Due to COVID-19, USDA extends expiration dates for audit certifications

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has changed requirements for the following audit certifications: USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Domestic Origin Verification and Plant Systems Audit programs.

The change was made, according to the agency's website, "to aid the movement of fresh specialty crops into marketing channels." Audit certifications are normally valid for 12 months; the extension applies to 400 currently certified auditees .

The agency is updating information under the “Find a USDA Gap-Certified Company” on the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) & Good Handling Practices (GHP) webpages. To read more about this change, visit www.usda.gov.