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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Wednesday, January 9, 2013, 3:00pm EDT

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Wendy Fulwider (WF) (Vice chair), Mac Stone (MS), Calvin Walker 

(CW), Colehour Bondera (CBo), Nick Maravell (NM), Joe Dickson (JD)

Absent: Jean Richardson (JR)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA) (Advisory Board Specialist (ABS)), Scott Updike (SU) 

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Name National 

List 

Section

Rvwr Meeting Technical 

Review 

requested 

(TR)?

Vote Notes

Amino Acids for 

Pet Food 

proposal

2012 Original 

Petition

205.603 MS Spr 2013 Yes Petition sent to LS on 2/7/12. Petition 

found sufficient. TR forwarded to 

contractor 03 20 12. TR sent to LS 08 

06 12. TR deemed sufficient 08 16 12. 

Withdrawn at fall 2012 NOSB mtg

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed proposal

205.603 MS Fall 2013 Yes TR received 11/15/11. 

Aquaculture -

Chlorine 

proposal

205.609

205.611

JD Spr 2013 No

Crops 2011 TR

Crops 2006 TR

Crops 1995 TR

Livestock 2006 

TR

Handling 2006 

TR

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 07 03 12. No 

TR requested

Aquaculture –

Tocopherols

205.611 CW/

CBo

Spr 2013 Yes

1995 TAP rvw

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 08 06 12. TR 

requested 08 06 12

Aquaculture –

Vitamins 

proposal

205.611 CW Spr 2013 Yes Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Response due ~07/30/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12. Requested 

joint TR with Minerals 08 06 12

Aquaculture -

Trace Minerals 

Petition

205.611 CW Spr 2013 Yes Petition sent to LS on 06/08/12. 

Response due ~08/08/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12? Requested 

joint TR with Vitamins 08 06 12

Aquaculture –

Lignin sulfonate 

(feed binder)

205.601 CW/J

D? Spr 2013

Yes

Feb 2011 TR –

(Crops)

Petition sent to LC on 06/18/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12
Petitioned Materials

Sodium chlorite, 

Acidified (SCA)

205.603 CW/J

D?

Fall 2013 2008 TR Petition sent to LS on 06/12/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12

Subcommittee Projects

Proposal NL 

Section

Rvwr Meeting Technical 

Review?

Vote Notes

Omnivore diets 

(methionine)-

proposal

TF/C

W Fall 2013 Yes Disc doc from Fall 2012

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines fall 

2012 update)

JR/N

M

Spr 2013 

Fall 2013

Yes (revised 

and sent 

12/5/11)

TR sent to LC on 6/23/11; Sufficiency 

response rec'd 10/26/2011; revised TR 

sent to LC 12/5/11; TR accepted as 

sufficient on 2/7/12

Fall 2012 Proposal 

* Highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve notes from December 18 call

• Discuss Chlorine checklist

• Update on Canadian organic aquaculture transcripts

• Methionine (in organic poultry feed)

• Pet food amino acids

• Recap/discussion of the aquaculture call.

Discussion:

• Notes from the December 18 call approved with no changes.

• Recap/discussion of the January 7 aquaculture call - the overall consensus was that the history

and background information was helpful but the group was disappointed that there was little

time for questions, so they would like to continue the discussion. The plan is to continue having 

conversations to glean more information and specificity, and be able to use that, and hopefully

the as-yet-to-be-completed proposed rule when evaluating the substances. The members felt 

that if the rule isn’t available it will make the future work difficult, and asked if the proposed 

rule would actually provide guidance that would be helpful for evaluating the substances. The 

group suggested asking Max Mayeaux to participate on another call to help clarify specific 

questions, and give a little more background. MS suggested adding extra calls to work on this 

and the group discussed having combined calls with Crops for more general info, then getting 

into specifics. Members also discussed the possibility of engaging Dr. Mayeaux in reviewing the 

checklist, as was discussed with the Crops Subcommittee. There is time on the agenda for 

aquaculture at the spring 2013 meeting.

• The Subcommittee discussed the Chlorine checklist, and decided that without the aquaculture 

piece it would be prudent to put off voting on this. The group agreed that it’s difficult to come to

a decision about materials without a proposed rule. The members decided to write first drafts 

then when the proposed rule is ready, finish the documents, and then vote. The chair asked 

about using the chlorine checklist as an example or test case to put forth to the community for 

comment for the spring meeting. CW suggested making the document broader, with chlorine as 

a specific example. The group discussed the specifics of the checklist and made some minor 

edits: CBo will circulate the checklist he wrote for Crops
• Update on Canadian organic aquaculture transcripts – several documents were circulated to the 

group prior to the call. 

• Methionine proposal might be delayed until the fall (change noted in table above). Results from 

the working group (WG) are delayed which will likely delay the entire process. The checklist is 

complete but the NOP is making some technical edits.

• JR, WF and CW noted that they visited an aquaculture facility in Providence while at the fall 

2012 meeting and felt it was extremely useful to see the processes first hand.

• Pet food amino acids-discussion deferred to next call due to lack of time.

