[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 202 (Friday, October 18, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 55866-55870]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-22639]


 ========================================================================
 Proposed Rules
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
 the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
 notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
 the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 202 / Friday, October 18, 2019 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 55866]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 205

[Document Number AMS-NOP-19-0023; NOP-19-01]
RIN 0581 AD83


National Organic Program; Proposed Amendments to the National 
List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances per October 2018 NOSB 
Recommendations (Crops and Handling)

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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

SUMMARY: This proposed rule would amend the National List of Allowed 
and Prohibited Substances (National List) section of the United States 
Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) organic regulations to implement 
recommendations submitted to the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) 
by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). This rule proposes to 
add blood meal, made with sodium citrate, to the National List as a 
soil fertilizer in organic crop production; add natamycin to the 
National List to prohibit its use in organic crop production; and add 
tamarind seed gum as a non-organic agricultural substance for use in 
organic handling when organic forms of tamarind seed gum are not 
commercially available.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 17, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons may comment on the proposed rule using 
the following procedures:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments.
    Mail: Robert Pooler, Standards Division, National Organic Program, 
USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 2642-S., Ag Stop 0268, 
Washington, DC 20250-0268. Telephone: (202) 720-3252.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the docket 
number AMS-NOP-19-0023, NOP-19-01, and/or Regulatory Information Number 
(RIN) 0581-AD83 for this rulemaking. When submitting a comment, clearly 
indicate the proposed rule topic and section number to which the 
comment refers. In addition, comments should clearly indicate whether 
the commenter supports the action being proposed and also clearly 
indicate the reason(s) for the position. Comments can also include 
information on alternative management practices, where applicable, that 
support alternatives to the proposed amendments. Comments should also 
offer any recommended language change(s) that would be appropriate to 
the position. Please include relevant information and data to support 
the position such as scientific, environmental, manufacturing, 
industry, or impact information, or similar sources. Only relevant 
material supporting the position should be submitted. All comments 
received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov.
    Document: To access the document and read background documents, or 
comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov. Comments submitted 
in response to this proposed rule will also be available for viewing in 
person at USDA-AMS, National Organic Program, Room 2642-South Building, 
1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 
from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except 
official Federal holidays). Persons wanting to visit the USDA South 
Building to view comments received in response to this proposed rule 
are requested to make an appointment in advance by calling (202) 720-
3252.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Pooler, Standards Division, 
National Organic Program. Telephone: (202) 720-3252.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    On December 21, 2000, the Secretary established the National List 
within part 205 of the USDA organic regulations (7 CFR 205.600 through 
205.607). The National List identifies the synthetic substance 
allowances and the nonsynthetic substance prohibitions in organic 
farming. The National List also identifies synthetic and nonsynthetic 
nonagricultural substances and nonorganic agricultural substances that 
may be used in organic handling.
    The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 
6501-6522) (OFPA), and Sec.  205.105 of the USDA organic regulations 
specifically prohibit the use of any synthetic substance in organic 
production and handling unless the synthetic substance is on the 
National List. Section 205.105 also requires that any nonorganic 
agricultural and any nonsynthetic nonagricultural substance used in 
organic handling be on the National List. Under the authority of OFPA, 
the National List can be amended by the Secretary based on 
recommendations presented by the NOSB. Since the final rule 
establishing the National Organic Program (NOP) became effective on 
October 21, 2002, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has 
published multiple rules amending the National List.
    This proposed rule addresses three NOSB recommendations to amend 
the National List that were submitted to the Secretary on October 26, 
2018. Table 1 summarizes the proposed changes to the National List 
based on these NOSB recommendations.

             Table 1--Substances Being Added to the National List or Current Listings Being Amended
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                National list
                  Substance                        section                    Proposed rule action
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Blood meal--made with Sodium citrate.........  Sec.   205.601  Add to National List.
Natamycin....................................  Sec.   205.602  Add to National List.
Tamarind seed gum............................  Sec.   205.606  Add to National List.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 55867]]

II. Overview of Proposed Amendments

    The following provides an overview of the proposed amendments to 
designated sections of the National List regulations:

Blood Meal--Made With Sodium Citrate

    The proposed rule would amend the National List to add blood meal--
made with sodium citrate to Sec.  205.601 as a synthetic substance 
allowed for use in crop production. Table 2 illustrates the proposed 
listing.

