Release No. 190-14

Contact:

Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 660-2268

samuel.jones@ams.usda.gov

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2014 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced that the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will have a public meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, from October 28-30, 2014. In advance of the meeting, USDA is accepting public comments.

The NOSB meeting, which occurs twice a year, provides a forum for the public to discuss issues concerning organic production and processing. The meeting will take place at the Galt House Hotel, 140 North Fourth St., Louisville, Ky. 40202.

During the meeting, the board will address several petitions pertaining to changes to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. This meeting will also complete the NOSB’s review of substances that have a sunset date in 2015. The agenda of topics and current proposals are available at www.ams.usda.gov/nosbmeetings (select “October 28-30, 2014” from the drop-down menu).

Written comments on the proposals can be submitted until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2014, at www.regulations.gov. The meeting is open to the public, those interested in providing comments at the meeting need to register in advance with the National Organic Program (NOP) – which oversees the committee to ensure that it is administered according to the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Pre-registration to provide oral comments must be completed by October 8, 2014. Interested persons may visit www.ams.usda.gov/nosbmeetings to view meeting information and board proposals, and find instructions on how to provide written and/or oral comments.

The NOSB is an advisory committee of organic industry and stakeholder representatives that was established by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. The board recommends whether substances 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, the board convenes to listen to public comments, discuss specific items pertaining to organic agriculture, and vote on recommendations for the NOP to consider. Currently, the NOSB has six subcommittees working on various topics of interest to the NOP. The subcommittees are Compliance, Accreditation, and Certification; Crops; Handling; Livestock; Materials/Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO); and Policy Development.

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.

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