Recap from Fall 2021 NOSB Meeting
Were you able to attend last week’s NOSB meeting? NOC’s team was there, watching the deliberations and here are a few of our biggest takeaways.
1. SOE, OOL, and OLPP: We were pleased that the critically important rules that we’ve urged USDA to finalize - Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE), Origin of Livestock (OOL), and Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) – were front and center in the updates from the USDA officials who were present at the NOSB meeting. The SOE and OOL rules are in the clearance process and expected to be published in final form in spring 2022. A new OLPP rule has been written based on the 2017 final rule and USDA’s legal team is reviewing it.
2. Key NOSB Decisions: The Board voted on many critically important topics at this fall meeting. Here are a few of the most significant votes:
Ammonia extract – in a win for organic integrity, the NOSB voted 13-1 to prohibit these high nitrogen fertilizers in organic crop production. This decision affirms organic as a “feed the soil, not the plant”, systems-based approach that relies on soil-building practices.
Kasugamycin – an antibiotic petitioned to be used for plant disease control; in a unanimous vote, the NOSB once again affirmed that antibiotics have no place in organic crop production.
Carrageenan – NOC was deeply disappointed to see the NOSB reverse the 2016 decision to remove Carrageenan from the National List. The Board voted 9 yes, 5 no to remove carrageenan. It needed 10 yes votes to delist. In the absence of compelling new evidence, NOC believes the NOSB should have upheld the Board's previous decision even though USDA has failed to implement the 2016 decision to delist carrageenan.
3. New Senior Advisor for Organic at USDA: NOC is pleased to see USDA demonstrate its commitment to advancing organic by hiring Marni Karlin as the Senior Advisor for Organic and Emerging Markets. Senior Advisor Karlin introduced herself to the NOSB on Day 1 of the Fall Meeting. Ms. Karlin will have an important role in coordinating organic activities across USDA agencies. We hope this will translate into increased support for organic at USDA and structural reforms to strengthen the organic program.
4. Thank you NOSB! NOC extends our heartfelt thanks to the three outgoing NOSB members: Steve Ela, Asa Bradman, and Sue Baird. In particular, we would like to thank Steve Ela for his leadership as NOSB chair. During Steve’s tenure as Chair, we have been pleased to see excellent and transparent dialogue at NOSB meetings – this is the public, transparent, deliberative, science-based process that is so foundational to organic integrity. The Board also elected new officers – in 2022 Nate Powell-Palm will serve as Chair, Mindee Jeffery will serve as Vice-Chair, and Kyla Smith will serve as Secretary. Thank you to all NOSB members – your work is invaluable as we seek to advance organic integrity.
5. Upcoming Meetings: The NOSB announced upcoming, in-person (fingers crossed!) meetings:
NOSB Debrief Call: We hope NOC Members & Network Affiliates will join us on November 9 to debrief from the NOSB meeting and NOC Pre-NOSB meeting. Register to participate here: https://www.nationalorganiccoalition.org/events