Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for 

addition to or removal from the National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program 

(NOP) policy or regulations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 

Executive Subcommittee (ES) Meeting Notes

Friday, January 11, 2013, 1:00 pm EST

Attending: Mac Stone (MS) (Chair), John Foster (JFo) (Vice-Chair, Handling Chair), Jay Feldman (JFe)

(Crops Chair), and Zea Sonnabend (ZS) (Materials Chair), Joe Dickson (JD) (CACS Chair), Tracy Favre (TF) 

(Livestock Chair), Jennifer Taylor (JT) (GMO ad hoc Chair), Colehour Bondera (CBo) (PDS Chair), Calvin 

Walker (CW) (Secretary)

Absent: None

Staff: Miles McEvoy (MM), Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Call to Order - MS

• Approval of Notes – December 14, 2012

• Chairs Report

o Aquaculture education plan and petitions

o Portland meeting: Sub-committee prep meetings, 3-day schedule, time estimates for 

discussion/public comment

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update - MA

• NOP news and update - MM

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)

o Handling (HS) - JFo

o Policy Development (PDS) - CBo

o GMO ad hoc- JT

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) - JD

o Materials (MS) - ZS

o Crops (CS) - JFe

o Livestock (LS) - TF

• Additional Items

• Adjourn

 

Discussion

• Notes from December 14, 2012 were approved with no changes.

• Chair’s Report - MS 

o Aquaculture education plan and petitions – The NOSB will invite the head of the 

Aquaculture Working Group (AWG) to the spring meeting and will set up a series of calls 

for the Livestock and Crops Subcommittees. The NOSB will work with the AWG to 

develop content for the presentation at the meeting. Additionally, the AWG will be able 

to provide experts to answer specific questions. A member asked how Crops should 
move forward with regard to the impending regulation, and the NOP indicated that 

there was no need to have regulations for aquatic plants for the Subcommittee to

proceed with their review. The group discussed the differences between hydroponics 

and aquatic plants. A member noted that if the Subcommittees don’t consider the 

hydroponics recommendations they are not honoring a previous NOSB 

recommendation. The group asked if the NOP will issue a statement regarding this and 

the chair asked that the members and the NOP have a future conversation. 

o The group discussed logistics and travel for the spring meeting in Portland. Although the 

Subcommittee prep meetings are not mandatory it is strongly recommended that 

everyone attend. The consensus from the group is that the prep meeting schedule 

needs to be expanded beyond 4 hours. Several members added that flying the morning 

of the meeting may be difficult for many, and the NOP indicated that travel details 

would be worked out to minimize expenses and as the budget allowed. Several 

members added that they would not support reducing the amount of time for oral 

public comment to accommodate a shorter meeting. Another member added that faceto-face time for Board members is extremely valuable and there is no other opportunity 

for that, whereas the public has an alternate vehicle for submitting written comments

(via regulations.gov). 

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update - MA

o Ethics/New member training will occur in early February via a webinar. 

o MA asked that any completed proposals be submitted so they can be readied for 

posting. 

o Fall work-plan schedules should be sent to the NOP by March 1 so the NOP can provide 

feedback in time for the spring meeting.

• NOP news and update - MM

o The Secretary made his decision about the new Board member and it should be 

announced in the next week or two. 

o Topics that will be covered at the Accredited Certifying Agents (ACA) training next week 

in FL include sound and sensible certification, penalty matrix, responding to residue 

testing, settlement agreements and mediation, record keeping, OSP updates. 

o MM noted that the National Organic Coalition met with Secretary Vilsack this past week

and the meeting went well. 

o A member asked about the Board recommendation and subsequent implementation of 

that recommendation on Sodium Nitrate because the sunset date has passed and the 

community is discussing it. MM indicated that it has been submitted to the Office of 

General Council (OGC), and expects it would be a few more months until it is published. 

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)

o Handling (HS) – JFo. The Subcommittee is progressing smoothly with review of the 

workplan items and doesn’t anticipate any problems. JFo also noted that the time slot 

on the draft agenda was adequate.

o Policy Development (PDS) – CBo. The PDS has three items for the spring meeting: The 

public communication proposal is almost finalized and should be voted on soon; the

updates to the Policy and Procedures Manual (PPM) seem more complex and some of 

the changes might need more time and evaluation; and the updates to the New 
Member Guide are in progress. The chair indicated that the PDS would like to add the 

material initiation policy and inclusion in the PPM as a discussion item for the spring 

meeting. 

o GMO ad hoc- JT. The chair requested that more members join the GMO ad hoc

Subcommittee, as they currently only have 5 members. The group is working on several 

items and making good progress. MS noted that he is going to participate on the GMO 

calls.

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) – JD. The Subcommittee is on track 

with one agenda item: Calculating the percentage of organic ingredients. The CACS is 

anticipating there will be some public comment but perhaps not an excessive amount.

MM noted that this is a topic that will be discussed at the ACA training.

o Materials (MS) – ZS. The MS is working on several documents including Confidential 

Business Information (CBI), production aids, and an update of petition and TR process.

o Crops (CS) – JF. Several items are moving forward for the spring meeting, while several 

will be delayed due to the timing of Technical Reports (TRs). JFe gave an update on the 

Inerts Working group, who proposed 16 groupings and 9 individual chemicals that didn’t 

lend themselves to grouping. The group discussed several aspects of the spring draft 

agenda: The absence of the streptomycin proposal, which they requested be added, in 

case the TR is received in time; moving Crops to the end of the day so if the meeting 

runs long the discussion can be continued, and the invitation of the Aquaculture 

Working Group to present. A member expressed his discomfort with having a petitioner 

present at the meeting, since this is prohibited in the PPM, to which the NOP responded 

that the petitioner in question was chosen by the NOP to lead the working group and 

does not have a financial interest. The group discussed tetracycline and indicated that 

the discussion isn’t far enough along yet to have a sense of what the proposal will look 

like. The CS is working on an annotation, which is the most difficult part, and is working 

with as many stakeholder groups as possible before completing the document. The 

feeling among the Subcommittee members is that there are legitimate differences of 

opinion. A member added that streptomycin and tetracycline are used and administered 

differently, and are used in different geographic regions and should be discussed 

separately and not grouped together. The CS chair invited those who want to continue 

the discussion to participate on the next Crops calls. 

o Livestock (LS) – TF. Pet food amino acids and GMO vaccines WG update are the two 

items for spring and are moving forward. Aquaculture will be a large portion of the fall 

workplan, along with methionine. The LS is no longer presenting a discussion document

for aquaculture at the spring meeting. 

• Additional Items

o A member asked about aquaculture-expert panels for the spring meeting to which the 

chair responded that the panels would most likely be scheduled for the fall 2013 

meeting. 

o The members discussed further the comparison of aquatic plants and hydroponics, and 

the fact that hydroponics is not a soil-based system. A member thought that since 
aquatic plants are not a soil based system, then farmed aquatic plants should be the 

reference, and indicated that they would use the previous NOSB recommendation for

guidance since the NOP has not issued any rules pertaining to this. MM and ZS will 

review the farmed aquatic plants recommendation to determine the next steps.

• The meeting was adjourned by the Chair

FUTURE CALLS

February 8, 2013 1:00pm EST

March 8, 2013 1:00pm EST

March 29, 2013 1:00 EST (last call before spring meeting)

Spring 2013 Milestones Target date

NOP – Complete tentative agenda February 8, 2013

Spring 2013 proposals due to NOP February 12, 2013

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment February 19, 2013

Subcommittees submit tentative workplans to NOP March 1, 2013

Discuss workplans on ES call March 8, 2013

NOP provides written comments on workplans to NOSB March 11, 2013

Public comment closes March 19, 2013

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB March 25, 2013

Workplans finalized on ES call March 29, 2013

Spring 2013 NOSB Meeting – Portland, OR April 8-11, 2013
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for 

addition to or removal from the National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program 

(NOP) policy or regulations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 

Executive Subcommittee (ES) Meeting Notes

Friday, February 1, 2013, 1:00 pm EST

Attending: Mac Stone (MS) (Chair), John Foster (JFo) (Vice-Chair, Handling Chair), Jay Feldman (JFe)

(Crops Chair), and Zea Sonnabend (ZS) (Materials Chair), Tracy Favre (TF) (Livestock Chair), Colehour 

Bondera (CBo) (PDS Chair), Calvin Walker (CW) (Secretary), Jennifer Taylor (JT) (GMO ad hoc Chair)

Absent: Joe Dickson (JD) (CACS Chair), 

Staff: Miles McEvoy (MM), Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Call to Order - MS

• Approval of Notes – January 11, 2013

• Chairs Report

o Agenda update – Draft agenda attached

o Appropriate time allocation for each Subcommittee (SC) at Spring meeting

o Pre-planning for pre-meeting

o SC make up with new member

o Declaration of Interest (COIs)

o Email subject lines: Informative and appropriate

o Process for joint subcommittees – Confusing/needs clarification

o Sound and Sensible Initiative

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update – MA

o Review schedule leading up to spring mtg, including work plans for fall

o Status of votes in Subcommittee 

o Checklist revisions – in progress (HS, CS/LS)

o Travel authorizations update 

o ES notes will be sent to all NOSB members

o Reminder: Ethics/COI training rescheduled to February 20, 3:00 - 4:00 EST 

• NOP news and update - MM

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)

o Policy Development (PDS) - CBo

o GMO ad hoc- JT

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) - JD

o Materials (MS) - ZS

o Crops (CS) - JFe

o Livestock (LS) – TF

o Handling (HS) - JFo

• Additional Items

• Adjourn 
Discussion

• Notes from January 11, 2013 were approved with no changes

• Chairpersons Report

o Agenda update – The chair discussed various components of the spring meeting agenda, 

including plans for site visit/field trip, and the Antibiotics expert panel for Crops) 

o Each Subcommittee Chair was asked to make sure they have an appropriate amount of 

time allocated at the spring meeting

o Pre-planning for pre-meeting. The public has indicated that they would like to hear how 

or why people arrived at their decisions, and since we are having pre-meetings to 

discuss the proposals, the group needs to be cognizant of transparency. The Chair asked 

that the members pre-read the docs (especially the long ones in PDS) so we do not have 

to use time during the meeting to word smith. 

o SC rosters with new member. The Subcommittees have a large number of members, so 

we may revisit that and reduce the number as necessary. The chairperson will speak 

with people offline about this

o Aquaculture update: LS is scheduling 3 or 4 calls on which they will invite various experts 

to answer questions. 

o Email subject lines should be informative and appropriate, and the Chair reminded 

group about good e-management practices

o Process for joint subcommittees – The process is not well defined and needs some 

clarification. The chair asked that the group think about this issue. For the upcoming 

meeting, the agenda items that were joint efforts will be voted on and presented by the 

lead Subcommittee only. 

o Sound and Sensible Initiative – The chair noted that there will be more discussion about 

this in the coming months. 

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update – MA

o Reminder of the target dates leading up to spring meeting, including work plans for fall

o Status of votes in Subcommittee - (Comprehensive spreadsheet attached)

o Checklist revisions – in progress (HS, CS/LS)

o Travel authorizations are available, and the members can proceed with their flight

arrangements. 

o ES notes will be sent to all NOSB members from this date forward, so everyone knows 

what was discussed

o Reminder: Ethics/COI training rescheduled to February 20, 3:00 - 4:00 EST 

• NOP news and update - MM

o The NOP Cell fusion memo will be published very soon. The regulation includes a 

definition of the use of excluded methods (GMOs) which in turn includes cell fusion as 

both allowed and prohibited, so the NOP felt this needed clarification. 
o Sound and Sensible Initiative –The meeting with certifiers at the ACA meeting was very 

successful and the NOP will be providing more detail for certifiers about how it will 

work. 

o The aquaculture proposed rule will be out later this year. 

o The Seed and Planting stock guidance will be out soon, as it is currently in clearance. 

