| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Doug Crabtree |
| April 19, 2005 | (406) 444-3730 TTY (406) 444-4687 |
Organic Program Receives Grant for International Marketing
HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Wheat & Barley Committee has awarded $10,000 to the state organic program to pursue accreditation under an international standard that some buyers require to accept organic products.
The Montana Department of Agriculture Organic Certification Program began certifying organic producers and handlers under USDA's National Organic Standards in October 2002. The U.S. standards are not accepted by all overseas buyers, some of whom require an International Standards Organization (ISO 65) accreditation, explains Doug Crabtree, organic program manager for the department.
Montana leads the nation in production of organic wheat. Organic and conventional producers pay the Wheat & Barley Committee a fee of 11/4 cents per bushel of wheat to conduct research and marketing activities.
Much of the organic wheat grown in Montana is destined for international markets, Crabtree says. The European Union, in particular, requires producers to be certified by an ISO 65 accredited program to import organic commodities. The $10,000 grant will facilitate efforts by the department to obtain ISO 65 accreditation for the first year, enabling growers to access these markets.
In a related development, the government of Quebec, Canada, has informed the department that the Montana program is in conformance with Quebec requirements for organic certification, enabling Montana growers and handlers certified under the program to export products into Quebec.
For more information about the Montana Department of Agriculture Organic Certification Program, contact Crabtree at 406-444-3730 or by email at dcrabtree@mt.gov.