Future Call Schedule:

January 9, 2013 3:00 EST

Discuss Chlorine checklist

Update on Canadian organic aquaculture transcripts

Discuss Methionine update

Pet Food Amino Acids checklist

January 15, 2013 3:00 EST

Continue Discussion on Chlorine checklist

Discuss pet food amino acids checklist/proposal

February 5, 2013 3:00 EST

February 19, 2013 3:00 EST

March 5, 2013 3:00 EST

March 19, 2013 3:00 EST

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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Wednesday, January 15, 2013, 3:00pm EDT

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Wendy Fulwider (WF) (Vice chair), Colehour Bondera (CBo), 

Absent: Jean Richardson (JR), Mac Stone (MS), Nick Maravell (NM), Joe Dickson (JD), Calvin Walker (CW)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA) (Advisory Board Specialist (ABS)), Scott Updike (SU) 

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Name National 

List 

Section

Rvwr Meeting Technical 

Review 

requested 

(TR)?

Vote Notes

Amino Acids for 

Pet Food 

proposal

2012 Original 

Petition

205.603 MS Spr 2013 Yes Petition sent to LS on 2/7/12. Petition 

found sufficient. TR forwarded to 

contractor 03 20 12. TR sent to LS 08 

06 12. TR deemed sufficient 08 16 12. 

Withdrawn at fall 2012 NOSB mtg

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed proposal

205.603 MS Fall 2013 Yes TR received 11/15/11. 

Aquaculture -

Chlorine 

proposal

205.609

205.611

JD Fall 2013 No

Crops 2011 TR

Crops 2006 TR

Crops 1995 TR

Livestock 2006 

TR

Handling 2006 

TR

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 07 03 12. No 

TR requested

Aquaculture –

Tocopherols

205.611 CW/C

Bo

Fall 2013 Yes

1995 TAP rvw

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 08 06 12. TR 

requested 08 06 12

Aquaculture –

Vitamins 

proposal

205.611 CW Fall 2013 Yes Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Response due ~07/30/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12. Requested 

joint TR with Minerals 08 06 12

Aquaculture -

Trace Minerals 

Petition

205.611 CW Fall 2013 Yes Petition sent to LS on 06/08/12. 

Response due ~08/08/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12? Requested 

joint TR with Vitamins 08 06 12

Aquaculture –

Lignin sulfonate 205.601 CW/JD? Fall 2013 Yes

Feb 2011 TR –

Petition sent to LC on 06/18/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 
Petitioned Materials

(feed binder) (Crops) requested on 9/18/12

Sodium chlorite, 

Acidified (SCA)

205.603 CW/J

D?

Fall 2013 2008 TR Petition sent to LS on 06/12/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12

Subcommittee Projects

Proposal NL 

Section

Rvwr Meeting Technical 

Review?

Vote Notes

Omnivore diets 

(methionine)-

proposal

TF/C

W Fall 2013 Yes Disc doc from Fall 2012

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/N

M

Spr 2013 

Fall 2013

Yes (revised 

and sent 

12/5/11)

TR sent to LC on 6/23/11; Sufficiency 

response rec'd 10/26/2011; revised TR 

sent to LC 12/5/11; TR accepted as 

sufficient on 2/7/12

Fall 2012 Proposal 

* Highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve notes from January 9, 2013 call

• Continue Discussion on Chlorine checklist

• Discuss pet food amino acids checklist/proposal

Discussion:

• Notes from the January 9 call not approved due to lack of quorum.

• The Chlorine checklist discussion was deferred until the lead person could participate. CBo noted that he 

completed a checklist for Chlorine for the Crops Subcommittee that could be applicable for Livestock as well, 

and would like to discuss this further. While waiting for the aquaculture practice-standards-proposed rule to be 

published by the NOP, the group feels it is wise to delay the vote until they know how the standards would allow 

that substance to be used.

• Pet Food Amino Acids: The National List Manager (LBrines) asked the group to prepare two checklists: one for 

Taurine for cats and one for all the other amino acids. TF will contact MS about this. 

• Aquaculture. The group discussed various aspects of the aquaculture schedule, and a member asked that the 

chair connect CW and Max Mayeaux, Program Specialist USDA/NIFA, since CW has already done a large amount 

of research and work. The same member also noted that this situation is complicated by the fact that a lot of 

time has lapsed since the initiation of the aquaculture materials, without the publication of a rule. The chair will 

work with the NOSB chair to schedule upcoming aquaculture calls for the Crops and Livestock subcommittees.

For clarification, the NOP added that the NOSB is now reviewing substances that were originally petitioned in 

2007 and 2008 because the Aquaculture Working Group had petitioned the various synthetic substances for 

addition to the National List after the NOSB had recommended regulatory language to the NOP. The group will 

continue this discussion on the next call. 
Future Call Schedule:

January 9, 2013 3:00 EST

Discuss Chlorine checklist

Update on Canadian organic aquaculture transcripts

Discuss Methionine update

Pet Food Amino Acids checklist

January 15, 2013 3:00 EST

Continue Discussion on Chlorine checklist - deferred to next call

Discuss pet food amino acids checklist/proposal

February 5, 2013 3:00 EST

Continue Discussion on Chlorine checklist

Continue discussion/vote on pet Food Amino Acids checklists

February 19, 2013 3:00 EST

March 5, 2013 3:00 EST

March 19, 2013 3:00 EST

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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Wednesday, February 5, 2013, 3:00pm EDT

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Wendy Fulwider (WF) (Vice chair), Colehour Bondera (CBo), Jean 

Richardson (JR), Mac Stone (MS), Nick Maravell (NM), Joe Dickson (JD), Calvin Walker (CW), Francis 

Thicke (FT)

Absent: none

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA) (Advisory Board Specialist (ABS)), Scott Updike (SU) 

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Name National 

List 

Section

Rvwr Meeting Technical 

Review 

requested 

(TR)?

