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Recap of All Written Public Comments Comments submitted in advance of the National Organic Standards Board Spring 2016 Meeting April 25 – 27 Washington, D.C. Submissions delineated by: Farmers and Citizens Public Interest Groups Food Processors and Handlers Manufacturers and Ingredient/Input Suppliers Distributors and Retailers Trade Associations and Industry Consultants Organic Certifiers and Material Review Organizations

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Page 1: Recap of All Written Public Comments National Organic ......Recap of All Written Public Comments Comments submitted in advance of the National Organic Standards Board Spring 2016 Meeting

RecapofAllWrittenPublicComments

Commentssubmittedinadvanceofthe

NationalOrganicStandardsBoardSpring2016MeetingApril25–27Washington,D.C.

Submissionsdelineatedby:

FarmersandCitizensPublicInterestGroups

FoodProcessorsandHandlersManufacturersandIngredient/InputSuppliers

DistributorsandRetailersTradeAssociationsandIndustryConsultants

OrganicCertifiersandMaterialReviewOrganizations

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HowtoUseThisDocumentForthebenefitofNationalOrganicStandardsBoardmembers,andotherorganicstakeholders,TheCornucopiaInstitutehascompiledarecapofallformalwrittencommentsfromallorganicstakeholdersthatweresubmittedpriortotheSpring2016NOSBmeeting.Wehaveendeavoredtocataloguethetotalityofthesepubliccommentsasaccuratelyandobjectivelyaspossible.Cornucopiagreatlyappreciatesthework,dedicationandenormoustimecommitmentrequiredtoserveontheNOSB.OurhopeistoprovideavaluableresourcefortheBoardbetterenablingmemberstomorefullyunderstandthescopeandsentimentoforganiccommunityparticipants,including:

• Farmers/Citizens • PublicInterestGroups• FoodProcessors/Handlers• Manufacturers/IngredientSuppliers• Distributors/Retailers• TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants• OrganicCertifiers/MaterialsReviewOrganizations

ThisdocumentisorganizedbyNOSBSubcommittee,inalphabeticalorder(pleasenotethereisatableofcontentsatthebeginningofthedocument,aswellasanindexattheend).Undereachagendaitem,atableshowsthenumberofcommentssubmittedandthepositionsofvariousstakeholdersonthatparticularitem.The“Notes”sectionundereachtableprovidesadditionalexplanation.Wehaveattemptedtorepresentindividualcommentsasaccuratelyaspossible.Becauseofthelatenoticeinthefederalregister,ourstaff,theNOSB,andtheorganiccommunityatlargewerehandicappedbyhavingashorteramountoftimetoreviewallofthecommentssubmitted.OurstaffworkedovertimetoanalyzeallofthecommentswithintheconstrainedtimeperiodbetweencommentpostingandtheNOSBmeeting.Thankyouforyourworkonbehalfofallorganicstakeholders.Pleasefeelfreetocontactusregardingthissummaryorourmethodology.WillFantleResearchDirectorTheCornucopiaInstituteNote:Althoughsomeofthecertifiersrepresenttheirformalcommentsasbeing“neutral,”ifthesentimentsoftheircustomers/clientseitherfavororopposeagivenmaterialorproposal,weoftencategorizedtheircommentsaccordinglyinthisrecap.Becauseoftheinherentconflictofinterest,andinthespiritofactingasindependentarbitrators/referees,TheCornucopiaInstituteisonrecordasdiscouragingcertifiersfromactingassurrogates,orlobbyists,onbehalfoftheirpayingclients.Alternatively,theywouldservetheirclientsandtheorganiccommunitybetterbyencouragingfarmersandprocessorstosubmittheirowncommentswhenamaterialisupforSunsetreview,allowingthecertifiedentitiestosubmittheirowncomments.

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TableofContents

MATERIALSSUBCOMMITTEEExcludedMethodsTerminology............1SeedPurity......................................................5

LIVESTOCKSUBCOMMITTEE

LidocaineandProcaine.............................8Parasiticides.................................................10

POLICYDEVELOPMENTSUBCOMMITTEE

PolicyandProceduresManualRevisions........................................................12SunsetTimelineReorganization..........14

SpecialCommentCACS:EliminatingtheIncentivetoConvertNaturalEcosystemsintoOrganicProduction....................................16

HANDLINGSUBCOMMITTEE2018sunsetmaterials:§205.605(a)Agar-Agar.......................................................18AnimalEnzymes.........................................20CalciumSulfate-Mined...........................21Carrageenan.................................................22GluconoDelta-Lactone.............................25TartaricAcid.................................................262018sunsetmaterials:§205.605(b)Cellulose.........................................................27PotassiumHydroxide...............................29SiliconDioxide.............................................302018sunsetmaterials:§205.606

Colors:Beta-CaroteneExtract..............32

HANDLINGSUBCOMMITTEE

PetitionsLactates–SodiumandPotassium......34OatBeta-Glucan..........................................36SodiumDodecylbenzeneSulfonate....37

ProposalsAncillarySubstancesProcedure..........38

DiscussionNutrientVitaminsandMinerals

§205.605(b)AnnotationChange.........40

CROPSSUBCOMMITTEESunset2018

CopperSulfate.............................................42OzoneGas......................................................44PeraceticAcid..............................................45EPAList3–InertsofUnknownToxicity...........................................................47CalciumChloride........................................49

DiscussionEPAList4on§205.601(m)AnnotationChange............................................................50

PetitionsAshfromManureBurning.....................52Squid&SquidByproducts.....................53HypochlorousAcid....................................55SoyWax..........................................................57

INDEX...................................................................58

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Abbreviation&AcronymKeyASPCA American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Aurora Aurora Organic Dairy BP Beyond Pesticides CCOF California Certified Organic Farmers CFS Center for Food Safety CR Consumer Reports/Consumers Union Corbion Corbion Purac Cornucopia Cornucopia Institute CROPP CROPP Cooperative Ferrara Ferrara Pan Candy Company Inc. Fetzer Fetzer Vineyards (Bonterra Vineyards) FWW Food and Water Watch Hain Hain Celestial Group IDFA International Dairy Foods Association IFAC International Food Additive Council Infant Nutrition Council Infant Nutrition Council of America IOS Independent Organic Services, Inc. MOSA Midwest Organic Services Assoc. MOFGA Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association Nature’s Path Nature’s Path Foods NOC National Organic Coalition NODPA Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance NOFA-VT Northeast Organic Farming Association Vermont OEFFA Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association OMRI Organic Materials Review Institute OPWC Organic Produce Wholesalers Coalition OTA Organic Trade Association OTCO Oregon Tilth Certified Organic OSGATA Organic Seed Growers Trade Association PCC PCC Natural Markets PCO Pennsylvania Certified Organic Perrigo Perrigo Nutritionals RIDEM Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Silica Association Synthetic Amorphous Silica and Silicate Industry Association SDI Seed Dynamics, Inc. Stonyfield Stonyfield USG United States Gypsum Company Wolf/DiMatteo Wolf, DiMatteo + Associates WODPA Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance WWF White Wave Foods

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MATERIALSSUBCOMMITTEE

DISCUSSIONDOCUMENTS

ExcludedMethodsTerminologyPurpose:ProposalandDiscussionDocument.

Theproposalhasthreesections,tobeusedinNOPGuidanceonExcludedMethods:

1. ApprovethedefinitionsofGeneticEngineering(GE),GeneticallyModifiedOrganism(GMO),ModernBiotechnology,Non-GMO,andSyntheticBiologyaswrittenabove.

2. ApprovethePrinciplesandCriteriaabovethatwillbeusedintheevaluationofnewtechnologiesandterminologies.

3. AdopttheTerminologychartproposedaboveandthelistingsinitaspresented,recognizingthatthiswillbeaddedtoasfurtherdeliberationsoccurinthefuture.

Excludedmethodterminology:thirddiscussiondocument:ThisDiscussionDocumentcontainsthetechnologies,terms,andissuesthatwehavenotbeenabletoagreeonordonotyethaveenoughinformationonorthatposechallengesthatwehavenotyettakenup.Theseitemsareputoutfordiscussiontocollectfurtherpubliccomment.TheywillbereviewedatfutureNOSBmeetings.SubcommitteeVote:ProposalTheNOSBMaterials/GMOsubcommitteeapprovesthethreesectionsofthisproposalasstatedabove.Motionby:ZeaSonnabend;Second:TracyFavreYes:6,No:0,Abstain:0,Absent:0,Recuse:0SubcommitteeVote:DiscussionDocumentMotiontoadoptthethirddiscussiondocumentonExcludedMethods.Motionby:ZeaSonnabend;Second:EmilyOakleyYes:6,No:0,Abstain:0,Absent:0,Recuse:0

Support

ProposalOpposeProposal

Neutral/Seeks

ClarificationFarmers/Citizens 1aPublicInterestGroups Cornucopiax,

BPdOSAp,FOEb,CRe,CFSu,FWWt

NOCi,

FoodProcessors/Handlers

Nature’sPathw

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Aurorag,CROPPl FGJh,

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

ASTAk,OTAs OPWCn,OSGATAq,

Certifiers MOSAc,CCOFfIOSr

PCOv NOFA-VTj,OEFFAm,OTCOo,

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Notes

a. RichardTheuerobjects“toyourwholesaleclassificationofallCRISPRapplicationsas‘Excludedmethods’.”b. FriendsoftheEarth(FOE)states:“Werecommendseveralmodificationstothedefinitions,andalso

recommendthatseveral‘TBD’techniquesbeincludedinthelistofexcludedmethodsbeforemovingtheproposalforwardasarecommendationtotheNOP.Wealsosuggestthatthe‘principlesandcriteria’and‘processandproducts’sectionshouldbedirectedbacktothesubcommitteeforadditionalwork,andthatanewproposalbebroughttotheNOSBintheFall2016meeting.”

c. MidwestOrganicServicesAssociation(MOSA)states:“Insummary,wesupportthedirectionofthisproposal.Wethinkitwillhelptodefineandstrengthenmessagingregardingorganic’sprohibitiononuseofexcludedmethods.Wehavesomefeedbackonpotentialenforcementchallenges,andwehavesomecommentsonsomemoralprinciplesrelatedtouseofgeneticengineering.”

d. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“Subjectto(hopefullyminor)technicalcorrectionsthatmightbeprovidedbyothers,suchastheCenterforFoodSafety,wesupportthisproposalandurgeitsrapidadoption.”

e. ConsumerReports(CR)states:“IntermsoftheproposalputforwardbytheMaterialsSubcommittee,forthereasonsmentionedbelowwewillmakeafewrecommendationsonmodificationsonthedefinitionsproposed,andalsofeelthatthePrinciplesandCriteriasectionshouldbereturnedtothesubcommitteeforfurtherworktomakeitclearallengineeredorganisms(…)shouldbeexcludedfromorganicagriculture.Inaddition,fortheTerminologychart,webelievethesubcommitteeshouldconsiderconveningasmallgroupsofscientistsandallaffectedstakeholders(e.g.,industry,consumers,farmersandorganicseedbreeders)tomorefullydiscussthemethodsonthechartandcomebackwithafurtherproposalatthefallNOSBmeeting.”

f. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)states:“CCOFsupportsthethreemotionsthatwillmovetheguidanceforward:toapprovethedefinitions;approvetheprinciplesandcriteria;andadopttheTerminologyChart.”

g. AuroraOrganicDairysuggests“theterm’EmbryoTransfer’inAnimalsbeallowedprovidednoreproductivehormonesareusedintheorganicanimalandnogeneticbioengineeringoccurswithintheembryo.”Andstates:“Inclosingweseekforfurtherclarificationregardingtheterm“embryorescueinanimals”toensureitismoreclearlydefined.WerespectivelyrequestthatthevotetoadopttheProposalasguidancebetableduntilthefall2016NOSBmeeting.ItisunderstandablethattheMSisreadytomoveforwardwiththeProposalatthistime;however,giventhecircumstances,itisouropinionthatfurtherclarificationisneededandmoreinputfromstakeholdersiswarranted.”

h. ForestGlenJerseys(FGJ)states:“Asacommittedorganicfarmer,Ihavetobeproactiveinmyapproachtothehealthofmyanimals.Whenfacedwithaherdhealthissuewedonothaveasmanytoolsasconventionalproducers.Using<<invitrofertilizationand/orembryotransfer>>allowsmetoimprovethegeneticsofmyherdfasterthanmoretraditionalmethods.Beforeconsideringthesepracticesexcludedmethods,pleaseconsultwithindustryprofessionalsandkeepinmindthebenefitsandimprovementsthatcanbemadeonourorganicfarms.”

i. TheNationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)offers“suggestedrevisions(totheproposeddefinitions)forclarityandconsistency,”andstates:“Itisacknowledgedthatseveralofthesedefinitionscouldbecombinedunderthesuggesteddefinitionofmodernbiotechnology;however,weconcurwiththeBoard’sinclusionofmultipletermstoavoidanyconfusionorpotentialdiscrepancies.WealsosupporttheprinciplesandcriteriaputforthintheExcludedMethodsTerminologyproposalandintendedtoguidethereviewofbiotechnologyprocesses.

j. NortheastOrganicFarmingAssociationofVermont(NOFA-VT)states:“Wesupportthedevelopmentofacomprehensivesetofdefinitionsofexcludedmethodsterminologytobesurethatthespecificnatureofnewandevolvingbiotechnologiesisfullycaptured,especiallyasitrelatestoorganicproduction.Inaddition,wesupportNOC’ssuggestedrevisionsandclarificationsofthetermsGeneticEngineering(GE),GeneticallyModifiedOrganism(GMO),andNon-GMO.”

k. TheAmericanSeedTradeAssociationstates:“TheAmericanSeedTradeAssociationrecognizesthattheNOPhaschosentoexcludegeneticallymodifiedorganismsfromorganiccertification.However,asplantbreederscontinuetolearnmoreandmoreaboutplantgenomes,plantphysiology,andtheremarkablewaysinwhichorganismsadaptandevolve,thenaturalboundariesofgenomeexchangearebecominglessclear.Inaddition,newtechniquesarebeingdevelopedatarapidpaceandcouldhaveaprofoundeffectonthedevelopmentofusefulvarietiesforallagricultureproductionmethods,includingorganicagriculture.TheAmericanSeedTradeAssociationrecommendsthattheNOSBtakeintoaccountalloftheprinciplesoforganicproductionandweighthemwhendeterminingwhetheraspecifictechniqueshouldbeexcluded.Forexample,manyofthetechniqueslistedinthetablehaveenabledbreederstodevelopdiseaseandpestresistantvarieties,limitingtheneedtousesyntheticchemicalinputs.WhiletheNOPhasanobligationtoupholdorganicprinciplesinordertosupportorganicfarmersandretainconsumerconfidenceintheUSDAorganiclabel,itisalsocriticaltomakedecisionsonlyafterthoroughinvestigationtoensurethatexcludedmethodsdonothavenegativeconsequencesinthefuture.”

l. CROPPCooperative(CROPP)states:“AsamemberofOrganicTradeAssociation(OTA),andacontributortotheirsubmittedcommentsonthetopicofseedpurity,wefullysupportthepositionsoutlinedinthedetaileddocumentsubmittedunderthissetofdiscussiondocumentsbytheOTA.Inadditiontothosecomments,

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severalareasofsubstantialconcerntocooperativemembershavealsobeenincludedinthisdocumentwhichweren’trelevanttothemorebroadlyrepresentativeOTAcommentassemblyprocess.”Andadds:“Pleasereconsideryourpositiononembryotransfer.Whilerestrictionstouseareareasonableconsideration,ETisinessencethesameprocessasartificialinseminationandshouldbecarefullyconsideredinallofitsrelevantuse-casesbothonorganicfarms,andupstreamoforganicoperatorsinthelivestockbreedingindustry.”

m. OhioEcologicalFarmandFoodAssociation(OEFFA)states:“Insummary,pleasenote:• Ensuringcropvarietiesareusableforfurthercropimprovementandpropagationiscrucial;• ConsideranationalpilotstudyforGEpresenceinseeds;• Oftheoptionspresented,theaffidavitsystemforACAstouseforvarietiesderivedfromexcluded

methodsshouldbeexploredfurther;and• Consideranationalreportingsystemforgeneticallymanipulatedcropandanimalmaterial.”

n. OrganicProduceWholesalersCoalition(OPWC)states:“WeagreewiththeMaterialsSC’sideaofusingtheIFOAMPrinciplestoevaluatewhetheramethodshouldbeallowedorexcluded.(…)OPWCencouragesfurtherdevelopmentofthe“ChartofTerminologies”topresentinformationaboutdifferenttypesofGEmethods.Asmoretypesoffruitsandvegetablesarebeingaffectedbygeneticengineering,weappreciateinformationthathelpsusmakeacleardeterminationaboutwhetheratechnologyisconsideredtobean“excludedmethod”.

o. OregonTilth(OTCO)states:“Thisproposalisagoodstepforwardinclosingthegapbetweennewmethodsandregulatoryframeworks.Wesupportthegoalofestablishingastructurethatisflexibleenoughtoevaluatenewlydevelopedmethodsandtechniquesinthefutureforadherencewithspecifiedprinciplesandcriteria.TheSubcommittee’sapproachtocreatingthisstructureissound–establishingcleardefinitions,principles&criteria,anddevelopingaterminologychart.Beingawareofapproachesalreadytakenbyothercountriesisvaluabletomaintainharmonizationoforganicstandardsandpracticesatagloballevel.OregonTilthalsoagreeswithcreatingthisstructurewithinthecontextofguidanceinsteadofchangestoregulationsortheAct.Evolvingandupdatingguidanceasnewtechnologiesemergeisamoreresponsiveandtimelyprocess,whichisoftheessencebothnowandinthefuture.”OTCOgoesontoprovideinput“foraddressingtheseissuesincludedinthediscussiondocument…”

p. OrganicSeedAlliance(OSA)states:“Ingeneral,webelievetheproposalforexcludedmethodsterminologyneedsmorework.Webelievethedefinitionsneedfurtherclarification,theprinciplesandcriterianeedfurtherrefining,andthebroadnatureoftheprinciplesneedtobere-consideredinthecontextofunintendedconsequencestoorganicseedinnovationandorganicseedavailability.TheNOSBshouldcontinueworkingwiththeorganiccommunityespeciallythepublicandprivatebreedingsectorsonanewproposalthataddressestheseneeds.”

q. OrganicSeedGrowersandTradeAssociation(OSGATA)states:“OSGATAstandsbehindtheuseofIFOAM-OrganicsPrinciplesofOrganicAgricultureasaframeworkfordevelopingpositionsonGMOtechnologywhencoupledwithadditionalcriteria.Thecriteriaoutlinedwithintheproposal1isasolidfoundation.…OSGATA'sprincipleslargelymirrorthecriteriaproposedforadoption.However,thereareafewkeydifferences.Notably,theseprinciplesdefineorganicplantbreedingasremainingfarm-centered,withanyplantbreedingbeingabletooccuron-farm....WewouldencouragetheNOSBinadoptingsuchprinciplestoutilizeasalitmustestforallallowablemethodsinorganicplantbreeding.”

r. IndependentOrganicServices(IOS),states:“Igenerallysupporttheproposalandthinkitshouldbeadoptedassoonaspossible.(…)MyonlyreservationwithrespecttothecurrentproposalhastodowiththeprohibitiononembryotransferthatappearstohavebeenimportedfromFiBL.Iseriouslyquestionwhywewouldwanttoprohibitthecertificationofprogenyproducedbythismethod.…IwouldthereforeurgetheBoardtoamendtheproposal,soastostrikethissection,beforeadoption.”

s. TheOrganicTradeAssociation(OTA)states:“Insummary,OTAcontinuestosupportaprocess-basedapproachtoevaluatingtheuseofexcludedmethods.Webelievethattheproposeddefinitionswillbeuseful,andwithsomerevisions,theywillbe“proposalready.”The“terminologychart”andthe“criteriaandprinciples,”however,needaconsiderablemoreamountoftimeandattention.OTArecommendstakingtheentireproposalbacktosubcommitteeforfurtherworkwiththegoalofreleasingafinalproposalpriortotheFall2016NOSBmeeting.Wealsorecommendseparatingoutthe‘definitions’fromtherestoftheproposal,andmovingthedefinitionssectionforwardasanindependentrecommendation.”

t. FoodandWaterWatch(FWW)states:“Descriptionsordefinitionsoftechniquesshouldrefernotonlytoplants,butalsotoanimalsandorganisms;[g]enedriveandgeneeditingtechniquesshouldbespecificallymentioned,notjustforplantsbutforallorganisms.”

u. TheCenterforFoodSafety(CFS)states:“Boththeproposalanddiscussiondocumentforexcludedmethodsterminologyarestillworksinprogress,withmanyaspectsrequiringadditionalresearchandclarification.CFSrequeststhatbothdocumentsbereferredbacktotheMaterial/GMOSubcommittee,andthattheSubcommitteeconsultwithanarrayofindependentscientists,includingmolecularbiologistsandcropsbreeders,tofurtherrefinethedocuments.”

v. PennsylvaniaCertifiedOrganic(PCO)states:“PCOrecommendspostponingavoteonthisproposaltoalsoincludethetermsonthediscussiondocumentthatwereidentifiedas“TBD”,thetermsinthecurrentNOPdefinitionofExcludedMethods(S205.2Definitions),andothertermsreceivedthroughthecommentperiod,asrequestedbythesubcommittee.PCOnoticedtheexclusionofcloningofplantsthroughtissuecultivationormicropropogation,whilethecloningofanimalsisincluded.”

