| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Doug Crabtree |
| February 5, 2007 | (406) 444-3730 |
Accreditation Will Assist Montana Organic Sales to Europe
HELENA, Mont. — The Montana Department of Agriculture has received approval to certify organic products under guidelines accepted worldwide and required for exports to customers in Europe.
Montana becomes the second state, after Washington, to receive USDA accreditation under International Standards Organization Guide 65. The department received written notice of the approval on Feb. 2, 2007.
"Montana is a nationwide leader in production of organic grains. The ability to certify organic producers and handlers under ISO Guide 65 as well as the USDA's National Organic Standards enhances the department's organic program and will assist organic producers in exporting more products," said Director Nancy K. Peterson.
U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Montana, an organic farmer from Big Sandy, offered his congratulations to the department. "I am pleased that my family and other organic producers in Montana will have access to important markets in Europe under this expanded accreditation," Tester said.
Montana Flour & Grains of Fort Benton currently exports food products to Europe. Owner and manager Andre Giles said until now the company has received ISO Guide 65 certification from a private entity in California.
The Montana program received accreditation in 2002 to certify organic producers under the USDA National Organic Standards. It was apparent from the start that some overseas customers preferred assurance that certified producers meet the previously established ISO Guide 65 standards, said Doug Crabtree, organic program manager. Accreditation to meet the international standards was a multiyear process including a program audit performed in December.
The department currently certifies 123 organic producers and handlers. Montana leads the nation in organic grain production with 1.2 million bushels of organic wheat grown on nearly 60,000 certified organic acres in 2005, the last year for which numbers are available. For more information on the program, contact Crabtree at (406) 444-3730 or at dcrabtree@mt.gov.
