Notice of Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board, 53162 [2014-21292]

Agencies

• Agricultural Marketing Service
• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 173 (Monday, September 8, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 53162]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21292]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 173 / Monday, September 8, 2014 / 
Notices

[[Page 53162]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Document Number AMS-NOP-14-0063; NOP-14-07]


Notice of Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as 
amended, (5 U.S.C. App.), the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is 
announcing an upcoming meeting of the National Organic Standards Board 
(NOSB). Written public comments are invited in advance of the meeting, 
and the meeting will include scheduled time for oral comments from the 
public.

DATES: The meeting will be held October 28-30, 2014, from 8:30 a.m. to 
6 p.m. each day. The deadline to submit written public comments and 
sign up for oral public comments is Tuesday, October 7, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will take place at the Galt House Hotel, 140 
North Fourth St., Louisville, KY 40202, (502) 589-5200. Information and 
instructions pertaining to the meeting are posted at the following web 
address: https://www.ams.usda.gov/NOSBMeetings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For printed materials or additional 
information, write to Ms. Michelle Arsenault, Special Assistant, 
National Organic Standards Board, USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. 
SW., Room 2648-So., Mail Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268; Phone: 
(202) 720-3252; Email: nosb@ams.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NOSB makes recommendations about whether 
a substance 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-
6522). The NOSB currently has six subcommittees working on various 
aspects of the Organic Program. The subcommittees are: Compliance, 
Accreditation, and Certification; Crops; Handling; Livestock; 
Materials/Genetically Modified Organisms; and Policy Development. The 
primary purpose of NOSB meetings is to provide an opportunity for the 
organic community to give input on proposed NOSB recommendations and 
discussion items. The meetings also allow the NOSB to receive updates 
from the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) on issues pertaining to 
organic agriculture. The meeting will be open to the public. The 
meeting agenda, NOSB proposals and discussion documents, instructions 
for submitting and viewing public comments, and instructions for 
requesting a time slot for oral comments are available on the NOP Web 
site at https://www.ams.usda.gov/NOSBMeetings. The discussion documents 
and proposals encompass a wide range of topics, including: substances 
petitioned to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances 
(National List), substances on the National List that require NOSB 
review before their 2015 and 2016 sunset dates, updates from working 
groups on technical issues, and amendments to guidance on organic 
policies. This meeting will serve as the NOSB's review of substances 
that have a sunset date in 2015. This review will fulfill the NOSB's 
responsibilities described in the Organic Foods Production Act's sunset 
provision (section 2118(e)).
    Public Comments: Written public comments will be accepted through 
Tuesday, October 7, 2014 via www.regulations.gov. Comments received 
after that date may not be reviewed by the NOSB before the meeting. The 
NOP strongly prefers comments to be submitted electronically; however, 
written comments may also be submitted by Tuesday, October 7, 2014 via 
mail to Ms. Michelle Arsenault, Special Assistant, National Organic 
Standards Board, USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 2648-S, 
Mail Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268. Instructions for viewing all 
comments are posted at www.regulations.gov and https://www.ams.usda.gov/NOSBMeetings.
    The NOSB has scheduled time for oral comments from the public, and 
will accommodate as many individuals and organizations as possible 
during these sessions. Individuals and organizations wishing to make 
oral presentations at the meeting must pre-register to request one time 
slot by visiting https://www.ams.usda.gov/NOSBMeetings or by calling 
(202) 720-0081. The deadline to sign up for an oral public comment slot 
is Tuesday, October 7, 2014. All persons making oral presentations 
should also provide their comments in advance through the written 
comment process. Written submissions may contain supplemental 
information other than that presented in the oral presentation. Persons 
submitting written comments at the meeting are asked to provide two 
hard copies.
    Meeting Accommodations: The meeting hotel is ADA Compliant, and the 
USDA provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities 
where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation to 
participate in this public meeting, please notify Michelle Arsenault at 
michelle.arsenault@ams.usda.gov or (202) 720-0081. Determinations for 
reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

    Dated: August 27, 2014.
Rex A. Barnes,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-21292 Filed 9-5-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P