    Table 2--Proposed Rule Action for Blood Meal Using Sodium Citrate
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Current rule:                             N/A
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed rule action:                       Add blood meal--made with
                                             sodium citrate to Sec.
                                             205.601(j).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On July 20, 2016, AMS received a petition \1\ to add sodium citrate 
to the National List as an anticoagulant for spray dried blood 
products. The addition of sodium citrate prevents the blood from 
clotting and maintains the blood in a liquid state while it is 
processed to dried blood meal. In its natural state, blood meal is a 
nonsynthetic substance that may be used in organic production as a soil 
amendment.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Sodium citrate petition: https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Sodium%20Citrate%20Crops%20Pet.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The NOSB reviewed and considered this petition at its public 
meeting on October 26, 2018. At the conclusion of meeting, the NOSB 
recommended to the Secretary to add sodium citrate, for use as an 
anticoagulant in the production of blood meal, to the National List.\2\ 
In its recommendation, the NOSB requested that AMS review sodium 
citrate to determine whether sodium citrate used to process blood meal 
must be on the National List in order for the resulting blood meal to 
be allowed in organic crop production.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ NOSB recommendation for sodium citrate: https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/CSSodiumCitratePetRecOct2018.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    AMS reviewed the NOSB's sodium citrate recommendation, the sodium 
citrate petition, and the sodium citrate technical report.\3\ AMS 
concurs with the NOSB's determination that sodium citrate is a 
synthetic substance. Further, AMS concludes that the use of sodium 
citrate to manufacture blood meal means that blood meal would not 
qualify as a nonsynthetic substance. AMS also concurs with the NOSB's 
determination that the construct of the National List does not include 
processing aids for crop production substances; rather it includes the 
generic crop production substance. AMS determined that sodium citrate's 
use as an anticoagulant in the production of blood meal is not included 
within the production aid categories specified in the OFPA (7 U.S.C. 
6517(c)(1)(B)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Technical Evaluation Report for sodium citrate (for used in 
crop production): https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/SodiumCitrateCropsTR20171218.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Therefore, to address the NOSB's recommendation to allow the use of 
sodium citrate, AMS is proposing to add blood meal produced with sodium 
citrate to the National List. This determination is consistent with the 
current listing for liquid fish products that are pH adjusted with 
sulfuric, citric, or phosphoric acid and allowed in organic crop 
production as a plant or soil amendment (Sec.  205.601(j)(8)). In that 
case, the addition of a synthetic processing aid, i.e., the specified 
acids, to a nonsynthetic substance, liquid fish products, was resolved 
by listing as a synthetic substance liquid fish products that are pH 
adjusted with the specified acids. The addition of the synthetic 
substance, sodium citrate, in the processing of blood meal means that 
the final product is also synthetic and must be on the National List 
for use in organic crop production.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Guidance on determining whether a substance is synthetic or 
non-synthetic is described in document NOP 5033-1, Guidance Decision 
Tree for Classification of Materials as Synthetic or Nonsynthetic: 
https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/NOP-Synthetic-NonSynthetic-DecisionTree.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In its recommendation to the Secretary, the NOSB stated that there 
is no concern with using sodium citrate to make dried blood meal and 
noted that sodium citrate is on the National List in Sec.  205.605(b) 
as an allowed ingredient for use in organic processing. This proposed 
rule would amend the National List by adding blood meal made with 
sodium citrate to Sec.  205.601(j) as a plant or soil amendment.

Sec.  205.602 Nonsynthetic Substances Prohibited for Use in Organic 
Crop Production

    This proposed rule would add natamycin to Sec.  205.602, 
Nonsynthetic substances prohibited for use in organic crop production.

Natamycin

    The proposed rule would amend the National List to add natamycin to 
Sec.  205.602. Table 2 illustrates the proposed listing.