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)

o Policy Development (PDS) – CBo. The PDS has 4 documents for the spring meeting: 

Public Communications proposal, Material Initiation Policy discussion document, PPM 

update, and the New Member Guide update. All documents are nearly complete.

Members discussed the process for joint proposals such as the Material Initiation Policy, 

CBI and Examining and Updating the Petition and TR Review Process, and acknowledged 

that as we move forward, is that it might be a more useful and manageable process if 

the supporting Subcommittee didn’t vote on the document, but instead provided input 

to the lead Subcommittee. 

o GMO ad hoc- JT. The Chair announced two new Subcommittee members; Francis Thicke 

and Calvin Walker. The Subcommittee is working on several documents for the spring 

meeting and thinking beyond that. 

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) – JFo gave update for JD. The 

Subcommittee has one agenda item for spring on Calculating percentage of organic

ingredients, and the document is nearly complete. The “Retail Certification” agenda 

item was delayed pending an OIG review. 

o Materials (MS) – ZS. The Materials Subcommittee has 3 items on the agenda; CBI is 

done and voted on, Definition of Production Aids, and Two-stage TR Review Process. 

The chair indicated that the time allotment on the agenda was adequate. 

o Crops (CS) – JFe. Crops has voted on 3 petitioned materials, and will present an update 

on the Inerts Working Group. The Inerts update will include information about the 

screening process, which was already passed in a previous recommendation, the new TR 

template, and the categories for inert ingredients. 

o Livestock (LS) – TF. The Pet Food Amino Acids proposal is nearly ready for a vote. Many 

workplan items have shifted from spring 2013 to fall 2013. The Methionine petition was 

moved to fall to allow time for consideration of public comments.

o Handling (HS) – JFo – all 5 petitioned items have been voted on. The Chair indicated that 

the time allotted for public comment seems adequate and may be too much. 

• The meeting was adjourned by the Chair

FUTURE CALLS

March 8, 2013 1:00pm ET

March 29, 2013 1:00 ET (Note date change. Last call before spring meeting)

May 10, 2013 1:00 ET – Finalize workplans

June 14, 2013 1:00 ET
Spring 2013 Milestones Target date

NOP – Complete tentative agenda February 8, 2013

Spring 2013 proposals due to NOP February 12, 2013

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment February 19, 2013

Subcommittees submit tentative workplans to NOP March 1, 2013

Discuss workplans on ES call March 8, 2013

NOP provides written comments on workplans to NOSB March 11, 2013

Public comment closes March 19, 2013

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB March 25, 2013

Workplans finalized on ES call March 29, 2013

Spring 2013 NOSB Meeting – Portland, OR April 8-11, 2013
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for 

addition to or removal from the National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program 

(NOP) policy or regulations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 

Executive Subcommittee (ES) Meeting Notes

Friday, March 8, 2013, 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Mac Stone (MS) (Chair), John Foster (JFo) (Vice-Chair, Handling Chair), Jay Feldman (JFe)

(Crops Chair), and Zea Sonnabend (ZS) (Materials Chair), Tracy Favre (TF) (Livestock Chair), Colehour 

Bondera (CBo) (PDS Chair), Calvin Walker (CW) (Secretary), Jennifer Taylor (JT) (GMO ad hoc Chair), Joe 

Dickson (JD) (CACS Chair), Jean Richardson (JR)-sitting in) HA sitting in, Jennifer Taylor (JT) (GMO ad hoc

Chair)

Absent: Calvin Walker (CW) (Secretary)

Staff: Miles McEvoy (MM), Michelle Arsenault (MA), Lisa Brines (LB)

Agenda

• Call to Order - MS

• Approval of Notes – February 1, 2013

• Chairs Report

o NOSB April 2013 Agenda update

o Pre-meetings/Field trip plans 

o Discuss workplans

o Disclaimer on top of proposals and discussion documents

o Declaration of Interest (COIs) - form was sent March 7

o Process for joint subcommittees - Confusing/needs clarification

o Subcommittee rosters

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update – MA

o Missed ethics training 

o May 2012 and Oct 2012 transcripts for approval at Spring 2013 meeting

o Checklist revisions 

o Travel update- flights, hotel check in/out?

o Travel Mugs

o Comment status

• NOP news and update – MM

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)

o GMO ad hoc- JT

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) - JD

o Materials (MS) - ZS

o Crops (CS) - JFe

o Livestock (LS) – TF

o Handling (HS) - JFo

o Policy Development (PDS) - CBo

• Additional Items
• Adjourn 

Discussion

• Notes from February 1, 2013 approved with no changes.

• Chairpersons Report

o NOSB April 2013 Agenda update – Pre-meetings/Field trip plans. The group will visit 

approximately 3 growers in an effort to see a breadth of situations with apple/pear 

growers. Updates to agenda since last version: Antibiotics Panel, Aquaculture Update, 

Director of Oregon Department of Agriculture address, change to PDS, LS, CS, CACS

o Workplans - The workplan schedule can slide a little as long as they are approved by 

NOP and ready for approval on March 29 call.

o Disclaimer on top of proposals and discussion documents - group agreed to edit this 

language and the NOP and NOSB agreed to work together going forward 

o Declaration of Interest (COIs). ZS would like to declare her interests at the beginning of 

the meeting. MM noted that there is a memo stating the process for declaration under 

legal review and it should be out soon. A member asked about the reasons for the 

public declaration and noted that the answer to that question could help inform the 

best way to proceed. The general consensus is that declarations should be made prior 

to each Subcommittee block at the meeting. The decision will be made by next ES call.

o Process for joint subcommittees - Confusing/needs clarification. ES will determine what 

project will be placed where since it can sometimes be confusing logistically to have 

joint Subcommittees working on one project. 

o Subcommittee rosters- The chair will converse with each member about reorganizing

the Subcommittees and reducing the size of each. 

o A member asked about the process for proposing workplan items to accommodate

issues that come up at meeting. The NOP indicated that it is feasible to do so.

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update – MA

o Ethics training: PowerPoint was send to all in case anyone needs to review it. Please 

forward any questions to MA or Jenny Tucker. 

o May 2012 and Oct 2012 transcripts for approval at Spring 2013 meeting – Will be 

included with the meeting materials and linked on agenda

o Checklist revisions – in progress (HS, CS/LS) – A member asked about having the 

checklists reflect specific questions, but the checklists are based on OFPA and 

Regulations and are not meant to be tailored to specific materials

o Travel update- MA asked that the members make their flight arrangements if they have 

not already made them.

o Travel Mugs – please bring with you to the meeting so we can reduce our environmental 

footprint. 

o Comment status: Written: 197 Oral: 27

• NOP news and update - MM
o Based on some recent comments received, the NOP wanted to clarify that simplified 

standards and regulations are preferable, and if the NOSB chooses to include 

annotations, the NOP and the USDA feels it is important to not make them complex, and 

instead observe the government mandate of “plain language” which will aid in to 

implementation, understanding and enforcement. Annotations on sunset materials are 

much more complex than imagined, so the NOP requests that annotation changes occur 

separate from sunset (i.e. Recommendation of removal of annotation could be 

submitted as part of the rulemaking process separately). A member asked about 

separating these two processes, and noted that this is difficult and may not be very 

effective. MM also noted the OIG milk audit, posted database report about modernized 

organic operations, draft guidance on retail certification, sound and sensible, and 

revision of the penalty matrix. A member asked about the NOP response to the October

2012 NOSB recommendations, noting that the NOP didn’t provide specificity about the 7 

infant formula petitions. MM noted that there were many parts involved and the NOP is

trying to reconcile all the pieces in an effort to move forward. For now, the interim rule 

is the operating principle for processers.

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)

o GMO ad hoc- JT. Expressed her enthusiasm for receiving public comment and had one 

item to add to the workplan which they are still discussing in Subcommittee. 

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) - JD – one document for Spring 2013 

meeting, and have not yet finalized workplan for fall 2013. With regard to “Retail 

certification”, the NOP noted that the OIG has it on their workplan but may not get to it, 

so CACS could work on it without the OIG audit. With regard to “Sound and Sensible”, 

there will be discussions prior to spring meeting, and MS recommended placing a work 

item with the CACS as a vehicle to get the information to the public. “Sanitizers in 100% 

organic products” is delayed waiting for NOP to complete memo.

o Materials (MS) – ZS. Examine and update TR process was originally a PDS workplan item 

but was then sent to Materials. The MS requests that they be lead on the overall 

project, even though some smaller portions fit within the PDS, noting that LB who is 

instrumental in this process, participates in the MS conference calls. Several items will 

be on the fall workplan, including Research priorities, CBI (proposal), and production

aids. 

o Crops (CS) – JFe noted that several items are awaiting TRs, and the group will proceed 

when those are available. The subcommittee just received information from the EPA 

regarding the CO exhaust gas petition, which has become very complex. The CS would 

like to add a workplan item about compost, noting that they are currently working on a 

document that they will bring to the ES on the next call. The group is also working on 

the perceived conflict from previous Board recommendations between aquatic 

plants/hydroponics. Guidance for biodegradable mulch: the group would like to add this 

to the workplan beyond 2013 (perhaps spring 2014). The group asked for NOP input 

about projected workplan items, such as compost, so they do not expend effort working 
on something that will not go forward. NOP offered to have this conversation, as it 

would be very useful. 

o Livestock (LS) – TF. The Livestock Subcommittee is immersed in aquaculture topics, and 

has been seeking input from a variety of groups and stakeholders to glean as much 

information as possible before moving forward. TF asked for NOP input and advice 

about the Livestock guidance documents put forth in 2012 and how to move forward. 

NOP has not had resources to move forward with these recommendations, so would 

prefer that the Board not create additional guidance until they can work on the animal 

welfare guidance. As for a timeline, the implementation of the animal welfare.

recommendations might not occur until at least 2014. The NOP is interested in hearing if 

the community feels there is a need for guidance. 

o Handling (HS) – JFo. The workplan is progressing as planned. A couple of items have 

been removed, and the group is moving ahead with the glycerin review. LB noted that 

glycerin is also on 205.603 for Livestock use (as glycerin) and asked that the group keep 

that in mind.

o Policy Development (PDS) – CBo. The PPM updates will be pushed to the fall meeting. 

PDS would like to revise the procedure for joint subcommittee reviews, which have 

been attempted before without success. 

