Farmers sue USDA in attempt to stop organic certification of hydroponic produce
A coalition of organic farmers and advocates is suing USDA in an attempt to stop the department from providing organic certification to hydroponic produce. The Packer reports that the lawsuit, which was filed by the Center for Food Safety and farm groups, draws a clear line in the sand: If it’s not in soil, then it’s not organic. “Healthy soil is the foundation of organic farming,” one of the plaintiffs said, claiming that the current standard is a loophole for “corporate hydroponics.” The suit is the latest escalation in a simmering, bitter stand-off that’s been going on for years, threatening to fracture the organic movement.