Vote Notes

2012 Amino 

Acids for Pet 

Food proposal

2012 Original 

Petition

205.603 MS Spr 2013 Yes 02 05 

13

Petition sent to LS on 2/7/12. Petition

found sufficient. TR forwarded to 

contractor 03 20 12. TR sent to LS 08 

06 12. TR deemed sufficient 08 16 12. 

Withdrawn at fall 2012 NOSB mtg

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed proposal

205.603 MS Fall 2013 Yes TR received 11/15/11. 

Aquaculture -

Chlorine 

proposal

205.609

205.611

JD Fall 2013 No

Crops 2011 TR

Crops 2006 TR

Crops 1995 TR

Livestock 2006 

TR

Handling 2006 

TR

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 07 03 12. No 

TR requested

Aquaculture –

Tocopherols

205.611 CW/C

Bo

Fall 2013 Yes

1995 TAP rvw

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 08 06 12. TR 

requested 08 06 12

Aquaculture –

Vitamins 

proposal

205.611 CW Fall 2013 Yes Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Response due ~07/30/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12. Requested 

joint TR with Minerals 08 06 12

Aquaculture -

Trace Minerals 

Petition

205.611 CW Fall 2013 Yes Petition sent to LS on 06/08/12. 

Response due ~08/08/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12? Requested 

joint TR with Vitamins 08 06 12

Aquaculture –

Lignin sulfonate 

(feed binder)

205.601 CW/J

D? Fall 2013

Yes

Feb 2011 TR –

(Crops)

Petition sent to LC on 06/18/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12
Petitioned Materials

Sodium chlorite, 

Acidified (SCA)

205.603 CW/J

D?

Fall 2013 2008 TR Petition sent to LS on 06/12/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12

Subcommittee Projects

Proposal NL 

Section

Rvwe Meeting Technical 

Review?

Vote Notes

Omnivore diets 

(methionine)-

proposal

TF/C

W Fall 2013 Yes Disc doc from Fall 2012

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/N

M

Spr 2013 

Fall 2013

Yes (revised 

and sent 

12/5/11)

NA

TR sent to LC on 6/23/11; Sufficiency 

response rec'd 10/26/2011; revised TR 

sent to LC 12/5/11; TR accepted as 

sufficient on 2/7/12

Fall 2012 Proposal 

* Highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve notes from January 9 and January 15, 2013 call

• Final vote on Pet Food amino acids

• Update from Jean Richardson on the GMO ad hoc committee and where their document stands 

• Discussion of the LS work plan

Discussion:

• Notes from the January 9 call approved with no changes.

• Notes from the January 15 call approved with no changes.

• Final vote on Pet Food amino acids - MS summarized the proposal, noting that all of the amino 

acids are derived through agricultural products and the only amino acid found essential is 

Taurine for cats, because taurine gets degraded with heat, so it must be supplemented.. The 

members suggested some minor proofreading edits, such as adding references and line 

numbers from the TR, removing the deplicative vote count, and removal of some redundant 

information. 

• Vote on Pet Food Amino Acids: 

Motion to classify the following amino acids as synthetic; Arginine, Methionine, Cystine, Lysine, 

Taurine, Tryptophan, Threonine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, and 

Valine 

Motion by: MS

Seconded by: JR

Additional discussion: None

Yes: 9 No: 0 Absent: 0 Abstain: 0 Recuse: 0

Motion to list the following amino acids; Arginine, Methionine, Cystine, Lysine, Taurine, 

Tryptophan, Threonine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, and Valine; on 

205.603 for use in organic pet food

Motion by: MS

Seconded by: CBo

Additional discussion: The group discussed the wording of the motion and the ommission of the 

word Taurine.
Yes: 0 No: 9 Absent: 0 Abstain: 0 Recuse: 0

Motion to list taurine (CAS # 107-35-7) on 205.603(d) as a feed additive for use in cat food only

Motion by: MS 

Motion seconded: JR 

Yes: 8 No: 0 Absent: 0 Abstain: 1 Recuse: 0

• GMO ad hoc committee/Vaccines Working Group (VMWEM) - two separate entities. One is an 

NOSB Subcommittee and one an outside group with NOP and NOSB representation. The group 

discussed the Interim report from the Vaccines working group, and whether or not they needed 

to vote on this item to pass it to the full Board. Members concluded that the most effective 

procedure, and one utilized in the past, was for the LS Subcommittee to formally acknowledge 

the receipt of the report, vote on whether or not they will pass the document to the Board, and 

if so, then request whether NOP is able to post the document on regulations.gov. for public 

comment.

Vote on GMO Vaccines Working Group Interim report

Motion to forward to the full NOSB the MO Vaccines Working Group (VMWEM) interim report.

Motion by: JR

Seconded by: NM

 Yes: 7 No: 0 Absent: 2 Abstain: 0 Recuse: 0

 ABS note: The call ran long, and two members had to leave before the vote was taken. 

