The U.S. Agriculture Department will begin examining its seven-year-old National Organic Program this fall, according to agency officials.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology will conduct the audit, which is expected to take a few months and include recommendations on how to bring the program up to international standards.

"We understand the value of this step as we continue working to strengthen the integrity of the NOP and to build the organic community's trust in the program," USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said in an undated letter to the National Organic Coalition.

Last week, the Senate approved a spending bill that included $500,000 for the USDA inspector general's investigation of NOP. The House approved similar legislation last month (Kimberly Kindy, Washington Post, Aug. 8). -- JK