               Table 3--Proposed Rule Action For Natamycin
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Current rule:                             N/A
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed rule action:                       Add natamycin to Sec.
                                             205.602.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On September 1, 2016, AMS received a petition \5\ to add natamycin 
as a nonsynthetic substance allowed for use in organic crop production 
as a post-harvest treatment to control fungal diseases. Natamycin is a 
naturally occurring compound produced by soil bacteria. Natamycin is 
used in agriculture and in food processing for its antifungal 
properties as either a fungicide or fungistat. These properties are 
effective over a wide pH range. To enhance review of this petition, the 
NOSB solicited a technical report on natamycin.\6\ This report 
indicates that natamycin is regulated by both the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
Commercial applications of natamycin in crop, livestock, and food 
production can be grouped into three basic categories: Pre- or post-
harvest agricultural fungicide; livestock medication; or as a 
preservative in processed foods. For example, natamycin may be used in 
mushroom production to control fungal diseases and in post-harvest 
handling treatment of raw agricultural commodities, such as fruits, to 
prevent spoilage. Natamycin is also used in animal health for treating 
ringworm and candidosis in horses and cattle. Natamycin is approved as 
a preservative in certain processed foods, such as cheese, yogurt, and 
certain beverages.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Natamycin petition: https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/Natamycin%20NOP%20Petition%20-%2001%20Sep%2016.pdf.
    \6\ Natamycin Technical Evaluation Report, November 2017: 
https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/NatamycinTR20171102.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The 2016 natamycin petition is the second natamycin petition 
received and reviewed by the NOSB. In March 2007 the NOSB reviewed a 
petition on natamycin for use as a nonsynthetic, nonagricultural 
substance in organic processing and handling, to prevent or delay mold 
growth in packaged baked goods. After reviewing the 2007 petition, the 
NOSB considered adding natamycin to the National List in Sec.  
205.605(a), Nonagricultural (nonorganic) substances allowed as 
ingredients in or on processed products labeled as ``organic'' or 
``made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s)).'' At the 
conclusion of the March 2007 meeting, the NOSB did not recommend adding 
natamycin to

[[Page 55868]]

Sec.  205.605(a). Some comments received by the NOSB during the 2007 
meeting stated opposition to allowing natamycin in organic handling 
because the commenters believed that natamycin is an antibiotic, and 
its use as a preservative would not be compatible with organic 
standards. In 2007, the NOSB determined natamycin to be a nonsynthetic 
substance and that its use, as petitioned, was not compatible with 
organic handling standards.
    At its October 26, 2018, public meeting, the NOSB considered the 
second natamycin petition as a nonsynthetic substance in organic crop 
production and received public comment. In its review, the NOSB also 
considered a November 2, 2017, technical evaluation report on natamycin 
that described its manufacture, industry uses, regulation, and chemical 
properties.
    After considering the petition, technical report, and public 
comments, the NOSB determined (1) that natamycin is a nonsynthetic 
substance and (2) that the use of natamycin as a post-harvest treatment 
on harvested crops met the OFPA criteria for prohibitions on natural 
substances because its use could negatively impact human health by 
increasing fungal resistance to natamycin. As such, its use would not 
be consistent with organic farming or handling. Therefore, the NOSB 
recommended adding natamycin to Sec.  205.602 as a nonsynthetic 
substance prohibited for use in organic crop production.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ NOSB natamycin recommendation: https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/CSNatamycinPetRecOct2018.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    AMS has reviewed the NOSB recommendation on natamycin and agrees 
that natamycin meets the OFPA criteria for listing as a prohibited 
substance in organic crop production. AMS proposes addressing this NOSB 
recommendation through this proposed rule. Consistent with the NOSB 
recommendation, this proposed rule would amend the National List by 
adding natamycin to Sec.  205.602 as a prohibited nonsysthetic 
substance. This action would prohibit any use of natamycin in organic 
crop production, including both pre-harvest and post-harvest treatment.

Sec.  205.606 Nonorganically Produced Agricultural Products Allowed as 
Ingredients in or on Processed Products Labeled as ``Organic.''

