The Agricultural Marketing Service’s (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) posted a memorandum responding to recommendations made by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) at its October 2015 meeting. The recommendations are related to the USDA organic standards and the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. The NOP’s response describes the background for each NOSB recommendation and the NOP's plans for considering the recommendation.
The NOSB is a 15-member Federal Advisory Committee comprised of organic community and stakeholder representatives. The board was established by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and charged with:
- providing advice to USDA about whether substances should be allowed or prohibited in organic production and/or handling;
- assisting with the development of standards for organic production; and
- advising the Secretary of Agriculture on other aspects of the implementation of the Organic Foods Production Act.
The memorandum posted today responds to NOSB recommendations prompted by public comments given via webinar on October 13 and 20, 2015, as well as comments received at the October 26-29, 2015 meeting of the NOSB in Stowe, Vermont.
View NOP Response to NOSB October 2015 Recommendations.