• The meeting was adjourned by the Chair

FUTURE CALLS

March 8, 2013 1:00pm ET

March 29, 2013 1:00 ET (Note date change. Last call before spring meeting)

May 10, 2013 1:00 ET – Finalize workplans

June 14, 2013 1:00 ET

Spring 2013 Milestones Target date

NOP – Complete tentative agenda February 8, 2013

Spring 2013 proposals due to NOP February 12, 2013

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment February 19, 2013

Subcommittees submit tentative workplans to NOP March 1, 2013

Discuss workplans on ES call March 8, 2013

NOP provides written comments on workplans to NOSB March 11, 2013

Public comment closes March 19, 2013

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB March 25, 2013
Workplans finalized on ES call March 29, 2013

Spring 2013 NOSB Meeting – Portland, OR April 8-11, 2013
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for 

addition to or removal from the National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program 

(NOP) policy or regulations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 

Executive Subcommittee (ES) Meeting Notes

Friday, March 29, 2013, 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Mac Stone (MS) (Chair), Calvin Walker (CW) (Secretary), Jay Feldman (JFe) (Crops Chair), and 

Zea Sonnabend (ZS) (Materials Chair), Tracy Favre (TF) (Livestock Chair), Colehour Bondera (CBo) (PDS 

Chair), Calvin Walker (CW) (Secretary), Jennifer Taylor (JT) (GMO ad hoc Chair), Joe Dickson (JD) (CACS 

Chair), Jennifer Taylor (JT) (GMO ad hoc Chair), Jean Richardson (JR)-sitting in, Harold Austin (HA) -

sitting in

Absent: John Foster (JFo) (Vice-Chair, Handling Chair)

Staff: Miles McEvoy (MM), Michelle Arsenault (MA), Melissa Bailey (MB)

Agenda

• Call to Order - MS

• Approval of Notes – March 8, 2013

• Chairs Report

o Meeting agenda review

o Oral comment management plan

o Declaration of interest plan

o Work plans

o Sound and Sensible 

o Other stuff I think of after sending agenda 

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update – MA

o Update about meeting materials (May 2012 and Oct 2012 transcripts for approval)

o Hotel/flights/meeting logistics

o Oral Commenter status

• NOP news and update – MM

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)

o Policy Development (PDS) - CBo

o GMO ad hoc- JT

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) - JD

o Materials (MS) - ZS

o Crops (CS) - JFe

o Livestock (LS) – TF

o Handling (HS) - JFo

• Additional Items

• Adjourn 

Discussion

• Notes from March 8 call approved with no changes
• Chairs Report

o Meeting agenda review

o Oral comment management plan - Currently each speaker has 5 minutes: 4 minutes for 

comment and only 1 for questions. This will fluctuate based on the comments, and will 

expand and contract as needed.

o Declaration of Interest plan – The NOP memo was sent to Board members March 29, 

2013. A member added that the memo seemed to be lacking in criteria, and abundant in

discretion. The Chair suggested that the PDS might work on an internal policy that 

augments the memo 

o Work plans- The workplans are fairly solidified

o Sound and Sensible – Will be discussed further in the coming months. There is some 

confusion among Inspectors/certifiers for providing technical assistance versus 

consulting, education, etc. The NOP will be releasing an Instruction memo on this topic. 

(Note: Done on April 8, 2013)

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update – MA

o Update about meeting materials including May 2012 and Oct 2012 transcripts for 

approval.

o Hotel/flights/meeting logistics

o Oral Commenter status

• NOP news and update (MM)-

o The COI memo presents the NOP perspective and the program appreciates the 

comments from the Board and looks forward to additional follow up comments.

o The material classification memo was released and there is a 60-day comment period. 

MA will send the memo to group on Monday. 

o TRs might be limited due to availability of funds, so the NOP is looking at alternatives. 

o MM asked that the Board keep in mind that the NOP staff workload is daunting and we 

need to actively implement ways to reduce burnout and late nights. This could include

limiting meeting to 3 days, not adding extra calls, etc. 

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)

o Policy Development (PDS) - CBo: Discussed workplan items and how the group will 

proceed with items

o GMO ad hoc- JT: Noted that JFe and CBo will present seed purity doc at meeting, and ZS 

will present Excluded Methods. The group is looking forward to hearing public comment

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) – JD: only one agenda item for this 

meeting which has received about 15 written comments. The group has discussed these 

comments and integrated them into the presentation for the meeting. Retail 

certification will be on the workplan and will be the focus for the fall. Waiting for Sound 

and Sensible to determine what role, if any, the CACS will play. 

o Materials (MS) – ZS: There are 3 items on agenda for the spring meeting including; CBI, 

which people were generally supportive of; Definition of Production Aids, which 

solicited some very helpful comments; and Limited Scope TRs which received 

considerable negative comments indicating that it was not needed or was too 
prescriptive. ZS will send an email to the group asking about this document and how to 

proceed at the meeting based on comments. If it is withdrawn it will be folded into the 

item entitled “Update TR process”. The MS expects that the two discussion documents

will proceed to proposals for fall 2013.

o Crops (CS) – JFe: Crops has 3 items for the spring meeting, and received lots of 

comments for tetracycline. The inerts presentation will be delivered by the NOP with 

input from JFe and ZS. MS or JFe will introduce the antibiotics panel. Members will 

compile questions for the panelists and send them to MA by Wednesday so she can 

forward them to the panelists with time to review. The CS would like to get the 

program’s perspective on a proposed workplan item involving Contamination issues, 

before committing resources and time to this item. Would like to work together to 

determine what items are viable before too much time and effort goes into it, especially 

in light of the limited ability to request TRs. MM indicated that this could be introduced 

in fall 2013, with solicitation for information from public in spring and a discussion 

document for fall 2014. Added that we could save money and resources if we reconsider 

the limited scope TRs. The NOP noted that the Board already has the ability to request 

limited TRs without having the new proposals.

o Livestock (LS) – TF. The LS has two items on spring agenda: pet food amino acids and the 

Vaccines Working Group interim report. It was noted that there are many agenda items 

for the fall meeting, so it’s going to be a busy summer. George Lockwood, chair of the 

Aquaculture Working Group, will be presenting at the spring meeting, since most likely 

the aquaculture materials will be reviewed at the fall meeting

o Handling (HS) – HA substituting for JFo, noted that they have four petitioned materials 

and aux/other ingredients. It was noted that the Public Comments on aux/other were 

varied. 

• No additional Items

FUTURE CALLS

March 29, 2013 1:00 ET (Note date change. Last call before spring meeting)

May 10, 2013 1:00 ET – Finalize workplans

June 14, 2013 1:00 ET

Spring 2013 Milestones Target date

NOP – Complete tentative agenda February 8, 2013

Spring 2013 proposals due to NOP February 12, 2013

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment February 19, 2013

Subcommittees submit tentative workplans to NOP March 1, 2013

Discuss workplans on ES call March 8, 2013
NOP provides written comments on workplans to NOSB March 11, 2013

Public comment closes March 19, 2013

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB March 25, 2013

Workplans finalized on ES call March 29, 2013

Spring 2013 NOSB Meeting – Portland, OR April 8-11, 2013
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to 

or removal from the National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy or 

regulations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used in 

organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 

Executive Subcommittee (ES) Meeting Notes

Friday, May 10, 2013, 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Mac Stone (MS) (Chair), John Foster (JFo) (Vice-Chair, Handling Chair), Jay Feldman (JFe) (Crops 

Chair), and Zea Sonnabend (ZS) (Materials Chair), Colehour Bondera (CBo) (PDS Chair), , Jennifer Taylor (JT) 

(GMO ad hoc Chair), Wendy Fulwider (WF) - sitting in, Jean Richardson (JR) - sitting in, Harold Austin (HA) -

sitting in

Absent: Joe Dickson (JD) (CACS Chair), Tracy Favre (TF) (Livestock Chair), Calvin Walker (CW) (Secretary)

Staff: Miles McEvoy (MM), Michelle Arsenault (MA), Melissa Bailey (MB)

Agenda

• Call to Order - MS

• Approval of Notes – March 29, 2013

• Chairs Report

o Portland Mtg recap

o Significant changes to recommendations at Board mtg

o Finalize fall work plans

o Subcommittee make up

o NOP proposed rule on list 3 inerts, cellulose, carrageenan

o Proposal disclaimer

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update – MA

o Update about recommendations and transcripts

o Missing oral commenters in Portland

o Schedule for fall

• NOP news and update – MM

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)

o GMO ad hoc- JT

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) - JD

o Materials (MS) - ZS

o Crops (CS) - JFe

o Livestock (LS) – TF

o Handling (HS) – JFo

o Policy Development (PDS) - CBo

• Additional Items

• Adjourn 

Discussion

• Notes from the March 29 call approved with no changes

• Chair’s Report
o Spring 2013 meeting recap.

- The NOP suggested replacing the prep meetings with longer public Subcommittee 

sessions so that the discussions are open to the public. Many members and the NOP felt 

that the round-robin on tetracycline was useful and would like to see this model used at 

future meetings so such conversations are in the public record. Several members urged 

the NOP to lengthen the Board meeting to make up for the elimination of the premeeting. In addition to losing time for conversation and administrative organization, the 

prep meeting was also a time for members to familiarize themselves with all the 

proposals up for vote, and not just the ones in their particular Subcommittees. Many 

members feel that the in-person face time is very important resulting in better, more 

productive, and more respectful communication. A member also reminded the NOP that 

fall elections will require extra time. One proposal was to have a pre-meeting webinar or 

conference call to discuss logistics and administrative processes. The NOP will consider 

whether this is feasible. 

- The expert panel on tetracycline worked really well. There seemed to be a 

misunderstanding among some of the panel members regarding the use of PowerPoint, 

but the guidance that was sent to them by the Chair of Crops subcommittee and the 

NOP didn’t preclude it. MA will make sure the instructions are more explicit in the 

future. 

- A member asked about the possibility for field trips and, depending on the issues at the 

NOSB meeting, the NOP will consider whether field trips would be beneficial.

- A member added support for the round-robin approach, but asked that the Board 

members be informed ahead of time. He also added that the process for receiving 

public comment seemed unfair because some commenters were asked for their 

affiliation while others were not. Other members disagreed, noting that the 

commenters that were asked about their affiliation did not volunteer that information

as is required. 

o Significant changes to recommendations - The amendment process for proposals was 

questioned by some members of the public and the Board, but the NOP feels that as long as an 

item is on the agenda, amending and re-voting are part of the process and the Board has the 

right to make changes. The group discussed what constitutes a significant change to a proposal 

and how to handle that situation when it arises. A member suggested having a backup plan 

ready. 

o Subcommittee make-up - The Chair decided to leave the Subcommittee rosters as is for now, 

and not reduce the numbers until the next administration.

o Proposal disclaimer - MA will replace the old proposal disclaimer with the new one that was 

agreed upon by the admin team and the NOP.

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update – MA

o Recommendations and transcripts are now posted on NOSB website.

o Missing oral commenters in Portland - Sent an email requesting feedback about clarity of 

process and only received 3 responses out of 45.

o Schedule for fall is noted at the bottom of the Subcommittee notes. August 27 is the proposal 

deadline.

• NOP update
o The NOP is making good progress with Sound & Sensible, and is currently revising instructions 

and creating new instructions for certifiers and auditors. Auditor training was conducted at the 

end of May; certifiers will be provided training via webinars in the coming months. The new 

AMS Administrator, Anne Alonzo, started this week and will be at the OTA policy conference. 