Tamarind Seed Gum

    The proposed rule would amend the National List to add tamarind 
seed gum as a non-organic agricultural substance listed in Sec.  
205.606 for use in organic handling.

           Table 4--Proposed Rule Action For Tamarind Seed Gum
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Current rule:                             N/A
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Proposed rule action:                       Add tamarind seed gum to
                                             Sec.   205.606.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On February 13, 2017, AMS received a petition \8\ to add tamarind 
seed gum to the National List in Sec.  205.606 for use in organic 
handling as a thickener, stabilizer, or gelling agent in processed 
foods. Tamarind seed gum is a plant polysaccharide (polymer of 
carbohydrate molecules) derived from the kernel, or endosperm, of seeds 
of the tamarind tree. Tamarind seed gum is Generally Regarded as Safe 
(GRAS) for several applications as a food additive--specifically in 
foods such as cheese, fruit preserves, sauces, and ice cream.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ Tamarind seed gum petition: https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/TamGumPetition.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    To enhance its review of this petition, the NOSB solicited a 
technical report \9\ on tamarind seed gum. This report indicated that 
tamarind seed gum is regulated by the FDA as a GRAS food additive and 
specifically, as a stabilizer and thickener as defined by 21 CFR 170.3.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \9\ Tamarind seed gum technical evaluation report, February 
2018: https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/TamarindSeedGumTR2018221.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    At its October 26, 2018, public meeting, the NOSB considered the 
petition on adding tamarind seed gum to the National List for use in 
organic handling. As part of its review, the NOSB considered a February 
21, 2018, technical report on tamarind seed gum that described its 
manufacture, industry uses, regulation, and chemical properties. After 
considering the petition, technical report, and public comments on 
tamarind seed gum, the NOSB determined that the allowance of non-
organic tamarind seed gum for use as an ingredient in organic handling 
is consistent with the OFPA evaluation criteria for National List 
substances. The NOSB's evaluation also determined that tamarind seed 
gum provides different processing characteristics and texture compared 
to the gums currently on the National List. Subsequently, the NOSB 
recommended \10\ adding tamarind seed gum to Sec.  205.606 as a 
nonorganically produced agricultural product allowed as ingredients in 
or on processed products labeled as ``organic.''
    AMS has reviewed the NOSB recommendation on tamarind seed gum and 
agrees that tamarind seed gum satisfies the OFPA evaluation criteria 
for an allowed substance on the National List. Subsequently, AMS 
proposes addressing this NOSB recommendation through this proposed 
rule. Consistent with the NOSB recommendation, this proposed rule would 
amend the National List by adding tamarind seed gum to Sec.  205.606 as 
a nonorganically produced agricultural product allowed as an ingredient 
in or on processed products labeled as ``organic.'' This action would 
require organic handlers who use tamarind seed gum to source an organic 
form of the ingredient before using any nonorganic source of this 
ingredient. If the organic form of the ingredient is not commercially 
available, the nonorganic form may be used.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \10\ NOSB recommendation on tamarind seed gum: https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/HSTamarindSeedGumPetRecOct2018.pdf.
    \11\ See 7 CFR 205.606 and 7 CFR 205.2 for definition of 
``Commercially available.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Related Documents

    On August 9, 2018, a document was published in the Federal Register 
(83 FR 39376) announcing the fall 2018 NOSB meeting. One purpose of the 
meeting was to deliberate on recommendations on substances petitioned 
as amendments to the National List.

IV. Statutory and Regulatory Authority

    The OFPA authorizes the Secretary to make amendments to the 
National List based on recommendations developed by the NOSB. Sections 
6518(k) and 6518(n) of the OFPA authorize the NOSB to develop 
recommendations for submission to the Secretary to amend the National 
List and establish a process by which persons may petition the NOSB for 
the purpose of having substances evaluated for inclusion on or deletion 
from the National List. Section 205.607 of the USDA organic regulations 
permits any person to petition to add or remove a substance from the 
National List and directs petitioners to obtain the petition procedures 
from USDA. The current petition procedures published in the Federal 
Register (81 FR 12680, March 10, 2016) for amending the National List 
can be accessed through the NOP Program Handbook on the NOP website at 
https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/handbook.