Future Call Schedule:

January 15, 2013 3:00 EST

Continue Discussion on Chlorine checklist - deferred to next call

Discuss pet food amino acids checklist/proposal

February 5, 2013 3:00 EST

Continue Discussion on Chlorine checklist 

Continue discussion/vote on pet Food Amino Acids checklists

February 19, 2013 3:00 EST

Workplans

March 5, 2013 3:00 EST

March 19, 2013 3:00 EST

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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Tuesday, February 19, 2013, 3:00pm ET

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Wendy Fulwider (WF) (Vice chair), Colehour Bondera (CBo), Jean 

Richardson (JR), Mac Stone (MS), Francis Thicke (FT), Calvin Walker (CW), Joe Dickson (JD)

Guests: Jay Feldman (JFe), George Lockwood (GL)

Absent: Nick Maravell (NM)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA) (Advisory Board Specialist (ABS)), Scott Updike (SU) 

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Name National 

List 

Section

Rvwr Meeting Technical 

Review 

requested 

(TR)?

Vote Notes

2012 Amino 

Acids for Pet 

Food proposal

2012 Original 

Petition

205.603 MS Spr 2013 Yes Petition sent to LS on 2/7/12. Petition 

found sufficient. TR forwarded to 

contractor 03 20 12. TR sent to LS 08 

06 12. TR deemed sufficient 08 16 12. 

Withdrawn at fall 2012 NOSB mtg

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed proposal

205.603 MS Fall 2013 Yes TR received 11/15/11. 

Aquaculture -

Chlorine 

proposal

205.609

205.611

JD Fall 2013 No

Crops 2011 TR

Crops 2006 TR

Crops 1995 TR

Livestock 

2006 TR

Handling 2006 

TR

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 07 03 12. No 

TR requested

Aquaculture –

Tocopherols

205.611 CW/

CBo

Fall 2013 Yes

1995 TAP rvw

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 08 06 12. TR 

requested 08 06 12

Aquaculture –

Vitamins 

proposal

205.611 CW Fall 2013 Yes Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Response due ~07/30/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12. Requested 

joint TR with Minerals 08 06 12

Aquaculture -

Trace Minerals 

Petition

205.611 CW Fall 2013 Yes Petition sent to LS on 06/08/12. 

Response due ~08/08/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12? Requested 

joint TR with Vitamins 08 06 12

Aquaculture –

Lignin sulfonate 

(feed binder)

205.601 CW/J

D? Fall 2013

Yes

Feb 2011 TR –

(Crops)

Petition sent to LC on 06/18/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12
Petitioned Materials

Sodium chlorite, 

Acidified (SCA)

205.603 CW/J

D?

Fall 2013 2008 TR Petition sent to LS on 06/12/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12

Subcommittee Projects

Proposal NL 

Section

Rvwr Meeting Technical 

Review?

Vote Notes

Omnivore diets 

(methionine)-

proposal

TF/C

W Fall 2013 Yes Disc doc from Fall 2012

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/N

M

Spr 2013 

Fall 2013

Yes (revised 

and sent 

12/5/11)

TR sent to LC on 6/23/11; Sufficiency 

response rec'd 10/26/2011; revised TR 

sent to LC 12/5/11; TR accepted as 

sufficient on 2/7/12

Fall 2012 Proposal 

* Highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve notes from February 5 call

• AWG commentary - George Lockwood 

• 2013 Work plan

Discussion:

• Notes from the February 5 call approved with no changes

• George Lockwood participated on the call to provide information about aquaculture topics that 

the Subcommittee is preparing to review. The original Working Group was made up of 12 

members with diverse backgrounds and included growers, environmentalists, and aquatic 

animal feed experts. The Working group worked closely with the NOSB Livestock Committee. 

The members asked questions and discussed various aspects of aquaculture, including the 

differences between organic and conventional aquaculture, environmental issues, feed and 

facilities, stocking rates, fish meal and net pens, which were all areas and concerns that were 

discussed and/or addressed when the Working Group developed it’s standards. With regard to 

stocking rates, Mr. Lockwood added that although the WG discussed this issue they did not 

write species specific standards, and instead left that to the growers. 

• Workplan: Omnivore diets. The group discussed how to move ahead with this workplan item 

and decided to submit a second discussion document (Version 2) with the first round of public 

comments incorporated. 

Future Call Schedule:

February 19, 2013 3:00 ET

George Lockwood: Aquaculture operations and SPECIFICALLY about differences between 

Organic and conventional AQ 

Workplans

March 5, 2013 3:00 ET

Guest: Becky Goldberg, Pew Caritable Trust, and former NOSB member, regarding the impact of 

Aquaculture on the environment (MS 

 will confirm)
March 19, 2013 3:00 ET

Jim Pierce - Perspectives on aquaculture

May 7, 2013 3:00 ET

Fish feed and fish meal discussion with identified expert. Potentially moved to May 21

May 21, 2013 3:00 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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Tuesday, March 5, 2013, 3:00pm ET

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Wendy Fulwider (WF) (Vice chair), Colehour Bondera (CBo), Calvin 

Walker (CW), John Foster (JFo), Harold Austin (HA), Jean Richardson (JR), Nick Maravell (NM)

Guests: Becky Goldburg (Pew Charitable Trust) (BG), George Lockwood (Aquaculture Working Group) 

(GL)

Absent: Joe Dickson (JD), Mac Stone (MS), Francis Thicke (FT)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA) (Advisory Board Specialist (ABS)), Scott Updike (SU) 

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Name National 

List 

Section

Rvwr Meeting Technical 

Review 

requested 

(TR)?