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w. Nature'sPathFoodsstates:“Inlightoftheeverevolvingcomplexityinthefieldofseedengineering,andtheunknownfactorsaroundhowtodefineyet-to-be-developednewtechnologiesandthetestabilityforallthese,wefeelthatperhapsonesolutioncouldbeforNOSBtofocusondevelopingaframeworkofwhataspectsofseedsandplantbreedingneedtobeincludedforuseinanorganicsystem,ratherthanwhatshouldnotbeallowed.Inessencethiswouldbereplacingtheconceptof"excludedmethods"with"approvedmethods".Ofcoursethecurrentexcludedmethodswouldnotbepartoftheapprovedmethods.”

x. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“Sometechnicalcorrectionsandadditions,providedbyotherssuchastheCenterforFoodSafety,mayberequiredbutCornucopiasupportstheoverallproposalanditsexpeditedenactment.”Intermsofthediscussiondocument,TheCornucopiaInstitute“recommendsthat:

• TheadditionalcriteriabytheFiBLbeincludedintheproposal.• TheNOSBcallupontheSecretaryofAgriculturetoreverseitspolicyallowinganincreasingnumberof

geneticallyengineeredcropsinconventionalagriculture.• TheNOSBtorequestandsupportlegislationthatwouldplaceliabilityfordamagesonthepatent

holder,providingarecoursefororganicproducersfacingthegeneticcontaminationoftheircrops.”

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SeedPurityPurpose:DiscussionDocumentonNextStepsforImprovingSeedPurityFebruary23,2016.

VoteinSubcommitteeMotiontoadoptthediscussiondocumentonNextStepsforImprovingSeedPurityYes:4,No:0,Abstain:0, Absent:2,Recuse:0

Support

DocumentOpposeDocument

Nuanced

Farmers/Citizens 1 PublicInterestGroups OSAr,CFSh,

NOCc BPa,Cornucopial,

OSGATApFoodProcessors/Handlers

Nature’sPatho

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

CROPPj

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

OPWCi,OTAk,Wolf/DiMatteob,TheAmericanSeedTradeAssociationq

IOSm

Certifiers NOFA-VTd,OTCOe,MOSAf,

CCOFg

PCOn

Notes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“Seedstreatedwithinsecticidesareamajorcontributortopollinatordecline.FororganicproductiontocontributetothisdeclinethroughallowingtheuseoftreatedseedisincompatiblewithorganicpracticesandcontrarytoOFPA.”

b. Wolf,DiMatteo+Associatesstate:“…webelievethatpriorityshouldbegiventostrengtheningtheorganicseedrequirementandestablishingaSeedPurityAdvisoryTaskForce.”

c. NationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)“supportsourmemberorganizations,OrganicSeedAllianceandtheCenterforFoodSafety,intheirmorethoroughcommentsonthistopic.”

d. NortheastOrganicFarmingAssociationofVermont(NOFA-VT)“support(s)theNOSB’sproposaltorequireaseedpuritydeclarationfornonorganicseed,andhopethattheBoard’srecommendationswillencourageproducerstosourcemoreorganicseed.

e. OregonTilth(OTCO)states:“WebelieveaskingACAstoservethedatacollectionroleisinappropriatebecauseitwouldadverselycompromiseouruniquerolewithintheorganiccertificationandregulatoryframework.”And“OregonTilthrecommendsenhancingtheNOPSeedGuidancetobeginwithspecifyingaminimumofthreereasonableseedsourcesandthenestablishingorganicseedusageasaspecificOrganicSystemPlangoal.”

f. MidwestOrganicServicesAssociation(MOSA)states:“wefindthatcurrentstandardsandNOPdirectionleavesomeuncertaintiesrelatedtodeterminingcompliance;wesupportGMOtestingaswayofdeterminingthresholdstoinformenforcement;wewanttoenableseedpurityimprovementswithoutbeingoverlyburdensometoorganicproducers;wehavegreatconcernswithcontaminationoforganicseed;and,wearethankfulforthesolutionssuggestedbythediscussiondocument.”

g. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)states:“EachofthesuggestionsA-DmadebytheSubcommitteepresentanimportanttaskthatwillmovetheeffortforward.CCOFrecommendsthatsuggestionB,establishaUSDASeedPurityAdvisoryTaskForce,beimplementedfirst.CCOFalsorecommendsthattheUSDASeedPurityAdvisoryTaskForcebeassignedtodevelopprocessestoimplementallofthesuggestions,including:1.Considerphasinginarequirementthatcertifiersrequireverificationthatat-riskseed(seedofcropswithGMOcounterparts)isnon-GMO.2.GatherdataontheincidenceofGMOpresenceinnonorganicseedusedinorganicproduction.Additionally,itwouldbehelpfultogatherdataonallpossiblesourcesofcontamination(seed,pollentransferinfield,orcomminglingduringharvest,transport,andpackaging)tobetterinformpreventionstrategies.3.DesignafeasibilitystudyonestablishingathresholdforGMOpresenceinnonorganicseedused

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fororganicproduction.4.Strengthenimplementationoftheorganicseedrequirementinthefederalstandards.CCOFisidentifyingbaselinelevelsoforganicseeduseforallofitsgrowersandplanstousetheinformationtoincreaseorganicseeduse.5.Initiateapilotsoybeantestingprogram.

h. TheCenterforFoodSafety(CFS)states:“CFSsupportsOptionA,‘EnablingDataCollection,’asanappropriate,potentialnextstepintheefforttoprotectorganicseedintegrity.Aswehavestatedinpastcomments,dataareurgentlyneededtoassessthecurrentstateofseedcontaminationandtheavailabilityofhighquality,non-GEanduntreatedseedfororganicproducers.Thesedataarealsoneededtoinformacomprehensiveassessmentofthescopeandbreadthofthecontaminationproblem,includingthepotentialimpactsonseedproducers,seedsavers,andorganicandnon-GEgrowers.Requiringanevaluationofthenon-GEstatusofanyconventionalseedintendedforuseinorganicisastepintherightdirection.However,itiscriticalthattheburdenforsuchanevaluationandcertificationshouldbeplacedontheconventionalseedseller,nottheorganicbuyer.”

i. OrganicProduceWholesalersCoalitions(OPWC)states:“WeareveryclearthatfindingwaystokeeptheseedandplantingstockforfruitsandvegetablesfreefromcontaminationbygeneticengineeringiscriticallyimportanttotheOPWCmemberbusinesses.Wesupport establishmentof a SeedPurityAdvisoryTaskForcewithinUSDA to increase thefocusonthistopic.”

j. CROPPstates:“Itisourstrongopinionthatthemainfocusshouldbeonreducingandultimatelyeliminatingtheuseofconventionaluntreatedseedinat-riskcrops.”

k. TheOrganicTradeAssociation(OTA)states:“Withrespecttoestablishingaseedpuritystandard,OTAstronglysupportsNOSBtakingamulti-facetedapproachinmovingthistopicforwardbydevelopingtwoseparaterecommendations:

• StrengtheningorganicseedsourcingpracticesthrougharevisiontotheNOP’sGuidanceonSeeds,AnnualSeedlingsandPlantingStock(NOP5029)

• ConveningaSeedPurityAdvisoryTaskForcethatwoulddesignthresholdfeasibilitystudiesandactasanexpertpaneltointerpretthedatabeingcollected.”

l. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“Thisissuethreatensalloforganicsandneedstobedealtwithbyapplyingtheprecautionaryprinciplefirstandforemost.Organicfarmersshouldberelivedofsomeofthefinancialburdencausedbyseedcontamination.”

m. IndependentOrganicServices,Inc.(IOS)states:“WhileIgenerallyapplaudtheSubcommitteefortryingtotacklethisrecognizedthreattoorganicintegrity,Itakeissuewithanumberoftheproposalsaspresented.DiscussionquestionA-Idon’tthinktheburdenshouldfallonACAsandinspectorstocollectthisinformation.Withallthetaskscurrentlybeingaskedofinspectors,includingmaterialsverification,feeverification,feedaudits,DMI/pastureverification,andtracebackandmassbalanceexercises,myaveragecropinspectionnowlastsover5hoursanddairyinspectionsarenowstretchingto10+hours.Thisrepresentsasignificantburdenforsmalloperations,evenwithcostshare.Performingpropertesting,soastoreducetheriskofpotentialfalsepositives,takestime.IfinspectorswereexpectedtotakeasampleeverytimewecomeacrossaNOGvarietyofcornorotherhigh-riskcroponafarm,wearetalkingabouthundredsofadditionalhoursannuallyformanyinspectors.Inaddition,thecostofperformingthesetestsshouldnothavetobebornebythecertifiers,whoalsofacesignificanttime,financialandlaborconstraints.IsupporttheideaofataskforceformonitoringtheextentofGMOcontaminationinfoundationseedusedfororganicseedproduction.AnotherpossibilitywouldbetoprovideagranttoAOSCAtotesttheGMOcontaminationofseedlinesandvarietiesinhighriskcropsandpublishthatinformation.Inthatway,ACAscouldinformgrowerstoavoidcertainconventionalvarietiesofseed,whileorganicseedgrowersandbreederswouldsimilarlyknowwhichlines/varietiestoavoid.”

n. PennsylvaniaCertifiedOrganic(PCO)states:“PCOsupportstheeffortsofthematerialsSubcommitteetotacklethisdifficulttopicandproposenewideastoimprovepurityofseedusedinorganicsystems.WhilePCOisingeneralsupportofdatacollectionactivities,wehavesignificantconcernsregardingACAsbeingthedatacollectors.…PCOsupportsthecreationofaSeedPurityTaskForce.…PCOisingeneralsupportoftheconceptofstrengtheningtheorganicseedrequirement.Howeveritisdifficulttoofferfeedbackintheabstractasthedevilisofteninthedetails,andasacertifier,thatiswherewespendmostofourtime.”

o. Nature'sPathFoodsstates:“WefeelthattheNOSBdiscussiondocumentsaremakingtheissuesmorecomplexthantheyneedtobe.OtherprivatestandardprogramshaveshownthattestingandfunctioningbelowathresholdisfeasibleforallGMOriskingredientsinfinishedproduct.”

p. OrganicSeedGrowersandTradeAssociation(OSGATA)states:“Ideally,datacollectionwouldnotrelyuponfundingfromACAs,seedcompanies,seedgrowers,andcontractedbuyers.UnderthePolluterPaysPrincipleitisessentialthatthemanufacturersofGEseedpayforallcostsoftestinginordertoprotecttheorganicindustry.Werejectanyassertionthatplacingthefinancialresponsibilityoftestingonthebiotechindustryisnotaworkableoption.USDAmustacknowledgethatinextricablylinkedtothederegulationofGEcropsaretheissuesofGEcontamination.”

q. TheAmericanSeedTradeAssociationstates:“…TheAmericanSeedTradeAssociationistroubledbythedualityofthetestingrecommendation.Havingtworequirements,oneforcertifiedorganicseedandanother

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forconventionaluntreatedseed,willcreateconfusionintheorganicprogramandputorganicproducersatadisadvantage.”

r. OrganicSeedAlliance(OSA)states:“WealsorequestthattheorganicseedrequirementbeanagendatopicattheNOSB’s2016fallmeeting.OrganicSeedAlliancewouldappreciatetheopportunitytopresentafive-yearupdateonourStateofOrganicSeedprojectatthismeeting,includingrecommendationspertainingtotheNOP,NOSB,andACAsandtheirroleinencouragingincreasedsourcingoforganicseed,ensuringongoinggrowthinorganicseedavailability.”

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LIVESTOCKSUBCOMMITTEE

PROPOSALS

AnnotationChangesforLidocaineandProcainePurpose:usedaslocalanesthetics.

Proposal:

MotiontoamendtheLidocainelistingasfollows:(4)Lidocaine–asalocalanesthetic.Userequiresawithdrawalperiodof90days8daysafteradministeringtolivestockintendedforslaughterand7days6daysafteradministeringtodairyanimals.MotiontoamendtheProcainelistingasfollows:(7)Procaine–asalocalanesthetic.Userequiresawithdrawalperiodof90days8daysafteradministeringtolivestockintendedforslaughterand7days6daysafteradministeringtodairyanimals.

VoteinSubcommitteeRecommendationtoamend§205.603(b)Astopicaltreatment,externalparasiticide,orlocalanesthetic,asapplicable:1.Thatthedeletedlanguageberemovedandunderlinedlanguageaddedat:§205.603(b)Yes:6,No:0,Abstain:0,Absent:0,Recuse:02.Thatthedeletedlanguageberemovedandunderlinedlanguageaddedat:§205.603(b)Yes:6,No:0,Abstain:0,Absent:0,Recuse:0

SupportAnnotationChange

OpposeAnnotationChange

Neutral/Seeks

ClarificationFarmers/Citizens PublicInterestGroups Cornucopiah,

ASPCAiBPa, NOCb

FoodProcessors/Handlers

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

CROPP

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

IOSeOTAf,NODPA

MOFGAg

Certifiers OTCOd,MOSA,NOFA-VTc

Notes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“WerecommendthattheLSreconsideritsrecommendationsinlightofthisnewevidence.Wesupporttheanimalwelfaremotivationstoreducethewithdrawalperiodforalocalanesthetic,butwebelievethattheassessmentoftheCVMPneedstobetakenintoaccount.”

b. NationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)states:“Newevidencethatsupportsthecurrentwithholdingperiodof90dayshasbeenbroughtforthinarecentassessmentbytheEuropeanCommitteeforMedicinalProductsforVeterinaryUse(CVMP)”

c. NortheastOrganicFarmingAssociationofVermont(NOFA-VT)states:“TheNOSBrecommendationtochangetherequiredwithholdingtimes….isreasonable,consistentwithwithholdingrecommendationsforotherlivestockmaterialsandwillimproveanimalwelfareonorganicfarms.”’

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d. OregonTilth(OTCO)states:“Notonlyarethesewithdrawaltimesbasedonscientificdataregardingthehalf---lifeofthematerialsonceadministered,weagreethatreducingthewithdrawalperiodasproposedwillincreasethelikelihoodofthesematerialsbeingusedduringpainfulyetnecessaryphysicalalterationprocedures.”

e. IndependentOrganicServices,Inc.(IOS)states:“Isupporttheannotationchange.Asproducerordairygoats,Iusethesematerialstoattempttominimizeanimalsufferingassociatedwithdehorning.Dehorninginvolvestheapplicationofahotirontotheheadsofbabygoats.Itisquitepainfulfortheanimalsandiscertainlyoneofmyleastfavoriteprocedurestoperform.Becauseofthecurrentrestrictionsontheproducts,Iknowthatmanyproducersforegotheuseofthesematerialsduringdehorning.Onourownoperation,whilewebrieflytriedtoavoiddehorningbyallowinganimalstogrowhorns,inamore“natural”way,wehavefoundthatthepainandinjuriestheyinflictoneachotherwhentheyhavehornsarefargreaterthanthebriefmomentsofpainassociatedwithdehorning.ThereforewearecompelledtouseLidocainesoastominimizesuffering.”

f. TheOrganicTradeAssociation(OTA)states:“Thesearereasonablerecommendations(2xtheFDArecommendedwithholdingtimes)supportedbypubliccommentandwillensurethatproducersarenotperformingphysicalalterationsorothernecessarysurgerieswithouttheaidoftheseimportantlocalanesthetics.”

g. MaineOrganicFarmersandGardenersAssociation(MOFGA)states:“IdeallytheavailabilityofprocaineHClwouldbecomearealityandeliminatetheneedforlidocaine.”

h. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“Lidocaineisawidelyused,readilyavailable,andrelativelysafelocalanestheticwithnobetteralternatives.TheCornucopiaInstitutesupportstherecommendationsoftheLivestockSubcommitteetoshortenthewithholdingperiodsformeatanddairyanimalsaftertreatmentwithlidocaineorprocaine.”

i. AmericanSocietyforthePreventionofCrueltytoAnimals(ASPCA)states:“Aswithlivestockraisedunderallproductionsystems,paincontrolfororganicanimalsiscentraltotheirwelfare.Farmersmustbeabletoprovideanimalswithanestheticsasneeded,nomatterthepointintheirproductioncycle.”

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AnnotationChangeforParasiticidesPurpose:forcontrolofparasitesinlivestock.

Thisproposalrecommends:

• Thatparasiticidescontinuetobeprohibitedinslaughterstock.• ThatthemilkwithholdingperiodaftertreatmentwithFenbenzadoleorMoxidectinbe

changedfrom90daysto2daysfordairycows,and36daysforgoatsandsheep.• ThatthelistingforIvermectinremainsaspresentlylisted,witha90-daywithdrawalperiod.• ThatMoxidectinbeallowedforbothinternalandexternaluse.• Thatfleeceandwoolfromfiberbearinganimalsbeallowedtobecertifiedorganic,evenif

useofparasiticideswasnecessaryatsometimeintheanimal’slife.• ThatFenbenzadolebeallowedwithoutwrittenorderofaveterinarian.

VoteinSubcommittee1.Thatthestrikethroughlanguageberemoved,andtheunderlinedlanguagebeaddedat:§205.238(b)(2).Yes:6,No:0,Abstain:0,Recuse:0,Absent:02.Thattheunderlinedlanguagebeaddedat:§205.238(b)(3)and§205.603(a)(18).Yes:6,No:0,Abstain:0,Recuse:0,Absent:03.Thattheunderlinedlanguagebeaddedat:§205.238(b)(3)and§205.603(a)(18).Yes:6,No:0,Abstain:0,Recuse:0,Absent:04.Thattheunderlinedlanguageaddedat:§205.603(a)(18)(ii).Yes:6,No:0,Abstain:0,Recuse:0,Absent:05. That the strike through language be removed and the underlined language added at:§205.603(a)(18)(iii).Yes:6,No:0,Abstain:0,Recuse:0,Absent:0

SupportProposal

OpposeProposal

Neutral/Nuanced

Farmers/Citizens 1

9,ConsumerssupportingBP-

164

PublicInterestGroups BPa,NOCb,CFSg,Cornucopian

FoodProcessors/Handlers

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

CROPP

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

CloverleafFarmf,NODPAl,IOSh,OTAi,WODPAe,

MOFGAm

Certifiers

OTCOc,CCOFd,PCOj,OEFFAk,NOFA-VT

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Notes:a. Beyondpesticides(BP)states:“WhilewearepleasedthattheLSconsideredallthreeparasiticidestogether,we

believethatthesubcommitteeshouldhavealsobroughtforwardmotionstoremoveivermectinandmoxidectin.”

b. NationalOrganicCoalition(NOC),“askstheNOSBlivestocksubcommitteetodevelopan“emergencyuse”definitionasitrelatestoalivestockoperationinthefinalregulation.”NOCcontinuestosupporttheremovalofIvermectinandtheretentionofthe90-daywithdrawalperiod.NOCwouldlikefurtherdiscussionontheuseofparasiticidesfororganicfiberbearinganimals.

c. OregonTilth(OTCO)states:“Theproposedlanguagetakesintoconsiderationthesciencebehindthewithdrawaltimes,thefarmers’neeforemergencytreatmentoptions,andthewelfareoftheanimals.”

d. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)states:“CCOFagreeswiththeproposedchangesintheannotationforparasiticides.Thesechangesclarifytherulesguidingparasiticideuseincertifiedorganiclivestockproduction,makingthemmoreworkableforproducersandeasiertoverifybycertifiers.”

e. WesternOrganicDairyProducersAlliance(WODPA)states:“WODPA’spositionisthatallparasiticideusemustbe‘byoronthelawfulwrittenorderofalicensedveterinarian.’Thisisakeypieceinassuringthattheparasiticidesareusedonlyinanemergencysituation.Italsohelpsincreatinganauditablepapertrailofcompliance.”

f. CaliforniaCloverleafFarmsstates:“…wesupportcontinuingthe90dayswithdrawaltimeforallParasiticides.”g. TheCenterforFoodSafety(CFS)states:“Asdelistingisnotapossibility,withthecurrentproposal,weurge

NOSBtosendtheproposalbacktoSubcommitteetofurtherresearchthecompatibilityofmoxidectinwithOFPAcriteriaandbringforthproposalsatthefall2016meetingthatadequatelyaddressthefullrangeofoptionssupportedbypubliccomment.WealsourgetheNOSBtoclarifytheterm“emergencyuse”onalivestockoperation.Clarificationofemergencyuse“isimperativetopreventgreateruseofsyntheticparasiticidesasanunintendedconsequenceoftheshortenedwithdrawaltimes.

h. IndependentOrganicServices,Inc.(IOS)states:“Istronglysupporttheadoptionoftheproposal,particularlytheallowanceforthecertificationofwoolfromanimalstreatedwithparasiticidesandthechangeintheannotation,allowingtheuseofFebenzadolewithoutaprescription.”

i. TheOrganicTradeAssociation(OTA)states:“WeencourageNOSBtoconsideradditionalguidelinestheycanprovidetooperatorsandACAstoproperlyidentifyanddocumentemergencysituations,sothatthechangestoannotationsanduseofparasiticidesproposedbytheLivestockSubcommitteedonotresultinroutineuseofthesesubstances.”

j. Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) states: “PCO supports the subcommittee’s proposal. The proposed revisions are sound and sensible. However, PCO is concerned that with reduced withhold periods, it may be more challenging for a certifier to determine if the operator’s use was in accordance with the “Allowed in emergency treatment…” part of the annotation.”

k. TheOhioEcologicalFoodandFarmAssociation(OEFFA)“requestsNOSBcreateadefinitionof‘emergencyuse.’Pleaseconsiderdoingsobyfurtherclarifyingthehierarchydefinedat§205.238(a-b),perhapsdrawingfromthestructureoftheFacilitypestmanagementstandardat§205.271.”

l. NortheastOrganicDairyProducersAlliance(NODPA)states:“NODPAwouldlikefurtherdiscussionontheuseofparasiticidesfororganicfiberbearinganimals…NODPAaskstheNOSBlivestocksubcommitteetodevelopan“emergencyuse”definitionasitrelatestoalivestockoperationinthefinalregulation.”

m. MaineOrganicFarmersandGardenersAssociation(MOFGA)states:“Itisnecessaryfororganicsheepandgoatfarmersespeciallytohavetwoparasiticidesforcontrollinginternalparasites.Withoutbeingabletoalternatetheusetheincidenceofparasitedrugresistanceincreasessignificantly.”

n. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“TheCornucopiaInstituteopposestherecommendedchangesmadebytheLivestockSubcommitteeastheyapplytoIvermectin.”

