[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 96 (Thursday, May 19, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-12376]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 19, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
TMD-94-00-1

 

Notice of Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as 
amended, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announces a 
forthcoming meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).

DATES: May 31, 1994 at 3 p.m., through June 5, 1994 at noon, for the 
NOSB.

PLACE: St. John's College Meeting and Conference Center, 1160 Camino 
Cruz Blanca, Santa Fe, New Mexico. All meetings of the NOSB for the 
week will be held at that address, and will run from 3 p.m. on Tuesday, 
May 31, 1994, to noon on Sunday, June 5, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Harold S. Ricker, Staff Director, 
NOSB, Room 4006 South Building, USDA, AMS, Transportation and Marketing 
Division, P.O. Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456. Phone 202/720-
2704.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 2119 (7 U.S.C. 6518) of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (FACT Act), as amended 
(7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.), requires establishment of a NOSB. The purpose 
of the Board is to assist in the development of standards for 
substances to be used in organic production and to advise the Secretary 
on any other aspects of the implementation of Title XXI of the FACT 
Act. The NOSB met for the first time in Washington, DC, in March 1992 
and formed six committees to work on various aspects of the program. 
The committees are: Crops Standards; Processing, Labelling and 
Packaging; Livestock Standards; Accreditation; National Materials List; 
and International Issues.

Purpose and Agenda

    The main focus of this meeting is to approve recommendations from 
the full Board to the Secretary of Agriculture on major aspects of the 
organic program. These recommendations represent the results of 
extensive discussion of issues considered by working committees of the 
Board. The last meeting of the NOSB in February 1994 provided 
considerable time for the committees to present their issues and papers 
for discussion with the full Board. This meeting will have the 
committees presenting proposed amendments to their draft 
recommendations to the full Board for discussion, followed by a vote to 
approve the Board recommendations to the Secretary.
    Topics to be covered in the full Board meeting include processing 
and labeling standards; the process for reviewing materials needed for 
the National List of approved synthetics and prohibited natural 
substances; accreditation requirements and criteria for a peer review 
panel for accrediting certifying agents; draft recommendations for 
organic crop production, developed by the Crops Committee; antibiotics, 
and parasiticides positions, and draft recommendations prepared by the 
Livestock Committee; and import requirements for organic products. A 
final agenda will be available on May 1, 1994. Persons requesting 
copies should contact Ms. Faith Ashton at the above address or phone 
number.

Type of Meeting

    All meetings will be open to the public. Individuals and 
organizations wishing to provide written comments on these issues or to 
express public comment on any organic issues should forward the request 
to Harold S. Ricker at the above address or FAXED to 202/690-0338 by 
May 27, 1994, in order to be scheduled. The NOSB has scheduled time for 
public input on Wednesday, June 1, 1994, beginning at 1 p.m. and 
continuing until 5:30 p.m. While people may sign up to speak at the 
door, advance scheduling assures an opportunity in the time allowed and 
helps the NOSB plan its activities. Each individual or organization 
will be allocated 10 minutes for presenting orally the key issues of 
concern, and should provide copies of written material elaborating on 
those issues for the Committees.

    Dated: May 12, 1994.
Lon Hatamiya,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 94-12376 Filed 05-18-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P