Posted: 09.23.2010
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), the private sector board that oversees the National Organic Program (NOP) will hold its semi-annual meeting on Oct. 25–28, 2010, in Madison, Wis. The agenda for the meeting and details of topics discussed can be found at the NOP website: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/NOP.
The four day meeting, to be held at the InnTowner Hotel in downtown Madison, is open to the public. Two days, Monday and Wednesday, are set aside for public comments. This is an opportunity for Wisconsin organic farmers and processors to express their views directly to the 15 member board. To reserve a five-minute timeslot, please contact Ms. Lisa Ahramjian by Tuesday, Oct. 12.
Some of the items to be discussed at the meeting include apiculture; use of animal healthcare products; “made with” organic ingredient claims; animal handling, transit, and slaughter; animal stocking rates; and nutrient vitamins and minerals. NOSB will also present recommendations concerning those materials petitioned for inclusion on the National List of Allowable and Prohibited Substances. A full listing of items on the agenda and proposed recommendations are available at www.ams.usda.gov/nosb.
Public comments can also be made in writing. Written comments may be submitted electronically at www.regulations.gov (preferred) or by contacting Lisa Ahramjian, NOSB Executive Director, at nosb@ams.usda.gov or (202) 720-3252. All comments should identify Document Number AMS-NOP-10-0068 and must be received by Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010.
Since the National Organic Standard was approved in 2002, organic farming and processing has grown substantially here and across the United States. Wisconsin is second in the nation with 1111 certified organic farms and 216 certified processors. Wisconsin leads the nation in numbers of organic dairy farms. For more information on programs for Wisconsin organic farmers and processors, contact Laura Paine, Organic Agriculture Specialist at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection at 608-224-5120 or laura.paine@wi.gov.
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