AMS No. 159-05

Joan Shaffer (202) 720-8998

joan.shaffer@usda.gov

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usda.gov

WASHINGTON, July 26, 2005 - - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will meet Aug. 15-17, 2005, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 1330 Maryland Avenue, SW, The Hillwood Room, Washington, D.C. Meeting sessions will run from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on August 15, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on August 16, and from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on August 17. All sessions are open to the public.

At this meeting, NOSB will receive an update from the National Organic Program (NOP), discuss various committee reports, and consider recommendations. The NOSB will also review four materials to determine if they should be recommended for inclusion on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.

Time is scheduled for public comment on Monday, Aug. 15, 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., and on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Those wishing to provide comments to the NOSB on any organic issues should mail their requests to Ms. Katherine E. Benham, USDA-AMS-TMP-NOP, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 4008-So., AG Stop 0268, Washington, D.C. 20250-0200 or send requests by fax to (202) 205-7808 or by e-mail to Katherine.benham@usda.gov. To allot any remaining time, a sign-up sheet will be provided at the meeting. For more information, call (202) 720-3252.

For additional information, see the NOP's home page at www.ams.usda.gov/nop.