[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 102 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 33802]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-13289]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 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 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 102 / Thursday, May 25, 2000 / 
Notices  

[[Page 33802]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[TM-00-06]


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: June 6, 2000, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and June 7, 2000, 9 a.m. to 
5 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time each day).

Place: Hilton Crystal City at National Airport, 2399 Jefferson Davis 
Highway, Arlington, VA 22202, Telephone: (703) 418-6800.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keith Jones, Program Manager, National 
Organic Program, USDA-AMS-TMP-NOP, Room 2945-So., Ag Stop 0268, P.O. 
Box 96456, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456, Telephone: (202) 720-3252.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 2119 (7 U.S.C. 6518) of the Organic 
Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA), as amended (7 U.S.C. Section 6501 
et seq.) requires the establishment of the 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 OFPA. The NOSB met for the first time 
in Washington, D.C., in March 1992 and currently has six committees 
working on various aspects of the program. The committees are: Crops 
Standards; Processing, Labeling and Packaging Standards; Livestock 
Standards; Accreditation; Materials; and International Issues.
    In August of 1994, the NOSB provided its initial recommendations 
for the National Organic Program (NOP) to the Secretary of Agriculture. 
Since that time the NOSB has submitted 30 addenda to its 
recommendations and reviewed more than 170 substances for inclusion on 
the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. The last 
meeting of the NOSB was held on March 21-22, 2000, in Buena Park, 
California.
    The Department of Agriculture (USDA) published its re-proposed 
National Organic Program regulation in the Federal Register on March 
13, 2000 (65 FR 13512). Comments are being accepted until June 12, 
2000. Comments may be submitted to: Keith Jones, Program Manager, 
National Organic Program, USDA-AMS-TMP-NOP, Room 2945-So., Ag Stop 
0275, PO Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456. Comments also may be 
sent by fax to (703) 365-0760 or filed via the Internet through the 
NOP's homepage at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop. Comments should be 
identified with docket number TMD-00-02-PR.

Purpose and Agenda

    The principal purposes of this meeting are to provide an 
opportunity for the NOSB to receive committee reports; approve the 
NOSB's comment to the re-proposed National Organic Program regulation; 
vote on whether to recommend the addition of ethylene gas and amino 
acids to the National List; elect new officers of the NOSB; and receive 
an update regarding certification of aquatic animals from the USDA. 
Copies of the NOSB final meeting agenda can be requested from Mrs. Toni 
Strother, USDA-AMS-TMP-NOP, Room 2510-So., Ag Stop 0268, P.O. Box 
96456, Washington, D.C. 20090-6456; by phone at (202) 720-3252; or by 
accessing the NOP website at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop after May 23, 
2000.

Type of Meeting

    This meeting is open to the public. The NOSB has scheduled time for 
public input on Tuesday, June 6, 2000, from 1:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. 
at the Hilton Crystal City at National Airport, 2399 Jefferson Davis 
Highway, Arlington, VA 22202. Telephone: (703) 418-6800. Individuals 
and organizations wishing to make an oral presentation at the meeting 
should forward the request to Mrs. Strother at the above address or by 
FAX to (202) 205-7808 by close of business June 2, 2000. While persons 
wishing to make a presentation may sign up at the door, advance 
registration will ensure an opportunity to speak during the allotted 
time period and will help the NOSB to better manage the meeting and 
accomplish its agenda. Individuals or organizations will be given 
approximately 5 minutes to present their views. All persons making an 
oral presentation are requested to provide their comments in writing, 
if possible. Written submissions may supplement the oral presentation 
with additional material. Written comments may be submitted to the NOSB 
at the meeting or to Mrs. Strother after the meeting at the above 
address.

    Dated: May 23, 2000.
Sharon Bomer Lauritsen
Acting Deputy Administrator, Transportation and Marketing
[FR Doc. 00-13289 Filed 5-23-00; 1:35 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P