The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published a final rule implementing two 2015 sunset review recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).
The final rule, which was published in the Federal Register on Dec. 14, 2015, removes four substances from the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). Two are non-organic agricultural substances – marsala wine and sherry wine – and two are expired listings – streptomycin and tetracycline. The removal of marsala wine and sherry wine from the National List is based upon the NOSB’s 2015 sunset review. Both streptomycin and tetracycline previously expired from the National List on October 21, 2014, and today’s rule simply removes their listings from the regulations.
As part of the 2015 sunset review, the NOSB held two public meetings in 2014, at which members heard comments on various substances up for review. The removal of the 2015 sunset substances reflects the NOSB’s comprehensive sunset review process and feedback from organic farmers, businesses, and consumer groups.
View the complete Organic Insider message 2015 Sunset Review Final Rule to access the final rule and to learn more.
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