US: NOSB meeting proposals and discussion documents published

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) has posted meeting materials and an updated agenda for the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Fall meeting, to be held in Jacksonville, FL, October 31-November 2, 2017. Documents are posted on the Fall 2017 NOSB meeting webpage.

The NOSB is a federal advisory committee established by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and administered through AMS. The NOSB recommends whether substances should be allowed or prohibited in organic production, handling, and processing, and advises the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on other aspects of the organic regulations.

Twice a year, the NOSB convenes to:

discuss specific items pertaining to organic agriculture;
listen to public comments; and
vote on recommendations to the USDA in an open forum.

The public is invited to provide oral comments during a webinar or at the in-person meeting. Registration is required to submit oral comments. The public comment webinars will be held on October 24 and 26, 2017. Written comments that address specific topics on the meeting agenda are also accepted in advance of the meeting. For more details, please visit the Fall 2017 NOSB meeting webpage.

Public participation from stakeholders is vital. Your input supports an open, objective policy development process that captures all viewpoints and helps the NOP create clear, enforceable standards for organic production and handling.