AMS No. 232-03

Joan Shaffer (202) 720-8998

joan.shaffer@usda.gov

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

billy.cox@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24, 2003 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will meet Oct. 22-24 to discuss substances that are reviewed and recommended for amending the National List of approved and prohibited substances for use in organic production, handling and processing operations. Public comments will be accepted on Oct. 23.

The NOSB must evaluate substances being considered for organic production, handling and processing according to several criteria in the organic regulations (7 CFR Part 205) and the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. One category of these criteria deals with the compatibility and consistency of substances in systems of organic or sustainable agriculture.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also will be invited to discuss its substance approval process for livestock. Technical advisory panel contractors will be invited to provide feedback and input to enhance the petition process and to improve the "statement of work" between contractors and USDA.

The meeting will be held at the Radisson Barceló Hotel Washington, The Phillips Ballroom, 2121 P Street NW, Washington, D.C. Meeting sessions will run 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Oct. 22; 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Oct. 23; and 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Oct. 24. All sessions are open to the public.

On Oct. 23 from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m., the public is invited to present oral comments to the NOSB for consideration in developing a statement relating to substances, which addresses what constitutes compatibility and consistency with sustainable agriculture/organic production and handling. This statement will be available to the public on the National Organic Program web site as soon as it is completed by the NOSB. For additional information, see the NOP home page at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop.

Written comments also will be accepted at that time. Persons unable to attend the meeting may submit written comments to Katherine Benham at the address below. To be considered, such comments must be received by Oct. 17.

The NOSB also will document recommendations made during the May 2003 NOSB meeting in Austin, Texas.

Those wishing to provide comments on compatibility/consistency during the NOSB meeting should mail requests to Katherine Benham, USDA AMS TMP NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 4008-S., USDA Stop 0268, Washington DC 20250-0268; or send requests by fax to (202) 205 7808 or by e-mail to katherine.benham@usda.gov by close of business Oct. 7, 2003. Oral comments will be limited to 5 minutes or less. For more information, call (202) 205-7806.