Vote Notes

2012 Amino 

Acids for Pet 

Food proposal

2012 Original 

Petition

205.603 MS Spr 2013 Yes 02 05 

13

Petition sent to LS on 2/7/12. Petition 

found sufficient. TR forwarded to 

contractor 03 20 12. TR sent to LS 08 

06 12. TR deemed sufficient 08 16 12. 

Withdrawn at fall 2012 NOSB mtg

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed proposal

205.603 MS Fall 2013 Yes TR received 11/15/11. 

Aquaculture -

Chlorine 

proposal

205.609

205.611

JD Fall 2013 No

Crops 2011 TR

Crops 2006 TR

Crops 1995 TR

Livestock 

2006 TR

Handling 2006 

TR

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 07 03 12. No 

TR requested

Aquaculture –

Tocopherols

205.611 CW/

CBo

Fall 2013 Yes

1995 TAP rvw

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 08 06 12. TR 

requested 08 06 12

Aquaculture –

Vitamins 

proposal

205.611 CW Fall 2013 Yes Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Response due ~07/30/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12. Requested 

joint TR with Minerals 08 06 12

Aquaculture -

Trace Minerals 

Petition

205.611 CW Fall 2013 Yes Petition sent to LS on 06/08/12. 

Response due ~08/08/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12? Requested 

joint TR with Vitamins 08 06 12
Petitioned Materials

Aquaculture –

Lignin sulfonate 

(feed binder)

205.601 CW/J

D? Fall 2013

Yes

Feb 2011 TR –

(Crops)

Petition sent to LC on 06/18/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12

Sodium chlorite, 

Acidified (SCA)

205.603 CW/J

D?

Fall 2013 2008 TR Petition sent to LS on 06/12/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12

Aquaculture -

Biologics: 

Vaccines for 

Aquatic Animals

205.611

Subcommittee Projects

Proposal NL 

Section

Rvwr Meeting Technical 

Review?

Vote Notes

Omnivore diets 

(methionine)-

proposal

TF/C

W

Fall 2013

DD #2 Yes Disc doc from Fall 2012

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/N

M

Spr 2013 

Fall 2013

Yes 2011

(revised and 

sent 12/5/11)

TR sent to LC on 6/23/11; Sufficiency 

response rec'd 10/26/2011; revised TR 

sent to LC 12/5/11; TR accepted as 

sufficient on 2/7/12

Fall 2012 Proposal 

* Highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve notes from February 19 call

• Guest Speaker

• 2013 Work plan

Discussion:

• Notes from February 19 call approved with no changes

• Continuing with our series of guest speakers on aquaculture was Becky Goldburg, of the Pew 

Charitable Trust. The chair asked that Becky speak about open/closed net pens and to compare 

and contrast conventional and organic aquaculture. The Aquaculture working group looked at 

many aspects of aquaculture, including introduction of non-endemic species, feed stock, 

predator prey disruptions, production in net pens, etc. Becky noted that there are differences 

between conventional and organic in all of these areas. A member asked about fishmeal and 

feeding organic fish non-organic fishmeal. According to the past recommendations, the meal has 

to be organically sourced in order to be used as feed. Becky added that a previous NOSB

struggled with this same issue and came up with proposed recommendations that they felt were 

adequate at that time. A member noted that based on a comment sent in by Food and Water 

Watch, the science had changed a bit since the NOSB recommendation was written, and this 

needed to be revisited. GL added that the NOSB had already made its recommendation on 

practice standards and the issues under consideration now are the petitions for various 

synthetic substances to be used in organic aqualculture. The guests spoke to questions about 

how various substances, such as vitamins, interact when introduced into an aquatic 

environment, and the differences between the interactions in a terrestrial system. A member 

added that there were no longterm studies and so this is a difficult issue to decipher, while 

another member offered that there was longterm documentation available of both fish 

production and aquaculture systems. He added that although some aspects of our modern 
systems are new, many of them are based on systems that are thousands of years old.

• Biologics: Vaccines for Aquatic Animals - are in wide use in organic, and GL feels they are fine 

and should not be of concern. A member noted that if good management practices are in place, 

vaccines are not necessary. GL was uncertain of the GM status of vaccines used in aquaculture.

• NM will ask someone from Food and Water Watch to sit it on a future call. MA will send NM 

supporting documents so he can forward them to the Food and Water Watch contact prior to 

call. 

Future Call Schedule:

March 5, 2013 3:00 ET

Aquaculture speaker series guest: Becky Goldburg, regarding the impact of Aquaculture on the 

environment 

March 19, 2013 3:00 ET

Aquaculture speaker series guest: Jim Pierce - Perspectives on aquaculture-fishmeal and 

fishfeed. Aquaculture speaker series guest: 

April 2, 2013 

Aquaculture speaker series guest: Patty Lovera and colleague (Food and Water Watch )

May 7, 2013 3:00 ET 

May 21, 2013 3:00 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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Tuesday, March 19, 2013, 3:00pm ET

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Wendy Fulwider (WF) (Vice chair), Colehour Bondera (CBo), Harold 

Austin (HA), Jean Richardson (JR), , Mac Stone (MS), Francis Thicke (FT), Calvin Walker (CW), Joe Dickson 

(JD), Jay Feldman (JFe) –sitting in 

Guests: Jim Pierce, Oregon Tilth

Absent: John Foster (JFo), Nick Maravell (NM)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA) (Advisory Board Specialist (ABS)), Scott Updike (SU), Melissa Bailey (MB)-

sitting in , Mark Bradley-sitting in

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Name National 

List 

Section

Rvwr Meeting Technical 

Review 

requested 

(TR)?

