80 FR 12422 - National Organic Program; Nominations for Task Force Members

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 45 (March 9, 2015)

Page Range		12422-12423
FR Document		2015-05403

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is soliciting nominees to participate in a task force to examine hydroponic and aquaponic practices and their alignment with the USDA organic regulations and the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA). The USDA organic regulations do not include specific provisions for organic hydroponic or aquaponic production. However, these production systems have obtained certification under the USDA organic regulations by complying with the existing requirements for organic crop production. The task force will inform the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) of their findings and advise on what practices should be allowed or restricted in organic hydroponic and aquaponic production.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 45 (Monday, March 9, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 45 (Monday, March 9, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12422-12423]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05403]


========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
appearing in this section.

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 45 / Monday, March 9, 2015 / 
Notices

[[Page 12422]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Document Number AMS-NOP-15-0004; NOP-15-03]


National Organic Program; Nominations for Task Force Members

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is soliciting 
nominees to participate in a task force to examine hydroponic and 
aquaponic practices and their alignment with the USDA organic 
regulations and the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA). The USDA 
organic regulations do not include specific provisions for organic 
hydroponic or aquaponic production. However, these production systems 
have obtained certification under the USDA organic regulations by 
complying with the existing requirements for organic crop production. 
The task force will inform the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 
of their findings and advise on what practices should be allowed or 
restricted in organic hydroponic and aquaponic production.

DATES: Written nominations, with resumes, must be post-marked on or 
before May 8, 2015. Electronic submissions must be received on or 
before May 8, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Rita Meade, USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW., Room 2648-So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 
20250-0268 or via email to [email protected]. Electronic 
submittals by email are preferred.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Bradley, Assistant to the Deputy 
Administrator, National Organic Program, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Room 2648, STOP 0268; Washington, DC 20250-0268; Telephone (202) 720-
3252; Fax: (202) 205-7808; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Why is this task force being formed?

    The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 
6501-6522) provides for the certification of agricultural products for 
human consumption. To implement this Act, AMS published the USDA 
organic regulations on December 20, 2000. The regulations provide for 
the certification of crops and livestock production and operations that 
handle and process agricultural products. Hydroponic and aquaponic 
operations are currently being certified under the USDA organic 
regulations.
    Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient 
solutions in water without soil. Terrestrial plants may be grown with 
their roots in the mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert 
medium, such as perlite, gravel, biochar, or coconut husk. Aquaponics 
combines the features of hydroponics and aquaculture. In these systems, 
the metabolic waste from fish tanks provides a source of nutrients for 
vegetables grown hydroponically. The USDA organic regulations do not 
include specific provisions for organic hydroponic or aquaponic 
production. However, there are certified organic operations observing 
the crop production requirements of the USDA organic regulations to 
produce organic crops via hydroponic or aquaponic growing methods. 
These operations, for example, must maintain water quality and use only 
approved inputs as fertilizers and pest control practices. Organic 
hydroponic production is allowed as long as the producer can 
demonstrate compliance with the USDA organic regulations.
    In 2010, the NOSB provided recommendations to the NOP on Production 
Standards for Terrestrial Plants in Containers and Enclosures 
(Greenhouses). The NOSB recommended practice standards for growing 
terrestrial plants in containers using growing media rather than soil. 
The NOSB recommended not allowing organic hydroponic production because 
these systems are not soil based.
    AMS is assembling a task force to assess the diversity of these 
soilless production practices and advise on what specific practices may 
or may not be supported by the current USDA organic regulations.

What are the hydroponics task force's objectives and time requirements?

    There are two main objectives of the task force: (i) To describe 
current hydroponic and aquaponic production methods used in organic 
production, and (ii) to assess whether these practices align with OFPA 
and the USDA organic regulations. The task force will prepare a report 
advising the NOSB on proposed standards or guidelines for hydroponic 
and aquaponic methods in organic agriculture. The report may be used to 
inform the NOSB on recommendations concerning hydroponic and aquaponic 
systems and for possible guidance or rulemaking by the NOP.
    USDA will name the members of the task force approximately 120 days 
after the publication of this notice. The discussions between task 
force members will be conducted through electronic mail and conference 
calls with no requirement for travel. We expect the task force to 
present its completed report to the NOSB in the spring of 2016.