A. Executive Orders 12866 and 13771, and Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This action falls within a category of regulatory actions that the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has

[[Page 55869]]

exempted from Executive Order 12866. Additionally, because this 
proposal does not meet the definition of a significant regulatory 
action, it does not trigger the requirements contained in Executive 
Order 13771. See OMB's Memorandum titled ``Interim Guidance 
Implementing Section 2 of the Executive Order of January 30, 2017 
titled `Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs' '' 
(February 2, 2017).
    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) (5 U.S.C. 601-612) requires 
agencies to consider the economic impact of each rule on small entities 
and evaluate alternatives that would accomplish the objectives of the 
rule without unduly burdening small entities or erecting barriers that 
would restrict their ability to compete in the market. The purpose of 
the RFA is to fit regulatory actions to the scale of businesses subject 
to the action. Section 605 of the RFA allows an agency to certify a 
rule, in lieu of preparing an analysis, if the rulemaking is not 
expected to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number 
of small entities.
    The Small Business Administration (SBA) sets size criteria for each 
industry described in the North American Industry Classification System 
(NAICS) to delineate which operations qualify as small businesses. The 
SBA has classified small agricultural producers that engage in crop and 
animal production as those with average annual receipts of less than 
$750,000. Handlers are involved in a broad spectrum of food production 
activities and fall into various categories in the NAICS Food 
Manufacturing sector. The small business thresholds for food 
manufacturing operations are based on the number of employees and range 
from 500 to 1,250 employees, depending on the specific type of 
manufacturing. Certifying agents fall under the NAICS subsector, ``All 
other professional, scientific and technical services.'' For this 
category, the small business threshold is average annual receipts of 
less than $15 million.
    AMS has considered the economic impact of this proposed rulemaking 
on small agricultural entities. Data collected by the USDA National 
Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and the NOP indicate most of the 
certified organic production operations in the United States would be 
considered small entities. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, 
18,166 organic farms in the United States reported sales of organic 
products and total farmgate sales in excess of $7.2 billion.\12\ Based 
on that data, organic sales average $400,000 per farm. Assuming a 
normal distribution of producers, we expect that most of these 
producers would fall under the $750,000 sales threshold to qualify as a 
small business.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural 
Statistics Service. 2017 Census of Agriculture. https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_1_US/. The number of organic farms includes both 
certified and exempt farms.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    According to the NOP's Organic Integrity Database, there are 18,105 
organic handlers that are certified under the USDA organic regulations 
(10,184 of these handlers are based in the U.S).\13\ The Organic Trade 
Association's 2018 Organic Industry Survey has information about 
employment trends among organic manufacturers. The reported data are 
stratified into three groups by the number of employees per company: 
Less than 5; 5 to 49; and 50 plus. These data are representative of the 
organic manufacturing sector and the lower bound (50) of the range for 
the larger manufacturers is significantly smaller than the SBA's small 
business thresholds (500 to 1,250). Therefore, AMS expects that most 
organic handlers would qualify as small businesses.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ Organic Integrity Database: https://organic.ams.usda.gov/Integrity/. Accessed on June 7, 2019.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The USDA has 78 accredited certifying agents who provide organic 
certification services to producers and handlers. The certifying agent 
that reports the most certified operations, nearly 3,500, would need to 
charge approximately $4,200 in certification fees in order to exceed 
the SBA's small business threshold of $15 million. The costs for 
certification generally range from $500 to $3,500, depending on the 
complexity of the operation. Therefore, AMS expects that most of the 
accredited certifying agents would qualify as small entities under the 
SBA criteria.
    The economic impact on entities affected by this rule would not be 
significant. The effect of this rule, if implemented as final, would be 
to allow the use of two additional substances in organic crop 
production and organic handling. Adding two substances to the National 
List would increase regulatory flexibility and would give small 
entities more tools to use in day-to-day operations. This action would 
also prohibit the use of natamycin in organic crop production due to 
its possible impact on human health. AMS reviewed comments submitted to 
the NOSB indicating that there is little to no use of natamycin 
currently in organic crop production. Therefore, AMS concludes that the 
economic impact of this addition, if any, would be minimal because 
there are other practices and substances that provide effective fungal 
control in organic crop production. Accordingly, USDA certifies that 
this rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities.

