WASHINGTON, April 9, 2011—The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is opening public comment today at www.ams.usda.gov/nosbmeetings in advance of its spring meeting in Albuquerque, NM, May 22-25.
The meeting of the board, which occurs twice a year, provides a public forum for the organic community to weigh-in on issues concerning organic production and processing. During the upcoming meeting, the board will address petitions pertaining to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, discuss proposals that address substances due to sunset from the National List in 2013, and also review proposals that address issues on materials and excluded methods. The agenda of topics and current proposals are available at www.ams.usda.gov/nosbmeetings.
Written comments on the proposals can be submitted up to Thursday, May 3, 2012. Additionally, while the meeting is open to the public, the National Organic Program invites those interested in sharing comments orally at the meeting to register in advance. Pre-registration to provide oral comments must also be completed by May 3. More information about commenting requirements is available on the National Organic Program website.
The NOSB is an independent body of organic industry and stakeholder representatives established by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. The board recommends whether a substance should be allowed or prohibited in organic production or handling, assists in developing standards for substances to be used in organic production, and advises the Secretary of Agriculture on other aspects of the organic law. Twice a year in the spring and fall, the board convenes to listen to public comments, discuss specific items pertaining to organic agriculture, and vote on recommendations for the National Organic Program to consider. Currently, seven subcommittees are working on various aspects of the organic program: Crops; Livestock; Handling; Materials; Compliance, Accreditation and Certification; Policy Development; and Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) Issues.
Interested persons may visit www.ams.usda.gov/nosbmeetings to view meeting information and board proposals, register for an oral comment slot, and submit and/or view public comments. Additionally, the meeting notice is available for view at www.regulations.gov (keyword “AMS-NOP-12-0017; NOP-12-06”).
To receive further information about the meeting or to request copies of available materials, please contact Ms. Michelle Arsenault, National Organic Standards Board, USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 2646-So., Mail Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268; Phone: (202) 720-3252; nosb@ams.usda.gov.
The National Organic Program is responsible for ensuring the integrity of USDA organic agricultural products in the United States and throughout the world. More information is available at www.ams.usda.gov/nop.
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