[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 48 (Friday, March 13, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10878-10879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-5415]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Doc. No. AMS-TM-09-0004; TM-09-01]
Nominations for Members of the National Organic Standards Board
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 1990, as amended,
requires the establishment of a National Organic Standards Board
(NOSB). The NOSB is a 15-member board that is responsible for
developing and recommending to the Secretary a proposed National List
of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. The NOSB also
[[Page 10879]]
advises the Secretary on all other aspects of the National Organic
Program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting
nominations to fill five (5) upcoming vacancies on the NOSB. The
positions to be filled are: organic producer (2 positions), retailer (1
position), organic handler (1 position), and an environmentalist (1
position). The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint a person to each
position to serve a 5-year term of office that will commence on January
24, 2010, and run until January 24, 2015. USDA encourages eligible
minorities, women, and persons with disabilities to apply for
membership on the NOSB.
DATES: Written nominations, with cover letters and resumes, must be
post-marked on or before July 17, 2009.
ADDRESSES: Nomination cover letters and resumes should be sent to Ms.
Katherine E. Benham, Advisory Board Specialist, USDA-AMS-TMP-NOP, 1400
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 4004-So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC
20250.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Katherine E. Benham, (202) 205-
7806; E-mail: [email protected]; Fax: (202) 205-7808.
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. In developing
this program, the Secretary is required to establish an NOSB. 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 other aspects of the National Organic Program.
The NOSB made recommendations to the Secretary regarding
establishment of the initial organic program. It is anticipated that
the NOSB will continue to make recommendations on various matters,
including recommendations on substances it believes should be allowed
or prohibited for use in organic production and handling.
The NOSB is composed of 15 members; 4 organic producers, 2 organic
handlers, a retailer, 3 environmentalists, 3 public/consumer
representatives, a scientist, and a certifying agent. Nominations are
being sought to fill the following five (5) upcoming NOSB vacancies:
organic producer (2 positions), retailer (1 position), organic handler
(1 position), and an environmentalist (1 position). Individuals
desiring to be appointed to the NOSB at this time must be either an
owner or operator of an organic production operation, an owner or
operator of an organic handling operation, an owner or operator of a
retail establishment with significant trade in organic products, or an
individual with expertise in areas of environmental protection and
resource conservation. Selection criteria will include such factors as:
demonstrated experience and interest in organic production, handling
and retailing; diverse commodity and geographic representation; support
of consumer and public interest organizations; demonstrated experience
with environmental matters; and such other factors as may be
appropriate for specific positions.
To nominate yourself or someone else please submit, at a minimum, a
cover letter stating your interest and a copy of the nominee's resume.
You may also submit a list of endorsements or letters of
recommendation, if desired.
Nominees will be supplied with an AD-755 background information
form that must be completed and returned to USDA within 10 working days
of its receipt. Resumes and completed background information forms are
required for a nominee to receive consideration for appointment by the
Secretary.
Equal opportunity practices will be followed in all appointments to
the NOSB in accordance with USDA policies. To ensure that the members
of the NOSB take into account the needs of the diverse groups that are
served by the Department, membership on the NOSB will include, to the
extent practicable, individuals who demonstrate the 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 9, 2009.
Robert C. Keeney,
Acting Associate Administrator.
[FR Doc. E9-5415 Filed 3-12-09; 8:45 am]
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