Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board

Published date09 December 2019
Citation84 FR 67242
Record Number2019-26446
SectionProposed rules
CourtAgricultural Marketing Service
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 236 (Monday, December 9, 2019)
[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]
                ========================================================================
                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.
                ========================================================================
                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.
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                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 http://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
                

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