Vote Notes

2012 Amino 

Acids for Pet 

Food proposal

2012 Original 

Petition

205.603 MS Spr 2013 Yes 02 05 

13

Petition sent to LS on 2/7/12. Petition 

found sufficient. TR forwarded to 

contractor 03 20 12. TR sent to LS 08 

06 12. TR deemed sufficient 08 16 12. 

Withdrawn at fall 2012 NOSB mtg

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed proposal

205.603 MS Fall 2013 Yes TR received 11/15/11. 

Aquaculture -

Chlorine 

proposal

205.609

205.611

JD Fall 2013 No

Crops 2011 TR

Crops 2006 TR

Crops 1995 TR

Livestock 

2006 TR

Handling 2006 

TR

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 07 03 12. No 

TR requested

Aquaculture –

Tocopherols

205.611 CW/C

Bo

Fall 2013 Yes

1995 TAP rvw

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 08 06 12. TR 

requested 08 06 12

Aquaculture –

Vitamins 

proposal

205.611 CW Fall 2013 Yes Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Response due ~07/30/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12. Requested 

joint TR with Minerals 08 06 12

Aquaculture -

Trace Minerals 

Petition

205.611 CW Fall 2013 Yes Petition sent to LS on 06/08/12. 

Response due ~08/08/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12? Requested 

joint TR with Vitamins 08 06 12
Petitioned Materials

Aquaculture –

Lignin sulfonate 

(feed binder)

205.611 CW/J

D? Fall 2013

Yes

Feb 2011 TR –

(Crops)

Petition sent to LC on 06/18/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12

Sodium chlorite, 

Acidified (SCA)

205.603 CW/J

D?

Fall 2013 2008 TR Petition sent to LS on 06/12/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12

Aquaculture -

Biologics: 

Vaccines for 

Aquatic Animals

205.611

Subcommittee Projects

Proposal NL 

Section

Rvwr Meeting Technical 

Review?

Vote Notes

Omnivore diets 

(methionine)-

proposal

TF/C

W

Fall 2013

DD #2 Yes Disc doc from Fall 2012

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/N

M

Spr 2013 

Fall 2013

Yes 2011

(revised and 

sent 12/5/11)

TR sent to LC on 6/23/11; Sufficiency 

response rec'd 10/26/2011; revised TR 

sent to LC 12/5/11; TR accepted as 

sufficient on 2/7/12

Fall 2012 Proposal 

* Highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve notes from March 5 call

• Guest Speaker

• 2013 Work plan

Discussion:

• Notes from March 5 call approved with no changes

• Continuing with our series of guest speakers on aquaculture. Jim Pierce of Oregon Tilth joined 

the call. Jim introduced himself as a 30-year fish farmer, and described his professional and 

personal experience with aquaculture, which included trout, game fish, and prawns. He also 

worked with George Lockwood on the Aquaculture Working Group and feels that the 

recommendations that were put forth by the previous NOSB captured the discussions and 

decisions very well. 

• Members asked questions about prawns, which were not mentioned specifically in the 

recommendations, fish feed, and pelleted feed. Jim noted that farmers are very conservative 

with feed because it is expensive and they strive to control for waste. Jim also discussed water 

quality in closed systems versus open systems, and noted that the Europeans have looked at 

water quality standards fairly thoroughly. Members also asked questions about net pens, 

biofilm, critical control points, Operating System Plans (OSPs), alternatives to fish meal in fin 

fish, stocking rates, bioaccumulation, organic colors used for pigmentation, and vaccines. Jim 

discussed all of these aspects and provided references for follow up questions: Rahm @ QCS

certifies about 30 aquaculture facilities in South America. (Both MB and MS have his contact 

info), Chris Nelson of SilverCup Feeds, UT could answer questions about bioaccumulation. 

Members of the group added that they are interested in creating one standard, because there’s 

not much clarity about organically labeled aquaculture and what standards it’s certified to. The 
chair asked that members send any other questions to her and MA by end of business on 

Thursday so she can forward them.

Future Call Schedule:

March 19, 2013 3:00 ET

Aquaculture speaker series guest: Jim Pierce - Perspectives on aquaculture-fishmeal and 

fishfeed. 

April 2, 2013 

Aquaculture speaker series guest: Patty Lovera and colleague (Food and Water Watch )

May 7, 2013 3:00 ET 

May 21, 2013 3:00 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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Tuesday, April 2, 2013, 3:00pm ET

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Colehour Bondera (CBo), Jean Richardson (JR), Mac Stone (MS), 

Calvin Walker (CW), Wendy Fulwider (WF) (Vice chair), Nick Maravell (NM), Joe Dickson (JD), Jay 

Feldman (JFe) –sitting in, Harold Austin (HA)-sitting in

Guests: Patty Lovera, Food & Water Watch (FWW), Meredeth Moore, FWW

Absent: Francis Thicke (FT)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA) (Advisory Board Specialist (ABS)), Scott Updike (SU), Mark Bradley (MBr)-

sitting in

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Name National 

List 

Section

Rvwr Meeting Technical 

Review 

requested 

(TR)?