What are the minimum skills and experience requirements to be 
considered for this task force?

    Candidates for the hydroponics and aquaponics task force should 
have 3 years of demonstrable work experience in hydroponic or aeroponic 
production in any of the following roles: Producer; researcher or 
scientist; consumer representative; conservationist; systems designer; 
organic inspector; or accredited certifying agent. Candidates with 
demonstrable knowledge of organic production or certification 
procedures are preferred.
    Successful candidates should be familiar with the NOSB 
recommendation on Production Standards for Terrestrial Plants in 
Containers and Enclosures (Greenhouses).
    Persons interested in serving on this task force should submit 
their qualifications in a resume or curriculum vitae format. In 
addition to this information, candidates should submit, if applicable, 
a ``declaration of interests'' list. This list should state all direct 
commercial, financial, consulting, family, or personal relationships 
that

[[Page 12423]]

currently exist or have existed with business entities that may be 
regulated through any future rulemaking on these issues. The 
declaration of interests lists should cover activities undertaken by 
the candidate during the past 12 months.

    Authority:  7 U.S.C. 6501-6522.

    Dated: March 4, 2015.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-05403 Filed 3-6-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P

12422

Notices Federal Register
Vol. 80, No. 45

Monday, March 9, 2015

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER Washington, DC 20250–0268; production practices and advise on
contains documents other than rules or Telephone (202) 720–3252; Fax: (202) what specific practices may or may not
proposed rules that are applicable to the 205–7808; email: Mark.Bradley@ be supported by the current USDA
public. Notices of hearings and investigations, ams.usda.gov. organic regulations.
committee meetings, agency decisions and
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: What are the hydroponics task force’s
petitions and applications and agency
Why is this task force being formed? objectives and time requirements?
statements of organization and functions are
examples of documents appearing in this The Organic Foods Production Act of There are two main objectives of the
section. 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 6501–6522) task force: (i) To describe current
provides for the certification of hydroponic and aquaponic production
methods used in organic production,
agricultural products for human
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE and (ii) to assess whether these practices
consumption. To implement this Act,
align with OFPA and the USDA organic
AMS published the USDA organic
Agricultural Marketing Service regulations. The task force will prepare
regulations on December 20, 2000. The
a report advising the NOSB on proposed
[Document Number AMS–NOP–15–0004; regulations provide for the certification
standards or guidelines for hydroponic
NOP–15–03] of crops and livestock production and
and aquaponic methods in organic
operations that handle and process
National Organic Program; agriculture. The report may be used to
agricultural products. Hydroponic and
Nominations for Task Force Members inform the NOSB on recommendations
aquaponic operations are currently
concerning hydroponic and aquaponic
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, being certified under the USDA organic systems and for possible guidance or
USDA. regulations. rulemaking by the NOP.
Hydroponics is a method of growing USDA will name the members of the
ACTION: Notice.
plants using mineral nutrient solutions task force approximately 120 days after
SUMMARY: The Agricultural Marketing in water without soil. Terrestrial plants the publication of this notice. The
Service (AMS) is soliciting nominees to may be grown with their roots in the discussions between task force members
participate in a task force to examine mineral nutrient solution only or in an will be conducted through electronic
hydroponic and aquaponic practices inert medium, such as perlite, gravel, mail and conference calls with no
and their alignment with the USDA biochar, or coconut husk. Aquaponics requirement for travel. We expect the
organic regulations and the Organic combines the features of hydroponics task force to present its completed
Foods Production Act (OFPA). The and aquaculture. In these systems, the report to the NOSB in the spring of
USDA organic regulations do not metabolic waste from fish tanks 2016.
include specific provisions for organic provides a source of nutrients for
hydroponic or aquaponic production. vegetables grown hydroponically. The What are the minimum skills and
However, these production systems USDA organic regulations do not experience requirements to be
have obtained certification under the include specific provisions for organic considered for this task force?
USDA organic regulations by complying hydroponic or aquaponic production. Candidates for the hydroponics and
with the existing requirements for However, there are certified organic aquaponics task force should have 3
organic crop production. The task force operations observing the crop years of demonstrable work experience
will inform the National Organic production requirements of the USDA in hydroponic or aeroponic production
Standards Board (NOSB) of their organic regulations to produce organic in any of the following roles: Producer;
findings and advise on what practices crops via hydroponic or aquaponic researcher or scientist; consumer
should be allowed or restricted in growing methods. These operations, for representative; conservationist; systems
organic hydroponic and aquaponic example, must maintain water quality designer; organic inspector; or
production. and use only approved inputs as accredited certifying agent. Candidates
fertilizers and pest control practices. with demonstrable knowledge of
DATES: Written nominations, with Organic hydroponic production is organic production or certification
resumes, must be post-marked on or allowed as long as the producer can procedures are preferred.
before May 8, 2015. Electronic demonstrate compliance with the USDA Successful candidates should be
submissions must be received on or organic regulations. familiar with the NOSB
before May 8, 2015. In 2010, the NOSB provided recommendation on Production
ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent recommendations to the NOP on Standards for Terrestrial Plants in
to Rita Meade, USDA–AMS–NOP, 1400 Production Standards for Terrestrial Containers and Enclosures
Independence Avenue SW., Room Plants in Containers and Enclosures (Greenhouses).
2648–So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, (Greenhouses). The NOSB Persons interested in serving on this
DC 20250–0268 or via email to
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

