Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board, 67242 [2019-26446]

Agencies

• Agricultural Marketing Service
• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 236 (Monday, December 9, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 67242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-26446]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 236 / Monday, December 9, 2019 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 67242]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

7 CFR Part 205

[Document Number AMS-NOP-19-0095-NOP-19-06]


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 the 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, 2020, from 
8:30 a.m. to approximately 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The Board will hear 
oral public comments via webinars on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 and 
Thursday, April 23, 2020, from 1:00 p.m. to approximately 4:00 p.m. 
Eastern Time, and at the in-person meeting on Wednesday, April 29, 2019 
and Thursday, April 30, 2020. 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, 2020.

ADDRESSES: The webinars are virtual and will 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 
the Westin Crystal City, 1800 Richmond Highway, Arlington, Virginia 
22202, United States. Detailed information pertaining to the webinars 
and in-person meeting can be found at https://www.ams.usda.gov/event/national-organic-standards-board-nosb-meeting-crystal-city-va.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Michelle Arsenault, Advisory 
Committee Specialist, National Organic Standards Board, USDA-AMS-NOP, 
1400 Independence Ave. SW, Room 2642-S, Mail Stop 0268, Washington, DC 
20250-0268; Phone: (202) 720-3252; Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NOSB makes recommendations to the 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 OFPA. The NOSB is holding a public meeting to 
discuss and vote on proposed recommendations to the USDA, to receive 
updates from the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) on issues 
pertaining to organic agriculture, and to receive comments from the 
organic community. The meeting and webinars are open to the public. No 
registration is required except to sign up for oral comments. 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-crystal-city-va. 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. Participants and attendees may take 
photos and video at the meeting, but not in a manner that disturbs the 
proceedings.

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 on April 3, 2020, via https://www.regulations.gov: 
Docket #AMS-NOP-19-0095. Comments submitted after this date will be 
provided to the NOSB, but Board members may not have adequate time to 
consider those comments prior to making recommendations. The 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 is offering the public multiple dates and 
opportunities to provide oral comments and will accommodate as many 
individuals and organizations as time permits. Persons or organizations 
wishing to make oral comments must pre-register by 11:59 p.m. ET, April 
3, 2020, and can register for only one speaking slot: Either during the 
webinars scheduled for April 21 & 23, or at the in-person meeting, 
scheduled for April 29-May 1, 2020. Due to the limited time allotted 
for in-person public comments during the in-person meeting, commenters 
are strongly encouraged to comment during the webinar(s). Instructions 
for registering and participating in the webinar can be found at 
www.ams.usda.gov/NOSBMeetings.
    Meeting Accommodations: The meeting hotel is Americans with 
Disabilities Act 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 the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT. Determinations for reasonable accommodation will be made on a 
case-by-case basis.

    Dated: December 4, 2019.
Bruce Summers,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-26446 Filed 12-6-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-02-P