Vote Notes

2012 Amino 

Acids for Pet 

Food proposal

2012 Original 

Petition

205.603 MS Spr 2013 Yes 02 05 

13

Petition sent to LS on 2/7/12. Petition 

found sufficient. TR forwarded to 

contractor 03 20 12. TR sent to LS 08 

06 12. TR deemed sufficient 08 16 12. 

Withdrawn at fall 2012 NOSB mtg

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed proposal

205.603 MS Fall 2013 Yes TR received 11/15/11. 

Aquaculture -

Chlorine 

proposal

205.609

205.611

JD Fall 2013 No

Crops 2011 TR

Crops 2006 TR

Crops 1995 TR

Livestock 

2006 TR

Handling 2006 

TR

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 07 03 12. No 

TR requested

Aquaculture –

Tocopherols

205.611 CW/C

Bo

Fall 2013 Yes

1995 TAP rvw

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 08 06 12. TR 

requested 08 06 12

Aquaculture –

Vitamins 

proposal

205.611 CW Fall 2013 Yes Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Response due ~07/30/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12. Requested 

joint TR with Minerals 08 06 12

Aquaculture -

Trace Minerals 

Petition

205.611 CW Fall 2013 Yes Petition sent to LS on 06/08/12. 

Response due ~08/08/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12? Requested 

joint TR with Vitamins 08 06 12
Petitioned Materials

Aquaculture –

Lignin sulfonate 

(feed binder)

205.611 CW/J

D? Fall 2013

Yes

Feb 2011 TR –

(Crops)

Petition sent to LC on 06/18/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12

Sodium chlorite, 

Acidified (SCA)

205.603 CW/J

D?

Fall 2013 2008 TR Petition sent to LS on 06/12/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12

Aquaculture -

Biologics: 

Vaccines for 

Aquatic Animals

205.611

Subcommittee Projects

Proposal NL 

Section

Rvwr Meeting Technical 

Review?

Vote Notes

Omnivore diets 

(methionine)-

proposal

TF/C

W

Fall 2013

DD #2 Yes Disc doc from Fall 2012

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/N

M

Spr 2013 

Fall 2013

Yes 2011

(revised and 

sent 12/5/11)

TR sent to LC on 6/23/11; Sufficiency 

response rec'd 10/26/2011; revised TR 

sent to LC 12/5/11; TR accepted as 

sufficient on 2/7/12

Fall 2012 Proposal 

* Highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve notes from March 5 call

• Guest Speaker

• 2013 Work plan

Discussion:

• Notes from March 19 approved as is, without changes

• As part of the ongoing aquaculture speaker series, the Livestock Subcomm welcomed two 

people from Food and Water Watch: Patty Lovera and Meredeth Moore (fisheries and 

aquaculture, fisheries imports). Members asked the guests specific questions regarding 

aquaculture, fish feed, residues/toxins, differences between farmed fish and wild fish, and 

current research in the field. The speakers echoed what many other guests have said, that feed 

costs are prohibitively high, so aquaculturists are very efficient with feed, and tend to not waste 

it. The Chair asked if the members had any questions regarding the specific materials that have 

been petitioned. A member asked the guests to address the differences between terrestrial and 

aquatic environments. Follow on questions included the idea that a terrestrial system is not 

wild, while an aquatic system is, and if having a fallow period would help. Meredith Moore 

offered to forward some docs to the group for further reading. TF also asked if the guests would 

be willing to write out some of their answers and send them to the group

• Pet Food Amino Acids. The group discussed the public comments and specifically the comments 

from the Pet Food Institute, who indicated that of the 13 amino acids that were petitioned, only 

4 were really necessary. The group further discussed the new information provided by the Pet 

Food Institute that the NRC had increased the amino acid requirement for threonine for dogs 

and that complete and balanced rations would need more threonine than was currently 

provided in those dogs foods. The group discussed various options including leaving the 
proposal as is (Taurine for cats only), and adding methionine and lysine for dogs and cats to 

expand the category in marketplace. The second option does not satisfy the criteria for review, 

and although they are in support of market accessibility, this is not the criteria by which they 

must determine merit. The group also discussed the fact that there are new standards in 

progress at this time. 

• The Chair reminded everyone that the fall agenda is aggressive, and noted that CW had a very 

large workload of aquaculture items and asked if he wanted to distribute any or work on them 

jointly. He answered with a resounding yes, and would like to have co-reviewers. CW will decide

which items he will distribute and discuss them on the next call.

Future Call Schedule:

March 19, 2013 3:00 ET

Aquaculture speaker series guest: Jim Pierce - Perspectives on aquaculture-fishmeal and fish 

feed. 