recommended practice standards for task force should submit their
Rita.Meade@ams.usda.gov. Electronic growing terrestrial plants in containers qualifications in a resume or curriculum
submittals by email are preferred. using growing media rather than soil. vitae format. In addition to this
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The NOSB recommended not allowing information, candidates should submit,
Mark Bradley, Assistant to the Deputy organic hydroponic production because if applicable, a ‘‘declaration of interests’’
Administrator, National Organic these systems are not soil based. list. This list should state all direct
Program, 1400 Independence Avenue AMS is assembling a task force to commercial, financial, consulting,
SW., Room 2648, STOP 0268; assess the diversity of these soilless family, or personal relationships that

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 45 / Monday, March 9, 2015 / Notices 12423

currently exist or have existed with An agency may not conduct or Summary of Collection: The
business entities that may be regulated sponsor a collection of information Mandatory Price Reporting Act of 2010
through any future rulemaking on these unless the collection of information amended § 273(d) of the Agricultural
issues. The declaration of interests lists displays a currently valid OMB control Marketing Act of 1946, requiring the
should cover activities undertaken by number and the agency informs Secretary of Agriculture to establish an
the candidate during the past 12 potential persons who are to respond to electronic reporting system for certain
months. the collection of information that such manufacturers of dairy products to
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501–6522. persons are not required to respond to report sales information under 7 CFR
the collection of information unless it part 1170, the mandatory Dairy Product
Dated: March 4, 2015. displays a currently valid OMB control Mandatory Reporting Program. Data
Rex A. Barnes, number. collection for cheddar cheese, butter,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural dry whey, or nonfat dry milk sales is
Marketing Service. Agricultural Marketing Service
limited to manufacturing plants
[FR Doc. 2015–05403 Filed 3–6–15; 8:45 am] Title: Regulations for the Inspection of producing annually 1 million pounds or
BILLING CODE P Eggs. more of one of the surveyed
OMB Control Number: 0581–0113. commodities specified in the program.
Summary of Collection: Congress Need and Use of the Information:
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE enacted the Egg Products Inspection Act Persons engaged in manufacturing dairy
(21 U.S.C. 1031–1056) (EPIA) to provide products are required to provide the
Submission for OMB Review; a mandatory inspection program to Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Comment Request assure egg products are processed under certain information, including the price,
sanitary conditions, are wholesome, quantity, and moisture content, where
March 4, 2015. unadulterated, and properly labeled; to applicable, of dairy products sold by the
The Department of Agriculture will control the disposition of dirty and manufacturer. Various manufacturer
submit the following information checked shell eggs; to control reports are filed electronically on a
collection requirement(s) to OMB for unwholesome, adulterated, and inedible weekly basis. Additional paper forms
review and clearance under the egg products and shell eggs that are are filed by manufacturers on an annual
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, unfit for human consumption; and to basis to validate participation in the
Public Law 104–13 on or after the date control the movement and disposition mandatory reporting program.
of publication of this notice. Comments of imported shell eggs and egg products Manufacturers and other persons storing
regarding (a) whether the collection of that are unwholesome and inedible. dairy products must also report
information is necessary for the proper Regulations developed under 7 CFR part information on the quantity of dairy
performance of the functions of the 57 provide the requirements and products stored. USDA publishes
agency, including whether the guidelines for the Department and composites of the information obtained
