Take Action: Support Strong Organic Standards, Submit Your Comments to the Fall 2019 National Organic Standards Board Meeting - Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog (Beyond Pesticides, September 16, 2019) The Fall 2019 National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting dates have been announced and public comments are due by October 3, 2019. Your comments and participation are critical to the integrity of the organic label. Written comments may be submitted through Regulations.gov until 11:59 pm ET October 3, 2010. Reservations for in-person and webinar comments close at the same time. The proposals of the NOSB, as a part of its ongoing review of practices and materials, are published for public comment.  Beyond Pesticides/OrganicEye is providing the public with a listing and analysis of the issues under consideration by the Board when it meets in Pittsburgh, PA on October 23 – 25, 2019. You can view USDA’s announcement of the NOSB’s meeting and proposals here. Issues before the NOSB include materials allowed in organic production as well as some policy issues. Materials are either being considered for initial use in organics or the subject of a five-year Sunset Review. To be allowed, materials must have evidence demonstrating that they meet Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) requirements of essentiality, no adverse effects on humans and the environment, and compatibility with organic practices. Major issues before the NOSB at the […]

Public comments for the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) are due by October 3rd. Beyond Pesticides and
@organiceye_org have highlighted major issues.#keeporganicstrong #organicintegrity

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Tell Congress to Vote Against the Farm Bill if It Weakens Organic Standards - Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog (Beyond Pesticides, April 30, 2018) Organic standards are under attack in the Farm Bill, H.R. 2, passed by the Agriculture Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and in language emerging in the Senate Agriculture Committee. This adds to the attacks on which we have previously taken action. Tell Congress to Vote Against the Farm Bill if It Weakens Organic Standards The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) gives the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) broad authority and responsibility to ensure organic integrity. The Farm Bill contains provisions that: Will permit the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to sidestep the NOSB in allowing post-harvest handling substances (sanitizers) to be used in organic production; Change the classification of types of people who may be appointed to the NOSB by adding employees of farmers, handlers, and retailers; and Force consideration of the judgment of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) when those agencies find a material to meet their own (less stringent) criteria for use. These provisions are a direct attack on the strength of organic standards. When OFPA was passed and placed under USDA authority, Congress established a board composed of members of the organic community –farmers, handlers/processors, […]

Tell Congress to Vote Against the #Farm Bill if It Weakens #Organic Standards#farmbill #organicintegrity

bit.ly/2vWZrAa

NOSB votes nonbinding resolution for phaseout of synthetic methionine, identifying need for changes in poultry practices #organicintegrity

NOSB Livestock subcmte chair says that largescale organic chicken houses, some call inhumane, require synthetic methionine #organicintegrity

NOSB violates process by allowing a member to vote on synthetic methionine by skype Reverses history to lower synthetics #organicintegrity

NOSB member says organic community needs to come together after controversial vote allowing synthetic methionine increase #organicintegrity

NOSB votes to allow increased use of synthetic methionine in the production of organic poultry #organicintegrity What will consumers think?

On Day 4, NOSB heard experts say that GMO agriculture is contaminating organic and non-GMO farms #organicintegrity

NOSB unanimously rejects a petition to allow the use of exhaust gas to kill burrowing rodents on organic farmers #organicintegrity

NOSB ensured wine with sulfites sold in the US cannot use organic label, EU allows sulfites in wines sold as organic #organicintegrity in EU

Day 3 of NOSB. Discussing allowed synthetic materials in organic production. Not enough information on need (essentiality) #organicintegrity

check out Beyond Pesticides' Terry Shistar, PhD gives NOSB yesterday analysison key issues #organicintegrity

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Day 2, NOSB meeting. Yesterday Jay Feldman, Beyond Pesticides, presented a public statementurging #organicintegrity

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Terry Shistar testifying at NOSB calls for chlorine-based products to be removed from organic #organicintegrity

EPA presenting to NOSB Safer Choice Program, was Design for the Environment. Allows 650 chems Will organic allow these? #organicintegrity

NOSB considering removing one category of inerts, nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), many others need review. Move this along #organicintegrity

USDA created the inerts working group which identified all inerts in organic materials, some 120 materials were grouped #organicintegrity

I began working on inerts as an NOSB member in 2010, when the board passed a policy to review all inerts, some very toxic #organicintegrity

USDA begins discussion of so-called inert ingredients in materials allowed in organic production #organicintegrity after long delays

USDA official laments public trust in organic in the 40% range, advocates say agency usurping NOSB limits growth of trust #organicintegrity

Picture from NOSB in San Diego #organicintegrity

NOP says biodegradable plastic has resins that the NOSB must consider. NOSB previously said must show biodegradation #organicintegrity

Miles McEvoy, National Organic Program, announces pushing hydroponics despite great opposition and NOSB 2010 prohibition #organicintegrity

Jay Feldman and Terry Shistar at the National Organic Standards (NOSB) in San Diego to advocate for organic integrity. #organicintegrity

#USDA Guts Public #Organic Review Process to Limit #Synthetics#keeporganicstrong #organicintegrity

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Thank You for Making Your Voice Heard on #Organic!#NOSB #antibiotics #organicintegrity #goorganic

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Speak Out as Input Period Opens on Organic Standards - Beyond Pesticides Daily News Blog (Beyond Pesticides, August 31, 2012) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has invited the public to submit comments concerning proposed changes to organic standards prior to the National Organic Standards Board’s (NOSB) fall meeting on October 15-18, 2012 in Providence, RI. The proposals will be open for public input until 11:59pm Monday, September 24, 2012. The documents on these issues can be found on the NOSB website along with further information on the meeting, as well as where and how to register for in-person comments or to submit written comments. See Beyond Pesticides’ Fall 2012 Keeping Organic Strong webpage for more information on the upcoming issues and how to submit comments. We will be updating this webpage with our perspectives on the issues, so be sure to check back as new information is added. Public participation is vital to the development of organic standards, as we are all stakeholders in ensuring a safe and sustainable food supply. The public comment process represents the best opportunity for consumers, as well as farmers and processors, to have a voice as these standards are debated and adopted by the NOSB. To read all of the recommendations from the various NOSB subcommittees, go to […]

#Speak Out as Input Period Opens on #Organic Standards#NOSB #Takeaction #organicintegrity #keeporganicstrong

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