AMS No. 033-10

Sam Jones-Ellard (202) 720-8998

Billy Cox (202) 720-8998

WASHINGTON, March 12, 2010 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will meet April 26-29 at Heidrick Ag History Center, 1962 Hays Lane, Woodland, CA 95776. Sessions will run from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 26; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 27; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 28; and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, April 29, 2010. All sessions are open to the public.

NOSB committees will present recommendations to the full board for a vote concerning the use or prohibition of one petitioned substance; the continued use or prohibition of one substance due to sunset after Sept. 12, 2011; the continued use or prohibition of 37 agricultural products not commercially available as organic that are set to sunset after June 27, 2012; the continued use or prohibition of 182 substances used in organic production and handling that are set to sunset after Oct. 7, 2012; the continued use or prohibition for one substance in organic crop and livestock production that is due to sunset after Dec. 11, 2012; and the continued use or prohibition of 10 exempted substances for use in organic livestock production that are due to sunset after Dec. 13, 2012. A full list of the substances that are being reviewed can be found on the NOSB meeting agenda on the National Organic Program’s (NOP) website at www.ams.usda.gov/NOP.

The NOSB committees will present recommendations to the full board for a vote regarding proposed guidance on the use of inert atmospheric gases in products labeled 100 percent organic and for addressing the reclassification of inerts used in pest management materials by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA).

In addition, the NOSB committees will present recommendations proposing new standards for the management of terrestrial plants in containers or enclosures as well as changing current standards to clarify the definitions of the National List and to strengthen animal welfare practices for livestock and poultry. The NOSB committees will also make recommendations regarding revisions to the NOSB policy and procedures manual. Lastly, the NOSB will receive an update from the NOP on their work plan and will hear committee progress reports regarding work plans and discussion items.

Comments may be submitted in writing to Valerie Frances, Executive Director, NOSB, USDA-AMS-TMD-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Room 2646-S, Ag Stop 0268 Washington, DC 20250-0268, or via the internet at www.regulations.gov only once the notice has been published in the Federal Register in the near future. The comments should identify Docket Number AMS-NOP-10-0021. The deadline for all comments, whether submitted by mail or the internet, is Monday, April 12, 2010. Comments will be available for viewing on the www.regulations.gov website.

Time for public input for Tuesday, April 27, is from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Requests to make an oral presentation at the meeting may be sent to Valerie Frances by email to valerie.frances@ams.usda.gov, by mail at the postal address above, by facsimile to (202) 205-7808, or by phone to (202) 720-3252, and must be received by close of business April 12. If time is available, attendees may sign up for additional public input at the meeting.

For more information, contact Valerie Frances, Executive Director, NOSB, NOP, (202) 720-3252, or visit the NOP home page at www.ams.usda.gov/nop.

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