information will have practical utility; industry needed to obtain compliance. to help industry members make
(b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate The Agricultural Marketing Service informed marketing decisions regarding
of burden including the validity of the (AMS) will collect information using dairy products. The information is also
methodology and assumptions used; (c) several forms. Forms used to collect used to establish minimum prices for
ways to enhance the quality, utility and information provide method for Class III and Class IV milk under
clarity of the information to be measuring workload, record of Federal milk marketing orders. Without
collected; (d) ways to minimize the compliance and non compliance and a this information USDA would not be
burden of the collection of information basis to monitor the utilization of funds. able to verify compliance with
on those who are to respond, including Need and Use of the Information: applicable regulations.
through the use of appropriate AMS will use the information to assure Description of Respondents:
automated, electronic, mechanical, or compliance with the Act and Businesses—Cheddar Cheese, 40 lb.
other technological collection regulations, to take administrative and Blocks.
techniques or other forms of information regulatory action and to develop and Number of Respondents: 181.
technology should be addressed to: Desk revise cooperative agreements with the Frequency of Responses: Reporting:
Officer for Agriculture, Office of States, which conduct surveillance On occasion; Weekly; Annually.
Information and Regulatory Affairs, inspections of shell egg handlers and Total Burden Hours: 2,331.
Office of Management and Budget processors. If the information is not
collected, AMS would not be able to Charlene Parker,
(OMB), New Executive Office Building,
control the processing, movement, and Departmental Information Collection
Washington, DC; New Executive Office Clearance Officer.
Building, 725 17th Street NW., disposition of restricted shell eggs and
egg products and take regulatory action [FR Doc. 2015–05397 Filed 3–6–15; 8:45 am]
Washington, DC, 20503. Commenters
are encouraged to submit their in case of noncompliance. BILLING CODE 3410–02–P

comments to OMB via email to: OIRA_ Description of Respondents: Business
Submission@omb.eop.gov or fax (202) or other for-profit; Federal Government;
State, Local or Tribal Government. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
395–5806 and to Departmental
Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Number of Respondents: 818.
Frequency of Responses: Food and Nutrition Service
Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250–
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

7602. Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion;
Request for Information: Summer Meal
Quarterly.
Comments regarding these Programs Data Reporting
Total Burden Hours: 1,909.
information collections are best assured Requirements
of having their full effect if received by Agricultural Marketing Service
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service,
April 8, 2015. Copies of the Title: Dairy Products Mandatory Sales USDA.
submission(s) may be obtained by Reporting. ACTION: Notice; request for information.
calling (202) 720–8681. OMB Control Number: 0581–0274.

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Document Created: 2015-12-18 12:05:20
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 12:05:20

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Written nominations, with resumes, must be post-marked on or before May 8, 2015. Electronic submissions must be received on or before May 8, 2015.
Contact		Mark Bradley, Assistant to the Deputy Administrator, National Organic Program, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2648, STOP 0268; Washington, DC 20250-0268; Telephone (202) 720- 3252; Fax: (202) 205-7808; email: [email protected]
FR Citation		80 FR 12422

80 FR 12422 - National Organic Program; Nominations for Task Force Members

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREAgricultural Marketing Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 45 (March 9, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service