With input from the National Organic Standards Board and the organic community, the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) has decided to modify the NOSB Spring Meeting 2020 to be held live online, instead of in-person. This will allow the Board to move forward with deliberations in an open and public setting, without needing to travel.

Public Comment:  The NOP will expand the two webinar-based public comment periods on Tuesday, April 21 and Thursday April 23. Those who will to deliver public comments should sign up online no later than April 3: https://www.ams.usda.gov/event/april-2020-nosb-oral-comment-registration-webinar

NOTE: Anyone who had already signed up to make public comments at the in-person meeting will automatically receive an email inviting you to move to one of the Public Comment Webinars. You do not need to sign up again.

NOSB Spring Meeting: The public meeting will be held live online via webinar on Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30. Watch the NOSB Spring meeting webpage for details on the times and agenda. NOP is working to accommodate participants across different time zones. The virtual meeting will be open to the public and the transcript will be posted online after the meeting.

Topics under consideration include paper pots, biodegradable biobased mulch, inert ingredients in organic pesticides, the use of fish in crop fertility products, marine materials, research priorities, and many others. 

Written Comments:  Written comments must be submitted via the federal register before the deadline on April 3, 2020.

Meeting materials: Meeting materials are available via the USDA website. Click here to link to the proposals and discussion documents related to the board proceedings.