Regulation by Proxy

In this book David Carter explains how the USDA relies on a variety of intermediaries to regulate organic food in the U.S. Only by accounting for the contributions of such arbitrators, Carter demonstrates, can one understand and credibly assess policies governing the fastest growing agriculture sector in the country.

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Regulation by Proxy catalogues the intermediaries that are critical to organic certification, including the National Organic Standards Board, accredited certifying agents, organic inspectors, the California State Organic Program, the Accredited Certifiers Association, the International Organic Inspectors Association, and material review organizations. Drawing on a range of evidence, from original data to the work of prominent food policy authors, Carter assesses each intermediary’s contributions to organic standards development, administration, and enforcement. Carter’s analysis shows that there are undeniable benefits to how organic food is regulated in the U.S., however, relying on an assortment of intermediaries requires multifaceted oversight for which the USDA may not always have sufficient tools or capacity to realize.