The NOP has removed the Answers to Questions on Standards by NOP Staff, or NOP-AQSS, resource from the NOP website. View notice of removal (PDF).

AMS Press Release: Draft Guidance for Organic Agriculture Industry Available for Public Review, Comment. The NOP published a notice of availability in the Federal Register requesting public comment on four draft guidance documents, available for view on the NOP Draft Guidance page. The documents address kelp in organic livestock feed, allowed ingredients and sources of vitamins and minerals in organic livestock feed pesticide residue testing, and seeds and planting stock in organic crop production. Comments are being accepted at www.regulations.gov (document number AMS-NOP-11-0002; NOP-11-02) until August 12, 2011.

The NOP has issued a limited temporary variance for New Mexico’s ruminant livestock producers affected by the drought.

NOP requests research support from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Agricultural Research Service for alternatives to control fire blight in organic tree fruit production. View letters (PDF).

AMS Press Release: USDA Accepting Comments on Materials Used, Prohibited in Organic Agriculture. NOP is now accepting comments to an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for materials scheduled to sunset in 2013. See the notice for full information and instructions on how to submit comments. Comments can be submitted at www.regulations.gov (identifying docket number AMS-NOP-11-0003; NOP-10-13).