The NOP might be able to schedule a call with the Board so she can introduce herself. The Farm 

Bill is working its way through the Senate and House, and the NOP noted that people could view 

the pre-marked up version of the bill on the Senate agricultural committee’s website. Members 

discussed funding for organic, but there is not specific information available yet. 

o The NOP checked with APHIS about the Board request for consideration of the Emergency Spray 

for tetracycline. APHIS indicated that because fire blight is endemic, such a program would be 

inconsistent with their policy of regulating quarantine pests. The NOP will provide a formal 

response to the Board concerning the emergency spray recommendation. JFe noted that there 

are four types of emergency exemptions governing Section 18 of EPA’s FIFRA: (specific,

quarantine, public health and crisis) and it seems like APHIS may have responded to only one 

scenario (quarantine). A member asked if the USDA could collaborate with other agencies and 

perhaps reference other statutes and not just the crops statute for emergency spray. Another 

member asked when the NOP determination will be public; NOP noted that as soon as it’s 

written and sent to the Board.

o Proposed Rule: Sunset Review 2013. The proposed rule is posted for public comment and the 

NOP is now in ex-parte communication, so NOSB members are welcome to comment as part of 

the comment process but cannot discuss it further with NOP. 

o Draft plan for Sunset 2015. The current sunset review process is detailed in a 2007 Federal 

Register (FR) notice. The NOP provided a draft plan for Sunset 2015 that was discussed with the 

Board. The draft includes a plan to eliminate the ANPR (Advanced Notice of Proposed 

Rulemaking) component of sunset and replace it with a longer public comment period, because 

a sunset material will be reviewed over the course of two NOSB meetings. The NOP emphasized 

the importance of the NOSB working on a revised petition process that makes is easier for those 

who would like changes to a substance’s annotation.

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)

o GMO ad hoc (JT) - The group assigned workplan items during the last call, and is now working on 

specific documents.

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (JR) – There are several items on the workplan 

that the CACS would like to get feedback and guidance for: Sound & Sensible, Retail 

Certification, Sanitizers, and Exclusion of water (would like additional info about this or some 

guidance about this). CACS will talk further with MM to see how best to proceed.

o Materials (MS) (ZS) - The MS has 3 workplan items for fall: revising the petition and TR process, 

which includes CBI; Definition of Production aids; and Research priorities. MS will also assist with 

the Sound & Sensible flowchart. MM will send the NOSB an official memo regarding Sound & 

Sensible. 

o Crops (CS) (JFe) – Crops attempted to use the limited scope TR model for Vinasse, and found 

that it wasn’t helpful. Also working on Streptomycin, Aquaculture petitions, Mg Oxide, and 

Inerts for the fall meeting. Waiting for FR notice with inert groupings before they can move 
forward, and would like some feedback from NOP. Inerts WG meeting is next week and they will 

discuss timeline. 

o Livestock (LS) (TF) - All Aquaculture for the fall meeting. All assignments were done and they are 

forging ahead. Working group for Vaccines Made with Excluded Methods (VMWEM) is working 

on GMO documents and hopes to elucidate what the ACAs would like the NOSB to do with 

regard to this. 

o Handling (HS) (JFo) - There are 8 materials on the workplan, including ancillary substances, and 

an ongoing discussion-lite around proposed guidance for decision tree, and materials 

classification review dialogue. 

o Policy Development (PDS) (CBo) - several items on workplan are assigned and moving forward. 

The PDS is awaiting a memo from the NOP about decisive/indecisive votes. A member asked 

about Research Priorities Framework Procedure and getting the recommendations incorporated 

into the Policy & Procedures Manual (PPM).

FUTURE CALLS

May 10, 2013 1:00 ET – Finalize workplans

June 14, 2013 1:00 ET

July 12, 2013 1:00 ET

August 9, 2013 1:00 ET

September 13, 2013 1:00 ET

October 11, 2013 1:00 ET

Fall 2013 Milestones Target date

NOP – Complete tentative agenda August 9, 2013

Fall 2013 proposals due to NOP August 27, 2013

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment September 3, 2013

Subcommittees submit tentative workplans to NOP

Discuss workplans on ES call

NOP provides written comments on workplans to NOSB

Public comment closes October 1, 2013

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~October 7, 2013

Workplans finalized on ES call October 11, 2013

Fall 2013 NOSB Meeting – Louisville, KY October 21-24, 2013
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to 

or removal from the National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy or 

regulations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used in 

organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 

Executive Subcommittee (ES) Meeting Notes

Friday, June 14, 2013, 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Mac Stone (MS) (Chair), Jay Feldman (JFe) (Crops Chair), and Zea Sonnabend (ZS) (Materials Chair), 

Colehour Bondera (CBo) (PDS Chair), Jennifer Taylor (JT) (GMO ad hoc Chair), Joe Dickson (JD) (CACS Chair), 

Tracy Favre (TF) (Livestock Chair), Harold Austin (HA), Calvin Walker (CW) (Secretary)

Absent: John Foster (JFo) (Vice-Chair, Handling Chair)

Guests: Anne Alonzo (AA) - AMS Administrator, Sara Eckhouse (SE) -AMS Chief of Staff

Staff: Miles McEvoy (MM), Michelle Arsenault (MA), Jennifer Tucker (JTu) 

Agenda

• Call to Order - MS

• Approval of Notes – May 10, 2013

• Chairs Report

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update – MA

o Material Evaluation Checklist update

o Fall 2013 Meeting planning/2014 Meeting planning

o Update bios for website

• NOP news and update – MM

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) - JD

o Materials (MS) - ZS

o Crops (CS) - JFe

o Livestock (LS) – TF

o Handling (HS) – JFo

o Policy Development (PDS) - CBo 

o GMO ad hoc- JT

• Additional Items

• Adjourn 

Discussion

• The meeting was called to order by the Chair

• Notes from the May 10, 2013 call approved with no changes

• Chair’s Report

o Chair discussed the upcoming NOSB meeting and logistics in light of the heavy workload. He also 

suggested including a discussion at the meeting about the larger scope of the NOSB and Organic 

in general. Members discussed having this broader discussion within the context of a particular 

recommendation, such as the sunset annotation policy, and will discuss this further as the 

meeting nears and they have been able to think about topics and structure.
• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update – MA

o Material Evaluation Checklists are nearly done and ready to use for fall meeting. For now we can 

use the Handling checklist and use the old one for Crops/Livestock until the new one is finalize. 

o Fall 2013 Meeting planning/2014 Meeting planning is in progress. The FR notice will be finalized 

by July 2, and we will begin working on the travel request then as well. 

o Members discussed the length of the meeting and noted that it is not realistic to limit the 

number of items that will be voted upon if they are ready 

o MA would like to update the members bios for website and will send around the old ones

• NOP update

o MM introduced Anne Alonzo, the new AMS administrator. Ms. Alonzo introduced herself and 

gave the group a little background about her career. She lauded the groups’ diversity:

geographic, affiliations, community. The members discussed various items with the

Administrator and one member highlighted the length of time it takes to get from 

recommendation to rulemaking and asked if there was any way to shorten the process. For 

example, the Seed and Planting Stock recommendation took 2.5 years, and they are still waiting 

on finalization of sodium nitrate. Sara Eckhouse added that part of the problem causing the 

delay is the internal structure of the USDA. Ms. Alonzo added that the Secretary is aware that

expediency is a problem and he feels it is an important issue. The group discussed various issues

including NOSB and NOP workload, the quantity of recommendations versus the size of the NOP 

staff, and the importance of access to current research and science for their work. The Chair 

acknowledged the willingness of the administrator to meet with the Board and to engage with 

the organic program early in her administration.

o FR notice about the Sunset process is being developed and the NOP will start it through USDA 

clearance next month. The proposed Sunset process will be a two tiered process which will 

allow for public comment at the first NOSB meeting prior to the NOSB Subcommittee delivering 

a proposal. A member asked about the proposed changes and possible alternative processes. 

The NOP indicated that the current Sunset process can be found in a 2007 FR notice and a draft 

sunset review process was provided at the last ES meeting. The NOP would welcome input from 

the MS or PDS about this draft. A member asked for more specific information regarding the 

change in how annotations will be handled during sunset. 

o The NOP recently concluded the Japan peer review and are optimistic about the equivalency 

arrangement. The NOP is currently completing an equivalency review with Canada which is done 

every two years. The Farm bill passed in the Senate, and the House is scheduled to take it up this 

month. The NOP is doing a lot of outreach for Sound & Sensible and the accreditation team 

(AIA) is making good progress recalibrating for Sound & Sensible. After completing a successful 

training in early May, and receiving great feedback, they are revising some instruction 

documents that should be completed soon and sent out to certifiers. Members discussed the 

open docket recommendation from the spring 2013 NOSB meeting and asked about its 

progress. The NOP indicated that the hope is to have it in place at the end of the year. 

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) – JD. CACS has three discussion documents for 

the fall meeting, which are currently in progress and are moving forward. 
o Materials (MS) - ZS. Working primarily on comments to the classification guidance. Their overall 

project is a revision to the petition and TR process, which is composed of lots of separate 

components such as CBI, and Limited Scope TRs. The Chair noted that without the rule the 

group doesn’t know some of the parameters, so for now only one of the three petitions is 

moving forward, and they are awaiting more info on the others. 

o Crops (CS) - JFe. Crops is working on many aquaculture substances and has a couple of other 

materials under development such as chlorine and CO2. The Subcommittee is going to schedule 

a call with the Chair of the Aquaculture Working Group so they can get some answers to several 

lingering questions. Contamination Issues in Farm Inputs is a large project and is being narrowed 

so the Subcommittee can work on it in segments. Inerts review is progressing and there’s a 

group within EPA interested in working with the Inerts Working Group (IWG), because there is a 

lot of overlap. 

o Livestock (LS) - TF. Livestock has a fairly aggressive schedule with regard to Aquaculture. The 

group may delay some of the petitions if they are not ready to be voted on: potentially vaccines 

for biologics, which they didn’t receive until late spring. TF talked with the NOPs Mark Bradley, 

who is writing the aquaculture standards, and while he couldn’t share any specifics, she felt that 

the rule was going to help tremendously with the Subcommittees’ review. MB noted that past 

NOSBs have reviewed materials without a rule in place and instead based it only on past Board 

recommendations. Members also discussed the potential for an aquaculture panel at a future 

meeting, and relayed their hope that there is time and budget to allow for that. 

o Handling (HS) - HA. There are nine items on the workplan; seven substances in progress, one on 

hold (Gibberellic Acid) and Ancillary Substances. With regard to Ancillary Substances, ZS has 

done a large amount of work developing a spreadsheet in order to facilitate the review of these 

substances. Sanitizers and cleaners are on a separate spreadsheet, and the intent is to have 

other relevant Subcommittees review these since they are crosscutting. One issue they are 

facing is how to deal with generic items without delving into name brands. Members discussed 

having Peggy Miars from OMRI participate on a call to talk about how OMRI reviews name brand 

products. Members felt it would be helpful, but not necessarily for the Handling Subcommittee, 

since most HS members are familiar with this process already. 

o Policy Development (PDS) - CBo. Looking for clarity about what topics should be worked on as 

part of the PPM update or as separate items in a different Subcommittee. At the fall meeting, 

the NOSB will be asked to approve (or not), the administrative changes to the PPM. Other topics

include Conflict of Interest, Member Transition Procedures, and Workplans. 

o GMO ad hoc- JT. Working on Seed Purity Document, and have solicited info from the community 

and guest speakers on various topics related to GMO contamination and seed purity and its 

relationship to organic agriculture. One other document is in progress; Terminology for Excluded 

Methods. The group is looking forward to the Public Communications Open Docket, because 

they feel that it will play an important role with items like Seed Purity. 

• Additional Items – JFe reminded the group that streptomycin is on agenda for the fall meeting. The NOP

added that the 2nd phase of milk audit by OIG should be out soon. 

