Nominations for Members of the National Organic Standards Board, 13484 [2010-6188]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Agricultural Marketing Service

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 54 (Monday, March 22, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 13484]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-6188]



[[Page 13484]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. No. AMS-NOP-10-0014; NOP-10-01]


Nominations for Members of the National Organic Standards Board

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 1990, as amended, 
requires the establishment of a National Organic Standards Board 
(NOSB). The NOSB is a 15-member board that is responsible for 
developing and recommending to the Secretary a proposed National List 
of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. The NOSB also advises the 
Secretary on all other aspects of the National Organic Program. The 
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting nominations to fill 
five (5) upcoming vacancies on the NOSB. The positions to be filled 
are: organic producer (2 positions), consumer/public interest (2 
positions), and USDA accredited certifying agent (1 position). The 
Secretary of Agriculture will appoint a person to each position to 
serve a 5-year term of office that will commence on January 24, 2011, 
and run until January 24, 2016. USDA encourages eligible minorities, 
women, and persons with disabilities to apply for membership on the 
NOSB.

DATES: Written nominations, with cover letters and resumes, must be 
post-marked on or before July 17, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Nomination cover letters and resumes should be sent to Ms. 
Katherine E. Benham, Advisory Board Specialist, USDA-AMS-TMP-NOP, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 2945-So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 
20250, or via e-mail to Katherine.benham@usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Katherine E. Benham, (202) 205-
7806; E-mail: katherine.benham@usda.gov; Fax: (202) 205-7808.

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. In developing 
this program, the Secretary is required to establish an NOSB. 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 other aspects of the National Organic Program.
    The NOSB made recommendations to the Secretary regarding 
establishment of the initial organic program. It is anticipated that 
the NOSB will continue to make recommendations on various matters, 
including recommendations on substances it believes should be allowed 
or prohibited for use in organic production and handling.
    The NOSB is composed of 15 members; 4 organic producers, 2 organic 
handlers, a retailer, 3 environmentalists, 3 public/consumer 
representatives, a scientist, and a certifying agent. Nominations are 
being sought to fill the following five (5) upcoming NOSB vacancies: 
organic producer (2 positions), consumer/public interest (2 positions), 
and USDA accredited certifying agent (1 position). Individuals desiring 
to be appointed to the NOSB at this time must be either an owner or 
operator of an organic production operation, an individual who 
represents public interest or consumer interest groups, or an 
individual who is a USDA accredited organic certifying agent as 
identified under Section 2116 of the FACT Act. Selection criteria will 
include such factors as: demonstrated experience and interest in 
organic production; organic certification; support of consumer and 
public interest organizations; demonstrated experience with respect to 
agricultural products produced and handled on certified organic farms; 
and such other factors as may be appropriate for specific positions.
    To nominate yourself or someone else please submit, at a minimum, a 
cover letter stating your interest and a copy of the nominee's resume. 
You may also submit a list of endorsements or letters of 
recommendation, if desired.
    Nominees will be supplied with an AD-755 background information 
form that must be completed and returned to USDA within 10 working days 
of its receipt. Resumes and completed background information forms are 
required for a nominee to receive consideration for appointment by the 
Secretary.
    Equal opportunity practices will be followed in all appointments to 
the NOSB in accordance with USDA policies. To ensure that the members 
of the NOSB take into account the needs of the diverse groups that are 
served by the Department, membership on the NOSB will include, to the 
extent practicable, individuals who demonstrate the 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 16, 2010.
David R. Shipman,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-6188 Filed 3-19-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P