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POLICYDEVELOPMENTSUBCOMMITTEE

PROPOSAL

PolicyandProceduresManualRevisions

RevisionsontheoperatingmanualoftheNOSB.Backgroundofthisproposal:TheobjectiveofthisproposalistorevisetheApril11,2012versionofthePPMtoreflectthecurrentproceduresforthecollaborativeandproductivefunctioningoftheNOSB.ItisdesignedtoassisttheNOSBinitsresponsibilitiestoserveasalinktotheorganiccommunity,adviseUSDAontheimplementationofOFPA,proposeamendmentstotheNationalListofAllowedandProhibitedSubstances,andprotect/defendtheintegrityoforganicstandards.Itcomplimentsandalignswithothergoverningdocuments,includingtheOrganicFoodsProductionAct(OFPA),theUSDAorganicregulationsat7CFRPart205,theNOSBCharter,FACAprocedures,andothergovernmentlawsandregulations(e.g.FOIA)asapplicable.Proposal:TheNOSBmovestoadopttheFebruary23,2016draftedversionofthePolicyandProceduresManual.VoteinSubcommitteeTheNOSBPDSsubcommitteeapprovesthethreesectionsofthisproposalasstatedabove.Motionby:TomChapman;Second:LisadeLimaYes:5,No:0,Abstain:0,Absent:1,Recuse:0

Support

RevisionsOpposeRevisions

Nuanced/Seeks

ClarificationFarmers/Citizens 822 PublicInterestGroups BPa,FWWc,

Cornucopiae,NOCb,CFSf

FoodProcessors/Handlers

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

OPWCd

Certifiers Notes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“OFPAcreatedtheNOSBasameansofensuringthattheorganiccommunityretainedkeylinesofauthorityovertheorganicprogram,despitebeinglocatedwithinUSDA,whichoftentakespositionsviewedashostiletoorganicintegrity.ThePolicyandProceduresManual(PPM)istheinstrumentthroughwhichtheNOSBmaintainsitsabilitytosetthecoursefororganicproductionintheUnitedStatesandadvisetheSecretaryofAgricultureonimplementationoforganiclaw.TheNOSBmustnotrelinquishthat

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independentauthorityandthehighdegreeofpublicinvolvementthathasbeenthecornerstoneofaburgeoningorganicsectorbyweakeningthedecisionmakingprocesscontainedinthePPM.”

b. NationalOrganicCoaltion(NOC)states,“TheNOSBmustnotrelinquishthatcontrolbyweakeningthePPM.”c. FoodandWaterWatch(FWW)states:“TheSeptember16,2013FederalRegisternoticeonthesunsetprocess

wasalegislativeruleissuedwithoutnoticeandcommentasrequiredbylaw.Thislegislativeruleiscurrentlythesubjectoflitigationinfederalcourt.Food&WaterWatchbelievesthatduringthependencyofthelitigation,NOSBshouldnotberecommendinganyfurtherchangestothesunsetprocess.”

d. OrganicProduceWholesalersCoalition(OPWC)“supportsthePolicySubcommittee’sworktoupdatethePolicyandProceduresManual(PPM)sothatitreflectsthecurrentoperatingproceduresoftheBoard.”

e. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“Takenasawhole,thechangesmadetothePPMrepresentadramaticshiftinpolicyfortheNOSB.ChiefamongthechangesisthatthedraftproposaladoptsistheincreasedroleoftheNOPinNOSBadministration.Asdiscussed,thisisproblematicbecausetheNOSBfillsaveryspecificnicheintheadministrationoforganics.AnotherpartofthisshiftincontrolisevidencedbychangesinthePDS:thedraftlessenstheabilityoftheNOSBtomanageitsownpolicyandprocedures.Asdictatedbyfederallaw,thedutiesoftheNOSBshouldremaintheirsalone.”

f. TheCenterofFoodSafety(CFS)states:“CFShasseriousconcernsregardingthefollowingproposedchangestothecurrentPPM:

• TherevisionsignificantlyreducesNOSBauthorityandcontroloverthePPM.• ThesectiononNOP-NOSBCollaborationhasbeenrevisedtobelesscollaborative.• TherevisionsreducetheindependenceofNOSB.• ThesectiononNOSBworkagendas(formerlyworkplans)removesNOSBauthoritytoinitiateagenda

items.• TherevisedroleofthePolicyDevelopmentSubcommitteediminishestheabilityoftheNOSBto

establishitsownprocedures.• ChangestotherequirementsforminorityreportsdecreasethefullunderstandingoftheNOSBandthe

public.• Theallowanceforvotingby‘showofhands’hinderstransparencyinvoting.• Therevisionadoptsthenewsunsetpolicyandprocedures.Thechangeinthesunsetpolicyimposedby

theNOPhasneverbeenproposedforpubliccomment.Theserevisionsarecurrentlythesubjectofalawsuitinfederalcourt.CFSbelievestheNOSBshouldwaitbeforeadoptingrevisionsthatarecurrentlythesubjectofjudicialreview.

• TherevisionconflatesthedistinctlyseparaterolesandresponsibilitiesoftheCMO/DFO/StaffDirector.• TherevisionsfailtoalignwithrecordkeepingrequirementsofFACA.”

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DISCUSSIONDOCUMENT

SunsetTimelineReorganizationPurpose:Sunsetreviewefficientworkloadreorganization.

Discussion:Weareseekingcommentfromthepubliconthefollowing:1. WhichofthefouroptionswouldbemostadvantageousforareorganizationofSunsetreview?2. IfOptionCispreferredarethereotheritemsthatshouldbegroupedtogether?(Latermaterials

onthe2/7reviewscyclewillbereorderedasaresultofanychangesearlierinthelist).VoteinSubcommitteeMotiontoaccepttheSunsettimelinereorganizationdiscussiondocumentMotionby:TomChapman,Secondedby:AshleySwaffarYes:5,No:0,Abstain:0,Absent:1,Recuse:0

SupportProposal

OpposeProposal

Nuanced

Farmers/Citizens PublicInterestGroups BPa,CRi,

CFSh,Cornucopial,NOCbFWWc

FoodProcessors/Handlers

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

CROPPg

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

OTAjOMRIk OPWCf,

Certifiers MOSAd,CCOFe,PCOm

Notes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“Wedohaveanopinion…regardingthebestoption,butthemostimportantthingisfortheNOSBtoadoptsomeoption–evenifitrequireslockingstakeholdersinaroomuntiltheycanallagree.”

b. NationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)states:“OptionB--Likegroupingsreferredtogether,groupingscombinedtomakeevennumbers”mostcloselymatchesNOC’sideasonhowtoproceed.”

c. FoodandWaterWatch(FWW)states:“WeagreethatthewaytoresolvetheunevendistributionofmaterialsthroughouttheyearsofaSunsetcycleistoreviewsomeofthematerialsbeforetheirexistingsunsetdatebecauseextendingamaterial’sreviewcyclewouldresultinitsdelisting,asstatedinOFPA.”

d. MidwestOrganicServicesAssociation(MOSA)states:“OptionCseemstobethebestbalanceofefficiencyandtransparentimpartiality.”

e. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)states:“CCOFcommendstheSubcommitteeforanalyzingthreeseparateapproachestoreorganizingthesunsetreviewprocessandjoinstheSubcommitteeinsupportingOptionC.Thissystemwilldividetheworkloadmostevenlyoverthe5-yearreviewperiod.”

f. OrganicProduceWholesalersCoalition(OPWC)states:“ItisveryimportanttothestabilityoftheorganictradethatanydecisionsmadetodelistorreducetheuseofmaterialsthathavebeenreviewedearlierthantheiroriginallyscheduledsunsetbeimplementedonthetimelineassociatedwiththeiroriginalSunsetcycle.”

g. CROPPstates:“TheOrganicTradeAssociationcommentsareinalignmentwithourthoughtsonoptionC.Wealsoagreewiththematerialsgroupingpresentedintheircomments.Wewouldliketoemphasizetheimportanceofaphaseinperiodforthefirstroundofthenewsunsetreviewdates.Itemssettosunsetin2022maybereviewedaccordingtooptionCbutmustnotsunsetuntil2022.”

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h. TheCenterforFoodSafety(CFS)states:“CFSunderstandstheneedtoreorganizethesunsetreviewtimelinetomoreevenlydistributethematerialreviewsandBoard-memberworkload.ThemanybenefitsofreviewingmaterialsapprovedforthesamefunctionorpurposeinthesamecyclemakeoptionBthebeststrategyproposed.”

i. ConsumerReports(CR)states:“Wesupportgroupingsimilarmaterialsforreview,andsupportOptionB.WealsoseebenefitstoOption’sCproposalofgroupingmaterialsregardlessofwhichNationalListsectiontheyarelistedon.WewouldsupportareorganizationthatcombinesOptionBandOptionC,ifthiswouldbefeasible.Thismeansgroupingsimilarmaterialstogether,andreviewingthemacrosslists.Wesupporttheproposalthatmaterialsthatarereviewedonashortertimelinethan5yearsandarevotedforremovalwouldstillberemovedattheiroriginalsunsetdate.”

j. TheOrganicTradeAssociation(OTA)“supportsNOSB’seffortstotowardsreorganizingtheSunsetReviewtimelineprovidedthefollowingoutcomesoccur:

• EveryinputontheNationalListisreviewedeveryfiveyears;• EveryitemontheNationalListisreviewedcompletelyagainstOFPAandNationalListCriteria;• Thereviewprocessistransparentandlendsitselftoafair,objectiveandopenpublicprocesswith

adequatetimetocomment;• IfgroupingoccursassuggestedinOptionC,additional“like”groupingsareadoptedassuggestedin

ourcomments;• NationalListitemsthatarereviewedearlyunderareorganizationplanshouldbeallowedtosunset

(forthefirstabridgedSunsetReview)ontheiroriginaltimeline,andaresolutionmustbeadoptedtomakedecisionsaccordingtoinformationavailableatthetimeofthereviewratherthanthescheduledsunsetdate.”

k. OrganicMaterialsResearchInstitute(OMRI)states:“OMRIsupportsOptionC,whichgroupssimilarmaterialstogetherregardlessoftheirlocationontheNationalList.”

l. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“Thecurrent30-daycommentperiodaftertheNOSBmeetingagendaandmaterialsarereleasedisnotenoughtimetothoroughlyrevieweachagendaitem.Inaddition,thereisnotenoughtimebetweenwhencommentsaresubmittedtoregulations.govandthetimetheNOSBmeetingbegins.Boardmemberscannotproperlyreadandinterpretallcommentssubmittedwithoutexorbitanttimecommitments.”

m. Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) states: “PCO considers option C to be the most advantageous option for reorganization of sunset review. … However, PCO is requesting clarification from the Policy Development subcommittee regarding the sunset timeline. The subcommittee states that materials reviewed early should be allowed to sunset on their original timeline in 2022. Would materials reviewed early always sunset based on their original 2/7 cycle, or would sunset dates after 2022 reflect the adopted regrouping?”

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SPECIALCOMMENT

CACS:EliminatingtheIncentivetoConvertNaturalEcosystemsintoOrganicProduction

TheWildFarmAllianceproposedthattheCACSaddworkagendaanitemon“EliminatingtheIncentivetoConvertNativeEcosystemsintoOrganicCropProduction.”

Discussion:CACSnotesofAugust11,2015say,“Afteralengthydiscussionaboutthescopeoftheproblem,andthepossiblepathsandoutcomes,themembersacknowledgedthatconversionofnativeecosystemsintoorganiccropproductionisaseriousproblem,butthatitistoolargeinscopefortheCACSorNOSBtotakeup.”

SupportAddingWorkAgenda

OpposeAddingWorkAgenda

Neutral/Seeks

Clarification

Farmers/Citizens PublicInterestGroups BPa,

Cornucopiae,NOCb,FWWc,CFSd,WFAg

FoodProcessors/Handlers

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

Certifiers OEFFAf Notes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“TheCACSnotesrevealthatthereisonlyoneitemontheCACSworkagenda,anditisonhold.Therushofthe2017sunsethaspassed.WFAhasoffereditsexpertisetothesubcommittee.Wesuggestthatthisisanopportunetimeforthesubcommitteetoundertakethisimportantissue.”

b. NationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)states:“NOCsubmitsthesecommentsinsupportoftheWildFarmAlliance(WFA)requesttoaddtotheCACSworkagendaanitemon‘EliminatingtheIncentivetoConvertNativeEcosystemsintoOrganicCropProduction.’Insteadofincentivizingtheconversionofnativeecosystemstoorganiccropproduction,theNOSBshouldguidetheNOPtoplaceemphasisonconvertingconventionallandandimprovingcurrentorformerfarmlandthathasbeendegradedundernonorganicmanagement.Untilsuchatimethatarulecanbeputintoplace,NOCwouldrequestthattheNOSBrecommendthattheNOPissuesguidanceonthisissue.”

c. FoodandWaterWatch(FWW)states:“Insteadofincentivizingtheconversionofnativeecosystemstoorganiccropproduction,theNOSBshouldguidetheNOPtoemphasizeconvertingconventionallandandimprovingcurrentorformerfarmlandthathasbeendegradedundernonorganicmanagement.”

d. TheCenterforFoodSafety(CFS)states:“CFSsubmitsthesecommentsinstrongsupportoftheWildFarmAlliance(WFA)requesttoaddtotheCompliance,Accreditation&Certification(CACS)Subcommitteeworkagendaanitemon‘EliminatingtheIncentivetoConvertNativeEcosystemsintoOrganicCropProduction.’”

e. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“TheCornucopiaInstituteagreeswithWFAthatsupportingconservationpractices,addressingnaturalresourceissues,andsupportingbiodiversityconservationwithinagricultureisessential.Theconversionofnativeecosystemsinparticularisaseriousproblemthatmustbedealtwithinatimelymanner.Whenuntouchednativeecosystemsaredestroyed,thereisnowaytogetthembacktoapristinecharacter.Habitatlossisthesinglemostpervasivethreattowildlifeandnativeplantlife.Finally,incentivizing

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theconversionofnativeecosystemsiscontrarytostandingorganicpolicyandhurtstheintegrityoftheorganiclabel.”

f. OhioEcologicalFoodandFarmAssociation(OEFFA)states:“Whilewesupportthecontinuedgrowthoftheorganicindustryandexpansionoforganicacreage,wefeelthatitshouldnotbeatthecostofnaturalecosystems,whichorganicstandardsareintendedtoprotect.”

g. WildFarmAlliance(WFA)states:“WhileWildFarmAllianceisverywillingtoworkwiththeNOSBinanycapacity,wefeelitisunfairforinterestedNOSBmemberstohavetounofficiallyhelpwiththisissueonthesidewhentheyalreadyvolunteeralargeamountoftimeofficially.TheNOPshouldworkwiththeNOSBtoputthisontheirworkplan,andshouldprovidestafftimetohelpwiththiseffort.TheNOSBshouldbefullparticipantsinconductingananalysisanddraftingarecommendation.Whiletheintegrityoftheorganiclabelisimprovingwiththeabove-mentionedguidance,itfallsshortofexcellencewiththisglaringproblem.Let’sworktogethertomakeorganicthepremiereco-label(asinecologicallabel)itwasmeanttobe.”

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HANDLINGSUBCOMMITTEE

2018SUNSETMATERIALS:§205.605(A)

Agar-AgarPurpose:stabilizer,thickener,gellingagent,texturizer,moisturizer,emulsifier,flavorenhancer,and

absorbent.

Petitioned/Added:1995TAP;2011TR Sunset2018:tobevotedonFall,2016.Discussion:AdditionalinformationrequestedbyNOSB:The2011TRprovidespossibleagriculturalalternativestoagar-agarinfoodapplications,including:1.gellingagents,suchaspectin(highmethoxy),gelatin,unmodifiedstarches,andkonjacflour;and2.thickeners,emulsifiers,andstabilizers,suchasvegetablegums(Arabic,locust/carobbean,guar),unmodifiedstarches,tragacanthgum,konjacflour.1. Havetherebeenanynewdevelopmentswithalternativestoagar-agar?2. Whyisagar-agarusedinsteadofalternatives?Whataretheuniquecharacteristicsthatmakeitessentialtoorganichandling?

SupportRelisting Oppose

RelistingNuanced/

SeeksClarificationFarmers/Citizens

1 1e

PublicInterestGroups

BPa,Cornucopiad

FoodProcessors/Handlers

Ferraraf,Amy’sKitchenb

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

WhiteWave

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

IFACc,IDFA OTA–4handlers

Certifiers OTCO–1operationNotes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“Wesupportthecontinuedlistingofagar-agaron§205.605(a)Non-syntheticsallowed,withtheannotation,‘fromGellidiumspecies,processedwithoutalkalinepretreatment.’Weopposetheproposedlistingofagar-agaron§205.605(b)Syntheticsallowed.”

b. Amy’sKitchenstates:“Therearenoothernon-animalderivedpolysaccharidesthathavethesamepropertiesasagar-agar.”

c. InternationalFoodAdditivesCouncil(IFAC)said,“Agar-agarisalsolesstemperaturesensitivethancertainalternatives,makingitparticularlyusefulingelsthatneedtoremainfirmatroomtemperatureortemperaturesbelow50degreesC.

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d. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:”TheCornucopiaInstitutewouldsupportrelistingagar-agarifanannotationisaddedstating“fromGelidiumspeciesonly,processedwithoutalkalinetreatmentandsourcedfromareasmanagedforsustainability.”

e. Acitizenstates:“Wesupportthecontinuedlistingofagar-agaron205.605(a)Non-syntheticsallowed,withtheannotation,‘fromGellidiumspecies,processedwithoutalkalinepretreatment.Weopposetheproposedlistingofagar-agaron205.605(b)Syntheticsallowed.’”

f. TheFerraraPanCandyCompanystates:“Agar-Agarisessentialtothemanufactureoftheorganicgummycandyweproduce.Currentlythereisnotasourceoforganicgelatin.Itwilllikelybeseveralyearsuntiltheporksupplychaingrowsenoughtosupportorganicgelatinmanufacture.Untilthen,wearedependentuponacombinationofAgar-AgarandOrganicstarchestoprovidethegummytexturethatconsumer'sexpectinagummyproduct.”

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AnimalEnzymesPurpose:acoagulanttocurdlemilk,tobemadeintocheeseorsourcream.

Petitioned/added:2000TAP;2011TR;2015TR.Sunset2018:tobevotedonFall,2016.AdditionalinformationrequestedbyNOSB:Areanyanimalderivedenzymescurrentlybeingproducedfromorganiclivestock?Ifyes,onwhatscale?Inthe2011TRonAnimalEnzymes,manufactureofthesubstanceisfocusedonrennet.Pleasesubmitinformationifthemanufactureofothertypesofanimalenzymesdifferfromrennet.

