Notice of Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board, 57918-57919 [06-8419]

Download as PDF 57918 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 190 / Monday, October 2, 2006 / Notices the procedural rights of a Federal employee who has been accused of discrimination Additional Information For further information regarding the No FEAR Act regulations, refer to 5 CFR part 724, as well as the appropriate offices within your agency (e.g., EEO office, human resources office or legal office). Additional information regarding Federal antidiscrimination, whistleblower protection and retaliation laws can be found at the EEOC Web site—https://www.eeoc.gov and the OSC Web site—https://www.osc.gov. Existing Rights Unchanged Pursuant to section 205 of the No FEAR Act, neither the Act nor this notice creates, expands or reduces any rights otherwise available to any employee, former employee or applicant under the laws of the United States, including the provisions of law specified in 5 U.S.C. 2302(d). Dated: September 27, 2006. Carolyn Hum, Administrative Officer. [FR Doc. E6–16186 Filed 9–29–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8040–01–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request rmajette on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES1 September 26, 2006. The Department of Agriculture has submitted the following information collection requirement(s) to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104–13. Comments regarding (a) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of burden including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology should be addressed to: Desk Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), OIRA_Submission@OMB.EOP.GOV or VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:07 Sep 29, 2006 Jkt 211001 fax (202) 395–5806 and to Departmental Clearance Office, USDA, OCIO, Mail Stop 7602, Washington, DC 20250– 7602. Comments regarding these information collections are best assured of having their full effect if received within 30 days of this notification. Copies of the submission(s) may be obtained by calling (202) 720–8958. An agency may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless the collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control number and the agency informs potential persons who are to respond to the collection of information that such persons are not required to respond to the collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Title: Swine 2006 Large and Small Enterprises. OMB Control Number: 0579–NEW. Summary of Collection: 7 U.S.C. 391, the Animal Industry Act of 1884, which established the precursor of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services, the Bureau of Animal Industry, mandates collection and dissemination of animal health data and information. APHIS operates the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), which collects, on a national basis, statistically valid and scientifically sound data on the prevalence and economic importance of livestock and poultry diseases and associated risk factors. NAHMS will initiate the fourth national data collection of swine through the Swine 2006 Study. The Swine 2006 Study is a part of an ongoing series of NAHMS studies on the U.S. Swine population. The swine study will consist of two components: A largeenterprise survey and a small-enterprise survey. Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will use the information collected from both surveys to prepare descriptive reports and information sheets that will be disseminated to animal health officials, swine producers, stakeholders, and academia. Without this type of national data, the U.S. ability to detect trends in management, production, and health status that increases/decreases farm economy either directly or indirectly would be reduced to nonexistent. Description of Respondents: Farms. Number of Respondents: 6,503. Frequency of Responses: Reporting: Other (once pre questionnaire). Total Burden Hours: 11,769. PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Title: Animal Welfare Act, Part 3. OMB Control Number: 0579–0093. Summary of Collection: The Laboratory Animal Welfare Act (AWA) (Pub. L. 89–544) enacted August 24, 1966, and amended December 24, 1970 (Pub. L. 91–579); April 22, 1976 (Pub. L. 94–279); and December 23, 1985 (Pub. L. 99–198) required the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to regulate the humane care and handling of most warm-blooded animals, including marine mammals, used for research or exhibition purposes, sold as pets, or transported in commerce. The legislation and its amendments were the result of extensive demand by organized animal welfare groups and private citizens requesting a Federal law to protect such animals. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Animal Care (AC) has the responsibility to enforce the AWA and the provisions of 9 CFR, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, which implements the AWA. Need and Use of the Information: APHIS will collect information to insure that animals used in research facilities or for exhibition purposes are provided humane care and treatment. The information is used to ensure those dealers, exhibitors, research facilities, carriers, etc., are in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and regulations and standards promulgated under this authority of the Act. Description of Respondents: Business or other for-profit; Not for-profit institutions; State, Local or Tribal Government. Number of Respondents: 10,217. Frequency of Responses: Recordkeeping; Reporting: On occasion. Total Burden Hours: 47,591. Ruth Brown, Departmental Information Collection Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. E6–16192 Filed 9–29–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Marketing Service [Doc. No. TM–06–11] Notice of Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as E:\FR\FM\02OCN1.SGM 02OCN1 rmajette on PROD1PC67 with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 190 / Monday, October 2, 2006 / Notices amended, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing a forthcoming meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). DATES: The meeting dates are Tuesday, October 17, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, October 18, 2006, 8 a.m. to 5 pm; and Thursday, October 19, 2006, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Requests from individuals and organizations wishing to make an oral presentation at the meeting or to submit written comments to be posted on the website prior to the NOSB meeting, are due by the close of business on October 6, 2006. ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at The Radisson Hotel—Reagan National Airport, 2020 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202. Requests for copies of the NOSB meeting agenda, to make an oral presentation at the meeting, or to submit written comments may be sent to Ms. Valerie Frances, Executive Director, NOSB, USDA– AMS–TMD–NOP, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 4008–So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250–0268. These requests or comments may also be sent via facsimile to Ms. Valerie Frances at (202) 205–7808 or by electronic mail to Valerie.Frances@usda.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Valerie Frances, Executive Director, NOSB, National Organic Program, (202) 720–3252. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 2119 (7 U.S.C. 6518) of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.) requires the establishment of the NOSB. The purpose of the NOSB is to make recommendations about whether a substance should be allowed or prohibited in organic production or handling, to assist in the development of standards for substances to be used in organic production, and to advise the Secretary on other aspects of the implementation of the OFPA. The NOSB met for the first time in Washington, DC, in March 1992, and currently has six committees working on various aspects of the organic program. The committees are: Compliance, Accreditation, and Certification; Crops; Livestock; Materials; Handling; and Policy Development. In August of 1994, the NOSB provided its initial recommendations for the National Organic Program (NOP) to the Secretary of Agriculture. Since that time, the NOSB has submitted 101 addenda to its recommendations and reviewed more than 269 substances for inclusion on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. The last meeting of the NOSB was held VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:07 Sep 29, 2006 Jkt 211001 on April 19–20, 2006, in State College, PA. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) published its final National Organic Program regulation in the Federal Register on December 21, 2000, (65 FR 80548). The rule became effective April 21, 2001. The principal purposes of the meeting are to provide an opportunity for the NOSB to receive an update from the USDA/NOP and hear progress reports from NOSB committees regarding work plan items and proposed action items. The Policy Development Committee will present recommendations regarding revisions to the NOSB Policy and Procedures Manual and discuss the development of a guide for new NOSB members. The Policy Development and Crops Committees will provide an update and will discuss issues regarding the development of a recommendation on temporary variances allowed for certified organic research facilities for products not to be marketed as organic. The Crops Committee will present recommendations regarding guidance for the use of compost tea, vermiculture and dehydrated manure, and on petitioned materials: lime mud, sodium lauryl sulfate, sulfuric acid (to stabilize dehydrated manures), and calcium chloride. The Crops Committee will discuss issues related to public comments received concerning commercial availability requirements for the use of certified organic seed on certified organic farms. In addition, the Committee will provide an update to their work on developing guidance for the certification of hydroponic crops. The Materials and Handling Committees will present a joint recommendation on determining when a product is agricultural versus nonagricultural. These same committees will also discuss their work to clarify the definitions of materials on the National List. The Handling Committee will present a recommendation that will specify criteria necessary to facilitate determinations related to the commercial availability of organic agricultural ingredients. The Committee will also present, in closure of its review of the first sunset of substances under the requirements of the OFPA, a recommendation to remove colors from the National List and a recommendation to affirm their removal of bleached lecithin from the National List. The Committee will receive the report of the Pet Food Task Force regarding their efforts to draft standards for organic pet food. In addition, the Committee will discuss the status of materials petitioned for use in handling . PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 57919 The Livestock Committee will invite public input on issues regarding the development of organic aquaculture (finfish) standards. The Compliance, Accreditation, and Certification Committee (CACC) will present recommendations to address questions and answers regarding the labeling of certified organic products of retailers and private labelers. The CACC will present recommendations that address the standardization of information required on organic certificates, the addition of an expiration date, and procedures for managing expiration dates on certificates. Finally, the CACC will discuss future Peer Review Procedures. Copies of the NOSB meeting agenda and additional information can be requested from Ms. Valerie Frances by telephone at (202) 720–3252; or by accessing the NOP Web site at https:// www.ams.usda.gov/nop. The Meeting is Open to the Public. The NOSB has scheduled time for public input for Tuesday, October 17, 2006, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, October 18, 2006, from 1:45 p.m. to 5 p.m. Individuals and organizations wishing to make an oral presentation at the meeting may forward their request by mail, facsimile, or e-mail to Valerie Frances at addresses listed in ADDRESSES above. Individuals or organizations will be given approximately 5 minutes to present their views. All persons making an oral presentation are requested to provide their comments in writing. Written submissions may contain information other than that presented at the oral presentation. Written comments may also be submitted at the meeting. Persons submitting written comments at the meeting are asked to provide 30 copies. Interested persons may visit the NOSB portion of the NOP Web site https://www.ams.usda.gov/nop to view available documents prior to the meeting. Approximately 6 weeks following the meeting interested persons will be able to visit the NOSB portion of the NOP Web site to view documents from the meeting. Dated: September 25, 2006. Kenneth C. Clayton, Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service. [FR Doc. 06–8419 Filed 9–29–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P E:\FR\FM\02OCN1.SGM 02OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 190 (Monday, October 2, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57918-57919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8419]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. TM-06-11]


