The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is a fifteen-member volunteer advisory board that meets biannually for public meetings that closely engage the organic community. The board’s fall meeting will take place virtually next month on October 13 and 14 (to hear public comments) and from October 19 – 21 (for board discussions and voting). Find more meeting details here.
There is one seed-related document on the agenda. The Materials/GMO Subcommittee is continuing discussion on the topic of excluded methods. For over five years, the NOSB has been putting together a decision-making framework and recommendations for the National Organic Program (NOP) to assist regulatory decisions related to plant breeding methods: that is, which methods should be allowed or excluded based on the regulatory definition of excluded methods. At the meeting next month, the NOSB will discuss cell fusion and protoplast fusion techniques, methods that are excluded per the regulatory definition but for which a 2013 NOP Policy Memo 13-1 clarifies that cell fusion techniques within taxonomic families are allowed.
Here is the subcommittee’s document being discussed: Discussion Document: Excluded Methods Determinations
And here are two ways to participate in the meeting:
- Watch the virtual meeting: A link to the meeting will be posted here in early October.
- Submit written comments to the public docket (docket AMS-NOP-21-0038-0001).
The deadline for submitting written comments is September 30, 2021.
Do you have questions about the discussion document? Contact OSA policy expert Kiki Hubbard with questions and ideas.
Pre-NOSB meeting: October 5 and 6
Don’t forget to register for the National Organic Coalition’s biannual pre-NOSB meeting! This virtual gathering of diverse organic stakeholders is a great way to learn about and discuss specific challenges and opportunities facing the organic community. View the agenda and register here.
