The situation of organic beekeeping and organic honey in the USA is very confusing. USDA certifies honey as "organic" yet apparently has no official standards. Beekeepers claim to be organic and yet adhere to no consistent standards. In 2010, the following recommendation was issued. So far as I can tell, it was never followed or acted upon. Correct me if I am wrong.

> The commercial organic honey industry is well in place, despite the lack of organic standards specific to organic apiculture. Refined standards, which provide much needed clarification on practices specific to honeybee product production, will ensure the continued success and growth of the U.S. organic honey market. While the many certified producers have honored all the requirements of the existing regulation, there has been some variation in certifier expectations and interpretation. Finally, the EU and Canada have detailed apiculture requirements as part of their organic standards. In order to facilitate effective trade with other countries, and to effectively compete in the international market, it is important that a U.S. organic apiculture standard be implemented.

National Organic Standards Board Livestock Committee Organic Apiculture Recommendation. October 27, 2010
http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5087792

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