B. Executive Order 12988

    Executive Order 12988 instructs each executive agency to adhere to 
certain requirements in the development of new and revised regulations 
in order to avoid unduly burdening the court system. This proposed rule 
is not intended to have a retroactive effect. Accordingly, to prevent 
duplicative regulation, states and local jurisdictions are preempted 
under the OFPA from creating programs of accreditation for private 
persons or state officials who want to become certifying agents of 
organic farms or handling operations. A governing state official would 
have to apply to USDA to be accredited as a certifying agent, as 
described in section 6514(b) of the OFPA. States are also preempted 
under sections 6503 through 6507 of the OFPA from creating 
certification programs to certify organic farms or handling operations 
unless the state programs have been submitted to, and approved by, the 
Secretary as meeting the requirements of the OFPA.
    Pursuant to section 6507(b)(2) of the OFPA, a state organic 
certification program that has been approved by the Secretary may, 
under certain circumstances, contain additional requirements for the 
production and handling of agricultural products organically produced 
in the state and for the certification of organic farm and handling 
operations located within the state. Such additional requirements must 
(a) further the purposes of the OFPA, (b) not be inconsistent with the 
OFPA, (c) not be discriminatory toward agricultural commodities 
organically produced in other States, and (d) not be effective until 
approved by the Secretary.
    In addition, pursuant to section 6519(c)(6) of the OFPA, this 
proposed rule would not supersede or alter the authority of the 
Secretary under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 601-624), 
the Poultry Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 451-471), or the Egg 
Products Inspection Act (21 U.S.C. 1031-1056), concerning meat, 
poultry, and egg products, respectively, nor any of the authorities of 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Federal Food, Drug 
and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.), nor the authority of the 
Administrator of the

[[Page 55870]]

EPA under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (7 
U.S.C. 136 et seq.).

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    No additional collection or recordkeeping requirements are imposed 
on the public by this proposed rule. Accordingly, OMB clearance is not 
required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501, 
Chapter 35.

D. Executive Order 13175

    This proposed rule has been reviewed in accordance with the 
requirements of Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination 
with Indian Tribal Governments. The review reveals that this regulation 
will not have substantial and direct effects on tribal governments and 
will not have significant tribal implications.

E. General Notice of Public Rulemaking

    This proposed rule reflects recommendations submitted by the NOSB 
to the Secretary to add two substances to the National List and notify 
organic producers and certifying agents of AMS's decision not to add 
sodium citrate to the National List. A 60-day period for interested 
persons to comment on this rule is provided.

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 205

    Administrative practice and procedure, Agriculture, Animals, 
Archives and records, Imports, Labeling, Organically produced products, 
Plants, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Seals and insignia, 
Soil conservation.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 7 CFR part 205 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 205--NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM

0
1. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 205 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6501-6522.

0
2. Amend Sec.  205.601 by redesignating paragraphs (j)(2) through (11) 
as paragraphs (j)(3) through (12) and adding new paragraph (j)(2) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  205.601   Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop 
production.

* * * * *
    (j) * * *
    (2) Blood meal--made with sodium citrate.
* * * * *
0
3. Amend Sec.  205.602 by redesignating paragraphs (e) through (j) as 
paragraphs (f) through (k) and adding new paragraph (e) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  205.602   Nonsynthetic substances prohibited for use in organic 
crop production.

* * * * *
    (e) Natamycin.
* * * * *
0
4. Amend Sec.  205.606 by redesignating paragraphs (s) through (w) as 
paragraphs (t) through (x) and adding new paragraph (s) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  205.606  Nonorganically produced agricultural products allowed as 
ingredients in or on processed products labeled as ``organic.''

* * * * *
    (s) Tamarind seed gum.
* * * * *

    Dated: October 11, 2019.
Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-22639 Filed 10-17-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P