THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CONSERVATION SECURITY ACT TO US COMPETITIVENESS IN GLOBAL ORGANIC MARKETS

This briefing paper reviews the role that the proposed Conservation Security Act plays in improving US competitiveness in global markets for organic agriculture products. The European Union provides direct payments to organic farmers through an agri-environmental program that is considered a "Green Box policy" by the World Trade Organization and not subject to funding limits. US organic farmers are falling behind due to aggressive production conversion campaigns in the EU. The Conservation Security Act, which would pay farmers for environmentally sound practices, would counterbalance the EU subsidy program. With a level field for production support, the US organic industry could be expected to become a dominant market force in the $102 billion global organic sector.