ingredients, has repeatedly postponed decisions on hydroponics over the years. They have discussed various proposals but have failed to take definitive action several times. A vote scheduled for April was postponed as members indicated they required more time, research, and input from stakeholders within the organic community.
Monday’s meeting was a web conference, allowing the public to hear board members express their views on potential proposals regarding hydroponics, aquaponics, and container-grown produce. No votes were held, nor were any finalized proposals discussed. The board is expected to revisit the issue during its fall meeting from October 31 to November 2.
The regulations surrounding the organic certification of hydroponic crops remain ambiguous. In November of last year, the Cornucopia Institute filed a formal complaint against the USDA, asserting that while the NOSB has disallowed hydroponics from receiving the organic seal, the USDA has permitted over 100 domestic and foreign growers to obtain certification. In 2010, the NOSB recommended that “Hydroponics… cannot be classified as certified organic growing methods due to their exclusion of the soil-plant ecology intrinsic to organic farming systems and USDA regulations governing them.” A proposal to classify hydroponic crops as organic was presented during the fall NOSB meeting in 2016, but it was not put to a vote due to its unlikelihood of passing. Instead, a resolution was adopted stating that members collectively wanted to prohibit hydroponic systems from receiving certification.
On Monday, Chapman indicated he would likely support the 2010 recommendation, but emphasized that it does not adequately address prohibitions. Are there substances permissible for growing hydroponically? “We know this is a controversial topic, so I’ve sought common ground for the entire NOSB and aimed to build from there,” said board member Steve Ela. However, common ground was hard to find. Some board members expressed support for certifying hydroponic systems.
When the conversation shifted to aquaponic systems—where fish are raised in tanks that also grow crops—board members were split. Some argued that these systems should be disallowed due to untreated fish waste contaminating crops, which would not be acceptable for organic soil-grown produce. Conversely, others pointed out the lack of research on potential negative impacts, leaving the issue unresolved.
Discussions also became heated regarding the soil or water requirements for container-grown crops. A proposed compromise from the NOSB’s Crops Committee suggested limits for organic crops: only 20% of nutrients could come from liquid feeding, no more than 50% of nutrients could be added post-planting, and at least 50% of the container must consist of substrate like compost. Proponents of this plan noted that similar limits are already in place in the EU, which is grappling with the same challenges.
Opinions were divided among members. Some believed that a key benefit of organic farming is its ability to restore soil health over time, which this method would not achieve. Others cautioned that imposing rigid limits on container inputs without flexibility could be harmful. Additionally, some panel members argued that the existence of currently certified organic growers using these methods could lead to economic repercussions.
“There doesn’t seem to be an acceptable middle ground,” Chapman concluded. The Crops Committee members committed to reassessing their proposals ahead of the fall meeting, but there are no guarantees that the issue will make it onto the agenda, or that it would be voted on even if it did. Following the board’s failure to take action on hydroponics in April, many speculated that further developments this year were unlikely.
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