• Meeting was adjourned by the chair 
FUTURE CALLS

June 14, 2013 1:00 ET

July 12, 2013 1:00 ET

August 9, 2013 1:00 ET

September 13, 2013 1:00 ET

October 11, 2013 1:00 ET

Fall 2013 Milestones Target date

NOP – Complete tentative agenda August 9, 2013

Fall 2013 proposals due to NOP August 27, 2013

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment September 3, 2013

Subcommittees submit tentative workplans to NOP

Discuss workplans on ES call

NOP provides written comments on workplans to NOSB

Public comment closes October 1, 2013

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~October 7, 2013

Workplans finalized on ES call October 11, 2013

Fall 2013 NOSB Meeting – Louisville, KY October 21-24, 2013
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to 

or removal from the National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy or 

regulations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used in 

organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 

Executive Subcommittee (ES) Meeting Notes

Friday, July 12, 2013, 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Mac Stone (MS) (Chair), John Foster (JFo) (Vice-Chair, Handling Chair), Calvin Walker (CW) 

(Secretary), Jay Feldman (JFe) (Crops Chair), and Zea Sonnabend (ZS) (Materials Chair), Colehour Bondera (CBo) 

(PDS Chair), Joe Dickson (JD) (CACS Chair), Jennifer Taylor (JT) (GMO ad hoc Chair)

Absent: Tracy Favre (TF) (Livestock Chair)

Staff: Miles McEvoy (MM), Melissa Bailey (MB), Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Call to Order - MS

• Approval of Notes - June 14, 2013

• Chairs Report

o Sunset management

o Process if substantive changes are made to a proposal at the meeting

o Board meetings and pace for review of materials/workplan items

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update - MA

o Fall 2013 meeting planning update/2014 meeting planning

o Update to timeline (see table below)

o Update on bios for website

• NOP news and update - MM

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)

o Materials (MS) - ZS

o Crops (CS) - JFe

o Livestock (LS) - TF

o Handling (HS) - JFo

o Policy Development (PDS) - CBo 

o GMO ad hoc- JT

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) - JD

• Additional Items

• Adjourn 

Discussion

• Notes from June 14, 2013 were approved with no changes

• Chairs Report

o Sunset management. The group discussed the changes to the sunset process that the NOP has

proposed, which will decouple annotation changes from the sunset process. The impetus for the 

change was the added complexity and amount of time it takes to shepherd a material through 

the rulemaking process when there is an accompanying annotation. After the NOP receives a

recommendation from the NOSB there are several steps it goes through, including legal review
and review for economic impacts, which adds time to the rulemaking process. The sunset 

process is critical and although annotation changes are important it slows the process when 

there are critical sunset deadlines to meet. Decoupling the annotation portion from sunset 

review would speed this process. The details for this are not flushed out yet, but one option is 

for the NOSB to create an internal process. A member feels that timing issues need to be 

resolved. For example it would be preferential to vote on an annotation before voting on sunset. 

He also noted that the Board feels under informed about the problem and the reason for the 

process change, and would like to make sure in the future there is more transparency,

communication, and collaboration between the NOP and the NOSB. ZS noted that the ancillary 

substance review will require a large number of annotation changes and feels that these 

substances should be moved up in the schedule in an effort to get them done before they 

sunset. The group also discussed the fact that the Board does not have a simple, smooth 

mechanism for annotation changes outside of the normal petition process, and would like to 

focus some energy towards developing a mechanism for Board members to propose annotation 

changes. 

o Board meetings and pace for review of materials/workplan items - the group is thinking about 

ways to accommodate a shorter meeting including perhaps slowing the review process. For 

example, putting forth a proposal for public comment but delaying the vote until the following 

meeting. A member noted that there is no protocol that says it has to be done quickly, and it is

not prohibited, so for transparency’s sake it would require shifting expectations about timelines. 

o Substantive changes to proposals at an NOSB meeting - The NOP will provide language about 

what is considered “substantive” and what will trigger the need to postpone a vote on a 

proposal. A member noted that it hasn’t been very clear in the past, and having a definition will 

make the decision more transparent for all involved, and will help when communicating the 

reasons for either tabling a proposal or taking it off the agenda altogether. The language could 

be included in the agenda and perhaps the FR notice. Currently, the following language is 

included on the NOSB meeting agendas: NOTE: Agenda items may be withdrawn or votes may 

be postponed at the discretion of the Board.

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update - MA

o Fall 2013 meeting planning update/2014 meeting planning - The Fall 2013 travel guidance 

should be ready in the next few weeks so people will be able to make flight arrangements. The 

2014 meeting plans are underway. Spring 2014 was initially supposed to be in Austin, TX, but 

due to hotel availability, the NOP is now looking for alternatives, including San Antonio, TX and 

Omaha, NE. Fall 2014 is tentatively scheduled for Washington, DC. MS indicated that people 

should contact him for information if they are interested in spending time in Louisville prior to

or after the Board meeting. 

o Update to timeline (see table below)

o Update on bios for website - Once all of the member bios are received, MA will update the 

website. 

• NOP news and update – MM. AMS Administrator Anne Alonzo has been designated the lead for organic 

issues at USDA, and is very enthusiastic about that role. She has been interacting with many members of 

the organic community, as well as the NOSB and the NOP. She may attend part of the fall NOSB meeting 

and perhaps attend the NOC meeting just prior to the NOSB. She is considering a strategic planning 

meeting in an effort to draw input from the Board members. The NOP has been visiting with certifiers to 

talk about Sound & Sensible, and is receiving a lot of great feedback about issues such as record 

keeping. 

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)
o Materials (MS) - ZS. The MS is working on several proposals and will be focusing soon on 

collecting research proposals. The Chair asked that the other members continue to think about 

possible research topics and will relay that message to the Livestock Chair. 

o Crops (CS) -JFe. The CS is working on a merged streptomycin proposal instead of having two 

separate documents - one with the majority opinion and one with the minority. Aquaculture is 

moving forward. Several other petitions are in the pipeline with some closer to being finished 

than others. The Subcommittee will continue to look at items that potentially might not be 

ready for the fall meeting.

o Livestock (LS). WF provided an update on TFs behalf. To date, the committee has voted on two

of the aquaculture materials (chlorine and vitamins). Several others are in progress. The 

intention is to proceed with review and deliberation on all aquaculture materials and the LS 

feels there is a strong chance they will vote on materials' checklists for everything except the 

biologics vaccines, which will not have a TR available in time for the August deadline for 

proposals. Because of timing constraints at the fall meeting, we might not bring them all up for 

a full Board vote, but they will likely be ready in time for public comment prior to the meeting. 

The group also expects to have an update from industry on the Methionine question in time to 

provide an amended proposal for the fall meeting. 

o Handling (HS) - JFo. The HS is on track with their workplan and materials, including the sunset

items which will be the first sunset materials to be reviewed using the new format. The glycerin 

petition is gleaning outside interest as some community members are concerned about how this 

might affect Livestock. The group feels that the concern is unwarranted, as the Handling 

Subcommittee is clear about what this material is being petitioned for, and what section of the 

National List it pertains to. 

o Policy Development (PDS) - CBo. The PDS workplan includes various PPM updates: (admin 

updates, workplans, transition of Chairs/VCs/members and COI). The COI proposal is a high 

priority and the group would like to see it completed. A member asked about having a 

document added to the PDS workplan regarding the sunset process so the Board can get 

community input. MS noted that he is supportive of having an open dialogue among the NOSB 

at the fall 2013 meeting on the public record, but feels that accepting public comment at this 

time is premature. It would be more informative once the NOSB has an idea of how they will 

proceed. Also, once the FR notice for the sunset process is published, then the PPM will need to 

be updated. A member added that the changes to the NOSB process must be presented to the 

public, but the NOP feels that the FR notice is the public notification. Members noted that 

various past procedures proposed by the NOP were not acted upon until they were vetted by 

the public. MM indicated that this notice will be published prior to the meeting so the public will 

be informed of the changes. In the interest of time, several members asked that there be a 

separate call to discuss this issue. 

o GMO ad hoc - JT. The Subcommittee has had several seed experts join the last couple of calls to 

share their views about organic seed purity and conservation. MA will forward the documents 

they shared with the entire NOSB. The group is working on summarizing the comments 

regarding seed purity from the last couple of meetings for presentation at the fall meeting. They 

are also collecting research priorities topics from the other Subcommittees.

o Compliance, Accreditation & Certification (CACS) – JD. The CACS is moving ahead productively 

with no substantive changes to the last report about their workplan items. 

• Additional Items - The Board Chair let the group know how appreciative he was for their hard work and 

passion as we get closer to the fall meeting. He also noted that he would expand the conversation about 

the sunset review.

• The meeting was adjourned.
FUTURE CALLS

July 12, 2013 1:00 ET

August 9, 2013 1:00 ET

September 13, 2013 1:00 ET

Discuss workplans

October 11, 2013 1:00 ET

Finalize workplans for fall 2013 NOSB meeting

Fall 2013 Milestones Target date

NOP – Complete tentative agenda August 9, 2013

Fall 2013 proposals due to NOP August 27, 2013

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment September 3, 2013

Subcommittees submit tentative workplans to NOP September 11, 2013

Discuss workplans on ES call September 13, 2013

NOP provides written comments on workplans to NOSB September 23, 2013

Public comment closes October 1, 2013

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~October 7, 2013

Workplans finalized on ES call October 11, 2013

Fall 2013 NOSB Meeting – Louisville, KY October 22-24, 2013
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to 

or removal from the National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy or 

regulations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used in 

organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 

Executive Subcommittee (ES) Meeting Notes

Friday, August 9, 2013, 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Mac Stone (MS) (Chair), John Foster (JFo) (Vice-Chair, Handling Chair), Calvin Walker (CW) 

(Secretary), Jay Feldman (JFe) (Crops Chair), and Zea Sonnabend (ZS) (Materials Chair), Colehour Bondera (CBo) 

(PDS Chair), Tracy Favre (TF) (Livestock Chair), Harold Austin (HA), Jennifer Taylor (JT) (GMO ad hoc Chair)

Absent: Joe Dickson (JD) (CACS Chair)

Staff: Melissa Bailey (MB), Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Call to Order - MS

• Approval of Notes - July 12, 2013

• Chairs Report

o Expanded conversation at fall meeting

o Scheduling/Subcommittee time allotment

o Public comment time allotment

o USDA Meeting facilitation contractor

o Sunset review process

o Fall 2013 pre-meeting webinar? 1.5 hour

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update - MA

o Fall 2013 meeting planning update/travel

o Fall 2013 meeting agenda (attached)

o Timeline check/Reminder about revised checklists (HS and LS/CS)

o Bios were posted on website

• NOP news and update - MB

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)

o Crops (CS) - JFe

o Livestock (LS) - TF

o Handling (HS) - JFo

o Policy Development (PDS) - CBo 

o GMO ad hoc- JT

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) – JD

o Materials (MS) - ZS

• Additional Items

• Adjourn 

Discussion

• Notes from July 12, 2013 were approved with no changes.

• Chairs Report
o Expanded conversation at fall meeting – The fall agenda includes an hour to talk about broader 

topics and the bigger picture. Topics for consideration could include NOP priorities, NOSB 

priorities, the farm bill, and organic equivalency. A member offered the following observation: 

the work of the Board seems to have evolved away from macro issues and is more focused on 

the minutiae, and in an effort to think more strategically it’s a great idea to take a longer view of 

the community and the common goals. He added that perhaps after 20 years, the mission of the 

Board has shifted and warrants some discussion. MS asked that the members email any ideas 

for broader discussion topics. Anne Alonzo, the AMS administrator, will be at the NOSB meeting 

to chat with the Board members, which will dovetail nicely with the broader conversation. 

o Scheduling/Subcommittee time allotment - The meeting schedule is very tight, and MS asked 

that each of the Subcommittee Chairs look at the time allotment for their Subcommittee to 

make sure it is adequate and let MA know about any concerns or issues. If there isn’t enough 

time to present and discuss the proposals, the Board may have to adjust the public comment 

times. . If we have to trim time, we may have to think about adjusting the public comment 

blocks so the Board has enough discussion time.

o USDA Meeting facilitation contractor - MS indicated that the NOP/AMS is interested in devoting 

some resources to help streamline and facilitate the NOP-NOSB process. This is currently in the 

preliminary planning stages so it may or may not occur at the fall 2013 meeting. 

o Sunset review process - ZS is working with MB and LBrines on ancillary ingredients, which is 

related to this process. The Final notice should be published before the fall meeting. 

o Fall 2013 pre-meeting webinar – MA will work on scheduling this, perhaps on Tuesday October

15 in lieu of the Subcommittee calls. The Handling Subcommittee chair will discuss the need for 

their Subcommittee call with the members to determine if they can donate their hour. 

