(NAFB) – Wisconsin U.S. Representative Ron Kind and a group of bipartisan House members last week introduced the Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Act.

The legislation seeks to improve the federal process for the oversight of organic food standards. Kind is co-chair of the bipartisan House Organic Caucus, stating, “This legislation will take necessary steps to ensure our organic farmers can continue to succeed and innovate for generations to come.”

The Wisconsin Democrat says the bill will establish a new framework for advancing organic standards and improve oversight and enforcement of new rules and guidance.

Illinois Republican Representative Rodney Davis, also co-chair of the House Organic Caucus, says, “Our bipartisan legislation will clear the backlog of rule recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board.”

The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 directed USDA to establish national standards and assure consumers that organically produced products meet a consistent standard.  However, the lawmakers say USDA inaction has stifled innovation.