SupportRelisting

OpposeRelisting

Neutral/Nuanced

Farmers/Citizens 1 PublicInterestGroups BPa,NOCh,CFSe

CornucopiafFoodProcessors/Handlers

Aurorab

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

CROPPd

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

IOS OTA–2handlers

Certifiers CCOF MOSAg–2clients,OTCOc,PCO–8operations

Notes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“The2011and2015TRs–thelatteraddressingancillarysubstances–leaveunansweredsomeimportantquestions.”

b. AuroraOrganicDairystates:“Animalenzymesareessentialfortheproductionofcertainorganiccheeses(Romano,BlueCheese,etc.),whenplantbasedenzymesormicrobialenzymesarenotsufficient.”

c. OregonTilth(OTCO)states:“Mostcertifiedcheesemanufacturersareusinganimal-derivedrennet.OTCOcertifiesdozensofoperationsthatuseanimal-derivedrennet,microbial-derivedrennet,orboth.”

d. CROPPstates:“Tothebestofourknowledge,thereisnolipaseformulationavailablederivedfromorganiclivestock.”

e. TheCenterforFoodSafety(CFS)states:“TheNOSBshouldcontinuetopushformoreanimalenzymesfromorganicanimalsandprohibittheuseofnon-organicanimalenzymesasmoreorganicsourcesbecomeavailable.Likewise,itshouldcontinuetoviewGEmicrobe-producedenzymesasexcludedmethods.”

f. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“Animalenzymesareanecessaryprocessingmediumforsomeorganicfoodsandthereislimitedavailabilityoforganicanimalenzymes.Otherthanenzymesderivedfromageneticallyengineeredsource,nootherproductshavetheexactqualitiesneededformakingcertaintypesofcheeseandculturedproducts.”

g. MidwestOrganicServicesAssociation(MOSA)states:“SomeanimalrennetisusedbyMOSAcheeseprocessors,butvegetablerennetsaremorecommon.”

h. NationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)states:“WeencouragetheNOSBtocontinuethesearchfororganicanimalenzymesbeyondourborders,andifnotavailable,todiscoverthebarriersandhowtoovercomethem.”

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CalciumSulfate-MinedPurpose:coagulant(fortofu),nutrient,yeastfood,doughconditioner,firmingagent,sequestrant,

jellingagent,bakingpowderingredient,carrier,pHbuffer,andabrasiveagent.Petitioned/added:Petitionedin2000;1996TAP;2001TAP.Sunset2018:tobevotedonFall,2016.Discussion:Informationfromthepetitionand2001TAPreviewmaintainthatthismaterialisconsistentwithOFPAcriteria.Unlessnewinformationisprovidedfromthepublicaboutimpactstotheenvironmentorhumanhealththismaterialshouldberenewed.

Support

RelistingOpposeRelisting

Nuanced/Seeks

ClarificationFarmers/Citizens PublicInterestGroups BPa,CornucopiafFoodProcessors/Handlers

Amy’sKitchenc,Haine

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

USGg

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

IOS OTA-3handlers

Certifiers CCOFb OTCOd–14operations

Notes:

a. BeyondPesticide(BP)states:“Wehavenotseensufficientevidencetosupporttheuseofcalciumsulfateforallfooduses.Thereforewesupportrenewingthelistingofcalciumsulfatewiththeannotation,‘Foruseonlyasacoagulantinbeancurd(tofuandsimilarproducts).’”

b. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)“supportsrelistingmaterialsuponconsiderationofthefollowing:• Clearalternativeswithdemonstratedviabilityfororganicoperationshavenotemergedsincetheoriginal

listing• Thematerialremainsinusebyorganicproducers• Substantivelynewinformationhasnotbeenbroughtforwardtodemonstratethatthematerialis

incompatiblewithorganicprinciples.”c. Amy’sKitchenstates:“CalciumsulfateisusedbyanAmy'sKitchensoycheezesupplier(usedinthemanufacture

ofthetofutheyuseasaningredientforthecheeze).”d. OregonTilth(OTCO)states:“OTCOcertifiesatleast14operationsthatareusingcalciumsulfateaspartoftheir

manufacturingprocess.”e. HainCelestialGroupstates:“WeutilizeCalciumSulfateasthesolecoagulantorincombinationwithother

coagulantsinmanyofourorganictofuproducts.”f. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“Giventhepotentialenvironmentalandhumanhealtheffectsassociatedwith

mining,TheCornucopiaInstituterecommendsthatanewTechnicalReportbepreparedtofullyevaluateanddiscusstheseconcernsbeforetherelistingproceeds.”

g. TheUnitedStatesGypsumCompany(USG)states:“USGrespectfullysubmitsthattheavailabledatacontinuetosupportincluding“calciumsulfate-mined”asan“allowed”substanceintheNationalList.”

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CarrageenanPurpose:foodadditive.

Petitioned/added:1995TAP,2011TR;2016LimitedScopeTR. Sunset2018:tobevotedonFall,2016.Discussion:AdditionalinformationrequestedbyNOSB:1.Afterthelastreviewin2012weknowsomecompaniespledgedtoremovecarrageenanfromtheirproducts.Hasthisbeensuccessfulandwhatalternativeshavebeenused?Arethereanyproductsforwhichithasnotbeensuccessful,andwhy?2.Arethereanystakeholderswhorelyonthismaterial?Ifsoforwhatusesandwhyhavealternativesnotbeensuccessful?3.Is"sensitivity"toafoodingredientenoughofareasontoprohibitasubstanceinorganicproductsifitisclearlylistedasaningredientonafoodlabel?

SupportRelisting OpposeRelisting Neutral/

SeeksClarification

Farmers/Citizens Shanghai,China–33IndonesiaFarmersb–6PhilippinesFarmers-7

Consumers-15

PublicInterestGroups

Cornucopiao,NOCk,BP,CRj,FWWp,CFSr

FoodProcessors/Handlers

AuroraKuenLeeh

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

FMCc-71;IngredientsSolutions–2;ShanghaiBrilliantGumCo.,Ltd;PerdueFoods;

Perrigot

Ferrarau

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

CROPPmRobinCoone

PCCi

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

FMCFacebookCampaigna–1,102;CelticColloidsd;NutritionEdgeComm.;

MarinalgInt.;NaturalProductsAssoc.;United4FoodSciencel;UI/WSUSchoolofFoodScience;HarvardMedicalSchoolg;UMDProf.

EmeritusMarkVarner;AlliedFoodProd.,Inc.;GriffithsFoods;IFACn;RichardTheuerf;Int’l

DairyFoodsAssoc.;JuiceProductsAssoc.;

InfantNutritionCouncils

OTA-6handlers

Certifiers CCOFq OTCO–16operations,

PCO–2operations

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Notes:

a. AnFMCwebsite(FoodScienceMatters)launchedaFacebookCampaign:1,102respondentssubmittedtheformletter“DearMr.McEvoy,TheAMSplaysacriticalroleinensuringthequalityandavailabilityoffoodforallAmericans…”

b. LudyTarsius,aseaweedfarmerinIndonesiastates:“Wearesellingseaweed,whichmaintainsexcellentrelationshipswithourfarmingfamiliesthatcultivatetheseaweedweusetomakecarrageenan.Weknow,firsthand,howthosejobsallowourfarmerstocarefortheirfamiliesandprovidealifethatmightotherwisenotbepossible.”

c. PierreLeclercofFMCstates:“IamanemployeeofFMC,aleadingmanufacturerofcarrageenanformorethan75years.FMCisthelargesttaxpayerinRockland,MaineandwearetheonlycarrageenanproducerinNorthAmerica.Employmentinourplantiscrucial,notonlytousasemployees,buttothelocaleconomy.Asdemanddecreasesforacrucialproductlikecarrageenan,manufacturingjobsareobviouslyimpacted.”

d. WilliamBlakemore,PresidentofCelticColloidsstates:“Themajorityofworkoncarrageenanfundedbyindustrywasconductedbyindependentconsultantcontractors,suchasme.ThefactthatIwasemployedbythecarrageenanindustryforover30years,andhavebeenacarrageenanchemistformorethan50yearswaswhytheindustrycontractedwithme…IhavebeenretiredfromFMCfortenyears,startingmycompany,CelticColloids.”

e. RobinKoon,ofasoftgelencapsulationcompanystates:“Thereareveryfewplantbasedmaterialsthatmimicthepolysaccharidechainsthatcarrageenan'shaveandareextremelystrong,enablingitasareplacementforgelatin(andgelatinisfromananimalsource).

f. RichardTheuer,aformermemberoftheNOSB(1992-1994),anoriginalTAPreviewerofcarrageenanin1995,andanutritionalscientistinvolvedininfantformulastates:“Perhapsfoodslabeledas“organic”shouldnotbeexemptedfromlabeling“incidentaladditives”including“processingaids,”etc.,butbeheldtothehigherlabelingstandardofhypoallergenicfoods(21CFR105.62).

g. AndrewOnderdonkofHarvardMedicalSchoolstates:“Lowmolecularweight,degradedcarrageenangiventogermfreeorgnotobioticguineapigsintheabsenceofspecificstrainsofB.vulgatusdidnotleadtocolitis.”

h. KuenLeestates:“Carrageenanisanimportantingredientasstabilizerandthickenerinmanyofourorganiccertifiednon-dairybeverages.”

i. TrudyBialicofPCCNaturalMarketsstates:“Wedisagreewiththediscussiondocumentstatementthatthedecisiononcarrageenanrevolvesaroundthepremisethathumanshavevaryingdegreesofsensitivitytocarrageenaninthediet,similartoallergenicfoods.Carrageenanisnotafood,it’sanadditive,asyntheticadditive.Noonewouldbuycarrageenantoeat.Itisnotnecessaryinfood.Providingimprovedemulsionandmouthfeelisnotnecessarytoenjoyfreshwhippingcream,ortorenderwhippingcreamintoitsultimateendpurpose,inawhippedform.”

j. ConsumerReports(CR)states:“[Allergic]FoodsthatcontainglutenorfallinthecategoryofdairyorlegumesdonotundergoevaluationtoOFPAcriteriabecausetheyareactualfoodsthatcanbeproducedorganically.Carrageenanisanadditivethatisotherwiseprohibitedinorganicfoods.”

k. NationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)states:“Afterfouryears,thereasonsforremovingcarrageenanhavebecomeevenmorecompelling,asmorescientificstudiesquestioningitssafetyhavebeenpublishedandcompanieshaveremoveditfrommoreproducts.”

l. United4FoodSciencestates:“Asanemulsifierandstabilizer,carrageenangivesinfantformulasapalatabletasteandtextureandensuresthatinfantsreceiveabalancedpacketofnutrientsfromthefirstsiptothelastdrop.Thesamecanbesaidforadultnutritiondrinksconsumedbyseniors,aswellasmedicalnutritionproductsoftengivenbyfeedingtubetopatientswithcancerandotherseriousillnesses”

m. CROPPstates:“WeexpectcompleteremovalbyMay1,2016.Althoughwehavesuccessfullyremovedcarrageenanfromourproductswebelievethisisamaterialthatisusefulforcertainapplications.ThereisnoscientificreasontoremoveitfromtheNationalList.”

n. InternationalFoodAdditivesCouncil(IFAC)states:“Oneofcarrageenan’smostimportantfunctionalpropertiesisitsuniqueproteininteraction,whichmakesitparticularlyfunctionalinproteinrichmatriceslikedairyproductsandmeatstopreventseparationofkeycomponentsevenatverylowusagelevels.”

o. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“ThestudythattheJointFAO/WHOExpertCommitteeonFoodAdditives(JECFA)partiallybaseditsdecisioncontainedseveralcriticalflawswhichweoutline.”

p. FoodandWaterWatch(FWW)states:“Inadditiontoquestionsofsafety,carrageenanfailstomeetthecriteriaofessentiality.”

q. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)states:“NineCCOFmembersincludecarrageenanontheirOrganicSystemPlan,oneasafrozensoyproductstabilizer,theothersinbeerproduction,personalcareproducts,andinediblegelcapsulesusedtopackagedietarysupplements.ItisuncleartoCCOFwhetheralternativesexisttotheseusesforcarrageenan.”

r. TheCenterforFoodSafety(CFS)states:“Fewercompaniesrelyoncarrageenanasanadditive,anditslackofessentialityhasbeensufficientlydemonstratedbythegrowingnumberofcompaniesandproductsmadewithoutit.Giventhis,andthepotentialforharmformdegradedcarrageenaninthehumandigestivesystem,thetimehascomeforcarrageenantosunset.”

s. TheInfantNutritionalFoodCouncilstates:“theJointFAO/WHOExpertCommitteeonFoodAdditives(JECFA)hasdeterminedtheuseofcarrageenanininfantformulaandformulasforspecialmedicalpurposesdoesnotpresentsafetyconcerns.AsaninternationalexpertscientificcommitteethatreviewsthesafetyoffoodadditivesandisadministeredjointlybytheFoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNations(FAO)andtheWorld

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HealthOrganization(WHO),InfantNutritionCouncilencouragestheNOSBtoconsiderthisJECFAevaluationwhenmakingdeterminationsoncarrageenansafetyininfantformula.RemovingcarrageenanfromtheNationalListcouldnegativelyimpacttheavailabilityofliquidorganicinfantformulaproductsandreduceorganicoptionsavailabletoconsumers.”

t. PerrigoNutritionalsstates:“Atthepresenttimewehavenoalternativeforcarrageenanandthereforewerequestthatcarrageenancontinuetobeallowedandlistedasanon-syntheticingredientallowedinoronprocessedproductslabeledas“organic”or“madewithorganic”underCFR7205.605(a).Thedelistingofcarrageenanmayhaveasignificantimpacttoorganicconsumerswhocurrentlypurchaseproductscontainingcarrageenan.”

u. TheFerraraPanCandyCompanystates:“Thereareconfectionsonthemarketmadewithcarrageenanasagellingagent.Wedidevaluatecarrageenanintheformulationofsomeofourorganicproducts.Itdoesproduceanicegel.However,itleavesaslimycoatinginyourmouthforabout15minutesaftereating.Wechosenottoformulatewithcarrageenanbecauseotheringredientsprovidebetterfunctionality.”

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GluconoDelta-LactonePurpose:primarilyinsilkentofu;butalsousedasacuringagent,leaveningagent,

pHcontrolagentandsequestrant. Petitioned/added:Petitionedin2002;2002TAP&2016TR.Sunset2018:tobevotedonFall,2016.AdditionalinformationrequestedbyNOSB:1. IsGDLbeingusedinapplicationsotherthantofuproductionfororganicprocessedfoods?2. IfGDLwasremovedfromthenationallist,arealternativetofucoagulantssuchascalciumand

sulfatesaltssufficienttoproduceallformsoftofu?3. ShouldGDLproducedfromenzymesbeprohibitedorfurtherrestrictedduetoconcernsaroundGMOs?

SupportRelisting

OpposeRelisting

Neutral/SeeksClarification

Farmers/Citizens PublicInterestGroups Cornucopiac,

BPa

FoodProcessors/Handlers

HCGb

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

WhiteWave

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

IDFA OTA–2handlers

Certifiers OTCO-3operationsNotes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“The2016technicalreview(TR)suggeststhatthecurrentannotationisnotsufficienttoensurethatthegluconodelta-lactone(GDL)inuseisnonsynthetic.113ItalsostatesthatsomeenzymesusedintheproductionofGDLmaybegeneticallyengineered.IfitdecidestorelistGDL,theNOSBshouldconsideranannotationchangetocorrecttheseissues.”

b. HainCelestialGroupstates:“GDLiswellknownforitsabilitytoproducesilkentofuwithitssmooth,jelly-liketexture.”

c. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“Thislistingwouldbemorecompatiblewithorganicprinciplesofhandlingwithanannotationchangeincludingthephrase‘fromanon-geneticallymodifiedsourceandmethodofproduction.’”

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TartaricAcidPurpose:acidulant,pHcontrolagent,preservative,emulsifier,chelatingagent,flavorenhancerand

modifier,stabilizer,anti-cakingagent,andfirmingagent.

Petitioned/added:2011TR;2011Petitiontoremovefrom§205.605(b)-madefrommalicacid.Sunset2018:tobevotedonFall,2016.AdditionalinformationrequestedbyNOSB:TheHandlingSubcommitteerequestspubliccommentontheuseofTartaricacidanditsessentialityinorganicprocessing.

SupportRelisting Oppose

RelistingNeutral/

SeeksClarificationFarmers/Citizens PublicInterestGroups Cornucopiad,BPaFoodProcessors/Handlers

Fetzerc,Nature’sPathe,BroncoWine,6winemakers

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Ferraraf

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

JuiceProductsAssociation,IOS

OTA–2handlers

Certifiers CCOFb OTCO–12operations

Notes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“TheHSshouldinvestigatewhethertartaricacidfromorganicgrapewineisavailableorwouldbeavailableifthislistingdidnotdiscourageitsuse.Sincetartaricacidisawasteproductfromwinemaking,itssalecouldprovideadditionalrevenuetoorganicvintners.”

b. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)“supportsrelistingmaterialsuponconsiderationofthefollowing:• Clearalternativeswithdemonstratedviabilityfororganicoperationshavenotemergedsincetheoriginal

listing• Thematerialremainsinusebyorganicproducers• Substantivelynewinformationhasnotbeenbroughtforwardtodemonstratethatthematerialis

incompatiblewithorganicprinciples.”c. FetzerVineyards(dbaBonterraVineyards)states:“TartaricAcidisaveryimportantpartoftheorganic

winemakingprocessandwestronglysupportitscontinueduse.”d. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“becausethislistingmaydiscouragetheuseoforganicTartaricacidfrom

organicgrapewine,TheCornucopiaInstitutestronglyrecommendstheadditionofanannotationspecifyingthatthenonorganicformofTartaricacidcanonlybeusedwhentheproductisnotcommerciallyavailableinorganicform.”

e. Nature'sPathFoodsstates:“Wehavenotbeenabletofindanyalternativestotartaricacidtoachievethedesiredeffectsof"rising"dough.”

f. TheFerraraPanCandyCompanystates:“WeareplanningtouseTartaricAcidonseveralconfectioneryproductsindevelopment.WhencomparedtoCitricacid,Tartaricismuchmorestablewhenusedasacoatingonthesurfaceofgummyandjellycandies.Whenexposedtowarmtemperatures,sourcoatedcandycan"sweat"makingtheproductlookwet.Thisismuchlesslikelytohappenwhentartaricacidisused.Tartaricacidprovidesuniquefunctionalityandhighimpactsournessthatotheracidscannot.”

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2018SUNSETMATERIALS:§205.605(B)

CellulosePurpose:foruseinregenerativecasings,asananti-cakingagent(non-chlorinebleached)andfiltering

aid.

Petitioned/added:2001petition;with2001TAP&2016TR.Sunset2018:tobevotedonFall,2016.AdditionalinformationrequestedbyNOSB:1. Havetherebeenanynewsourcesforeitheranon-syntheticoranorganicformofcelluloseidentifiedduringthiscurrentSunsetCycle?IfsopleaseprovidetheNOSBwithinformationonthissource.

2. ArethereanyneworpotentialusesnotcoveredbythecurrentannotationthatshouldbebroughttotheNOSB’sattention?Ifsopleaseexplain.

3. HavetherebeenanypossiblealternativestoanyoftheallowedusesforcelluloseidentifiedduringthiscurrentSunsetCycle,andifsopleaseprovidetheNOSBwiththeirnamesandhowtheycomparetotheuseofcelluloseforthespecificuse.

4. Whatimpactwouldtheinclusionoftheword“powdered”aspartoftheannotationhaveonyourhandlingprocess?ShouldtheNOSBconsiderbringingforthaseparateproposaltomakethischangetothecelluloseannotation?

5. Couldyouhelpustoidentifyanyancillarysubstancesthatmightbeusedwithcelluloseinorganichandlingorprocessing?ThenewTechnicalEvaluationReportmentionsseveralpotentialonesforbothpowderedandtheinedibleformusedinregenerativecasings.Areanyofthesecurrentlybeingusedinorganichandlingandprocessing?

Support

RelistingOpposeRelisting

Neutral/SeeksClarification

Farmers/Citizens PublicInterestGroups BPa, Cornucopiai,NOCbFoodProcessors/Handlers

Amy’sKitchenc,Aurorad,

Fetzerg,BroncoWinek

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

WhiteWavej,CROPPh

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

IFACe,JuiceProductsAssociation,IOS,IDFA

OTA–7handlers

Certifiers CCOFf OTCO–14operations,PCO–3products

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Notes:a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“ItappearsthatcellulosecanberemovedfromtheNationalListasunnecessary.

