AMS No. 234-05

Joan Shaffer (202) 720-8998

joan.shaffer@usda.gov

Becky Unkenholz (202) 720-8998

becky.unkenholz@usa.gov

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2005 - - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will meet Nov. 16-17, 2005, at the Channel Inn Hotel (in the Captain’s Room), 650 Water Street, SW, Washington, D.C. Meeting sessions will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Nov. 16 and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Nov. 17. All sessions are open to the public.

NOSB committees (Crops, Livestock, and Handling) will present and propose, to the full board, recommendations concerning the continued use or prohibition of substances being reviewed under the Organic Food Production Act’s sunset provisions for the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. The NOSB will vote on these recommendations. The NOSB will also receive an update from the National Organic Program (NOP) and hear committee progress reports regarding work plans and proposed actions.

Time has been scheduled on Nov. 16, 9:40-11:45 a.m., for public input on sunset review. On Thursday, November 17, 3:00-5:00 p.m., time has been scheduled for public input on pasture for organic livestock. Separate sign-up sheets will be maintained. Those wishing to provide comments to the NOSB should mail their requests to 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 by close of business Nov. 11. If any time remains, sign-up for additional public input will be allowed 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.