[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 64 (Monday, April 4, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19112-19113]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07616]
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Notices
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 64 / Monday, April 4, 2016 /
Notices
[[Page 19112]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. No. AMS-NOP-15-0086; NOP-15-17]
National Organic Standards Board (NOSB): Notice of Intent To
Renew Charter and Call for Nominations
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice: Intent to renew Charter and call for nominations.
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SUMMARY: The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) was established to
assist in the development of standards for substances to be used in
organic production and to advise the Secretary on the implementation of
the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA). Through this Notice,
USDA is announcing the following: its intent to renew the Charter of
the NOSB, which expires on May 8, 2016; its call for nominations to
fill five (5) upcoming vacancies for appointments in 2017, and its call
for nominations for a pool of candidates to fill future unexpected
vacancies in any of the position categories should that occur.
DATES: The current NOSB Charter expires on May 8, 2016. Written
nominations must be postmarked on or before June 3, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Nomination applications can be sent via email to Michelle
Arsenault at [email protected], or mailed to: USDA-AMS-
NOP, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2642-S., Ag Stop 0268,
Washington, DC 20250-0268. Electronic submittals are preferred.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Arsenault, (202) 720-0081;
Email: [email protected];
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OFPA of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C.
Section 6501 et seq.), requires the Secretary to establish an organic
certification program for producers and handlers of agricultural
products that have been produced using organic methods. The OFPA
includes the requirement that the Secretary establish a NOSB in
accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C.
App. 2 et seq.). The purpose of the NOSB is to assist in the
development of a proposed National List of Allowed and Prohibited
Substances and to advise the Secretary on the implementation of the
OFPA.
Pursuant to the FACA, notice is hereby given that the Secretary of
Agriculture intends to renew the NOSB Charter for two years. The NOSB
is of a continuing nature due to the changes in organic production and
marketing brought about through advancements in science and technology.
The NOSB is composed of 15 members including; four individuals who
own or operate an organic farming operation, two individuals who own or
operate an organic handling operation; one individual who owns or
operates a retail establishment with significant trade in organic
products; three individuals with expertise in areas of environmental
protection and resource conservation; three individuals who represent
public interest or consumer interest groups; one scientist with
expertise in the fields of toxicology, ecology, or biochemistry; and
one individual who is a certifying agent. Through this Notice, the USDA
seeks to fulfill two goals: Firstly, it is seeking nominations to fill
five (5) upcoming vacancies for the following positions: One (1)
organic producer; one (1) individual with expertise in areas of
environmental protection and resource conservation; one (1)
representative of a public or consumer interest group; one (1) organic
handler or processor; and one (1) scientist (toxicology, ecology or
biochemistry). The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint one person to
each of these five positions to serve a 5-year term of office beginning
January 24, 2017, and ending January 23, 2022. Secondly, the USDA is
seeking nominations to fill future unexpected vacancies in any of the
position categories. These nominations will be held as a pool of
candidates that the Secretary of Agriculture can draw upon as
replacement appointees if unexpected vacancies occur. A person
appointed to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the 5-year
term of the vacant position.
As per the OFPA, individuals seeking appointment to the NOSB must
meet the definition of the position that they seek as identified under
section 6518 of this title, as well as satisfy the selection criteria
for an NOSB member.
Selection criteria include the following: An understanding of
organic principles and practical experience in the organic community;
demonstrated experience and interest in organic production and organic
certification; demonstrated experience with respect to agricultural
products produced and handled on certified organic farms; a commitment
to the integrity of the organic food and fiber industry; demonstrated
experience in the development of public policy such as participation on
public or private advisory boards, boards of directors or other
comparable organizations; support of consumer and public interest
organizations; participation in standards development or involvement in
educational outreach activities; the ability to evaluate technical
information and to fully participate in Board deliberation and
recommendations; the willingness to commit the time and energy
necessary to assume Board duties; and other such factors as may be
appropriate for specific positions.
To nominate yourself or someone else, please submit the following:
a resume (required), Form AD-755 (required), which can be accessed at:
http://www.usda.gov/documents/OCIO_AD_755_Master_2012.pdf, a cover
letter, and a list of endorsements or letters of recommendation
(optional). Resumes must be no longer than 5 pages, and should include
a summary of the following information: Current and past organization
affiliations; areas of expertise; education; career positions held; any
other notable positions held.
If USDA receives a request under the Freedom of Information Act
(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), for records relating to NOSB nominations, your
application materials may be released to the requester. Prior to the
release of the information, personally identifiable information
protected by the FOIA Privacy Act will be redacted.
Nominations are open to all individuals without regard to race,
color, religion, gender, national origin, age, mental or physical
disability,
[[Page 19113]]
marital status, or sexual orientation. To ensure that the
recommendations of the NOSB take into account the needs of the diverse
groups that are served by the Department, membership on the NOSB shall
include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated
ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
The information collection requirements concerning the nomination
process have been previously cleared by the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) under OMB Control No. 0505-0001.
Dated: March 30, 2016.
Elanor Starmer,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-07616 Filed 4-1-16; 8:45 am]
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