Asanalternative,therecommendationforanannotationchangepassedbytheboardin2012shouldberevisited.”

b. NationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)supportsanannotation“tothelistingtoprohibitcellulosederivedfrompulp.”c. Amy’sKitchenstates:“Amy'sKitchenrequeststhatcelluloseremainontheNationalListbecauseweunderstand

someofoursuppliersusecellulosebasedfilteringaids.”d. AuroraOrganicDairystates:“Celluloserepelsmoisturetherebyallowingshelfstabilityandconsumer

satisfaction.Cellulosepowder(non-chlorinebleached)isessentialfororganiccheeseproduction/handling.”e. InternationalFoodAdditivesCouncil(IFAC)said,“Mostcommerciallyavailablecelluloseisproducedfromwood

pulporotherplantsourcesthroughadelignificationprocessthatresultsinsufficientchemicalchangetorenderthesubstancesynthetic.Whiletheproductionofnonsyntheticcelluloseistechnicallypossible,nocommercialsourcesofnon-syntheticcellulosearecurrentlyknown.FoodAdditiveCouncilisalsonotawareofanyorganiccellulosecurrentlyavailable.”

f. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)states:“Inresponsetoquestion4,CCOFdoesnotthinkthataddingtheword“powdered”totheannotationmakessenseforsausagecasings,inwhichthecelluloseisusedtoretaintheshape.Mosttechnicaldatasheetsthatwehaverevieweddescribethematerialaspowdered,fiber,orpulp.”

g. FetzerVineyards(dbaBonterraVineyards)states:“DiatomaceousEarth(DE)filtration,commonlyusedonsmallerlotsofwine,usesCelluloseasabasecoatforthefilterframesusedinDEfiltration.Thefabricinfilterframesispre-coatedwithCellulosepriortousingtheDEsolutiontoincreasefiltrationefficiency.Therefore,thisproductisanimportantuseinthefiltrationofsmalllotsoforganicwinesandtheindustryneedsittocontinuetobeanallowedtool.”

h. CROPPstates:“Weusecelluloseintwoapplicationscellulosecasingsandasananti-cakingingredientinshreddedcheese.”

i. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“Cornucopiawouldsupportrelistingiftheannotationwerechangedtolimitthetypesofcelluloseusedinorganichandlingto‘amorphouspowderedcelluloseandinediblecellulosecasing.’”

j. WhiteWaveFoods(viaEarthboundFarm)states:“Thecellulosehasatechnicalanti-cakingeffectontheshreddedcheese,whichkeepsthecheesefromclumpingtogether.”

k. BroncoWineCompanystates:“Celluloseisusedasourkeyfiltrationaidtoremoveanyspoilageorganisms.TheremovalofCellulose,fromtheNationalListwillhaveadirectimpactonourqualityofwine.Tomyknowledgetherehasbeennoorganicreplacementoranyothermaterialthathasthesameeffectorprovidesthesamequalityasthematerialinquestion.”

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PotassiumHydroxidePurpose:usedinsoapmakingandthelyepeelingoffruitsandvegetables.

Petitioned/added:2001petition,2011Amendannotation.Sunset2018:tobevotedonFall,2016.AdditionalinformationrequestedbyNOSB:TheHandlingSubcommitteerequestspubliccommentontheuseofPotassiumhydroxideanditsessentialityinorganicprocessing.

Support

RelistingOpposeRelisting

Neutral/SeeksClarification

Farmers/Citizens 2 2f,hPublicInterestGroups Cornucopiag BPa,NOCbFoodProcessors/Handlers

Amy’sKitchenc,BroncoWine

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

CROPPe

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

IOS OTA–4handlers

Certifiers CCOFd MOSA–2,OTCO–16operations;

PCO–30operationsNotes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“Potassiumhydroxideisahazardousmaterial,possibly(withsodiumhydroxide)oneofthemosthazardousandtoxicontheNationalList.131The2016TRdoesnotseemtohaveresolvedtheissueoftheessentialityforpotassiumhydroxideinprocessingpeaches,buttheessentialityofotherallowedusesalsoneedstobeexamined.WesuggestthattheHSaddressthefollowingquestions:1.Forwhatpurposesispotassiumhydroxideusedinorganicprocessing?2.Whatarethealternativesforthoseuses?3.Isfurtherannotationnecessary?”

b. NationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)states,“TheHSshouldproposeanannotationthataddressesallallowedusesofpotassiumhydroxide.”

c. Amy’sKitchenstates:“PotassiumhydroxideislikelyusedtoadjusttheacidityinseveralingredientssuppliedtoAmy’sKitchen.”

d. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)“supportsrelistingmaterialsuponconsiderationofthefollowing:• Clearalternativeswithdemonstratedviabilityfororganicoperationshavenotemergedsincetheoriginal

listing• Thematerialremainsinusebyorganicproducers• Substantivelynewinformationhasnotbeenbroughtforwardtodemonstratethatthematerialis

incompatiblewithorganicprinciples.”e. CROPPstates:“ThereasonPotashisabetterfitasaprocessingaidisthatitismuchgentlertotheproteinsinthe

Buttermilk.ItisalsousedtoadjusttheAlkaliinOrganicCocoaNibswhichareusedinthemakingofChocolate.”f. Acitizenstates:“Potassiumhydroxideisahazardousmaterial,possibly(withsodiumhydroxide)oneofthe

mosthazardousandtoxicontheNationalList.The2016TRdoesnotseemtohaveresolvedtheissueoftheessentialityforpotassiumhydroxideinprocessingpeaches,buttheessentialityofotherallowedusesalsoneedstobeexamined.”

g. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“Forcertainapplications,suchaslyepeelingofpeaches,Potassiumhydroxideiscurrentlyessential.Thereareseveralalternativeapproachestopeelpeachesthatarebeingdeveloped;onlyoneofthemisnowavailablecommercially.”

h. FormerNOSBmemberstates:“Annotation:prohibitedforlyepeelingofanythingbutpeaches.”

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SiliconDioxidePurpose:usedasadefoamerandallowedforotheruseswhenorganicricehulls

arenotcommerciallyavailable.Petitioned/added:1996TAP,2010TR;2010petitiontoremove.Sunset2018:tobevotedonFall,2016.Discussion:SunsetReview.CommentsregardingrelistingPerliteontheNationalListunder§205.605(a)

Support

RelistingOpposeRelisting

Neutral/SeeksClarification

Farmers/Citizens 2 1PublicInterestGroups Cornucopian,BPa,

NOCm,FoodProcessors/Handlers

Aurorab,ABIe,Hainh,CaliforniaNat.Prod.j,SeedDynamicsInc.,PPl

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Ferrara

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

Whitewave PCCd

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

IOS,IFACc,TheAmericanSeed

TradeAssociationi,SilicaAssoc.k,

IDFA

OTA–6handlers

Certifiers CCOFf OTCOg-21operations,PCO–8operations

Notes:

a. BeyondPesticide(BP)states:“…theNOSBshouldrevisittheannotationtodeterminewhetheritshouldbechangedtothelanguageasoriginallypassedbytheNOSBortoaslightlylessrestrictiveversion(butstillmorerestrictivethantheversionadoptedintotheregulations)…”

b. AuroraOrganicDairystates:“Isusedasananticakingagentinorganicpowders,includingorganiccheesepowdersasricehullsaren’tabletomeetthevariousapplicationswheresilicondioxideisused.”

c. InternationalFoodAdditivesCouncil(IFAC)states:“FoodAdditiveCouncilisunawareofanysuitableorganicalternativestosilicondioxidethatcanreplacethisimportantcomponentofdefoamersinallfoodandbeverageapplications.WhileFoodAdditiveCouncilacknowledgesthattheremaybespecific,limitedapplicationswhereorganicsubstitutesmightprovideacceptableperformance,theseorganicalternativesdonotachievesuitablefunctionalityinalloftheorganicapplicationswheresilicondioxideiscurrentlybeingused.”

d. PCCNaturalMarketsstates:“PCCNaturalMarketsrecentlyhasdesignatedsilicondioxideasnotacceptableasanadditiveinorganicfoodsafterlearningitcanbeaproductofnanotechnology.Wehaveseenitoningredientpanels,andapparentlyisusedasaflowagentwithpowderedflavorings.

e. Abelei,Inc.states:“Organicricehullsdonotperformaswellassilicondioxide.”f. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)“supportsrelistingmaterialsuponconsiderationofthefollowing:

• Clearalternativeswithdemonstratedviabilityfororganicoperationshavenotemergedsincetheoriginallisting

• Thematerialremainsinusebyorganicproducers• Substantivelynewinformationhasnotbeenbroughtforwardtodemonstratethatthematerialis

incompatiblewithorganicprinciples.”g. OregonTilth(OTCO)states:“Someoperationsrequiretheuseofsilicondioxide.Themostcommonreasonfora

requesttousesilicondioxideinplaceoforganicricehullsisrelatedtoformorquality.”

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h. HainCelestialGroupstates:“Thecurrentannotationallowsfortheuseofsilicondioxidewhenorganicricehullsarenotcommerciallyavailable.Ricehullsarenotthesamesubstanceassilicondioxide,andricehullsdonothavethesameanticakingfunctionalityassilicondioxide.”

i. TheAmericanSeedTradeAssociationstates:“TheAmericanSeedTradeAssociationsupportskeepingsilicondioxide(sand)ontheNationalListoforganicallycompliantmaterials,currentlyunderreviewanddiscussionduringtheNOSB’sApril2016meeting.Seedtreatmentcompaniesprepareseedandapplyplantprotectantsontomanyseedvarieties,includingvegetableseeds.Thesecompaniesdependonsilicondioxideasamajorpartoftheirorganiccompliantportfolio.”

j. CaliforniaNaturalProductsstates:“Iamwritinginsupportofre-listingsilicondioxidealongwithalltheannotations;especiallycrucialistheannotationpart-allowedforotheruseswhenorganicricehullsarenotcommerciallyavailable.Withoutthislistingandwithoutthispartoftheannotation,organicproductswehavemadeforyearswillnolongerbemade.”

k. TheSyntheticAmorphousSilicaandSilicateIndustryAssociationstates:“SASSIrespectfullyrequeststhatSilicondioxideremainontheUSDANationalListofallowableingredientsforfoodproductionat205.605(b).Basedonareviewbyanumberofourmembercompanies(reportedtoNOSBinourcommentlettersdatedNov.11,2011,Dec.20,2013andApril7,2015)andrecentexperiencereportedbyfoodprocessors,Silicondioxideremainsanessentialandirreplaceableingredientinanumberofapplicationsincludingbutnotlimitedtoanti-cakingandfreeflowapplications.”

l. PowderPure(PP)states:“Silicondioxideisanimportantanti-cakingagentforPowderPureas95%ofourorganicandconventionalfruitandvegetablepowdersrequireitsanti-cakingpropertiestomaintaintheirconditionasflowablepowderedfoodproducts.Currently,50%ofourproductsproducedatourfacilityinOregonareOrganicCertified.”

m. TheNationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)states:“…researchonricehullsandothernaturalalternativessuggeststhattheycouldeffectivelyreplacebothcelluloseandsilicondioxideforanti-cakingandfiltrationuses.TheNOSBshouldencouragefurtherdevelopmentofthesealternativestofacilitatethesunsetofcelluloseandsilicondioxideduringthenextreviewcycle.”

n. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“TheCornucopiaInstitutesupportstherelistingofSilicondioxidein205.605(b)withtherecommendationthattheavailabilityoforganicbiogenicsourcesofsilicaproductsbefurtherinvestigated.Inaddition,theCornucopiaInstitutestronglyrecommendsthattheannotationbechangedinordertoencouragethedevelopmentandcommercializationofalternativeorganicbiogenicsilicaproducts:Silicondioxide–Permittedasadefoamer.Allowedforotheruseswhenanorganicsubstituteisnotcommerciallyavailable”

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2018SUNSETMATERIALS:§205.606

Colors:Beta-CaroteneExtractPurpose:usedasacolorant.

Petitioned/added:Petitioned2007,2009,TR2011.Sunset2018:TobevotedonFall,2016.Discussion:§205.606(d)Colorsderivedfromagriculturalproducts-Mustnotbeproducedusingsyntheticsolventsandcarriersystemsoranyartificialpreservative.NOSBasked:1.Hastherebeenanychangeintheabilityofmanufacturerstoproducebeta-carotenecolorfromcarrotsusingNOPcompliantextractionmethods?2.Isthiscolornecessaryfororganicprocessors?3.Whichspeciesofalgaeareusedandfromwherearetheyharvested?4.IfthetypicalspeciesusedarefromthegenusDunaliella(ascitedintheTR)isharvestingofthesespeciesofmicroalgaefromthewild,certifiedwildcrafted,orcultivated?5.Whenusedasacolor,isthismaterialalsoasourceofVitaminA?TheNOSBisintheprocessofreviewinguseofallmarineplantswhicharepresentlyontheNationalList,andwillberequestingalimitedTechnicalReport.ThemarineplantstopicwillbereportedonasaseparateitemattheFall2016meeting.

Support

RelistingOpposeRelisting

Neutral/Seeks

ClarificationFarmers/Citizens 1

PublicInterestGroups BPa,CRg,Cornucopiah

FoodProcessors/Handlers Aurorab,Hainf IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Ferrara

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

ColorManufacturerse

OTA–3handlers

Certifiers CCOFc PCOi,OTCOd–8operations

Notes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“TheNOSBmusttakeintoconsiderationpesticideuseonnonorganiccarrots.”

b. AuroraOrganicDairystates:“Beta-carotenemaybeusedaloneorinconjunctionwithorganicannattotocolororganiccheese.Thisagriculturalproductisessentialtoorganicfoodproductionasitisanalternativetoannattoandhaslesscolorbleed.”

c. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)states:“NineCCOFmembersincludecolorsontheirOrganicSystemPlan.Colorsareusedinorganicjuices,beverages,condiments,andcandy.Colorsareanimportanttoolfororganicprocessedfoodproducerstocreateproductsthatmeetconsumerexpectations.Inturn,thesuccessoforganicprocessedfoodsinthemarketplaceleadstogreaterorganiccropacreagetomeetdemandformoreorganicrawmaterialstofulfillmanufacturingneeds.Fororganicproductstocompetesuccessfullywithconventional,organicprocessorsneedaccesstothefullrangeofOFPA-compliantfoodcolors.Theredoesnotseemtobeanorganicalternativeforbeta-caroteneextractcoloratthistime.”

d. OregonTilth(OTCO)states:“Manynon-organicagriculturalcolorsareamixtureofagriculturalsubstancesandsomecontainbeta-caroteneextractaspartoftheirformulation.”

e. InternationalAssociationofColorManufacturersstates:“BetaCaroteneExtractColorshouldremainon

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§205.606(d)oftheNationalListbecausethereisinsufficientsupplytowarrantitsSunset.”f. HainCelestialGroupstates:“Thecommerciallyavailableorganiccolorsdonotprovidethestabilityanddesired

colorofthebeta-carotenederivedfromalgae.”g. ConsumerReports(CR)states:“Betacaroteneextractisusedasacoloradditiveandfailstomeettheessentiality

criterion.WeurgetheNOSBtoremoveitfromtheNationalList.Coloringisnotanessentialprocessingstepformakingorganicfoods,anditisthereforequestionablewhetheranynon-organicfoodingredientwhoseprimaryoronlyfunctionistocolorfoodsshouldbedeemed“essential.”Thesunsetreviewof17colorsinFall2015revealedthatcertifiedorganiccolors,derivedfromorganiccrops,arenowwidelyavailabletohandlers.Soforthefoodmanufacturersthatwishtocolortheirfoods,itappearsorganicoptionsareavailable.”

h. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“TheCornucopiaInstituteopposestherelistingofβ-caroteneextractcolor…TheCornucopiaInstitutequestionstheessentialityofusingacolorfromanon-organicagriculturalsource,consideringthatcolorsfromnon-organicfruitorvegetablesourcesmaycontainsignificantamountofpesticideresidues,ahumanhealththreat.Inaddition,thereappearstobeasufficientcommercialsupplyoforganicsourcesofbeta-carotenecolorandofanorganicalternativetobeta-carotenecolortojustifytheremovalofbeta-carotenefrom§205.606(d)(2).”

i. PennsylvaniaCertifiedOrganic(PCO)states:“PCOdoesnotcurrentlyapproveanyproductsunderthelistingofbeta-caroteneextractcolorat§205.606.Beta-carotenecanbeusedasasourceofVitaminAwhichison21CFR104.2andthereforemeetsthelistingofvitaminsat§205.605(b).PCOhasapprovedsomeproductsasnutrientvitaminsandmineralsthatcontainbeta-carotene.”

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HANDLINGSUBCOMMITTEE

PETITIONS

Lactates–SodiumandPotassiumPurpose:Petitionforsubstancesusedinmeatprocessingaspathogeninhibitors.

Petitioned/added:PetitionedforinJanuary5,2004.OnJanuary22,2004,theNOPnotifiedthepetitionerthattheirpetitionwouldnotbenecessarysincethematerialssodiumandpotassiumlactatewerecomposedofsubstancesthatwerealreadyincludedontheNationalList(sodiumhydroxide,lacticacid,and/orpotassiumhydroxide).Eventually,thisinterpretationwasdeemedinconsistentwithpreviousNOSBrecommendationsontheclassificationofmaterialsandwascausingsomeconfusionwithintheorganicindustryregardingthestatusofthetwomaterials(sodiumlactateandpotassiumlactate)aswellasotherlactatesalts(example:calciumlactate)(McEvoy2014).Thus,theNOSB(HandlingSubcommittee)tookuptherequestfortheconsiderationofsodiumlactateandotassiumlactateforinclusiontotheNationalList,§205.605(b)SyntheticsAllowed.ThisproposalwasreferredbacktotheHandlingSubcommitteeatthefall2015NOSBmeetinginStowe,VT.

Support

PetitonOpposePetition

Neutral/Seeks

ClarificationFarmers/Citizens 6 1 PublicInterestGroups BPa,NOCb,

Cornucopiai

FoodProcessors/Handlers BontaicalFoodCo.c

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Corbionh

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

PCCe

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

OTAg

Certifiers CCOFf OTCOdNotes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states“Potassiumlactateandsodiumlactateareunnecessary.Theyaresyntheticchemicalsusedforpurposesnotallowedinorganicprocessing.Therefore,theyshouldnotbeaddedtotheNationalList.”

b. NationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)states,“Thesesyntheticmaterialshavemultipletechnicalfunctions,includingfunctionassyntheticpreservatives,andshouldnotbeallowedincertifiedorganicfoods.”

c. BotanicalFoodCompanystates:“8certifiedorganicherb/spicegrowerssupplyourbusinessandthelistingofSodiumLactateiscriticaltothecontinuingproductionofourGourmetGarden'MadewithOrganic'herbandspicepastesandourbusiness,whichhasbeenusingSodiumLactateforover6years.”

d. OregonTilth(OTCO)states:Asacertifierthathasapprovedtheuseofthesematerials,includingcalciumlactate,webelieveitisimportanttounderstandifandhowtheotherlactatesaltswereincludedinfurtherdiscussionsand/ordeliberationsregardingtheproposalattheNOSBand/orNOPleveltoaddresstheexpectationsfortheothersaltsnotcoveredbythisproposal.

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e. PCCNaturalMarketstates:“Consumersexpectorganicstandardstobemorerigorousthanstandardsfor“natural.”Itisnotcongruentthatorganicalwayswouldallowapreservativethatisnotalwaysallowedfor“natural”meats.”

f. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)states:“CCOFsupportstheclassificationofsodiumlactateandpotassiumlactateassynthetic,aswellasthelistingofthesematerialson§205.605(b)withtheannotation“foruseasanantimicrobialagentandpHregulatoronly.”

g. TheOrganicTradeAssociation(OTA)states:“Memberoutreachwasinconclusiveastowhetherthesetwomaterialsareneeded.”

h. CorbionPuracstates:“BothsaltsareapprovedbyamongstothersbyFDA,byEUlegislatorsandbyJECFA/WHOtobeusedathighorevenquantumsatislevelsinalargevarietyoffoods.”

i. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“Therearemanyalternativestothesesubstances,somenaturalandsomeorganicagriculturalaslistedintheTR;thereforethesealternativesshouldbecarefullyconsideredbytheNOSBwhenevaluatingthelistingofsodiumandpotassiumlactatesontheNationalList…”

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OatBeta-GlucanPurpose:Tosupplementprocessedfoodtoincreasefibercontent.

Petitioned/added:OatbetaglucanisbeingpetitionedbymanufacturerTate&Lyleforadditionat§205.606,asanaturalcomponentofoats,anagriculturalcommodity.Accordingtothepetition,thesubstanceisisolatedthroughasimpleprocessofgrinding,enzymetreatment,waterextraction,anddrying.Nosyntheticchemicaladditionsorsolventsareusedinthemanufacturingprocessbeingpetitioned.Discussion:Thesubcommitteefeltthattherewerealternativescurrentlyavailableandalternativesourcesforwhichthesepetitionedneedscouldbemet.ListingMotion:MovetolistOatBetaGlucanat§205.606oftheNationalListMotionby:LisadeLima;Secondedby:JeanRichardsonYes:0,No:4,Abstain:0,Absent:2,Recuse:0

Support

PetitionOpposePetition

Neutral/Seeks

ClarificationFarmers/Citizens PublicInterestGroups BPa,NOCb,CRc,

Cornucopiad

FoodProcessors/Handlers IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

Certifiers Notes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“BeyondPesticidesopposesthelistingofoatbeta-glucanbecauseitisgrownusingchemicalintensivemethods,isnotessentialfororganicproductionandhandling,andisincompatiblewithorganicproductionandhandling.”

b. NationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)states:“thereareplentyoforganicallyproducedsourcesoffiber.”c. ConsumerReportsstates:“WeopposelistingoatbetaglucanbecauseitfailstheOFPAcriteriaofessentialityand

compatibilitywithorganichandling.”d. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:”TheCornucopiaInstitutebelievesthatthepetitionfailsinitsdiscussionofoat

betaglucaninregardtoitsessentialitytoorganicproductionandhandlingandbecauseitcouldbemanufacturedfromorganicoats.”

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SodiumDodecylbenzeneSulfonatePurpose:antimicrobial/sanitizerforuseintreatingfruitsandvegetablesinthepremisesoforganic

foodretailestablishments.

