WASHINGTON, Aug. 30, 2012 —The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is collecting public comment beginning today at www.ams.usda.gov/nosbmeetings in advance of its fall meeting in Providence, RI, October 15-18.
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. The upcoming meeting will take place at the Biltmore Hotel, 11 Dorrance Street, Providence, RI 02903.
During the meeting, the board will address petitions pertaining to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, discuss information on research priorities for organic agriculture, hear updates from working groups concerning technical issues, and review amendments to the NOSB Policies and Procedures Manual. The agenda of topics and current proposals are available at www.ams.usda.gov/nosbmeetings (select “October 15-28, 2012” from the drop-down menu).
Written comments on the proposals can be submitted up to Monday, September 24, at www.regulations.gov. 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 be completed by September 24. More information about commenting requirements is available at www.ams.usda.gov/NOSBMeetings.
The NOSB is an advisory committee 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 regulations. 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.
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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