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[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 63 (Friday, April 1, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18148-18149]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-7755]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc. No. AMS-NOP-11-0006; NOP-11-03]

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 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 (1 position), organic handler (1 position), 
consumer/public interest (1 position), scientist (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, 2012, and run until January 24, 2017. USDA 
encourages eligible individuals who can demonstrate an ability to 
represent 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, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Nomination cover letters and resumes should be sent to Ms. 
Katherine E. Benham, Advisory Board Specialist, USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 2651-So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 
20250, or via e-mail to Katherine.benham@ams.usda.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Ms. Katherine E. Benham, (202) 205-7806; E-mail: 
katherine.benham@ams.usda.gov; Fax: (202) 205-7808.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OFPA of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 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.

[[Page 18149]]

    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 (1 position), organic handler (1 position), consumer/
public interest (1 position), scientist (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 individual who represents public interest or consumer 
interest groups, an individual with expertise in areas of environmental 
protection and resource conservation, and an individual with expertise 
in the fields of toxicology, ecology, or biochemistry. Selection 
criteria will include such factors as: Demonstrated experience and 
interest in organic production; organic certification; support of 
consumer and public interest organizations; demonstrated experience 
with respect to agricultural products produced and handled on certified 
organic farms; 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 
recommendations of the National Organic Standards Board take into 
account the needs of the diverse groups served by the Department, 
membership shall include individuals who can demonstrate an 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 28, 2011.
David R. Shipman,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-7755 Filed 3-31-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
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