Petitioned/added:OnOctober9,2015theNOPreceivedapetitiontoaddSodiumdodecylbenzenesulfonate(SDBS)(CAS#25155-30-0)totheNationalListat§205.605–Non-agricultural(nonorganic)substancesallowedasingredientsinoronprocessedproductslabeledas“organic”or“madewithorganic(specifiedingredientsorfoodgroup(s))(b)SyntheticsAllowed.Ecolab,Inc.isthepetitioner.SDBSisbeingpetitionedforuseasanactiveingredient(1of2activeingredients,theotherisLacticacid)inanantimicrobialformulation,foruseintreatingfruitsandvegetablesinthepremisesoforganicfoodretailestablishments.ListingMotion:MotiontolistSodiumdodecylbenzenesulfonateat§205.605Yes:1,No:5,Abstain:1,Absent:1,Recuse:0

Support

PetitionOpposePetition

Neutral/Seeks

ClarificationFarmers/Citizens 3 148 PublicInterestGroups BPa,CRc,

Cornucopiad

FoodProcessors/Handlers

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

OPWCb

Certifiers Notes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“BeyondPesticidesopposesthelistingofSDBSatthistime.SDBShasadvantagesoverotherantimicrobials,particularlychlorine-basedmaterials,includingacidifiedsodiumchlorite.However,webelievethattheNOSBneedstobaseanydecisionsonpetitionsforantimicrobialproductsonathoroughreviewoftheneedforallantimicrobialsandtheavailableproducts.Pleaseseeourcommentsonhypochlorousacidformorediscussionofthatissue.”

b. OrganicProduceWholesalersCoalition(OPWC)states:“wedonotseeacompellingargumentthatSDBSisessentialforsanitizingorganicrawandready-to-eatorganicfruitsandvegetablesattheretaillevel.”

c. ConsumerReportsstates:“SDBSispetitionedasanactiveingredientinanantimicrobialformulationforuseintreatingfruitsandvegetablesinthepremisesoforganicfoodretailestablishments.Itispetitionedasaprocessingaid,notaningredient.Wenoted,however,thatthereisnoTechnicalReport(TR)availableforthismaterial.ForanymaterialpetitionedtobeaddedtotheNationalList,andespeciallyforanantimicrobialmateriallikeSDBS,theNOSBshouldnotvotetolistitontheNationalListwithoutaTR.”

d. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“Thissubstanceisnotnecessaryfororganicproductionandthereareunansweredquestionsaboutitssafetyforhumansandtheenvironment.”

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PROPOSALS

AncillarySubstancesProcedureAdditivesintentionallyaddedtoanonorganicsubstanceontheNationalListthatarenotremovedandhaveatechnicalorfunctionaleffectonthenonorganicsubstance,notonthefinalorganicproductin

whichthenonorganicsubstanceisused.

Background:AncillarysubstanceshavebeendiscussedbytheNOSBforseveralyearsnow,withanoverallpolicybeingpassedin2014andancillariesbeinglookedatinTechnicalReportsandNOSBreviewssincethen.ListingMotion:Motiontoadopttheproposalasstatedaboveforthedefinition,criteriaforcompliance,andprocedureforthereviewofancillarysubstances.Motionby:ZeaSonnabend;Secondedby:JeanRichardsonYes:6,No:0,Abstain:0,Absent:2,Recuse:0

Support

ProposalOpposeProposal

Nuanced/Seeks

ClarificationFarmers/Citizens 181 PublicInterestGroups BPa,CRg,

Cornucopiah

FoodProcessors/Handlers

Stonyfielde

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

OTAf,IOS,OMRIf

OTAh

Certifiers CCOFc,MOSAd,

OTCOb,PCOj

Notes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“Definitionsareneeded[and][e]achancillarysubstancemustbereviewedandapprovedforeachparticularuse.”

b. OregonTilth(OTCO)states:“ModificationtoclarifytheIARCandNTPlistofknownandprobablycarcinogenstoincludethespecificsaboutwhyaparticularmaterialisconsideredcarcinogenicorpotentiallycarcinogenicwouldhelpcertifiersmakeclearandsounddecisionsrelatedtothecomplianceofthesematerials.”

c. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)states:“Theproposeddefinitionof“ancillarysubstance”isuseful.Insection2,thefirsttwocriteriaforassessingcomplianceareclearandeasilyenforceable.However,criteria3-5maybeproblematicifthereisnoclearlyreferenced,centrallistingofallFDA-approvedGRASmaterials,directfoodadditives,incidentaladditives,andfoodcontactsubstances.ThiscouldleadtotherulenotbeingappliedevenlybyallACAs.ProvidingadditionalexamplesofcommonknownorprobablycarcinogenicancillaryingredientswouldbehelpfulbecauseitwouldallowACAstolistthosematerialsonthereviewformsasoutlinedinsection4.CCOFsupportstheproposedprocedureforNOSBreviewofancillaries.”

d. MidwestOrganicServicesAssociation(MOSA)states:“Wefindthatmostoftheconcernswenotedinourpreviouscommentsonthissubjecthavebeenaddressedinthenewproposal.Westillhaveconcernsregardingthepracticalityofrequiringmorecomplianceverification.However,werecognizethatthisnewpartofthe

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sunsetreviewprocess,whichnowwillalsoneedconsiderationaswereviewmaterialsonadailybasis,representsduediligenceandwillprovideneededclarificationregardinganysubstancesthatmightbeofconcern.”

e. Stonyfieldstates:“WesuggesttheNOSBconsiderthecriteriaforcomplianceproposedbytheOrganicTradeAssociationintheircomments.”

f. OrganicMaterialsResearchInstitute(OMRI)states:“Tomaintaincontinuityandbuildonthepreviousworkofthesubcommittee,OMRIsuggeststhatthelistofbaselinecriteriafromtheApril2013NOSBrecommendationonAncillarySubstancesisintegratedintofutureiterationsofrecommendationsonthissubject.”

g. ConsumerReports(CR)states:“WedonotsupportthecurrentproposalbytheHandlingSubcommittee,whichisnotconsistentwiththerequirementsinOFPAandcouldleadtoapprovalofunreviewedancillarysubstances,includingmaterialsthatwouldnotmeetOFPAcriteriaforuseinorganicfoods.Specifically,theHandlingSubcommitteeproposes:“ThevotetoapproveanewsubstancewillbeconsideredtoalsoapprovetheancillariesthatareassociatedwiththatsubstanceunlesstheNOSBspecificallystatesthatoneisnotapproved.”Thiscouldleadtotheuseofancillarysubstancesthathavenotbeenreviewed.

h. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“AncillarysubstancesshouldonlybeallowediftheymeetOFPAcriteria.Inaddition,Cornucopiaagreesthatdefiningtermsforanypolicydocumentisneeded.CornucopiawholeheartedlysupportsBeyondPesticide’scommentsandrationaleonthisissue.”

i. TheOrganicTradeAssociation(OTA)states:“Whenwecomparethebaselinecriteriatothecriteriaincludedinthisproposal,thereappeartobeinconsistencies.”

j. PennsylvaniaCertifiedOrganic(PCO)states:“PCOisseekingclarificationontheproposedcriteriaforcomplianceofancillarysubstances.PCOwouldlikethesubcommitteetoaddresswhetheritisitsintenttousetheproposedcriteriaasareplacementfororasasupplementtothecriteriaincludedintheApril2013recommendation.Ifitisthelatter,PCOrecommendsthatthehandlingsubcommitteecombinebothcriteriaintoonecomprehensivelist.”

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DISCUSSIONS

NutrientVitaminsandMinerals§205.605(b)AnnotationChange

TheHandlingSubcommitteewouldliketochangetheannotationforthelistingforNutrientVitaminsandMinerals.

Background:TheDiscussionDocumentcoversthebackgroundontheissueandpresentsseveraloptionsforchangestotheannotation.MembersoftheHandlingSubcommitteearenotunanimousonanyoftheseoptionsbutwishtoexplainthemandsolicitpublicinputontheprosandconsofthem.SubcommitteeVote:MotiontoadoptthediscussiondocumentonNutrientVitaminsandMineralsMotionby:ZeaSonnabendSecond:HaroldAustinYes:7,No:0,Abstain:0,Absent:1,Recuse:0

Supportan

optionOpposeProposal

Nuanced

Farmers/Citizens 48PublicInterestGroups NOCc,FWWd,

CFSk,CRm,BPa,Cornucopiat

FoodProcessors/Handlers Stonyfieldi HCGj IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Nature’sOnep,Perrigos

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

WhiteWaveh,CROPPg

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

OTAn,Wolf/DiMatt

eob

1q,INCr OMRIl

Certifiers CCOFf,PCOo MOSAe Notes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“Weagree–forthemostpart–withoption1.However,webelievethatalthoughnonsyntheticvitaminsandmineralsrequiredbylawshouldbeallowedinfood,thosedescribedinannotation#3(forfood,thoseidentifiedasessentialin21CFR101.9;forinfantformula,asrequiredby21CFR107.100or§107.10)shouldbeallowedonlyinproductslabeled“madewithorganic.”

b. Wolf,DiMatteo+Associatesstates:“Oftheoptionsofferedinthediscussiondocument,Wolf,DiMatteo+AssociatesgenerallysupportsOption2asitreflectsmostaccuratelytheintentofthe1995NOSBrecommendation.”

c. NationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)states:“NOCsupportselementsofOption#1,butwedonotbelievethatacategoricallistingisappropriatenorthatanannotationreferencingFDAregulationsisthebestapproach.Therefore,weproposelisting"vitaminsandminerals"asacategoryonboth205.605(a)and(b)withindividualvitaminsandmineralslistedunderneathaftertheyhaveundergonefullreviewtoOFPAcriteria.”

d. FoodandWaterWatch(FWW)states:“…wedonotthinkthatreferencingFDAinanannotationisthebestsolutionandinsteadproposethat"vitaminsandminerals"belistedonboth205.605(a)and(b)asaheader,withtheindividualvitaminsandmineralslistedunderneathaftereachhasgonethroughthefullNOSBreviewprocess.”

e. MidwestOrganicServicesAssociation(MOSA)states:“Aftercarefulreviewofthedocumentsrelatedtothistopic,andtakingintoaccounttheneedsofourstaffandclients,MOSAisinsupportofahybridizedversionofOption#1…”

f. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)states:“Asanaccreditedcertificationagency(ACA),CCOFsupportsOption2becauseitwillallowforsuccinctandclearstandards.”…”Oneconcernwitheachoftheproposedoptionsisthenotation“forfood.”CCOFandotherACAshaveallowedsupplementandpersonalcareproductmanufacturerstoaddvitaminsandmineralstotheirproductswhentheproductsareconsumedbymouth.Theannotation“forfood”couldprecludecertificationoftheseproducts,astheyarenotconsideredfood.CCOF

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certifies39supplementand/orpersonalcaremanufacturerswhousevitaminsandmineralsintheirproducts.Thesupplementindustryisapurchaseroforganicproductsandhelpsincreasedemandfororganicproductsandorganicacreage.CCOFrecommendsthattheannotationidentifyorganicproductsgenerally,notonlyfood.”

g. CROPPstates:“AsamemberoftheVitaminandMineralTaskForce,wesupportthedetailedcommentssubmittedbytheOrganicTradeAssociationandsharetheconcernforthelengthoftimetocompleterule-makingonthe2012proposedrule.Weareinfavorofoption#4.”

h. WhiteWaveFoodsstates:“WehavebeenlongsupportersofafinitelistofNutrientVitaminsandMineralsforuseinorganicproduction.AstheNOSBandNOPworktowardanannotationforNVMwehopetheytakeintoconsiderationtheproductsthatcouldbeforcedoutofthemarketplaceifcertifiedentitiesdonothaveampleopportunitytopetitionorre-petitiontheirsubstances.”

i. Stonyfieldstates:“StonyfieldagreeswiththeOrganicTradeAssociation'scommentsthattheannotationforvitaminsandmineralsshouldbeassociatedwithclearlydefinedlistingofwhatisallowed.”

j. HainCelestialGroup(HCG)states:“Ourproposedannotationdecreasescomplexity.ItallowsfortherationalfortificationoffoodinaccordancewithFDA’sfortificationpolicytocorrectdietaryinsufficienciesinthepopulation.Italsogivesconsumersthemaximumfreedomofchoice.”

k. TheCenterforFoodSafety(CFS)states:“Wedonotbelievethatacategoricallistingisappropriate,norisanannotationreferencingFDAregulationsforvitaminsandminerals.WhilewesupportelementsofOptions#1,forfoodweproposelisting“vitaminsandminerals”asacategoryonboth205.605(a)and(b)withindividualvitaminsandmineralslistedunderneathaftertheyhaveundergonefullreviewtoOFPAcriteria.

l. OrganicMaterialsResearchInstitute(OMRI)states:“AproposedrulewaspublishedinJanuary2012toimplementtheApril2011NOSBrecommendationtorevisethelistingfornutrientvitaminsandmineralstoread,“Vitaminsandminerals.Forfood—vitaminsandmineralsidentifiedasessentialin21CFR101.9.Forinfantformula—vitaminsandmineralsasrequiredby21CFR107.100or107.10.”OMRIsupportsthepreviousworkoftheNOSBthatledtothisproposedrule,andencouragestheNOPtocompleterulemaking.”

m. ConsumerReports(CR)states:“Weproposelisting"vitaminsandminerals"asacategoryinboth7C.F.R.§205.605(a)and(b)withindividualvitaminsandmineralslistedunderneathaftertheyhaveundergonefullreviewtoOFPAcriteria.Forinfantformula,acategoricallistingandreferencetoFDAregulationsisappropriate,sinceFDArequirestheadditionofcertainnutrientstoinfantformula.Forinfantformula,wesupportOption#1withonemodification:referencing21C.F.R.§107.100ratherthanreferencingboth21C.F.R.§107.10and21C.F.R.§107.100.”

n. TheOrganicTradeAssociation(OTA)“believesthe(annotation)optionthatmostaccuratelycapturestheintentofthe1995RecommendationisOption#2:Allowvitaminsandmineralsforfoodasessentialin21CFR101.9andforinfantformulaasrequiredby21CFR107.100or107.10in"ORGANIC"and"MADEWITHORGANIC"products.”

o. PennsylvaniaCertifiedOrganic(PCO)states:“PCOrecommendsthattheNationalOrganicProgram(NOP)completerulemakingonthe2012proposedrulethathasyettobefinalized.ThisproposedrulewasbasedonNOSBdiscussionandfeedback,andrevisitingthisattheNOSBlevelisredundant.…OfthetwooptionspresentedbytheNOSBforthelistingofNutrientVitaminsandMinerals,PCOsupportsoption2....

p. Nature’sOne,Inc.states:“BecausevitaminsandmineralsareessentialtothenutritionalhealthofnotjustinfantsbutalsoyoungchildrenwithmedicalconditionsaffectingtheirabilitytoconsumefoodsandbecausetheFDAdoesnothaveastandardofidentitynorregulationspertainingtotoddlerformulas,werequestthatthefinalannotationaddressnutritionallycompletepediatricenteralformulas.Unlesssyntheticvitaminsandmineralsareallowedintheseformulas,therewillnolongerbeanorganicoptionforfeedingthisnutritionallyvulnerablegroupofchildren,childrenwhomostneedanorganicoption.”

q. RichardTheuerstates:“Isuggestthatyoureconsiderthisproposal.”r. InfantNutritioncouncilofAmericastates:“IftheNOSBwishestorecommendanannotationbasedonthe

existingdiscussiondocument,InfantNutritionCouncilsupportsanewannotationforinfantformulathatwouldalsoreference21CFR101.9.Belowissuggestedlanguage:§205.605(b)Vitaminsandminerals.ForFood–Minerals(includingtraceelements)andvitaminsidentifiedasessentialin21CFR101.9.Forinfantformula—vitaminsandmineralsidentifiedasessentialin21CFR101.9orasrequiredorpermittedby21CFR107.100or§107.10areallowedforuseinagriculturalproductslabeled"organic"and“madewithorganic(specifiedingredientsorfoodgroup(s)).”InfantNutritionCouncilalsosupportstheadditionofessentialnutrientstoorganicinfantfoods,regardlessofwhetherthereisaStandardofIdentityrequiringsuchaddition.”

s. PerrigoNutritionalsstates:“Wesuggestarevisionwhichclearlydelineatestheessentialvitaminsandmineralsthatarepermittedinfoodandinfantformula:§205.605(b)Vitaminsandminerals.ForFood–Minerals(includingtraceelements)andvitaminsidentifiedasessentialin21CFR101.9.Forinfantformula—vitaminsandmineralsidentifiedasessentialin21CFR101.9orasrequiredorpermittedby21CFR107.100or§107.10areallowedforuseinagriculturalproductslabeled"organic"and“madewithorganic(specifiedingredientsorfoodgroup(s)).””Wehaveaddedthewords“orpermitted”andremoved“synthetic”becauseparagraph(5)of21CFR§107.10permitsbutdoesnotrequireallofthenutrientsthathavebeendeemedessentialbytheNationalAcademyofSciences(NAS)andsomevitaminsandmineralsmaybenon-synthetic.TherevisedannotationwillpermittheuseofanyfuturevitaminormineralthatisdeemedessentialbytheNAS.

t. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“TheCornucopiaInstitutesupportstheannotationchangeforNutrientVitaminsandMinerals…underoption#1withrespecttosyntheticvitaminsandminerals.However,TheCornucopiaInstitutebelievesthatnon-syntheticvitaminsandmineralsshouldbesubjecttothesamerestrictionsassyntheticones.Consequently,theCornucopiaInstituteopposesoption#2,thealternateannotationchangealsoproposedintheHSdiscussiondocumentthatwouldallownon-syntheticandsyntheticvitaminsandmineralsinproductslabeled“madewithorganic”or“organic”.”

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CROPSSUBCOMMITTEE

SUNSET2018

CopperSulfatePurpose:useasanalgaecideandastadpoleshrimpcontrolinaquaticricesystems.

Sunset2018:TobevotedoninFall,2016.AdditionalinformationrequestedbyNOSB:1. Hastherebeenanynewinformationregardingtheviabilityofalternativestotheseusesof

copper?2. HaveACAsnoticedanyincreaseinbaselinesoiltestvaluesforcopperanddoneanythingabout

it?

Support

RelistingOpposeRelisting

Neutral/Seeks

ClarificationFarmers/Citizens 7 PublicInterestGroups BPa,NOCb,

CornucopiagCFSh,FWWe,

WFAiFoodProcessors/Handlers

Amy’sKitchend,Fetzerf

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

IOS OTAj–4producers

Certifiers CCOFc OTCONotes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“theuseofcoppersulfateinanaquaticenvironmentlikearicefieldisinconsistentwithasystemoforganicandsustainableagriculture.”

b. NationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)states:“Beforevotingontherelistingofcoppersulfate,theNOSBmusthaveareportonrecentresearchonalternatives.Ifthereisnosatisfactoryresearchonalternativestocoppersulfate,arobustresearchstrategymustberecommendedbytheNOSBtotheNOPwitharecommendationthatfundingisurgentlyneededtoensurethattheresearchiscarriedout.”

c. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)“supportsrelistingmaterialsuponconsiderationofthefollowing:• Clearalternativeswithdemonstratedviabilityfororganicoperationshavenotemergedsincetheoriginal

listing• Thematerialremainsinusebyorganicproducers• Substantivelynewinformationhasnotbeenbroughtforwardtodemonstratethatthematerialis

incompatiblewithorganicprinciples”d. Amy’sKitchenstates:“UsedforplantdiseasecontrolandasamicronutrientbyseveralsupplierstoAmy’s

Kitchen.”e. FoodandWaterWatch(FWW)states:“WeurgetheUSDAtoallocatefundstoassistinthedevelopmentof

alternativemanagementpractices,andaskthesubcommitteetoreportonanyresearchconcerningalternativesthathasbeendonesincethelastsunsetdecision,aswellascommissionatechnicalreviewtoaddressthecurrentusesandpossiblealternativesforcoppersulfateinorganicproduction.”

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f. FetzerVineyards(dbaBonterraVineyards)states:“…thisinputisnecessaryforcontinuedsuccessingrowingqualityorganicgrapes.”

g. CornucopiaInstitutestates:“Coppersulfatecontainsarsenicwhichriceaccumulatesandistoxictoaquaticanimals,manyofwhichprovidebiologicalcontrolforalgae.”

h. TheCenterforFoodSafety(CFS)states:“Beforevotingontherelistingofcoppersulfate,theNOSBmusthaveareportonrecentresearchregardingalternatives.IfthereisnosatisfactoryresearchonalternativestocoppersulfatearobustresearchstrategymustbeendorsedbytheNOSBtotheNOPwitharecommendationthatfundingisurgentlyneededtoensurethattheresearchiscarriedout.”

i. WildFarmAlliance(WFA)states:“WerecommendthattheNOSBconditionallyallowthispesticidetobeused,requiringthattheorganicriceindustryworkwithresearcherstofindalternativestothisproduct,andreportbacktotheNOSBaboutpossibilitiesandachievementsbeforeitcomesupforsunsetagain.”

j. TheOrganicTradeAssociation(OTA)states:“It’scriticalthatNOSBhearfromcertifiedproducersonwhethertheseinputsareconsistentwithandnecessaryfororganiccropproduction,orwhetherthereareothereffectivenaturalororganicalternativesavailable.”

