. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/TBT/N/USA/575 
21 September 2010  
 (10-4796) 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade Original:   English 
  
 
NOTIFICATION 
 
The following notification is being circ ulated in accordance with Article 10.6 
 
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  UNITED STATES
  
If applicable, name of local governme nt involved (Article 3.2 and 7.2):     
2. Agency responsible:   
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) 
Mail:  Toni Strother, Ag. Mrktng. Splst., National Organic Program  USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 2646 - So.,  
Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250 
Email: Toni.Strother@usda.gov
  
Internet:  www.regulations.gov  
Written comments responding to this Interim Rule should be identified with the docket 
number AMS-NOP-10-0051; NOP-10-04.  Clea rly state whether you support the amendment 
of the annotation for the continued allowance of synthetic methionine in poultry production 
until October 1, 2012, at the maximum levels pe r ton of synthetic methionine in the feed 
ration, with clearly indicated reason(s) fo r your position.  You should also offer any 
recommended language changes that would be appropriate for your position.  Include relevant information and data to support your position (e.g., scientific, environmen tal, manufacturing, 
industry impact information, etc.).  Only re levant material supporti ng your position should be 
submitted. 
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers, email and website 
addresses, if available) of agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be indicated if different from above :    
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [   ], 5.6.2 [   ], 5.7.1 [   ], other:   
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. 
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Organic Foods (ICS:  
07.080, 67.120) 
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  National Organic; 
Amendment to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (Livestock) (6 pages, 
in English)     
6. Description of content:  This Interim Rule announces that consistent with the 
recommendation from the National Organic St andards Board (NOSB) on 29 April 2010, the 
revision of the annotation of one substance on the National List, methi onine, to extend its use 
in organic poultry production until 1 October 2012, at the following maximum levels of 
synthetic methionine per ton of feed: Layi ng chickens--4 pounds; broiler chickens - 5 pounds; 
turkeys  and   all other  poultry  -6  pounds.   Al so  the  NOSB   recommended  to  extend   the G/TBT/N/USA/575 
Page 2  
 
   allowance beyond 1 October 2012, to 1 Octobe r 2015, and decrease the maximum level of 
synthetic methionine permitted per ton of fe ed ration to 2-pounds fo r laying and broiler 
chickens, and 3-pounds for turkeys and all other poultry and that consideration of synthetic 
methionine after its anticipated 1 Octobe r 2025 expiration should take place through the 
Board's sunset review process rath er than through the petition process.  
7. Objective and rationale, including the na ture of urgent problems where applicable:  
Methionine is classified as an  essential amino acid because it cannot be biologically produced 
by poultry and is necessary to maintain viability.   
8. Relevant documents:   75 Federal Register (FR) 51919,  24 August 2010; Title 7 Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 205   
9. Proposed date of adoption:   
Proposed date of entry into force:   }This interim rule becomes effective 1 October 
2010  
10. Final date for comments:  25 October 2010 
11. Text available from: National enquiry point [  ], or addre ss, telephone and fax numbers, 
e-mail and web-site addresses, if available of the other body:    
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-20977.htm  
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-20977.pdf