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update – MA

o Fall 2013 meeting planning update/travel - travel authorizations are nearly complete and once 

we finalize Anne Alonzo’s schedule, the members will be able to make their flight reservations. 

o Fall 2013 meeting agenda. Members will look over the details of the agenda and let MA know if 

there are any changes or corrections that need to be made. A member asked that at the NOSB 

meeting the NOP state for the public record any information about petitions that were 

withdrawn. LB will likely do this during her materials presentation. 

o Timeline check/reminder about revised checklists (HS and LS/CS) - MA reminded the group of 

the impending proposal deadline and asked that the proposals be submitted to the NOP as they 

are voted upon so they can be processed and bundled for posting. 

o Member bios were posted on website

o Meeting materials - MA will resend the poll asking how members would like to receive their 

meeting materials

• NOP news and update – MB. The OIG published phase 2 of the milk operations audit. Overall, their 

findings were that NOP is successfully implementing the pasture rule. The NOP is already addressing the 

finding about inconsistent application of the origin of livestock requirements through development of a 

proposed rule. The NOP sent out a bid for a contract for a project to work with various seed 

organizations to support and promote the organic seed database. The NOP is currently working on the 

response to the Board for the April 2013 NOSB recommendations and hopes to send it to the NOSB this 

month. The NOP has also been working on several documents including: handler certification, a 

proposed rule including §606 items (curry leaves and biodegradeable mulch, and the sunset 2013 final 

rule. All are moving forward and the NOP hopes to have them published before the fall 2013 meeting. A 

member asked about the guidance for handler certification and MB noted that this is final guidance 

pertaining to the October 2010 recommendation from the NOSB originally titled “bulk commodities”.

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)
o Crops (CS) – JFe. Crops has voted on two items –streptomycin and magnesium oxide, and they 

have five aquaculture proposals to go. The streptomycin vote is 3-3, and they are awaiting two 

members to cast votes. JFe asked about moving ahead with the aquaculture materials without a 

system plan in place, to which the Chair replied yes, that’s the plan, although the group 

shouldn’t rush the proposals if they aren’t ready for full Board consideration. The group 

discussed the benefit of submitting the documents for public comment, as opposed to waiting 

for a TR. Crops is also compiling a list of Research Priorities for the Materials Subcommittee. 

o Livestock (LS) – TF. The Subcommittee is working on aquaculture materials, and has voted on 3

and has 3 more to vote on before the deadline. The group is confident they have enough 

background to complete their review. MS noted that the aquaculture tour was very valuable and 

they will have a report soon. The members had a very good discussion on last call about 

methionine in organic poultry feed, and will submit a research priorities topic on methionine 

alternatives. One petitioned material for animal aquaculture (lignin sulfonate) - was withdrawn. 

o Handling (HS) – JFo. The HS is working on PGME and glycerin – which have been voted on but

due to lack of quorum on the last call, the vote was left open. The Subcommittee will have some 

information to post for the sunset 2015 materials at the fall meeting. The HS is also making good 

progress on ancillary substances, and is just waiting for the NOP response. ZS asked to speak 

with MB soon about this to touch base. The group also feels confident that they have identified 

research priorities topics. 

o Policy Development (PDS) – CBo. The PDS is working on several proposals to update the PPM 

(admin and misc updates) and the COI proposal. Two other items (Workplans and Transition of 

Chairs) will be delayed because they are not far enough along. 

o GMO ad hoc- JT. The group is making good progress on the seed purity proposal, which they 

feel might be controversial. In the proposal, they will express the intention to move forward 

with a seed purity standard that includes placing financial burden for testing on patent holders 

and purveyors of GM seed. 

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) – JD. The ACA working group provided input 

about Sound and Sensible, which MS will circulate to the Subcommittee for the August 13 call. 

The group has 3 discussion documents in the works. 

o Materials (MS) – ZS – MS has 4 proposals on the fall agenda: 2 updates to the Petition and TR 

process (CBI and misc updates), Definition of production aids, and the Research Priorities

proposal. The group is proposing to not accept CBI, which will then be folded into the update to 

the petition and TR process. 

• Additional Items. 

o MB summarized the process for presenting the sunset materials, which replaces publishing an 

Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR). The NOP will publish a list of the Sunset 

materials with links to technical information and past NOSB recommendations. The 

Subcommittee chair would simply summarize the materials and any comments that were 

received. A member asked that a notation be added to the listing for the Sunset items regarding 

the status of any TRs, so commenters know to check the website for additional information. 

Another member noted that the language in the ANPR indicated a preliminary stage of review 

and that more work will be done at a later date. To this end, a member asked about adding a 

sentence to the fall agenda indicating that the Sunset items would not be voted upon at this 

meeting. 

o A member asked about the 1 hour time block for the expanded conversation and asked that 

because it isn’t very much time, it be somewhat structured. Members also briefly discussed the 

structure of the pre-meeting webinar to maximize their time. 
o MB informed the group that the research recommendations from the last NOSB are now 

packaged and ready to be sent to the USDA chief scientist which would likely lead to the 

formation of a formal working group, although the farm bill and budget need to move forward 

in order to support research in this area. 

o A member noted that the Handling Subcommittee had a variety of research topics that were not 

necessarily materials related, and were more social in nature.

• The meeting was adjourned

FUTURE CALLS

August 9, 2013 1:00 ET

September 13, 2013 1:00 ET

Discuss workplans

October 11, 2013 1:00 ET

Finalize workplans for fall 2013 NOSB meeting

Fall 2013 Milestones Target date

NOP – Complete tentative agenda August 9, 2013

Fall 2013 proposals due to NOP August 27, 2013

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment September 3, 2013

Subcommittees submit tentative workplans to NOP September 11, 2013

Discuss workplans on ES call September 13, 2013

NOP provides written comments on workplans to NOSB September 23, 2013

Public comment closes October 1, 2013

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~October 7, 2013

Workplans finalized on ES call October 11, 2013

Fall 2013 NOSB Meeting – Louisville, KY October 22-24, 2013
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to 

or removal from the National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy or 

regulations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used in 

organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 

Executive Subcommittee (ES) Meeting Notes

Friday, September 13, 2013, 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Mac Stone (MS) (Chair), John Foster (JFo) (Vice-Chair, Handling Chair), Jay Feldman (JFe) (Crops 

Chair), and Zea Sonnabend (ZS) (Materials Chair), Colehour Bondera (CBo) (PDS Chair), Wendy Fulwider (WF), 

Harold Austin (HA), Jennifer Taylor (JT) (GMO ad hoc Chair), Joe Dickson (JD) (CACS Chair), Jean Richardson (JR), 

Calvin Walker (CW) (Secretary)

Absent: Tracy Favre (TF)

Guests: Kevin Bryan (KB) (Meridian Institute)

Staff: Miles McEvoy (MM), Melissa Bailey (MB), Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Call to Order - MS

• Approval of Notes - August 9, 2013

• Chairs Report

o Evaluation

o Workplans 

o Pre-meeting webinar Oct 16 

o Plans for Monday & Friday (pre-and post- meeting)

o Board dinner plans/OMRI Reception

o NOSB meeting with USDA/AMS Administrator Anne L. Alonzo

o Broader Organic discussion (Tuesday AM)

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update - MA

o Fall 2013 meeting planning update/travel

o Fall 2013 meeting agenda (attached)

o Public comment-oral (attached) and written

o 2014 Meeting plans (San Antonio and DC)

o COI/DOI spreadsheet

o Webinar-test link for ReadyTalk

• NOP news and update - MB

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)

o Livestock (LS) - TF

o Handling (HS) - JFo

o Policy Development (PDS) - CBo 

o GMO ad hoc- JT 

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) – JD

o Materials (MS) - ZS 

o Crops (CS) - JFe

• Additional Items

• Adjourn 
Discussion

• The meeting was called to order 

• Notes from August 9, 2013 were approved with no changes

• Chairs Report

o The Chair noted that Kevin Bryan of the Meridian Institute will participate on the call to discuss 

the evaluation/assessment that they will conduct to review the NOP-NOSB processes.

o Workplans. There was a discussion during the Policy Development call about using a process by 

which early draft proposals or executive summaries could be reviewed by the NOP to pre-vet 

them before work progresses. 

o Pre-meeting webinar Oct 16 (1.5 hours). The Subcommittee Chairs should decide which 

proposals to discuss since our time is limited. The goal is to make sure everyone is familiar with 

all the proposals and is aware of any that might need more in-depth discussion. The Chair will 

confirm on the October 11 Executive call what will be presented. 

o Plans for pre-and post- NOSB meeting. The Board members will meet with the Agricultural 

Marketing Service (AMS) Administrator, Anne Alonzo (AA). MS will work with AA to structure the 

discussion so we can maximize our time. MS also discussed opportunities for a visit to the 

Kentucky State University aquaculture facility, as well as other tour opportunities if people have 

free personal time. 

o OMRI is planning a reception that will occur the Monday evening before the NOSB meeting

o One-hour long broader organic discussion Tuesday morning. MS asked the members to think 

about topics or ideas on which to focus. MS will then send a list to the members as far in 

advance as possible so they can provide feedback and prepare. The intention is for the NOP and 

NOSB to participate in this discussion. The Board Vice Chair suggested the group think 

strategically and not transactionally, and think about topics such as future directions for the 

Board, and where the NOSB should be in 10 years: Bigger, philosophical ideas that they rarely 

have time to think about. MS noted that the conversation with Administrator Alonzo could help 

inform this discussion, and so they may not have the discussion fleshed out until the night 

before. A member suggested thinking about the various stakeholder groups and the intersection 

between that and the law, because it is important for members of the public to recognize that 

they are represented. MM added that they could also have a broad conversation about the 

Secretary’s initiative on organic agriculture. 

o The Chair announced that WF will not be able to attend the fall meeting

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update - MA

o Fall 2013 meeting planning update/travel

o Fall 2013 meeting agenda - will be revised once the public comment period closes and the oral 

commenters schedule is compiled.

o Public comment: oral and written. So far there aren’t many comments, or people signed up to 

give oral testimony yet. 

o 2014 Meeting plans (San Antonio and DC). MA posted the tentative hotel information on the 

NOSB website 

o COI/DOI spreadsheet. MA will have this ready and sent to the Board members in the next week 

so they can declare any interests or identify any conflicts of interest. Additionally, this 

spreadsheet will contain a complete list and links to all of the items to be discussed at the fall 

meeting and will be a good resource as members review the proposals. 

o Webinar. MA asked that the members test the webinar link (ReadyTalk) prior to the pre-meeting 

webinar to make sure it works, and if it doesn’t they have enough time to call the HelpDesk 

number which was included in the email invitation. 
• NOP news and update - MM

o An evaluation/organizational assessment will be conducted over the next few months. Kevin 

Bryan (KB) of the Meridian Institute, who will be conducting the assessment, introduced himself 

and noted the main goals for the assessment and the process by which it will unfold. It will 

include such things as strengths of the NOSB, areas for improvement, and the relationship 

between the NOP and NOSB. They hope to complete the interviews before the October Board

meeting, and will attend the meeting to observe the process. After the meeting they will provide 

a draft report with feedback.

o The NOP just published revised certificate instructions after conversations with certifiers. 

o The trade agreement with Japan is moving forward, and the NOP will likely be able to announce 

it at Expo East next week in Baltimore

• The Chair indicated that the members will have more discussion about agenda items that were removed 

from the fall agenda by the NOP, non National List topics, and workplan items. 

