The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has blocked a Chinese branch of a US organic certifier from certifying Chinese organics, according to the New York Times. The Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA), which is based in Nebraska but also has a small team in China, has allegedly been banned from certifying Chinese foods as organic due to a conflict of interest, as it used government officials to inspect state run facilities. It is usual practice for the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) to delegate foreign certifying bodies to inspect overseas facilities for compliance with standards that would enable foreign products to carry the green USDA organic seal. However, the independence of the organic certification process is a large part of its appeal for consumers and food manufacturers alike. The OCIA was a leading inspector of Chinese organic production facilities, but had already closed down most of its Chinese operations last year in expectation of the USDA’s move, according to the New York Times.