Organic aquaponics was first used in 4330 BC in China and the Aztecs used it as early as 1150 CE.  The truth is that large organic soil farms are lobbying for this change as they see a threat to their profits from aquaponics.  In a time of climate change and in a country with where the average meal has 1500 food miles, more aquaponics is badly needed.  Aquaponics can more easily be done in a controlled environment and uses only about 5% of the water that soil agriculture does.

There is an argument that some hydroponic growers are growing in GMO sludge.  Yes that needs to change.  And so do the organic soil farms that use conventional chicken manure from birds that are fed GMOs.  Organic soil farms are commonly using plastic "mulches" and irrigation which leach PCBs and other contaminants into their soil.  The rules do need to be changed but organic aquaponics should continue to be granted organic certification.