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)

o Livestock (LS) - WF. There are 4 aquaculture proposals and two others for fall 2013 meeting. 

There are three projects for the spring 2014 meeting. 

o Handling (HS) - JFo. HS proposed several items for the fall 2013 meeting. For 2014 there are four 

sunset proposals for the spring, and ~10 to be summarized in the fall (which will be voted on in

the spring of 2015). The HS is ahead of the sunset schedule and reviewing these ahead of time 

will help future Boards. In addition to the Sunset materials, they are also reviewing ancillary 

substances.

o Policy Development (PDS) - CBo highlighted the COI proposal and urged all members to review it

so they are familiar with the document and are ready to discuss it at the meeting. Additionally 

there are two other proposals for the fall 2013 meeting: Administrative updates to the PPM as 

well as Miscellaneous updates. CBo noted that in light of the new Sunset Policy, one of the items 

on the workplan (Decisive/Indecisive votes) would have to be reviewed. The PDS proposed the 

following workplan items for 2014 workplan: an update to the New Member Guide;

Subcommittee procedures for development of proposals, which would include the NOP criteria 

for determining whether or not a proposal should go forth; communication strategies for 

communicating with the Secretary of Agriculture; and an update to the Subcommittee workplan 

procedures. 

o GMO ad hoc- JT. The GMO ad hoc Subcommittee will review the comments about GMOs at the 

meeting even though they do not have a document to present. There are several items 

proposed on the future workplan: A discussion document on the Terminology for Excluded 

Methods; a document to define the impact of GMOs and farming; Prevention Strategy Guidance 

for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling, Tracing GMOs in the Input/Ingredient Chain, Seed 

Purity, and Farmers Choice. JD asked for clarification about this item.

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) - JD. There are three discussion documents for 

the fall agenda; Retail Certification, Sound & Sensible, and the use of 205.206(e). Each was 

written to elicit public comment for the development of proposals for the spring 2014 meeting. 

A member noted that he sent an email to CACS about potentially adding an item on biodiversity

to the CACS workplan. JD noted that the CACS will discuss this document on the next conference 

call. The NOP asked for a copy of this document, because the department is also working on 

biodiversity with a focus on the responsibilities of certified operations and certifiers. The goal is 

to streamline how organic operators, who are already doing conservation planning under NRCS 

to meet the organic requirements for biodiversity/natural resources, can also meet the organic 

requirements. MM noted the NOP is also looking at the peer review process and will send a 
memo to the Board about such. He indicated that the Board could have a role in developing this 

document. 

o Materials (MS) - ZS. The group expressed concern about the NOP’s decision not to post the 

Production Aids document. MS recognized the political realities but also would like to find a 

way to not be reactionary. JFe feels that the justification that was cited about why the 

document was pulled was not robust and is upset that there was no chance for discussion prior 

to this action by NOP. No well-developed WP for spring 2014. There may be a WP item 

depending on outcome at fall meeting. LB suggested that the MS might meet once a month 

instead of twice based on the impending workload. The Subcommittee Chair expressed concern 

that we are talking about reducing the number of people on the Subcommittees and reducing 

the number of calls. Often MS doesn’t make quorum. Uniformity in Subcommittee size varies 

based on Workload. 

o Crops (CS) – JFe. Crops has a very full spring 2014 agenda, including the aquaculture petitions 

that were deferred from the fall 2013 meeting, and contamination issues in farm inputs. The 

Subcommittee would like to report at the fall meeting on their progress about this issue, and 

would also like to get more feedback from the NOP. The thought is to develop either a 

discussion document or proposal for the spring 2014 meeting. All of the aquaculture proposals

were “tabled” and are not moving forward for the fall meeting. There are several items on the 

workplan for spring 2014: Sulfurous acid, sodium carbonate perhydroxide, aqueous potassium 

silicate, carbon monoxide and 3 sunset 2015 materials. Biodegradable mulch guidance seems to 

have dropped off the agenda, but the Subcommittee would still like to provide guidance to the 

NOP even though the NOP has already published guidance, if there is an opportunity to. MB 

discussed the proposed rule and the public comment period. 

• Additional Items –MA asked that the Subcommittee chairs submit their proposed workplans so the NOP 

can provide clear feedback about what they can and can’t allow prior to the last ES call before the fall 

meeting. 

• The meeting was adjourned. 

FUTURE CALLS

August 9, 2013 1:00 ET

September 13, 2013 1:00 ET

Discuss workplans

October 11, 2013 1:00 ET (CANCELLED DUE TO GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN)

Finalize workplans for fall 2013 NOSB meeting

November 8, 2013 1:00 ET

December 13, 2013 1:00 ET

Fall 2013 Milestones Target date

NOP – Complete tentative agenda August 9, 2013

Fall 2013 proposals due to NOP August 27, 2013

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment September 3, 2013

Subcommittees submit tentative workplans to NOP September 11, 2013
Discuss workplans on ES call September 13, 2013

NOP provides written comments on workplans to NOSB September 23, 2013

Public comment closes October 1, 2013

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~October 7, 2013

Workplans finalized on ES call CANCELLED DUE TO GOV’T 

SHUTDOWN

Fall 2013 NOSB Meeting – Louisville, KY CANCELLED DUE TO GOV’T 

SHUTDOWN
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to 

or removal from the National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy or 

regulations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used in 

organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 

Executive Subcommittee (ES) Meeting Notes

Friday, November 15, 2013, 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Mac Stone (MS) (Chair), John Foster (JFo) (Vice-Chair, Handling Chair), Jay Feldman (JFe) (Crops 

Chair), and Zea Sonnabend (ZS) (Materials Chair), Colehour Bondera (CBo) (PDS Chair), Harold Austin (HA), 

Jennifer Taylor (JT) (GMO ad hoc Chair), Jean Richardson (JR), Tracy Favre (TF), Wendy Fulwider (WF), Joe 

Dickson (JD) (CACS Chair), Calvin Walker (CW) (Secretary

Absent: none

Staff: Miles McEvoy (MM), Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Call to Order - MS

• Approval of Notes - September 13, 2013

• Chairs Report

o Draft workplans

o February Training agenda

o Subcommittee assignments

o Fall/Spring timeline

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update - MA

o Travel/logistics for February training

o New conference number reminder

• NOP news and update - MM

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)

o Handling (HS) - JFo

o Policy Development (PDS) - CBo 

o GMO ad hoc- JT 

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) – JD

o Materials (MS) - ZS 

o Crops (CS) - JFe

o Livestock (LS) - TF

• Additional Items

• Adjourn 

Discussion

• The meeting was called to order 

• Notes from September 13, 2013 were approved without changes

• Chairs Report

o Draft workplans. Workplans were circulated prior to the call. 

o February Training agenda. Both the NOSB and NOP are aware of the fact that the meeting is for 

training and not to make deliberations and recommendations. It will be an opportunity to have a 

group discussion about NOSB/NOP processes. Members discussed specifics about the agenda, 
including such things as who will be leading particular sections, the overall structure of the 

training and if the AMS Deputy Administrator Anne Alonzo as well as other AMS or USDA 

officials would be able to attend. The training will be structure as a workshop and will include 

short presentations and time for discussion and questions. Since this is a training there will be 

no formal minutes recorded. A member asked that MS and JTu, who will be facilitating the 

training, solicit questions ahead of time to better focus the presentations. MM asked for 

additional suggestions from the Board members so they can be incorporated into the agenda. 

o Subcommittee assignments. The group discussed various components of the new 

Subcommittees such as criteria for workplans, transparency, and public involvement. A member 

noted that it would be helpful to know what is considered public and what is internal as 

sometimes it is not clear and is open to interpretation. The group discussed the proposed 

Subcommittee assignments and the decision to hybridize Subcommittees: GMO ad 

hoc/Materials, and Livestock/Aquaculture. The NOSB Chair noted that there were several 

factors that informed this decision such as current workload, and asked for additional feedback 

from the members. Several members noted some assignments that needed to be corrected, 

which the NOSB Chair will fix. A member asked about the timing of the transition, which will 

occur after the next set of Subcommittee meetings. The NOSB Vice Chair added that it was not 

critical that the Subcommittees change January 24, when the leadership of the Board 

transitions, and it seems more functional to do it sooner to maximize the work time between 

meetings. A member asked about the Crops aquaculture proposals and how they will be 

evaluated in light of the newly designated Livestock/AQ Subcommittee. The Board Chair noted 

that since the two committees overlap in membership it will not affect the workflow. 

o Fall/Spring timeline. The new timeline was added to the meeting notes for each Subcommittee 

and the Chair asked that everyone review it. 

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update - MA

o Travel/logistics for February training - Everyone should have received their GovTrip 

authorizations and can proceed with making their flight arrangements.

o New conference number reminder

• NOP news and update - MM gave a very brief update, as he was travelling and did not have a stable 

connection. The NOP will schedule a one hour phone call with the Board prior to the training to talk 

about Sunset so during the February training the conversations can be more targeted. 

• Subcommittee Reports

o Handling (HS) - JFo. There are four materials that would have been completed at the fall 2013 

meeting that was cancelled, and will go forward to the spring meeting. The workplan that 

includes the 2016 sunsets is progressing. Potentially the Handling Subcommittee may need 

more time on the spring agenda than what was allotted to them for the fall 2013 meeting. 

o Policy Development (PDS) - CBo. The PDS Chair noted an item that was removed from the 

workplan regarding updating the process by which workplans are developed. The PDS 

requested further discussion about codifying and clarifying the workplan criteria so the 

members know what is expected. MM noted that the NOP already provided information about 

criteria in response to the workplan. The NOP has drafted additional clarification regarding 

workplans and will send that to the NOSB soon. MM added that the memo about ancillary 

substances is nearly ready and will be sent to Board. 

o GMO ad hoc - JT. The GMO ad hoc Subcommittee met yesterday and discussed the need for 

clarity from the program about what they will and won’t allow on the workplan, and the criteria 

they use to make those decisions. The Subcommittee would also like to develop a mechanism to 

account for documents that are developed but are not carried through to the recommendation 

stage, for transparencies sake. The GMO ad hoc Chair emphasized that it’s important to convey 
the sentiment of the Subcommittees and Board whether or not a document becomes a 

recommendation. 

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) - JD. The CACS has not met yet since the fall 

meeting was cancelled and as such had no update. 

o Materials (MS) - ZS. The Research Priorities were postponed and will be undertaken at the 

spring 2014 meeting. The Subcommittee received very few comments on the fall proposals 

except for Confidential Business Information (CBI), and will discuss whether or not they will 

revise it. The Materials Subcommittee chose to conduct calls once a month instead of twice, 

based on a smaller workload. 

o Crops (CS) - JFe. The Crops Chair discussed the workplan for the time leading up to the spring 

2014 NOSB meeting. The Subcommittee had to reschedule two speakers to discuss aquaculture; 

will review three 2015 sunset materials, and two 2016 sunsets; review several petitions still in 

the queue, and also move forward with several projects such as contaminations in farm inputs. 

