[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 48 (Wednesday, March 12, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13982-13983]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05372]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-NOP-13-0096; NOP-13-07]


National Organic Standards Board (NOSB): Notice of Intent To 
Renew Charter and Call for Nominations

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice: Intent to renew charter and call for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) was established to 
assist in developing standards for substances to be used in organic 
production and to advise the Secretary on the implementation of the 
Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA). Through this Notice, USDA 
is announcing its intent to renew the Charter of the NOSB; the current 
charter expires on May 10, 2014. The USDA is also requesting 
nominations to fill four (4) upcoming vacancies on the NOSB. The 
positions to be filled are: environmentalist (1 position), producer (1 
position), handler (1 position), and retailer (1 position). The 
Secretary of Agriculture will appoint one person to each of these 4 
positions to serve a 5-year term of office that will commence on 
January 24, 2015, and run until January 24, 2020.

DATES: The current NOSB Charter expires on May 10, 2014. Written 
nominations must be postmarked on or before May 15, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Nomination applications are to be sent to Rita Meade, USDA-
AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2648-So., Ag Stop 0268, 
Washington, DC 20250, or via email to [email protected]. 
Electronic submittals by email are preferred.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Arsenault, (202) 720-0081; 
Email: [email protected]; Fax: (202) 205-7808 or Rita 
Meade, (202) 260-8636; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OFPA of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 
Section 6501 et seq.), requires the Secretary to establish an organic 
certification program for producers and handlers of agricultural 
products that have been produced using organic methods. The OFPA 
includes the requirement that the Secretary establish an NOSB in 
accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. 
App. 2 et seq.). The purpose of the NOSB is to assist in the 
development of a proposed National List of Allowed and Prohibited 
Substances and to advise the Secretary on the implementation of the 
OFPA.
    Pursuant to the FACA, notice is hereby given that the Secretary of 
Agriculture intends to renew the NOSB for two years. The NOSB is of a 
continuing nature due to the changes in organic production and 
marketing brought about through advancements in science and technology. 
Committee members are appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and 
serve five-year terms.
    The NOSB is composed of 15 members; including 4 organic producers, 
2 organic handlers, a retailer, 3 environmentalists, 3 public/consumer 
representatives, a scientist, and a certifying agent. Through this 
Notice, USDA is seeking nominations to fill the following four (4) 
upcoming NOSB vacancies: environmentalist (1 position), producer (1 
position), handler (1 position), and retailer (1 position). As per the 
OFPA, individuals seeking appointment to the NOSB at this time must: 
have expertise in areas of environmental protection and resource 
conservation; must be an individual who owns or operates an organic 
farming operation; must be an individual that owns or operates an 
organic handling operation; or must be an individual who owns or 
operates a retail establishment with significant trade in organic 
products.
    Selection criteria includes such factors as: understanding of 
organic principles and practical experience in the organic community; 
demonstrated experience in the development of public policy such as 
participation on public or private advisory boards, boards of directors 
or other comparable organizations; participation in standards 
development or involvement in educational outreach activities; a 
commitment to the integrity of the organic food and fiber industry; the

[[Page 13983]]

ability to evaluate technical information and to fully participate in 
Board deliberation and recommendations; and the willingness to commit 
the time and energy necessary to assume Board duties; demonstrated 
experience and interest in organic production; organic certification; 
support of consumer and public interest organizations; demonstrated 
experience with respect to agricultural products produced and handled 
on certified organic farms; and such other factors as may be 
appropriate for specific positions.
    To nominate yourself or someone else, please submit: a resume, a 
cover letter, and a Form AD-755, which can be accessed at: 
www.ocio.usda.gov/forms/doc/AD-755.pdf. Resumes must be no longer than 
5 pages, and include at the beginning a summary of the following 
information: Current and past organization affiliations; areas of 
expertise; education; career positions held; any other notable 
positions held. You may also submit a list of endorsements or letters 
of recommendation, if desired. Resume and completed requested 
background information are required for a nominee to receive 
consideration for appointment by the Secretary.
    Nominations are open to all individuals without regard to race, 
color, religion, gender, national origin, age, mental or physical 
disability, marital status, or sexual orientation. To ensure that the 
recommendations of the NOSB take into account the needs of the diverse 
groups that are served by the Department, membership on the NOSB 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.

    Dated: March 6, 2014.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-05372 Filed 3-11-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P