[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 184 (Friday, September 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48654-48655]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-23649]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[TM-01-07]


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) is announcing a 
forthcoming meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).

DATES: The meeting dates are: October 15, 2001, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; 
October 16, 2001, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and, October 17, 2001, 8:00 
a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Requests from individuals and organizations wishing 
to make an oral presentation at the meeting are due by the close of 
business on October 5, 2001.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Rear of the South Building Cafeteria, 1400 Independence 
Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-0200. Requests for copies of the 
NOSB meeting agenda and requests to make an oral presentation at the 
meeting may be sent to Katherine Benham at USDA-AMS-TMD-NOP, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 2945-So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 
20250-0200. Requests to make an oral presentation at the meeting may 
also be sent electronically to Katherine Benham at 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard Mathews, Program Manager, 
National Organic Program, (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 make recommendations about whether a substance should be 
allowed or prohibited in organic production or handling, to assist in 
the development of standards for substances to be used in organic 
production and to advise the Secretary on other aspects of the 
implementation of OFPA. The NOSB met for the first time in Washington, 
DC, in March 1992, and currently has five committees working on various 
aspects of the organic program. The committees are: Accreditation, 
Crops, Livestock, Materials, and Processing.
    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 196 substances for inclusion on 
the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. The last 
meeting of the NOSB was held on June 6-7, 2001, in La Crosse, 
Wisconsin.
    The Department of Agriculture (USDA) published its final National 
Organic Program regulation in the Federal Register on December 21, 2000 
(65 FR 80548). The rule became effective April 21, 2001.
    The principal purposes of the meeting are to provide an opportunity 
for the NOSB to: receive an update from the USDA/NOP; receive various 
committee reports; hear a presentation from the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) on inert ingredients and pesticide product 
labeling; hear a presentation from the Foreign Agricultural Service, 
USDA, on trade issues; receive updates from the Aquatic Task Force 
Working Group and the Task Force on Outreach to Producers; review 
materials to determine if they should be included on the National List 
of Approved and Prohibited Substances; and conduct the annual election 
of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson.
    The Livestock Committee will present for NOSB consideration its 
recommendations on ``access to pasture,'' antibiotics in vaccines and 
semen, apiculture, and aquatic species. This committee will also 
discuss Pet Food labeling. The Materials Committee will explain the 
materials petition process and timelines, and the decision process for 
reviewing/approving a material for possible inclusion on the National 
List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. The Materials Committee will 
report on new petitions received for the review of materials and the 
Technical Advisory Panel review process. Finally, the Materials 
Committee will present 13 materials for possible inclusion on the 
National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. The Processing 
Committee will discuss guidelines for determining what processing 
technologies are appropriate for organic handling, such as ion exchange 
and activated carbon filtration. The Crops Committee will present for 
NOSB consideration its recommendations for Mushroom and Greenhouse 
production standards. The Crops Committee will also discuss the status 
of its work on composting; compost tea and vermiculture; and heated, 
pathogen free manure products. Further, the Crops Committee will 
discuss recommendations for certification of transitional operations 
and the labeling of transitional products. The Accreditation Committee

[[Page 48655]]

will present for NOSB consideration its recommendation on principles of 
organic production and handling. The Accreditation Committee will 
present for NOSB consideration its recommendations regarding exemptions 
of small producers, exclusion of handlers, and certification of private 
label products. The Accreditation Committee will also report on 
continued certifying agent outreach and provide an analysis of the NOP 
Frequently Asked Questions web page.
    Materials to be reviewed at the meeting by the NOSB are as follows: 
for Crop Production: Monocalcium Phosphate, Calcium Chloride, Copper 
Sulfate; for Livestock Production: DL-Methionine (including, DL-
Methionine Hydroxy Analog and Hydroxy Analog Calcium); for Processing: 
Ammonium Hydroxide, Cyclohexlamine, Diethylaminoethanol, Morpholine, 
Octadecylamine, Postassium Hydroxide, Sodium Phosphates, Cellulose, and 
Glycerol Monooleate.
    For further information see http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop. Copies of 
the NOSB meeting agenda can be requested from Ms. Katherine Benham by 
telephone at (202) 720-3252; or by accessing the NOP website at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop.
    The meeting is open to the public. The NOSB has scheduled time for 
public input on Monday, October 15, 2001, from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 
a.m.; and Wednesday, October 17, from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m., at 
the USDA, rear of the South Building Main Cafeteria. Individuals and 
organizations wishing to make an oral presentation at the meeting may 
forward their request by facsimile to Ms. Katherine Benham at (202) 
690-3924. While persons wishing to make a presentation may sign up at 
the door, advance registration will ensure that a person has the 
opportunity to speak during the allotted time period and will help the 
NOSB to better manage the meeting and to 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. Written submissions may 
contain information other than that presented at the oral presentation. 
Written comments may be submitted to Ms. Benham at the above address 
prior to or after the meeting. Written comments may also be submitted 
at the meeting.

    Dated: September 17, 2001.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 01-23649 Filed 9-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P