The Crops Subcommittee has submitted a summary to the NOP about Contaminants in Farm 

Inputs and is awaiting a response. It’s possible that because of a large workload Crops may need 

more time on the agenda for the spring 2014 NOSB meeting. 

o Livestock (LS) - TF. The Livestock Subcommittee has several items in the queue from the last 

meeting, and several items that will need to be reassigned based on the new committee 

structure. 

• Additional Items. The NOSB Chair expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the group for their 

professionalism and willingness to work productively with each other during this time of transition. 

• The meeting was adjourned 

FUTURE CALLS

October 11, 2013 1:00 ET (CANCELLED)

Finalize workplans for fall 2013 NOSB meeting

November 15, 2013 1:00 ET

December 13, 2013 1:00 ET

January 10, 2014 1:00 ET

February 14, 2014 1:00 ET

March 14, 2014 1:00 ET

April 11, 2014 2014 1:00 ET

May 9, 2014 2014 1:00 ET

Fall 2013 Milestones Target date

NOP – Complete tentative agenda August 9, 2013

Fall 2013 proposals due to NOP August 27, 2013

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment September 3, 2013

Subcommittees submit tentative workplans to NOP September 11, 2013

Discuss workplans on ES call September 13, 2013
NOP provides written comments on workplans to NOSB September 23, 2013

Public comment closes October 1, 2013

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~October 7, 2013

Workplans finalized on ES call CANCELLED DUE

Fall 2013 NOSB Meeting – Louisville, KY CANCELLED

Spring 2014 Milestones Target date

Subcommittee requests technical reports for Sunset 2016 substances Jan 15, 2014

NOSB Training meeting Feb 4 - 5, 2014

NOP – Complete tentative agenda Feb 7, 2014

Fall 2013 proposals due to NOP Feb 26, 2014

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment Mar 10, 2014

Subcommittees submit tentative workplans to NOP Mar 12, 2014

Discuss workplans on ES call Mar 14, 2014

NOP provides written comments on workplans to NOSB Mar 28, 2014

Public comment closes Apr 8, 2014

Workplans finalized on ES call Apr 11, 2014

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 14, 2014

Spring 2014 NOSB Meeting – San Antonio, TX ~Apr 28- May 1, 2014
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to 

or removal from the National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy or 

regulations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used in 

organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 

Executive Subcommittee (ES) Meeting Notes

Friday, December 13, 2013, 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Mac Stone, Chair (MS), John Foster, Vice Chair (JFo), Materials/GMO ad hoc Chair (CW), Zea 

Sonnabend, Crops Chair (ZS), (Materials Chair), Jean Richardson, PDS Chair (JR), Harold Austin, Handling Chair

(HA), Tracy Favre, Livestock/Aquaculture Chair (TF), Carmela Beck, CACS Chair (CBe), Colehour (CBo) - sitting in, 

Jay Feldman (JFe) - sitting in

Absent: Calvin Walker, Secretary (CW)

Staff: Miles McEvoy (MM), Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Call to Order - MS

• Approval of Notes - November 15, 2013

• Chairs Report

o Workplans: Plans for spring 2014 

o SC Transition

o February training - suggestions for agenda/topics/pre-questions? 

o Sunset process follow up 

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update - MA

o Travel/logistics for February training

• NOP news and update - MM

• Subcommittee Reports (5 minutes each)

o Policy Development (PDS) - JR

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) - CW

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) – CBe

o Crops (CS) - ZS

o Livestock/Aquaculture (LS/AQ) – TF

o Handling (HS) - HA

• Additional Items

• Adjourn 

Discussion

• The meeting was called to order 

• Notes from November 15, 2013 were approved with no changes.

• Chairs Report

o Workplans: Each of the Subcommittees has been working on their plans for the spring 2014

meeting, and the NOSB Chair noted that sunset review materials will dominate the workplans

for Handling, Crops, and Livestock over the next couple of years. The PDS is working to update

the Policy and Procedures Manual and will let the members know about the planned changes. 

MA will add a separate table with future possible ideas for projects to Subcommittee notes as a 
way to keep track of mid- and long-term ideas. This idea was discussed on the CACS call and 

approved by the NOP. These lists will be kept separate from approved workplan items.

o Subcommittee Transition: The Chair thanked everyone for a smooth transition of Subcommittee 

assignments and organization. 

o February training: MS and MM asked that the members send them suggestions for topics, 

questions and desired goals for the February training, so that they can be incorporated into the 

agenda. Please send that information to MS and MA. 

o Sunset-process follow up: The group will discuss this again at the February training.

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update - MA

o Travel/logistics for February training. MA asked that the members please make their flight 

arrangements as soon as possible. The training will likely be held in two different locations: one 

day in the USDA Building and one day in the conference room at the hotel.

• NOP news and update

o The USDA/Secretary’s award was given to NOP in partnership with FAS for their work on the 

US/EU equivalency arrangement. 

o The new Korean organic regulations are scheduled to go into effect January 1, 2014 which will 

stop U.S. organic products that don’t have Korean certification from being imported into Korea. 

There is a lot of interest in the Korean market; the USDA is working on a strategy to continue 

market access. 

o This past week, the NOP sent two memos to the NOSB. One addressed the eligibility of petitions 

for non-organic substances to the National List for use in personal care products. The second 

memo requested that the NOSB review the use of phosphoric acid for pH adjustment of liquid 

fish products. This substance was petitioned for addition to the National List in 2002 and at that 

time the NOP determined that the petition was not necessary and did not send it to the NOSB 

for review. 

o A member asked about the substances used in personal care products, specifically potassium 

hydroxide. She noted that there are some “organic” soaps that contain up to 30%, which is 

higher than the allowance levels for food, and it seems that the NOSB could clarify that 

allowance discrepancy. The NOP acknowledged that the personal care issue is complicated and 

suggested that perhaps ‘standards for personal care items’ would be a worthwhile topic for the 

NOSB to address. 

o The NOP and NOSB will engage in a more in-depth discussion about the Sunset review timeline 

at the February training.

o The NOP is currently working on several memos and guidance documents: a memo about 

ancillary substances that will likely be available in January; a memo about peer review panels, 

which are required under OFPA and the Regulation, for which the department is considering 

utilizing the expertise of the NOSB; instruction about Organic System Plans (OSPs), which should 

be published next week; and final guidance on handling unpackaged organic products.. 

o Currently the NOP is undergoing an accreditation program peer review which is required as part 

of its quality system plan. The audit is being conducted by ANSI (American National Standards 

Institute) and should be completed in the summer of 2014. A summary of results will be 

released in a public document. 

• Subcommittee Reports

o Policy Development (PDS) - JR. The Subcommittee agreed to not present the three fall 2013 

documents at the spring 2014 NOSB meeting. Instead the PDS, along with the NOP, will develop 

two documents for spring 2014 describing a plan for the separation of the Policy and Procedures

Manual into two documents: (1) A member guide containing policy and administrative materials 

driven by NOP; and (2) a manual containing policy and procedures under the purview of the 
NOSB that would be subject to public comment and voting. For the spring 2014 meeting, the 

PDS will write a discussion document outlining the goals for these two documents and the NOP 

will write a similar document with the department’s perspective and thoughts. The PDS Chair 

acknowledged the effort that the Subcommittee members put into the previous documents and 

noted that the past work will be incorporated into the new documents and would not be lost. 

The PDS will only meet as needed but will leave the scheduled call dates on the calendar.

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) - ZS. A new draft of the Seed Purity document was developed 

and both the MS and NOP are currently reviewing it. The group is planning on submitting it as a 

report, not a proposal, for the spring 2014 meeting. The fall 2013 agenda items will be carried 

forth to the spring meeting and the members are working on a discussion document about 

Excluded Methods Terminology for fall 2014. The Subcommittee has moved to once-a-month 

calls.

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) - CBe. The CACS plans to bring all three fall 

2013 discussion documents to the spring 2014 meeting. The retail certification discussion 

document will be revised and may be put forth as another discussion document or possibly a 

proposal. The group may add some questions to the Best practices - How certifiers apply 

205.206(e) discussion document and turn it into a proposal. The subject of Sound & Sensible 

will be updated verbally at the meeting. 

o Crops (CS) - ZS. The Subcommittee is organizing the spring workplan, and the Chair indicated 

that Crops will have a few additional items beyond what was supposed to go to the fall 2013 

meeting. They have reviewed several TRs and sent some back for additional work. The group is 

currently working with the NOP on a discussion document about “Contaminants in Farm 

Inputs”. The NOP would like this initial document to be a literature review. 

o Livestock/Aquaculture (LS/AQ) - TF. The newly merged Subcommittees had a really useful 

discussion on the last call and are working on integrating the aquaculture materials into the 

workplan. Lead reviewers were assigned to the aquaculture materials and the members 

discussed the preparation of the checklists so they are more uniform and represent both the 

minority and majority opinions. A guest speaker from Oregon Tilth will participate on the next 

call to discuss plant aquaculture and the LS Chair asked that the members send her specific 

questions so she can forward them. The Subcommittee is also prepping for the 2017 sunset

reviews. 

o Handling (HS) - HA. JFo accepted the Vice Chair position of Handling. The group has a very heavy 

workload for 2014 including summarizing the fall 2013 public comments, and review of the 2015 

and 2016 Sunset Materials. They are currently awaiting a TR for microorganisms, which is one of 

the 2015 sunset materials and will be the test material for the new ancillary substances review 

process. The Chair noted that the TR requests for the 2016 sunsets need to be requested by 

mid-January 2014 and the due date for 2017 TR requests is July 2014. Since there are many 

materials and a short time frame, the NOP will help identify which ones might need TRs and 

which may not. The Chair asked for volunteers to help with the Sunset reviews as the work 

progresses. Please send HA and MS an email.

• Additional Items. 

o All of the Subcommittee rosters have been set including the designation of all Vice Chairs. FT is 

Vice Chair for Crops, JFe for PDS, JD for CACS and LS, JFo for HS, and ZS for MS. 

o A member reminded the group that a recent email was sent containing information about 

National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) research grants. The grants will support organic 

livestock and crop producers. MM noted that the NOSB’s Research Priorities recommendation 

has contributed to this initiative. 

• The meeting was adjourned 
FUTURE CALLS

November 15, 2013 1:00 ET

December 13, 2013 1:00 ET

January 10, 2014 1:00 ET

February 14, 2014 1:00 ET

March 14, 2014 1:00 ET

April 11, 2014 2014 1:00 ET

May 9, 2014 2014 1:00 ET

Spring 2014 Milestones Target date

Subcommittee requests technical reports for Sunset 2016 substances Jan 15, 2014

NOSB Training meeting Feb 4 - 5, 2014

NOP – Complete tentative agenda Feb 7, 2014

Fall 2013 proposals due to NOP Feb 26, 2014

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment Mar 10, 2014

Subcommittees submit tentative workplans to NOP Mar 12, 2014

Discuss workplans on ES call Mar 14, 2014

NOP provides written comments on workplans to NOSB Mar 28, 2014

Public comment closes Apr 8, 2014

Workplans finalized on ES call Apr 11, 2014

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 14, 2014

Spring 2014 NOSB Meeting – San Antonio, TX ~Apr 28- May 1, 2014