[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 32 (Friday, February 15, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11137-11138]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03492]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Document Number AMS-NOP-12-0070; NOP-12-17]


Notice of Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

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 9-11, 2013, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
each day. The deadline to submit written public comments and sign up 
for oral public comments is Tuesday, March 19, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at the Hilton Portland and 
Executive Tower, 921 SW Sixth Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97204. 
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 
a substance should be allowed or prohibited in organic production and/
or handling, assists in the development of standards for organic 
production, and 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 seven subcommittees working on various 
aspects of the Organic Program. The subcommittees are: Compliance, 
Accreditation, and Certification; Crops; Handling; Livestock; 
Materials; Policy Development; and the ad hoc Genetically Modified 
Organisms (GMO). The primary purpose of NOSB meetings is to provide an 
opportunity for the organic community to provide input on proposed NOSB 
recommendations and discussion items. The meetings also allow the NOSB 
to receive updates from the USDA 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 NOP 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), updates from working groups on 
technical issues, and amendments to the NOSB Policies and Procedures 
Manual.
    Public Comments: Written public comments will be accepted through 
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 via www.regulations.gov. Comments received 
after that date may not be reviewed by the NOSB before the meeting. The 
NOP strongly prefers comments to be submitted electronically; however, 
written comments may also be submitted by Tuesday, March 19, 2013 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.

[[Page 11138]]

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, March 19, 2013. 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: February 11, 2013.
Rex A. Barnes,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-03492 Filed 2-14-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P