Notice of Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as

[[Page 57919]]

amended, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is announcing a 
forthcoming meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).

DATES: The meeting dates are Tuesday, October 17, 2006, 9 a.m. to 5 
p.m.; Wednesday, October 18, 2006, 8 a.m. to 5 pm; and Thursday, 
October 19, 2006, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Requests from individuals and 
organizations wishing to make an oral presentation at the meeting or to 
submit written comments to be posted on the website prior to the NOSB 
meeting, are due by the close of business on October 6, 2006.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at The Radisson Hotel--Reagan 
National Airport, 2020 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202. 
Requests for copies of the NOSB meeting agenda, to make an oral 
presentation at the meeting, or to submit written comments may be sent 
to Ms. Valerie Frances, Executive Director, NOSB, USDA-AMS-TMD-NOP, 
1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 4008-So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, 
DC 20250-0268. These requests or comments may also be sent via 
facsimile to Ms. Valerie Frances at (202) 205-7808 or by electronic 
mail to Valerie.Frances@usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Valerie Frances, ExecutiveDirector, 
NOSB, National Organic Program, (202) 720-3252.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 2119 (7 U.S.C. 6518) of the Organic 
Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA), as amended (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.) 
requires the establishment of the NOSB. The purpose of the NOSB is to 
make recommendations about whether a substance should be allowed or 
prohibited in organic production or handling, to assist in the 
development of standards for substances to be used in organic 
production, and to advise the Secretary on other aspects of the 
implementation of the OFPA. The NOSB met for the first time in 
Washington, DC, in March 1992, and currently has six committees working 
on various aspects of the organic program. The committees are: 
Compliance, Accreditation, and Certification; Crops; Livestock; 
Materials; Handling; and Policy Development.
    In August of 1994, the NOSB provided its initial recommendations 
for the National Organic Program (NOP) to the Secretary of Agriculture. 
Since that time, the NOSB has submitted 101 addenda to its 
recommendations and reviewed more than 269 substances for inclusion on 
the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. The last 
meeting of the NOSB was held on April 19-20, 2006, in State College, 
PA.
    The Department of Agriculture (USDA) published its final National 
Organic Program regulation in the Federal Register on December 21, 
2000, (65 FR 80548). The rule became effective April 21, 2001.
    The principal purposes of the meeting are to provide an opportunity 
for the NOSB to receive an update from the USDA/NOP and hear progress 
reports from NOSB committees regarding work plan items and proposed 
action items.
    The Policy Development Committee will present recommendations 
regarding revisions to the NOSB Policy and Procedures Manual and 
discuss the development of a guide for new NOSB members. The Policy 
Development and Crops Committees will provide an update and will 
discuss issues regarding the development of a recommendation on 
temporary variances allowed for certified organic research facilities 
for products not to be marketed as organic.
    The Crops Committee will present recommendations regarding guidance 
for the use of compost tea, vermiculture and dehydrated manure, and on 
petitioned materials: lime mud, sodium lauryl sulfate, sulfuric acid 
(to stabilize dehydrated manures), and calcium chloride. The Crops 
Committee will discuss issues related to public comments received 
concerning commercial availability requirements for the use of 
certified organic seed on certified organic farms. In addition, the 
Committee will provide an update to their work on developing guidance 
for the certification of hydroponic crops.
    The Materials and Handling Committees will present a joint 
recommendation on determining when a product is agricultural versus 
nonagricultural. These same committees will also discuss their work to 
clarify the definitions of materials on the National List.
    The Handling Committee will present a recommendation that will 
specify criteria necessary to facilitate determinations related to the 
commercial availability of organic agricultural ingredients. The 
Committee will also present, in closure of its review of the first 
sunset of substances under the requirements of the OFPA, a 
recommendation to remove colors from the National List and a 
recommendation to affirm their removal of bleached lecithin from the 
National List. The Committee will receive the report of the Pet Food 
Task Force regarding their efforts to draft standards for organic pet 
food. In addition, the Committee will discuss the status of materials 
petitioned for use in handling .
    The Livestock Committee will invite public input on issues 
regarding the development of organic aquaculture (finfish) standards.
    The Compliance, Accreditation, and Certification Committee (CACC) 
will present recommendations to address questions and answers regarding 
the labeling of certified organic products of retailers and private 
labelers. The CACC will present recommendations that address the 
standardization of information required on organic certificates, the 
addition of an expiration date, and procedures for managing expiration 
dates on certificates. Finally, the CACC will discuss future Peer 
Review Procedures.
    Copies of the NOSB meeting agenda and additional information can be 
requested from Ms. Valerie Frances by telephone at (202) 720-3252; or 
by accessing the NOP Web site at https://www.ams.usda.gov/nop.
    The Meeting is Open to the Public. The NOSB has scheduled time for 
public input for Tuesday, October 17, 2006, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 
from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, October 18, 2006, from 1:45 p.m. 
to 5 p.m. Individuals and organizations wishing to make an oral 
presentation at the meeting may forward their request by mail, 
facsimile, or e-mail to Valerie Frances at addresses listed in 
ADDRESSES above. Individuals or organizations will be given 
approximately 5 minutes to present their views. All persons making an 
oral presentation are requested to provide their comments in writing. 
Written submissions may contain information other than that presented 
at the oral presentation. Written comments may also be submitted at the 
meeting. Persons submitting written comments at the meeting are asked 
to provide 30 copies.
    Interested persons may visit the NOSB portion of the NOP Web site 
https://www.ams.usda.gov/nop to view available documents prior to the 
meeting. Approximately 6 weeks following the meeting interested persons 
will be able to visit the NOSB portion of the NOP Web site to view 
documents from the meeting.

    Dated: September 25, 2006.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 06-8419 Filed 9-29-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P

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