95-24626. Notice of Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 4, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 51980]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-24626]



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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 192 / Wednesday, October 4, 1995 / 
Notices

[[Page 51980]]


DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service
[TM-95-00-3]


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

DATES: October 30, 1995 at 8 a.m. through November 3, 1995 at 5 p.m. 
for the NOSB.

PLACE: Holiday Inn, Austin--Town Lake, 20 North Interregional, Austin, 
Texas 78701. Phone: [phone]. All meetings of the NOSB for the 
week will be held at that address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Harold S. Ricker, Staff Director, 
NOSB, Room 2945 South Building, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), 
AMS, Transportation and Marketing Division, P. O. Box 96456, 
Washington, D.C. 20090-6456. Phone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 2119 (7 U.S.C. 6518) of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (FACT Act), as amended 
(7 U.S.C. Section 6501 et seq.) requires establishment of a NOSB. The 
purpose of the NOSB is to assist in the development of standards for 
substances to be used in organic production and to advise the Secretary 
on any other aspects of the implementation of Title XXI of the FACT 
Act. The NOSB met for the first time in Washington, D.C., in March 1992 
and currently has five committees to work on various aspects of the 
program. The committees are: Crops Standards; Processing, Labelling and 
Packaging; Livestock Standards; Accreditation; and International 
Issues. At the last meeting, the NOSB began the review of substances 
for consideration for the National List as allowed synthetics for use 
in organic production and processing. Technical advisory panels 
provided information on approximately 50 substances for NOSB 
consideration.
    The NOSB reviewed the materials and determined whether they would 
be considered nonsynthetic or synthetic. If synthetic, then the NOSB 
determined whether they should be placed on the list of allowed 
synthetic substances for use in organic processing and production. 
Approximately 25 substances were placed on the allowed synthetic list. 
Others were determined to be nonsynthetic or required more information.

Purpose and Agenda

    The main focus of this meeting is to continue the discussion of 
additional materials for consideration for placement on the National 
List of allowed synthetics and prohibited natural substances for use in 
organic production and processing of organic foods. Main emphasis will 
be placed on the review of approximately 70 substances for which a 
review has been conducted by the technical advisory panel.
    Additional topics to be covered in the full NOSB meeting include: 
the Livestock Committee will present recommendations for the use of 
antibiotics and parasiticides in laying flocks and recommendations 
regarding use of synthetic vitamins, minerals, vaccines, innoculants, 
and amino acids; the Crops Committee will present recommendations for 
use of sewage sludge, and an amendment to the Planting Stock Policy 
concerning banana rhizomes; the Processing Committee will present 
recommendations for natural flavors and synthetic vitamin 
fortifications in organic foods, and oil extraction issues.
    A final agenda will be available on October 13, 1995. Persons 
requesting copies should contact Ms. Karen Thomas at the above address 
or phone [phone].

Type of Meeting

    All meetings will be open to the public. Individuals and 
organizations wishing to provide written comments on these issues or to 
comment orally on any organic issues should forward the request to Dr. 
Harold S. Ricker at the above address or FAX to [phone] by 
October 25, 1995, in order to be scheduled. The NOSB has scheduled time 
for public input on Tuesday, October 31, 1995, beginning at 1 p.m. and 
continuing until 5 p.m. While people may sign up to speak at the door, 
advance scheduling assures an opportunity in the time allowed and helps 
the NOSB plan its activities. Each individual or organization will be 
allocated 10 minutes for presenting orally the key issues of concern, 
and should provide 16 copies of written material elaborating on those 
issues for the NOSB.

    Dated: September 27, 1995.
Lon Hatamiya,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 95-24626 Filed 10-3-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P