80 FR 12975 - Notice of Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 48 (March 12, 2015)

In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, (5 U.S.C. App.), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing an upcoming meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Written public comments are invited in advance of the meeting, and the meeting will include scheduled time for oral comments from the public.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 48 (Thursday, March 12, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12975-12976]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05664]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Document Number AMS-NOP-15-0002; NOP-15-02]


Notice of Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as 
amended, (5 U.S.C. App.), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is 
announcing an upcoming meeting of the National Organic Standards Board 
(NOSB). Written public comments are invited in advance of the meeting, 
and the meeting will include scheduled time for oral comments from the 
public.

DATES: The meeting will be held April 27-30, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 
p.m. each day. The deadline to submit written public comments and sign 
up for oral public comments is Tuesday, April 7, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at the San Diego Marriott La 
Jolla, 4240 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037-1407, (858) 587-
1414. Information and instructions pertaining to the meeting are posted 
at the following web address: http://www.ams.usda.gov/NOSBMeetings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For printed materials or additional 
information, write to Ms. Michelle Arsenault, Special Assistant, 
National Organic Standards Board, USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. 
SW., Room 2648-So., Mail Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268; Phone: 
(202) 720-3252; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NOSB makes recommendations about whether 
substances should be allowed or prohibited in organic production and/or 
handling, assists in the development of standards for organic 
production, and

[[Page 12976]]

advises the Secretary on other aspects of the implementation of the 
Organic Foods Production Act (7 U.S.C. 6501-6522). The NOSB currently 
has six subcommittees working on various aspects of the Organic 
Program. The subcommittees are: Compliance, Accreditation, and 
Certification; Crops; Handling; Livestock; Materials/Genetically 
Modified Organisms; and Policy Development. The primary purpose of NOSB 
meetings is to provide an opportunity for the organic community to give 
input on proposed NOSB recommendations and discussion items. The 
meetings also allow the NOSB to receive updates from the USDA AMS 
National Organic Program (NOP) on issues pertaining to organic 
agriculture. The meeting will be open to the public. The meeting 
agenda, NOSB proposals and discussion documents, instructions for 
submitting and viewing public comments, and instructions for requesting 
a time slot for oral comments are available on the AMS Web site at 
http://www.ams.usda.gov/NOSBMeetings. The discussion documents and 
proposals encompass a wide range of topics, including: substances 
petitioned to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances 
(National List), substances on the National List that require NOSB 
review before their 2016 and 2017 sunset dates, updates from working 
groups on technical issues, and amendments to guidance on organic 
policies. This meeting will serve as the NOSB's final review of 
substances that have a sunset date in 2016. This review will fulfill 
the NOSB's responsibilities described in the Organic Foods Production 
Act's sunset provision (section 2118(e)).
    Public Comments: Written public comments will be accepted through 
Tuesday, April 7, 2015 via www.regulations.gov. Comments received after 
that date may not be reviewed by the NOSB before the meeting. AMS 
strongly prefers comments to be submitted electronically; however, 
written comments may also be submitted by Tuesday, April 7, 2014 via 
mail to Ms. Michelle Arsenault, Special Assistant, National Organic 
Standards Board, USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 2648-S, 
Mail Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268. Instructions for viewing all 
comments are posted at www.regulations.gov and http://www.ams.usda.gov/NOSBMeetings.
    The NOSB has scheduled time for oral comments from the public, and 
will accommodate as many individuals and organizations as possible 
during these sessions. Individuals and organizations wishing to make 
oral presentations at the meeting must pre-register to request one time 
slot by visiting http://www.ams.usda.gov/NOSBMeetings or by calling 
(202) 720-0081. The deadline to sign up for an oral public comment slot 
is Tuesday, April 7, 2014. All persons making oral presentations should 
also provide their comments in advance through the written comment 
process. Written submissions may contain supplemental information other 
than that presented in the oral presentation. Persons submitting 
written comments at the meeting are asked to provide two hard copies.
    Meeting Accommodations: The meeting hotel is ADA Compliant, and the 
USDA provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities 
where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation to 
participate in this public meeting, please notify Michelle Arsenault at 
[email protected] or (202) 720-0081. Determinations for 
reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

    Dated: March 9, 2015.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-05664 Filed 3-11-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P