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OzoneGasPurpose:useasanirrigationsystemcleaner.

Sunset2018:TobevotedoninFall,2016.AdditionalinformationrequestedbyNOSB:TheCropsSubcommitteewouldliketoknowifozoneiscurrentlyinuseforirrigationsystemcleaning.Thesubcommitteeaskscertifiers,inspectors,andproducerstoprovidefeedbackonwhetherornotozoneislistedonorganicsystemplansandusedinorganiccropproduction,tohelpevaluateifitisstillnecessaryforozonetoremainontheNationalList.

SupportRelisting

OpposeRelisting

Neutral/Seeks

ClarificationFarmers/Citizens 1 PublicInterestGroups BPa,CornucopiafFoodProcessors/Handlers

Amy’sKitchenc

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

IOS,OPWCd

OTAe–5producers

Certifiers CCOFb OEFFANotes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“Inviewofthedangersassociatedwiththeuseofozone,theCropsSubcommitteeshouldask:• Doestheuseofozoneinorganiccropproductionposeahazardforworkers?• Wouldrestrictionsontheuseofozonehelpprotectworkers?”

b. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)“supportsrelistingmaterialsuponconsiderationofthefollowing:• Clearalternativeswithdemonstratedviabilityfororganicoperationshavenotemergedsincetheoriginal

listing• Thematerialremainsinusebyorganicproducers• Substantivelynewinformationhasnotbeenbroughtforwardtodemonstratethatthematerialis

incompatiblewithorganicprinciples.”c. Amy’sKitchenstates:“OzoneisusedbysomesupplierstoAmy'sKitchenandsowewouldliketohaveitremain

onthelistsothatouringredientsstillmeetourrequirementsfromafoodsafetyperspective.”d. OrganicProduceWholesalersCoalition(OPWC)states:“Asaresultofourinitialfindingsthatozoneisnecessary

forsomeproducefarmers, OPWCsupportsrelistingofOzoneGasforuseincleaningirrigationlinee. TheOrganicTradeAssociation(OTA)states:“It’scriticalthatNOSBhearfromcertifiedproducersonwhether

theseinputsareconsistentwithandnecessaryfororganiccropproduction,orwhetherthereareothereffectivenaturalororganicalternativesavailable.”

f. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“CornucopiawouldsupportrelistingifanewTechnicalReportwerepreparedthatwouldconvincinglyestablishthattheuseofozonegasinirrigationsystemsissafeforenvironmentalandhumanhealth,andthatexistingalternativesarelesscompatiblewiththetenetsoforganicproduction.”

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PeraceticAcidPurpose:disinfectingequipment,seed,andasexuallypropagatedplantingmaterial;

controllingfireblight. Sunset2018:TobevotedoninFall,2016.AdditionalinformationrequestedbyNOSB:1. Canorganiccropproducersorcertifiersprovidethefullcommitteewithanyinformationthatcanexplainwhythismaterial(oroneofthealternativematerials)isabetteroptionforuse,inorganiccropproduction,forthelistedalloweduses?2. HasanythingchangedduringthecurrentSunsetcyclethatwouldmakethismaterialnolongernecessaryforitsintendedusesfororganiccropproduction?Ifso,pleasehelptoexplain.3. ItwouldhelptheNOSBinthereviewofthismaterialifwecouldgetfeedbackastowhetherthecurrentannotation(ataconcentrationofnomorethan6%)presentsanyunforeseenproblemsfororganicstakeholders,certifiers,orforproductformulation.Also,couldyouprovideinputastowhetherornotthisannotationisevennecessary?

Support

RelistingOpposeRelisting

Neutral/SeeksClarification

Farmers/Citizens 4 PublicInterestGroups NOCa,Cornucopiah BPbFoodProcessors/Handlers

Amy’sKitchen,Aurorac,Fetzerg

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

BioSafeSystemsn

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

WhiteWave

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

JuiceProductsAssociationj,OPWCk,IOS

Wolf/DiMatteod,OTAl–3producers

Certifiers CCOFf,OEFFAm,NOFA-VTe

OTCOi,PCO–2operations

Notes:

a. NationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)states:“…supportskeepingperaceticacidontheNationalListforuseasasanitizeranddisinfectant.Sanitizersanddisinfectantsasaclassshouldbereviewedtohelporganicoperatorsandthegreatercommunityunderstandwhichonesaremost“compatiblewithorganicproduction.”

b. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“AnewtechnicalreviewwaspublishedaftertheCScompleteditssunsetreviewdocument.Itrevealsthatthereareseveraldistinctsubstancescalled“peraceticacid,”andthatnotallarepermittedunderNOPregulations.”

c. AuroraOrganicDairystates:“Peraceticacidisaveryeffectiveoxidizingsanitizerandisprimarilynon-corrosivetoaluminumandequipmentusedinirrigationsystems.”

d. Wolf,DiMatteo+Associatesstates:“ItisimportantthatPeraceticacidremainonthelistandthattheannotationisrevisedtoread“Alsopermittedinhydrogenperoxideformulationsasallowedin§205.601(a).”

e. NortheastOrganicFarmingAssociationofVermont(NOFA-VT)states:“Thesematerialscanbepracticalalternativestochlorineforkillingpost-harvestdiseaseorganismsaswellaspotentialhumanpathogens,thelatterbeingincreasinglyimportantinlightofnewfoodsafetyrequirementsunderFSMA.Peraceticacidproductsareanalternativetouseofcopperformanaginglateblightinsomecases,whichishelpfulinavoidingover-useofcopper.”

f. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)“supportsrelistingmaterialsuponconsiderationofthefollowing:• Clearalternativeswithdemonstratedviabilityfororganicoperationshavenotemergedsincetheoriginal

listing• Thematerialremainsinusebyorganicproducers• Substantivelynewinformationhasnotbeenbroughtforwardtodemonstratethatthematerialis

incompatiblewithorganicprinciples.”

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g. FetzerVineyards(dbaBonterraVineyards)states:“Peraceticacid(PAA)hasveryeffectivebroadantimicrobialpropertiesandisarelativelynewtoolbeingusedtotreatirrigationdriplines,especiallywherewaterhashighbiologicalactivity.”

h. TheCornucopiaInstitute“recommendsthattheNOSBsubcommitteescommissionaTRthat(1)determineswhatdisinfectant/sanitizerusesarerequiredbylaw,and(2)comprehensivelyreviewsthemostorganicallycompatiblemethodsandmaterialstodeterminewhichdisinfectants/sanitizersarebestforspecificpurposes.”

i. OregonTilth(OTCO)states:“About10%ofOTCOcropclientsuseeitherPAAorPAA/hydrogenperoxideproductsassanitizingagentsintheiroperation.Manyofthemrelyontheseproductsasa“triedandtrue”sanitizerthatmaybeusedindirectproductcontact.”

j. JuiceProductsAssociationstates:“ThecontinueduseofthissubstanceisimportantfororganicfruitProduction.”

k. OrganicProduceWholesalersCoalition(OPWC)“wouldwelcomeclarificationofwhichtypesofperaceticacidaremostappropriateforuseinorganicsystemsinordertoprovideclearinformationforMaterialsReviewOrganizations(MROs),certifiers,andthetradeaboutwhichbrandnameproductsmaybeusedfordifferentapplication.”

l. TheOrganicTradeAssociation(OTA)states:“It’scriticalthatNOSBhearfromcertifiedproducersonwhethertheseinputsareconsistentwithandnecessaryfororganiccropproduction,orwhetherthereareothereffectivenaturalororganicalternativesavailable.”

m. TheOhioEcologicalFoodandFarmAssociation(OEFFA)states:“WequestionwhethertheannotationshouldbechangedtoreflectinformationintheTRthatnotallsubstancesidentifiedas“peraceticacid”arepermittedunderNOPregulations.WeencouragetheNOSBtoundertakeacomprehensivereviewofdisinfectant/sanitizermaterialsinordertoeffectivelydeterminenecessity,andassessothercriteria,suchasworkerandenvironmentalhealthimpacts,asisrequiredunderOFPA.”

n. BioSafeSystemsstates:“Wedonotsupporttheannotation“Alsopermittedinhydrogenperoxideformulationsasalloweds(in§205.601(a)atconcentrationofnomorethan6%asindicatedonthepesticideproductlabel”aswritten.

o. PennsylvaniaCertifiedOrganic(PCO)“hasnotprohibitedanysubstancescontainingPeraceticacidduetotheinabilitytoobtainconcentrationinformationfromthemanufacturerorduetoconcentrationsexceedingthatlistedinthecurrentannotation.”

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EPAList3–InertsofUnknownToxicityPurpose:foruseonlyinpassivepheromonedispensers.

Sunset2018:TobevotedoninFall,2016.Discussion:ThislistingwillbesupersededbytheannotationchangeapprovedbytheNOSBforEPAList4andListinerts(§205.601(m)(1)).TheNOSBiscontinuingtheSunsetreviewprocessfortheseEPAList3inertsincasethatchangecannotbeimplementedthroughrulemakingbeforethe11/03/2018SunsetofEPAList3inerts.

Support

RelistingOpposeRelisting

Neutral/Seeks

ClarificationFarmers/Citizens 172-BP

supportersC.Bonderak

PublicInterestGroups BPa,FWWf,Cornucopial,NOCbCFSh

FoodProcessors/Handlers

Amy’sKitchenc,Aurorad

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

BiosafeSystemsm

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

IOSj OPWCg,OTAi

Certifiers CCOFe PCO–2operators

Notes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“List3‘inerts’shouldbedelisted.TheNOSBhasalreadyrecommendedanexpirationdateforthesechemicals.”

b. NationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)states,“NOCurgestheNOSBtakethesunsetreviewofList3“inerts”seriouslyandactinatimelymanner,asitmustwiththereviewofallsunsetmaterials."

c. Amy’sKitchenstates:“PheromonetrapsareusedbyanumberofsupplierstoAmy'sKitchensowewouldliketoseethiscontinuetobeincludedontheNationalList.”

d. AuroraOrganicDairystates:“WeagreewiththerelistingofEPAList3–InertsofUnknownToxicitytoallowinertmanufacturessufficienttimetoregistertheirproductswiththeEPASaferChoiceProgram.”

e. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)states:“CCOFpreviouslycommentedonEPAList4inertsinsupportoftheannotationchange.CCOFencouragesNOPtofinalizerulemakingonNOSB’ssuggestedannotationchangesbeforetheList3inertsareremovedfromtheNationalListtoavoiddisruptingproducers’abilitytousepassivepheromonedispensers,whicharecritical,nontoxic,andhighlyeffectivepestmanagementtoolsinorganictreefruitproduction.”

f. FoodandWaterWatch(FWW)states:“TheNOSB-recommendedexpirationdatehasalreadypassed,andthenewlistingisunlikelytogointoeffectbeforethe2018sunsetdate.Therefore,theNOSBmustdoafullreviewofthesechemicalsandList3inertsshouldbedelisted.”

g. OrganicProduceWholesaleCoalition(OPWC)states: “Untilthenewregulatory system is operational, wesupport relisting of List 3 inerts for use only in passivepheromonedispensers.”

h. TheCenterforFoodSafety(CFS)states:“NOSBmustnotallowapotentialfuturerulechangetoimpactcurrentsunsetdeliberationsandmustconductafullreviewofthesechemicals.

i. OrganicTradeAssociation(OTA)“supportsthesubcommitteeinthatNonylphenolEthoxylates(NPEs)shouldbeprohibitedforuseasaninertingredientinorganicpestcontrolmaterials.However,wedisagreewiththesubcommitteethatdevelopingarecommendationtoprohibitthisspecificclassofinertspriortoshiftingofinertsreviewfromList3and4totheSaferChoiceProgram(SCP)isthebestwaytophaseouttheiruseinorganicpestcontrolmaterials.”

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j. IndependentOrganicServices,Inc.(IOS)states:“Istronglysupportthecontinueallowanceofthesematerialsforuseinpheromonetraps,wheretheydonotcomeintocontactwithcropsorsoil.Asagrower,inspectorandconsultantIrespectivelyutilize,widelyobserveandrecommendpheromonetrapsinavarietyofcroppingsystems.Theyareanintegralpartofmany,manyorganicsystems,wheretheyservetoreducetheapplicationofexpensiveandenvironmentallymoredisruptivematerials,includingthoseallowedontheNationalList.”

k. ColehourBonderastates:“SincetheNOSBhasalreadyrecommendedanexpirationdatefortheList3inertsitistimeforNOPtomoveforwardwithwhatwevotedon!”

l. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“DelisttheList3“inerts”.TheNOSBpreviouslyvotedin2012toplaceanexpirationdateofDecember31,2015onthesesubstancesandthisrecommendationshouldbefollowed.ShouldtheNOPcontinuetorefusetofollowthismotion,thentheNOSBshouldbeinvolvedwithatimelyandinitialreviewofthesechemicalsandanysubsequentSunsetreviewofthesechemicals.”

m. BiosafeSystems,LLCstates:“Weremainhopeful,althoughfrustrated,thattherewillsoonbedefinitiveinformationonhowinputcompanies,suchasours,canproceedusingtheEPASaferChoicePrograminformulatingproductsforuseinorganicproduction.Weaskthatthetimeframebesetat3yearsfromthepublicationoftheFinalRule,notfromthepublicationofthisdiscussionpaper.”

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CalciumChloridePurpose:prohibitedforuseexceptasafoliarspraytotreataphysiologicaldisorderassociatedwith

calciumuptake. Petitioned:1996TAP,2001TAP;Petitionedin2000byFarmSoyCompanyrequestingthatitbeapprovedforuseinprocessing.AdditionalinformationrequestedbyNOSB:None.

Support

RelistingOpposeRelisting

Neutral/Seeks

ClarificationFarmers/Citizens 3 1 PublicInterestGroups NOCb,

Cornucopiad BPa

FoodProcessors/Handlers

Amy’sKitchenc

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

OPWCfIOS

Certifiers CCOFe,OEFFAg

PCO–3operators

Notes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“Questions:1.Isthereanyevidencethattheprohibitionisinappropriate?2.Whatarethealternativestotheuse"asafoliarspraytotreataphysiologicaldisorderassociatedwithcalciumuptake?”

b. NationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)“supportsrelistingofCalciumChloride,withanannotationthatallowsthematerialtobeusedasafoliarspraytotreataphysiologicaldisorderassociatedwithcalciumuptake.”

c. Amy’sKitchenstates:“Itisonlyusedwhenaphysiologicaldisorderassociatedwithcalciumuptakeisidentified.”

d. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“Potentialoverusecouldresultinsubsoil,surfacewaterandgroundwatercontaminationwithchloride,thereforethelimitationonitsuseshouldbecontinued.”

e. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)“supportsrelistingmaterialsuponconsiderationofthefollowing:• Clearalternativeswithdemonstratedviabilityfororganicoperationshavenotemergedsincetheoriginal

listing• Thematerialremainsinusebyorganicproducers• Substantivelynewinformationhasnotbeenbroughtforwardtodemonstratethatthematerialis

incompatiblewithorganicprinciples.”f. OrganicProduceWholesalersCoalition(OPWC)“supportsrelistingcalciumchlorideasaprohibitednon-

syntheticmaterial,alongwithits current annotation, which allows its ‘use as a foliar spray to treat aphysiological disorderassociatedwithcalciumuptake’.”

g. TheOhioEcologicalFoodandFarmAssociation(OEFFA)states:“Werequestthecontinuedlistingofcalciumchloride,clarificationabouttheinterpretationofthecalciumchlorideannotation,andthatNOSBconsiderre-wordingtheannotationforbetterclarityandbroaderunderstandingbyproducers.”

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CROPSSUBCOMMITTEE

DISCUSSIONDOCUMENT

EPAList4on§205.601(m)AnnotationChangePurpose:ProposedannotationchangetoprohibitNPEs.

Discussion:TheCropsSubcommitteehaspresentedadiscussiondocumenttoconsideranannotationchangeforEPAList4Inertsat§205.601(m)toprohibitsubstancesfromthegroupknownasnonylphenolethoxylates(NPEs).ThisannotationchangewouldbepresentedasanadditionalrecommendationpriortotheimplementationoftheOctober,2015NOSBrecommendation.TheOctober,2015recommendationisforanewannotationforinertstoreplacereferencestoobsoleteEPALists3and4withreferencestoFIFRA25(b)inertslistandEPA’sSaferChemicalIngredientsLists.ProposaltoProhibitNPEs.TheProposedAnnotationchangefordiscussionisasfollows:§205.601(m)AssyntheticinertingredientsasclassifiedbytheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA),forusewithnon-syntheticsubstancesorsyntheticsubstanceslistedinthissectionandusedasanactivepesticideingredientinaccordancewithanylimitationsontheuseofsuchsubstances.ExceptforinertsfromthegroupknownasNonylphenolEthoxylates.VoteinSubcommitteeYes:7,No:0,Abstain:0,Absent:0,Recuse:0

SupportDocument

OpposeDocument

Neutral/Seeks

ClarificationFarmers/Citizens PublicInterestGroups CRgBPa,NOCk

Cornucopia

FoodProcessors/Handlers

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

PBCj

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

Wolf/DiMatteob,IOSh

OTAl,OPWCeOMRIf

Certifiers OEFFAi PCOm,MOSAd

OTCOc

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Notes:a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“Intherecentannotationchangetotheinertslisting,thereferencetoFIFRA

Section25(b)andtheSaferChemicalIngredientList,whilehelpfulinguidingtheNOSB’sdecisionmaking,doesnotallowtheboardtoforegoareviewprocesstoensurecompliancewithOFPAcriteria.Therefore,theannotationmayciteothergovernmentalreviewprograms,butitmustensureongoingreviewofindividualmaterialsorclassesofmaterials,incompliancewithOFPA.”

b. Wolf,DiMatteo+Associatesstates:“WeappreciatethattheNOSBCropsSubcommitteehasmadeitclearthatinertingredientsinthecategoryofnonylphenolethoxylates(NPEs)willnotbeallowed,andthatinputcompaniesshouldworktophaseouttheiruse.WeaskthattheNOSBandtheNOPallowinputcompaniessufficienttimetoreformulateeffectiveproductswithoutNPEs.”

c. OregonTilth(OTCO)states:“ItappearsthiswillbearedundanteffortoncetheNOSBrecommendationtoworkwiththeSaferChoiceProgramisimplemented”and“WewouldalsoappreciatefurtherguidanceandclarificationontheallowanceforNPEsiniodinelivestockproducts,andothersurfactantssuchaslinearalcoholethoxylates…”

d. MidwestOrganicServicesAssociation(MOSA)states:“Insummary,wedonotsupportthedirectionofthisdiscussion.Wefeelit’snotnecessary,providedthataproposalmadelastFallisactedupon.ThatproposalwasfortheannotationchangeofEPAlist4inertsonNationalListsections205.601(m)and205.603(e).MaterialscalledoutinthatpreviousdiscussionarenotfoundontheliststhatnowproposedtoreplaceEPAlist4.”

e. OrganicProduceWholesalersCoalition(OPWC)“supportstherecentactivitiesoftheInertsWorkingGrouptocollaboratewiththe EPA’sSaferChoiceprograminordertoidentifyinertsthataresuitableforformulatingpestcontrolproductsallowedinorganicproduction.Whilethiscollaborativeworkisunderway,OPWCsupportscontinueduseoftheexistingsystemforregulatinginertingredientsusedinorganicproduction.”

f. OrganicMaterialsResearchInstitute(OMRI)states:“NPEsareacomplexgroupofsubstances,andtheindustrywillneedsufficientguidancetoensureaccurateandthoroughidentificationofspecificsubstancesthatshouldbeincludedunderthegroupofNPEs.ManufacturescouldenduphavingtoreformulateoncetocomplywiththeNPEprohibition,andasecondtimetocomplywiththeOctober2015recommendation.Thisseemstobeanundueburdenonthemanufacturersofthesematerials.AnadditionalrecommendationtoprohibitNPEsasinertsincroppestcontrolmaterialswouldnotresultinacompleteremovalofNPEsfromuseinorganicinputmaterials.NPEsarealsousedasinertsinlivestockpestcontrolmaterialsper§205.603(e)andasexcipientsinlivestockhealthcarematerialsper§205.603(f).”

g. ConsumerReports(CR)states:“WesupporttheCropsSubcommittee’sproposaltoremovenonylphenolethoxylates(NPEs)fromuseinorganicagriculture,andurgetheNOSBtorecommendanendtotheiruse.”

h. IndependentOrganicServices,Inc.(IOS)states:“Isupporttheproposedchangetotheannotation.Whilethischangewilladmittedlycausesomedisruptionintheavailabilityofsomecropproductionmaterials,Ibelievethat3yearswouldbeanadequatetimeformanufacturerstore-formulateamajorityofmaterials.PPEsareknowntobeahighlypotentestrogenmimicandshouldhavebeenprohibitedfromorganically-approvedinputslongago.”

i. TheOhioEcologicalFoodandFarmAssociation(OEFFA)states:“WeappreciatethetimelinediscussedinthedocumentandurgetheNOSBtocontinueitseffortstoremoveNPEsfromuseinorganicagriculture.”

j. PacificBiocontrolCorporation(PBC)states:“SincetheEPAisnolongermaintainingtheinertlists,weagreethatthisannotationshouldbeupdatedto“Inertingredientsthatareexemptfromtherequirementofatoleranceunder40CFR180.1122”toallowforcontinueduseofpheromonesmatingdisruptioninorganicfarming.”

k. NationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)states:"NOCbelievesthereisanecessarynextstepremainingaftertheapprovaloflastfall’srecommendationforSaferChoice“inerts”tobeplacedontheNationalList.TheNOP(withNOSBinvolvement)andtheEPAshoulddraftandsignaMemorandumofUnderstandingdetailingtheinteractionoftheEPASaferChoiceprogramwiththeNOP’sNationalList."

l. TheOrganicTradeAssociation(OTA)“supportsthesubcommitteeinthatNonylphenolEthoxylates(NPEs)shouldbeprohibitedforuseasaninertingredientinorganicpestcontrolmaterials.However,wedisagreewiththesubcommitteethatdevelopingarecommendationtoprohibitthisspecificclassofinertspriortoshiftingofinertsreviewfromList3and4totheSaferChoiceProgram(SCP)isthebestwaytophaseouttheiruseinorganicpestcontrolmaterials.NOSBcouldconsideradvocatingforallinertsonList4thatdonotcurrentlyappearonSCILorarenotspecificallypermittedforusein25(b)minimumriskpesticidestobereviewedbySCPforinclusiononSCIL(SaferChemicalIngredientList).”

m. PennsylvaniaCertifiedOrganicstates:“PCOdoesnotsupportthisannotationchangebecauseitisunnecessaryandredundantgiventheupcomingimplementationoftheOctober2015recommendationforanewannotationforinerts.PCOhasapprovednoproductsforuseoncropsthatcontainNonylphenolEthoxylates(NPEs)buthasapprovedseveralproductsforuseonlivestockthatdocontainNPEs.TheproposedannotationchangewouldnotaddressthemajorityofsubstancescontainingNPEsthatPCOhasreviewedandarebeingusedbyourclients.”

