[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 8398]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-02469]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-NOP-23-0075]


Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as 
amended, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), is announcing a meeting of the National Organic 
Standards Board (NOSB). The NOSB assists USDA in the development of 
standards for substances to be used in organic production and advises 
the Secretary of Agriculture on any other aspects of the implementation 
of the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA).

DATES: An in-person meeting will be held April 29-May 1, 2024, from 
9:00 a.m. to approximately 6:00 p.m. Central Time (CT) each day, and we 
plan to include a virtual broadcast.
    Oral Comments: The NOSB will hear oral public comments via webinars 
on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, and Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 11:00 
a.m. to approximately 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET). The USDA National 
Organic Program (NOP) will consult with the Board on whether time will 
be allotted for in-person oral public comments in Milwaukee, in 
addition to the pre-meeting oral comment webinars and written comments. 
If allowed, NOP will post details on the AMS website when registration 
opens.
    Written Comments: The deadline to submit written comments and/or 
sign up for oral comment at either the webinar or in-person meeting is 
11:59 p.m. ET, April 3, 2024.

ADDRESSES: The webinars are virtual and can be accessed via the 
internet and/or phone. Access information will be available on the AMS 
website prior to the webinars. The in-person meeting will take place at 
Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 509 W Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 
53203, United States, and will be broadcast virtually. Detailed 
information pertaining to the webinars and in-person meeting, including 
virtual viewing options, can be found at https://www.ams.usda.gov/event/national-organic-standards-board-nosb-meeting-milwaukee-wi.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Michelle Arsenault, Advisory 
Committee Specialist, National Organic Standards Board, USDA-AMS-NOP, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 2642-S, STOP 0268, Washington, DC 
20250-0268; Phone: (202) 997-0115; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2 and 7 U.S.C. 6518(e), as amended, AMS is 
announcing a meeting of the NOSB. The NOSB makes recommendations to 
USDA about whether substances 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 et seq. NOSB is holding a public meeting to discuss and 
vote on proposed recommendations to USDA, to obtain updates from the 
NOP on issues pertaining to organic agriculture, and to receive 
comments from the organic community. The meeting is open to the public. 
Registration is only required to sign up for oral comments. Photography 
is allowed, as long as it is not disruptive. All meeting documents and 
instructions for participating will be available on the AMS website at 
https://www.ams.usda.gov/event/national-organic-standards-board-nosb-meeting-milwaukee-wi. Please check the website periodically for 
updates. Meeting topics will encompass a wide range of issues, 
including substances petitioned for addition to, or removal from, the 
National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List), 
substances on the National List that are under sunset review, and 
guidance on organic policies.
    Public Comments: Comments should address specific topics noted on 
the meeting agenda.
    Written Comments: Written public comments will be accepted on or 
before 11:59 p.m. ET, April 3, 2024, via https://www.regulations.gov: 
(Doc. No. AMS-NOP-23-0075). Comments submitted after this date will be 
added to the public comment docket, but Board members may not have 
adequate time to consider those comments prior to making 
recommendations. NOP strongly prefers comments be submitted 
electronically. However, written comments may also be submitted (i.e., 
postmarked) via mail to the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT by or before the deadline.
    Oral Comments: The NOSB will hear oral public comments via webinars 
on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, and Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 11:00 
a.m. to approximately 5:00 p.m. ET. Each commenter wishing to address 
the Board must pre-register by 11:59 p.m. ET on April 3, 2024, and can 
register for only one speaking slot. Instructions for registering and 
providing oral comments can be found at https://www.ams.usda.gov/event/national-organic-standards-board-nosb-meeting-milwaukee-wi.
    The NOP will consult with the Board on whether time will be 
allotted for in-person oral public comments in Milwaukee, in addition 
to the pre-meeting oral comment webinars. Details will be posted on the 
AMS website when registration opens.
    Meeting Accommodations: The meeting hotel is compliant with the 
Americans with Disabilities Act, and USDA provides reasonable 
accommodation to individuals with disabilities where appropriate. If 
you are a person requiring reasonable accommodation, please make 
requests in advance for sign language interpretation, assistive 
listening devices, or other reasonable accommodation to the person 
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Determinations for 
reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

    Dated: February 2, 2024.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-02469 Filed 2-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P