The Fall 2024 Meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) took place in-person from October 22 to 24 in Portland, OR.
In welcoming remarks, USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jennifer Lester Moffitt gave updates on the successes of the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) and Organic Market Development Grant program. Moffitt also shared that USDA has received 42 applications for the five vacating Board seats and expects announcements of appointments to be made later this fall. During the meeting, USDA National Organic Program (NOP) Deputy Administrator Dr. Jennifer Tucker shared highlights on the implementation of Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) and shared some statistics demonstrating SOE’s impact. The Board considered 10 proposals, of which nine passed and one was returned to subcommittee, and six discussion documents on topics including residue testing, risk-based certification and consistency in organic seed use. The Board voted to renew all listings of materials on the National List under sunset review at the meeting.
As a service to our members, OTA’s Regulatory Team compiled a report on the meeting highlights, outcomes and next steps.
Blue
Livestock Subcommittee
Crops Subcommittee
Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification Subcommittee (CACS)
- Residue Testing for a Global Supply Chain – discussion document
- Risk-based Certification – discussion document
- Consistency in Organic Seed Use – discussion document
Materials Subcommittee
Handling Subcommittee
The NOSB Fall 2024 Meeting Agenda and Meeting Packet (all proposals, discussion documents, and Sunset Reviews to be considered at the meeting) are available and the comment period is open. NOSB is requesting feedback on 10 proposals, 6 discussion documents and 52 Sunset Reviews. As a service to our members, we have created an At-A-Glance Summary so you can quickly identify topics that may impact your organic business. The deadline to submit written comments and/or sign up for oral comments is September 30, 2024.
* indicates topics that will be voted on at the meeting
Livestock Subcommittee
• Proposal: Meloxicam – petitioned *
• Proposal: Annotation Change – DL-methionine *
• Proposal: Annotation Change – Iodine *
Crops Subcommittee
• Proposal: Carbon dioxide – petitioned *
• Proposal: Compost Production for Organic Agriculture – petitioned *
• Discussion Document: Pear Ester – petitioned *
Compliance, Accreditation, and Certification Subcommittee
• Proposal: Climate Induced Farming Risk and Crop Insurance *
• Discussion Document: Residue Testing for a Global Supply Chain
• Discussion Document: Risk-based Certification
• Discussion Document: Consistency in Organic Seed Use
Materials Subcommittee
• Proposal: Research Priorities 2024 *
• Proposal: Inert Ingredients in Pesticide Products *
• Discussion Document: Excluded Methods - TBD List/induced metagenesis
Handling Subcommittee
• Proposal: Potassium Phosphate – petitioned *
• Proposal: L-Malic Acid Reclassification *
• Discussion Document: Ethylene – petitioned
Coming soon!
The NOSB invites the public to submit written comments and/or provide oral comments at its public meetings and public comment webinars. Slots for both virtual and in-person oral comments fill quickly, and we encourage you to sign up early. OTA staff are signed up and will be providing comments. Details on how to submit written comments and to register for oral comments can be found on the NOSB Fall Meeting page. The deadline to submit written comments and sign up for oral comments is September 30, 2024.
Public Comment Webinars
• Day 1: Tuesday, October 15 from noon - 5:00 pm Eastern
• Day 2: Thursday, October 17 from noon - 5:00 pm Eastern
Join the webinar and listen to comments & board discussion via Zoom at the following link (use the same link for both days): https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1617246377 | Meeting ID: 161 724 6377
In Person Comments
• Tuesday, October 22 in Portland, OR; approximately 2:00 – 5:00 pm Pacific
NOSB Fall 2024 Meeting dates:
Public Comment Webinars (virtual)
- Day 1: Tuesday, October 15 from Noon - 5:00 pm Eastern
- Day 2: Thursday, October 17 from Noon - 5:00 pm Eastern
Public Meeting (In person and broadcast live via Zoom)
- Day 1: Tuesday, October 22 from 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Pacific
- Day 2: Wednesday, October 23 from 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Pacific
- Day 3: Thursday, October 24 from 8:30 am - 6:00 pm Pacific
The in-person portion of the meeting will be held on October 22-24 in Portland, OR, and will be broadcast live via Zoom each day from 11:30am – 9pm Eastern at the following link (use the same link for all three days):
https://www.zoomgov.com/s/1604591840 | Meeting ID: 160 459 1840
Meeting Location:
Hilton Portland Downtown
921 SW Sixth Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
503-226-1611