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CROPSSUBCOMMITTEE

PETITIONEDMATERIALS

AshfromManureBurning

Petition:EnergyWorksBioPower,LLCsubmittedapetitiontorevise7CFR§205.602(a),AshfromManureBurning,toincludethefollowingannotation:“exceptwherethecombustionreactiondoesnotinvolvetheuseofsyntheticadditivesandiscontrolledtoseparateandpreservenutrients.”VoteinSubcommitteeMotiontoannotateashfrommanureburningat§205.602–non-syntheticsubstancesprohibitedforuseinorganiccropproduction-withthefollowingannotation:“exceptwherethecombustionreactiondoesnotinvolvetheuseofsyntheticadditivesandiscontrolledtoseparateandpreservenutrients.”Yes:0,No:5,Abstain:0,Absent:0,Recuse:0

SupportPetition

OpposePetition Neutral/Seeks

ClarificationFarmers/Citizens 2 PublicInterestGroups BPa,NOCb,FWWc,

Cornucopiag,CFSe,CRf

FoodProcessors/Handlers IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

OPWCd

Notes:a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“Whilecarbonmaynotbeaplant“nutrient,”itspresenceasfoodformicrobes

andashumusisessentialtoorganicsoils,andtherefore,theorganicproductionsystem.”b. NationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)states:“Utilizingburningasamethodtorecyclemillionsofpoundsofexcess

poultrymanureinadvertentlysupportsthebusinessofCAFOsbycreatinganorganicindustrydemandforash.”c. FoodandWaterWatch(FWW)states:“Wesupportthesubcommittee’spositiontomaintainthefullprohibition

onashfrommanureburning.”d. OrganicProduceWholesalersCoalition(OPWC)states:“Burningmanureremovesthecarbonandnitrogen,

whichhastwonegativeresults;lesseningthe soil-building value of the manure, and converting organicmatter to carbon dioxide andothergasesthatentertheatmospheretocontributetoglobalwarming.”

e. TheCenterforFoodSafety(CFS)states:“CFSstronglysupportstheSubcommittee’scurrentproposaltorejectthepetitionedannotationchangeforthelistingofashfrommanureburningandretaintheexistingblanketprohibition.”

f. ConsumerReports(CR)states:“WeurgetheNOSBtorejectthepetitionforanannotationchangeto“ashfrommanureburning”listing.Webelieveallashfrommanureburningshouldremainprohibitedinorganicproduction.WeagreewiththeCropsSubcommitteethat“utilizingburningasamethodtorecyclemillionsofpoundsofexcesspoultrymanureinadvertentlysupportsthebusinessofCAFOsbycreatinganorganicindustrydemandforash”andthattheannotationchangefailstomeetOFPAcriteria.”

g. CornucopiaInstitutestates:“Burningmanureisnotanappropriatemethodforrecyclingorganicwastes,becausethemajorityofthecarbongoesintotheatmosphere.Thiscontributestoclimatechangeandpreventsthecarbonfromrestoringsoilwithorganicmatter.”

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Squid&SquidByproducts

Petition:ShoresideOrganics,LLCsubmittedapetitioninApril,2015toadd“SquidandSquidByproducts”totheNL§205.601(j)(7)foruseasafertilizer.VoteinSubcommittee:MovetolistSquid&SquidByproductsat§205.601(j)oftheNationalList–withtheannotation–canbepHadjustedwithSulfuric,Citric,orPhosphoricacid.TheamountofacidusedshallnotexceedtheminimumneededtolowerthepHto3.5.Yes:6,No:0,Absent:1,Abstain:0,Recuse:0

SupportPetition

OpposePetition

Neutral/Seeks

ClarificationFarmers/Citizens 1 2 PublicInterestGroups BPa, Cornucopiac,CFSeFoodProcessors/Handlers

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

DrammCorporation,ShoresideOrganics

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

PCCb

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants/Government

IOSf,OTAg,RIDEMi

OPWCd

Certifiers OEFFAhNotes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“BeyondPesticidesurgestheNOSBtodenythepetitionforsyntheticextractsofsquidandsquidbyproductsbecausetheycauseenvironmentalharm,arenotessential,andarenotcompatiblewithorganicproduction.”

b. PCCNaturalMarketsstates:“Squidbyproductsmustbesourcedfromsquidharvestedforhumanconsumptionandmustnotleadtoanincreaseinwildsquidharvestingsolelyforthepurposeofproducingfertilizer.Squidbyproductsmustnotbeprocessedinawaythatnegativelyimpactsworkers’health.Heavymetalshavebeenreducedinthesquidbyproducts,particularlyintheliverandmuscletissue.”

c. TheCornucopiaInstitute“opposesthepetitiontoadd“SquidandSquidByproducts”aspetitionedto205.601(j)Asplantorsoilamendments,butwouldsupportadding“SquidByproducts”totheNationalList.”

d. OrganicProduceWholesalersCoalition(OPWC)“supportstheuseofsquidby-productsasfertilizerfeedstock,butdoesnotsupportthepracticeofharvestingsquidsolelyforusein fertilizer.”

e. TheCenterforFoodSafety(CFS)states:“CFSopposestheadditionofsquidtotheNLasanorganicfertilizer,andcautiouslysupportstheadditionofsquidbyproductswiththeaforementionedissuesaddressedaccordingly.CFSurgestheNOSBtosendthepetitionbacktotheCropsSubcommitteetoamendthelanguagetoprohibittheuseofwholesquidandlimitthelistingtosquidbyproductsfromthehumanfoodindustrythatareprocessedinamannerthatreducesriskstoworkersandreducesheavymetalcontamination.”

f. IndependentOrganicServices,Inc.(IOS)states:“IsupporttheadditionofthismaterialtotheNationalList,butfurtherproposethatNOPbedirectedtochangetheannotationtoallowfortheinclusionsofproductsfromallmarineanimals.Thereisnologicalreasonwhytheruleshouldnotallowtheinclusionofproductsderivedfromsquid,butalsofromshrimp,crab,planktonandamyriadofothermarineanimals.Inpractice,thesematerialsarealreadyfoundinmanyinputscurrentlyapprovedbyOMRIandmanyACAs.Forthatreason,IsuggesttheNOSBdirecttheNOPtomakethefollowingchangeto205.601(j)(7):‘Liquidproductsderivedfrommarineanimals—canbepHadjustedwithsulfuric,citricorphosphoricacid.TheamountofacidusedshallnotexceedtheminimumneededtolowerthepHto3.5.’”

g. TheOrganicTradeAssociation(OTA)states:“Squid-basedfertilizersappeartobeanalternativetofishproductsthatcansupportthegrowthoftheindustryandmaintainthecommitmenttoenvironmentalstewardshipthatisahallmarkoforganicproduction.WeurgethefullNOSBtoapprovetheproposalandaddsquidandsquid

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byproductstotheNationalListforuseinorganiccropproduction.”h. TheOhioEcologicalFoodandFarmAssociation(OEFFA)states:“Inconsiderationofthecomplexcircumstances

surroundingsquidharvest,OEFFAsupportsthelistingof“squidbyproducts”totheNationalList,butnotalistingfor‘squid’asaprimaryfertilizerresource.”

i. RhodeIslandDepartmentofEnvironmentalManagement(RIDEM)states:“TheadditionofsquidandsquidbyproductstotheNationalListwouldallowsquidbyproductstobepHadjustedusingsyntheticsulfuric,citricorphosphoricacid,andwouldmakepossibletheproductionofastableandhighqualityliquidfertilizerforuseinorganiccropproduction.SuchfertilizerwouldbeproducedusingexistingbyproductsfromthecommercialsquidfisheryinRhodeIsland.”

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HypochlorousAcidPurpose:antimicrobial/sanitizerforuseinequipmentandrawagriculturalproducts.

Petitioned:InMay,2015theNOPreceivedapetitiontoaddHypochlorousacid(CAS#7790-92-3)totheNationalListat§205.601,§205.603,and§205.605-Syntheticsubstancesallowedforuseinorganiccropandlivestockproduction,andhandling.VoteinSubcommittee:In2016,thehandling,cropsandlivestocksubcommitteesallvotedinfavorofthepetitiontoaddHypochlorousacidtotheNationalList.

Support

PetitionOpposePetition

Neutral/Seeks

ClarificationFarmers/Citizens 8k,l 154(BP) PublicInterestGroups BPa Cornucopiab,CFSfFoodProcessors/Handlers

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

AquafewErnestF.MarianiCompanyn

1m

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

CROPP

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

OPWCd,Wolf/DiMatteo,IOSh,OTAi

OMRIgWODPAe,

Certifiers CCOFc OEFFAjNotes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“Ratherthansimplyproposinganotherchlorine-basedmaterial,theNOSBsubcommitteesshouldcommissionaTRthat(1)determineswhatdisinfectant/sanitizerusesarerequiredbylaw,and(2)comprehensivelyexaminesmoreorganically-compatiblemethodsandmaterialstodeterminewhetherchlorine-basedmaterialsareactuallyneededforanyuses.Indoingso,theTRauthorsshouldconsultwithEPA’sSaferChoiceProgramandinvestigatematerialsontheSaferChemicalIngredientsList.Ifthereareusesforwhichchlorineisnecessary,thentheNOSBshouldincludethemintheNationalListandlimittheusetothoseparticularuseswithanannotation.Inaddition,inconsideringtheinclusionofhypochlorousacid,theNOSBshouldevaluatetheneedforproperdisposalofthesodiumhydroxideandhydrogengasthatisco-generatedwithhypochlorousacid.”

b. TheCornucopiaInstitutestates:“WebelievetheNOSBandNOPshouldinvestigatethepotentialeliminationoftheuseofchlorine-basedmaterialsanddevelopguidancefortheadoptionandappropriateusageofalternativematerialsandpractices.”

c. CaliforniaCertifiedOrganicFarmers(CCOF)states:“CCOFsupportsthethreelistingmotionswhichwouldaddhypochlorousacidto§205.601(a)(2),§205.603(a)(7),and§205.605(b).Thesematerialsappeartorepresentalesstoxic,moreenvironmentallyfriendly,andsuperioroptioninadditiontoexistingchlorineallowances.CCOFseesthesematerialsasapositivestepforward.Supportingthispetitionwillreduceconfusionincertification.CCOFisnotawareofanymeaningfulrationalefornotlistingthematerial.”

d. OrganicProduceWholesalersCoalition(OPWC)“concurswiththefindingsoftheNOSBSubcommitteesandsupportsuseofHypochlorousAcidinallscopesoforganicproductionthroughitsspecificlistingasanapprovedchlorinematerial.”

e. WesternOrganicDairyProducersAlliance(WODPA)states:“WODPAsupportsthelistingofHypochlorousacidproducedbytheelectrolysisofsodiumchlorideandwater.However,thelisting,asproposed,requiresanannotationtolimithowtheHypochlorousacidisproduced.Forexample,Hypochlorousacidisformedwhenchlorineisaddedtowater…Further,WODPAalsorecommendsadditionto§205.603asanapprovedmaterialforuseasateatdipusedpreandpostmilking.Listingofthisproductforuseasateatdipwouldreducetheuseofiodine.”

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f. TheCenterforFoodSafety(CFS)states:“CFSstronglyurgesNOSBtoreviewElectrolyzedWater(EW)Inthecontextofallavailableandallowedsanitationanddisinfectionmaterialsandpracticesinorganicproduction.Inparticular,CFSrequeststhattheBoardconsidershowtheadditionofEWtotheNLcanfacilitatetheremovalofotherchlorine-basedmaterialscurrentlylistedattheirrespectivesunsets,andhowtobestpromotetheuseofnon-chemicalsanitationpracticesbyorganiccropandlivestockproducersandorganichandlers.”

g. OrganicMaterialsResearchInstitute(OMRI)“suggeststhatallthreerecommendationsbebroughtbacktotheirrespectivesubcommitteesforfurtherdeliberationandconsiderationwithinthecontextofothersourcesofhypochlorousacidandotherlistingsofchlorinematerialsontheNationalList.”

h. IndependentOrganicServices,Inc.(IOS)states:“IstronglysupporttheadditionoftheproducttotheNationalListforbothCrop,LivestockandHandlingscopes.Giventheperceivedandrealrisksoffoodsafetyfacingtheindustry,andthejustifiedenvironmentalconcernsinvolvingtheuseofchlorinematerials,theadoptionofanymaterialthatprovidessanitizingaction,whileatthesametimereducingtheactualamountoffreechlorinereleasedintotheenvironment,seemslikea“win-win”situation.”

i. TheOrganicTradeAssociation(OTA)“supportsthelistingofelectrolyzedwaterontheNationalList.However,OTArecommendsthatNOSBreturnallthreeproposalstotheirrespectivesubcommitteesforfurtherdiscussionandrefinementoftherecommendations.”

j. TheOhioEcologicalFoodandFarmAssociation(OEFFA)states:“Considerengaginginacomprehensivereviewofapprovedsanitizers/disinfectantsinordertoassessthemaccordingtoOFPAcriteria.”

k. Anherbfarmerstates:“AsaherbgrowerofCertifiedOrganicproducewefindthatthisisuserfriendlyandeasilykillsbacteriaonequipmentandproduct.Alsowewishorganicproducetoretainitssafefoodreputation.Noprotectiveclothingisrequiredbystaffanditcanbegeneratedonfarmfromsaltandwater.Fromexperienceduetoitsrapidbreakdownithasnoadverseenvironmentaleffects.”

l. Afarmerstates:“Weusehypochlorousinourbusinessasasanitizerforequipment,cropsandrawhorticulturalproduce.Itiseasyforustouseaswedon'thavetouseanyprotectiveclothinganditismadeonthefarmbytheelectrolysisofsaltandwater,sowhatcouldbemorefriendlytousandtheenvironmentandalsosoeasytouse.Forusitisacosteffectivemethodofmaintainingouronfarmfoodsafetyrequirementswithoutcomprisingourorganicbeliefs.”

m. EarlBoycestates:“OurcustomerstypicallysetthetargetpHat4.0,andafewtenthsofapHpointoneithersideofthispoint,havenotcausednoticeableoffgassingofchlorineodorsinuse.”

n. ErnestF.MarianiCompanynstates:“ThisprocesswasunderverystricttestcriteriabybothCokeandPepsiColaCompaniesandwasprovenmoreeffectiveandenvironmentallysaferthanconventionalchemicals.”

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SoyWaxSoywaxhasbeenpetitionedasasyntheticsubstanceforuseinorganicmushroomproduction.

Petitioned/added:BeyondPesticidessubmittedthepetitiontolistsoywax.VoteinSubcommitteeMovetolistsoywaxat§205.601oftheNationalList(o)-Asproductionaids.Soywax(CAS#8016-70-4)-foruseinloggrownmushroomproduction.Mustbemadefromnon-GMOsoybeans.Yes:4,No:0,Abstain:0,Absent:1,Recuse:0ProposedAnnotation:Mustbemadefromnon-GMOsoybeanoil.

SupportPetition

OpposePetition

Neutral/Seeks

ClarificationFarmers/Citizens 1e 1 PublicInterestGroups BPa,

Cornucopiab,NOCf

FoodProcessors/Handlers

IngredientSuppliers/MaterialManufacturers

Wholesalers/Distributors/Retailers

TradeAssociations/IndustryConsultants

IOSd,OPWCc

Certifiers Notes:

a. BeyondPesticides(BP)states:“Wepetitionedforittogivethosewhogrowmushroomsonlogsanon-petroleumalternativeforsealinginoculationsitesonlogs.WeagreewiththeCSannotationproposaltoincludetheannotation,“mustbemadefromnon-GMOsoybeans.”Wefoundsoywaxthatiscertifiedtobenon-GMO,butthatdoesnotguaranteethatallsoywaxisnon-GMO.”

b. TheCornucopiaInstitute“supportsthepetitiontoaddsoywaxto§205.601(o)asproductionaids,withtheannotation,“mustbemadefromnon-GMOsoybeans,”andwitha5-yearexpirationdatetoencouragetheproductionoforganicsoywax.”

c. OrganicProduceWholesalersCoalition(OPWC)“supportthelistingofSoyWaxasanalternativetotheuseofMicrocrystallineCheese Wax….withanannotationthatspecifiesthatthewaxmustbemadefromnon-GMOsoybeans.”

d. IndependentOrganicServices,Inc.(IOS)states:“Isupporttheuseofthismaterialinthelimitedapplicationfortheproductionofmushroomandasapossiblealternativetomicrocrystallinecheesewax.WhileIamnotparticularlyafanoftheuseofhydrogenationinthisproduct,thelimitedscopeofusewouldnotmeanthatthehydrogenatedoilwasbeingconsumed.Ontheotherhand,theoptiontousenon-GMO,domesticallyproducedsoybeansseemsagoodalternativetomicrocrystallinecheesewax,whichisapetroleumproduct.”

e. Ashiitakemushroomfarmerstates:“IwanttheNOSPtoapprovenon-GMOsoybeanwaxforuseincoveringtheinoculationsitesinlogsinoculatedwithsawdustspawnorwoodendowels.Iamlookingforanapprovedmaterialthatisnotpetroleumbased.”

f. TheNationalOrganicCoalition(NOC)states:“Webelievethatsoy-basedwaxesaremorecompatiblewithorganicandsustainableproductionandshouldbeallowedforuseinorganicmushroomculture.Wearenotcurrentlycallingfortheremovalofmicrocrystallinecheesewax,butweforeseethatpossibilityifthereshouldprovetobesufficientquantitiesofsoywaxavailable.”

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INDEX

Agar-Agar..................................................................................................................................................................18AncillarySubstancesProcedure......................................................................................................................38AnimalEnzymes.....................................................................................................................................................20AshfromManureBurning.................................................................................................................................52Beta-Carotene..........................................................................................................................................................32CalciumChloride....................................................................................................................................................49CalciumSulfate.......................................................................................................................................................21Carrageenan.............................................................................................................................................................22Cellulose.....................................................................................................................................................................27CopperSulfate.........................................................................................................................................................42EPAList3–Inerts.................................................................................................................................................47EPAList4..................................................................................................................................................................50ExcludedMethodsTerminology........................................................................................................................1GluconoDelta-Lactone........................................................................................................................................25HypochlorousAcid................................................................................................................................................55Lactates–SodiumandPotassium..................................................................................................................34Lidocaine......................................................................................................................................................................8NaturalEcosystems..............................................................................................................................................16NutrientVitaminsandMinerals......................................................................................................................40OatBeta-Glucan......................................................................................................................................................36OzoneGas..................................................................................................................................................................44Parasiticides.............................................................................................................................................................10PeraceticAcid..........................................................................................................................................................45PolicyandProceduresManualRevisions...................................................................................................12PotassiumHydroxide...........................................................................................................................................29Procaine........................................................................................................................................................................8SeedPurity...................................................................................................................................................................5SiliconDioxide.........................................................................................................................................................30SodiumDodecylbenzeneSulfonate................................................................................................................37SoyWax......................................................................................................................................................................57Squid&SquidByproducts.................................................................................................................................53SunsetTimelineReorganization.....................................................................................................................14TartaricAcid............................................................................................................................................................26