[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 119 (Tuesday, June 22, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33240-33241]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-15770]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[TM-99-00-3]


Nominations for Members of the National Organic Standards Board

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 1990, as amended, 
requires the establishment of a National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 
to assist in the development of standards for substances to be used in 
organic production and to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on any 
other aspects of the implementation of the Act. The NOSB was originally 
established on January 24, 1992, with individual members appointed for 
staggered appointments of 3, 4, and 5 years. Appointments for four 
members will be up in January 2000, and the

[[Page 33241]]

Secretary seeks nominations of individuals to be considered for 
selection as NOSB members.

DATES: Written nominations, with resumes, must be postmarked on or 
before September 20, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Keith Jones, Program Manager, 
Room 2510 South Building, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), AMS, 
Transportation and Marketing, National Organic Program, P.O. Box 96456, 
Washington, DC 20090-6456.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Jones, (202) 720-3252.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OFPA of 1990 requires the Secretary to 
establish an organic certification program for producers and handlers 
of agricultural products that have been produced using organic methods. 
In developing this program, the Secretary is required to establish a 
NOSB. The purpose of the NOSB 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 the 
program.
    The current NOSB made recommendations to the Secretary regarding 
various matters, including recommendations regarding substances that it 
believed should be permitted to be used in organic production. It is 
expected that the NOSB will continue to work and make additional 
recommendations to the Secretary on various matters, including 
substances that should be permitted or prohibited for use in organic 
production and processing.
    The NOSB was originally established in January 1992. A member of 
the NOSB is to serve for a term of 5 years, except that the original 
members were to serve staggered terms. The terms of four members of the 
current NOSB, who were appointed for 5-year terms, will be completed on 
January 24, 2000. A board member may serve consecutive terms if such 
member served an original term that was less than 5 years.
    The NOSB is required to be composed of various individuals, 
including individuals who own or operate an organic farming operation, 
an organic handling operation, and a retail store with significant 
trade in organic products, as well as individuals who have expertise in 
the areas of environmental protection and resource conservation.
    Nominations are sought for the positions of farmer/grower (1), 
environmentalist (1), retailer (1), and handler/processor (1). An 
individual desiring to be appointed to the NOSB at this time must be 
one of the following: An owner or operator of an organic farming 
operation, an owner or operator of a handling operation, an owner or 
operator of a retail store with significant trade in organic products, 
or an expert in the area of environmental or resource conservation.
    Selection criteria will include such factors as: Demonstrated 
experience and interest in organics; commodity and geographic 
representation; endorsed support of consumer and public interest 
organizations; demonstrated experience with environmental concerns; and 
other factors as may be appropriate for specific positions.
    After applications have been reviewed, individuals receiving 
nominations will be contacted and supplied with biographical 
information forms. The biographical information must be completed and 
returned to USDA within 10 working days of the receipt of the forms, to 
expedite the security clearance process that is required by USDA.
    Equal opportunity practices will be followed in all appointments to 
the Board in accordance with USDA policies. To ensure that the 
recommendations for the Board have taken into account the needs of the 
diverse groups served by the Department, membership shall include, to 
the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to 
represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
    The information collection requirements concerning the nomination 
process have been previously cleared by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) under OMB Control No. 0505-0001.

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

    Dated: June 16, 1999.
Eileen S. Stommes,
Deputy Administrator, Transportation and Marketing.
[FR Doc. 99-15770 Filed 6-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P