recap of all written public comments national organic ......recap of all written public comments...
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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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1
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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13
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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19
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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39
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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54
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