[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19112-19113]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07616]


 ========================================================================
 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 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 
 appearing in this section.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 64 / Monday, April 4, 2016 / 
Notices  

[[Page 19112]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-NOP-15-0086; NOP-15-17]


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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) was established to 
assist in the development of 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 the following: its intent to renew the Charter of 
the NOSB, which expires on May 8, 2016; its call for nominations to 
fill five (5) upcoming vacancies for appointments in 2017, and its call 
for nominations for a pool of candidates to fill future unexpected 
vacancies in any of the position categories should that occur.

DATES: The current NOSB Charter expires on May 8, 2016. Written 
nominations must be postmarked on or before June 3, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Nomination applications can be sent via email to Michelle 
Arsenault at [email protected], or mailed to: USDA-AMS-
NOP, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2642-S., Ag Stop 0268, 
Washington, DC 20250-0268. Electronic submittals are preferred.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Arsenault, (202) 720-0081; 
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 a 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 Charter 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.
    The NOSB is composed of 15 members including; four individuals who 
own or operate an organic farming operation, two individuals who own or 
operate an organic handling operation; one individual who owns or 
operates a retail establishment with significant trade in organic 
products; three individuals with expertise in areas of environmental 
protection and resource conservation; three individuals who represent 
public interest or consumer interest groups; one scientist with 
expertise in the fields of toxicology, ecology, or biochemistry; and 
one individual who is a certifying agent. Through this Notice, the USDA 
seeks to fulfill two goals: Firstly, it is seeking nominations to fill 
five (5) upcoming vacancies for the following positions: One (1) 
organic producer; one (1) individual with expertise in areas of 
environmental protection and resource conservation; one (1) 
representative of a public or consumer interest group; one (1) organic 
handler or processor; and one (1) scientist (toxicology, ecology or 
biochemistry). The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint one person to 
each of these five positions to serve a 5-year term of office beginning 
January 24, 2017, and ending January 23, 2022. Secondly, the USDA is 
seeking nominations to fill future unexpected vacancies in any of the 
position categories. These nominations will be held as a pool of 
candidates that the Secretary of Agriculture can draw upon as 
replacement appointees if unexpected vacancies occur. A person 
appointed to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the 5-year 
term of the vacant position.
    As per the OFPA, individuals seeking appointment to the NOSB must 
meet the definition of the position that they seek as identified under 
section 6518 of this title, as well as satisfy the selection criteria 
for an NOSB member.
    Selection criteria include the following: An understanding of 
organic principles and practical experience in the organic community; 
demonstrated experience and interest in organic production and organic 
certification; demonstrated experience with respect to agricultural 
products produced and handled on certified organic farms; a commitment 
to the integrity of the organic food and fiber industry; demonstrated 
experience in the development of public policy such as participation on 
public or private advisory boards, boards of directors or other 
comparable organizations; support of consumer and public interest 
organizations; participation in standards development or involvement in 
educational outreach activities; the ability to evaluate technical 
information and to fully participate in Board deliberation and 
recommendations; the willingness to commit the time and energy 
necessary to assume Board duties; and other such factors as may be 
appropriate for specific positions.
    To nominate yourself or someone else, please submit the following: 
a resume (required), Form AD-755 (required), which can be accessed at: 
http://www.usda.gov/documents/OCIO_AD_755_Master_2012.pdf, a cover 
letter, and a list of endorsements or letters of recommendation 
(optional). Resumes must be no longer than 5 pages, and should include 
a summary of the following information: Current and past organization 
affiliations; areas of expertise; education; career positions held; any 
other notable positions held.
    If USDA receives a request under the Freedom of Information Act 
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), for records relating to NOSB nominations, your 
application materials may be released to the requester. Prior to the 
release of the information, personally identifiable information 
protected by the FOIA Privacy Act will be redacted.
    Nominations are open to all individuals without regard to race, 
color, religion, gender, national origin, age, mental or physical 
disability,

[[Page 19113]]

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 30, 2016.
Elanor Starmer,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-07616 Filed 4-1-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P