April 2, 2013 

Aquaculture speaker series guest: Patty Lovera and colleague (Food and Water Watch )

May 7, 2013 3:00 ET 

May 21, 2013 3:00 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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Tuesday, May 7, 2013, 3:00pm ET

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Jean Richardson (JR), Mac Stone (MS), Francis Thicke (FT), Colehour 

Bondera (CBo)

Absent: Nick Maravell (NM), Joe Dickson (JD), Wendy Fulwider (WF) (Vice chair), Calvin Walker (CW)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA) (Advisory Board Specialist (ABS)), Scott Updike (SU)

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Substance Nat’l List 

§

Contact TR 

requested 

Notes Vote Meeting

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed

205.603 MS Yes TR received 11/15/11. Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Chlorine

205.609

205.611

JD No

Crops 2011

Crops 2006

Crops 1995

Livestock 

2006

Handling 

2006

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 07 03 12. 

No TR requested

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Tocopherols

205.611 TF/CBo Yes

1995 TAP 

rvw

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 08 06 12. 

TR requested 08 06 12. TR sent to 

LS on 04 16 13. TR suff due 06 17 13

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Vitamins 

205.611 CW/FT Yes Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Response due ~07/30/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12. 

Requested joint TR with Minerals 08 

06 12. TR sent to LS 04/29/13. TR 

Suff due 06/28/13.

Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Trace Minerals 

205.611 CW/FT Yes Petition sent to LS on 06/08/12. 

Response due ~08/08/12. Petition

found sufficient 08 06 12? 

Requested joint TR with Vitamins 08 

06 12. TR expected May 2013

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Lignin sulfonate 

(feed binder) 205.611 JR

Yes

Feb 2011 TR

(Crops)

Petition sent to LC on 06/18/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12. TR expected 

May 2013

Fall 2013
Sodium chlorite, 

Acidified (SCA)

205.603 JD 2008 TR Petition sent to LS on 06/12/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12. TR sent to LS 

05 08 13. Suffic due 07 08 13

Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Biologics: 

Vaccines for 

Aquatic Animals

205.611 JR 2011 TR

(Vaccines 

made from 

GMOs)

Petition sent to LS 06 14 12. 

Petition Sufficiency do ASAP

Fall 2013

Other projects

Project Contact TR Reqst? Notes Vote Meeting

Omnivore diets 

(methionine)-

proposal

TF/CW

Yes

Disc doc from Fall 2012 DDstatement 

Fall 2013

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/NM Yes

(revised 

and sent 

12/5/11)

Fall 2012 Proposal TR sent to LC on 6/23/11; 

Sufficiency response rec'd 10/26/2011; 

revised TR sent to LC 12/5/11; TR accepted 

as sufficient on 2/7/12

Interim/

Final? 

Report 

Fall 2013

* Highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve notes from April 2 call

• Discuss workplan/schedule

Discussion:

• Notes from April 2 approved with no changes. 

• Members discussed the workplan schedule (see below) and assigned lead reviewers for the 

workplan items in the above table. The group will have a preliminary discussion about the 

history of methionine on next call.

• The Livestock Subcommittee will proceed with the Omnivore Diets proposal and will add this to 

the Research Priorities List.

• JR will report to the group on the July 16th call, the status of the Vaccines from Excluded 

Methods working group. 

• The group had a general discussion about Aquaculture and the various petitions before them. 

Future Call Schedule:

May 7, 2013 3:00 ET

May 21, 2013 3:00 ET

Methionine - Preliminary discussion, background recap (MS)

Aquaculture - Biologics: Vaccines for Aquatic Animals (JR)

June 4, 2013 3:00 ET

Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo)

Aquaculture – Chlorine (JD)
June 18, 2013 3:00 ET

Sodium Chlorite (JD)

Aquaculture – Vitamins/Trace Minerals (CW)

July 2, 2013 3:00 ET

Aquaculture – Lignin sulfonate (feed binder) (JR)

Omnivore diets discussion (TF/CW)

July 16, 2013 3:00 ET

Vaccines from Excluded Methods (VMWEM update) update (JR)

August 6, 2013 3:00 ET 

August 20, 2013 3:00 ET

September 3, 2013 3:00 ET

September 17, 2013 3:00 ET

October 1, 2013 3:00 ET

October 15, 2013 3:00 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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Tuesday, May 21, 2013, 3:00pm ET

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Jean Richardson (JR), Mac Stone (MS), Francis Thicke (FT), Colehour 

Bondera (CBo), Calvin Walker (CW), Joe Dickson (JD)

Absent: Nick Maravell (NM), Wendy Fulwider (WF) (Vice chair)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA) (Advisory Board Specialist (ABS)), Scott Updike (SU), Mark Bradley (MB)

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Substance Nat’l List 

§

Contact TR 

requested 

Notes Vote Meeting

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed

205.603 MS Yes TR received 11/15/11. Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Chlorine

205.609

205.611

JD No

Crops 2011

Crops 2006

Crops 1995

Livestock 

2006

Handling 

2006

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 07 03 12. 

No TR requested

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Tocopherols

205.611 TF/CBo Yes

1995 TAP 

rvw

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 08 06 12. 

TR requested 08 06 12. TR sent to 

LS on 04 16 13. TR suff due 06 17 13

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Vitamins 

205.611 CW/FT Yes Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Response due ~07/30/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12. 

Requested joint TR with Minerals 08 

06 12. TR sent to LS 04/29/13. TR 

suff due 06/28/13.

Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Trace Minerals 

205.611 CW/FT Yes Petition sent to LS on 06/08/12. 

Response due ~08/08/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12? 

Requested joint TR with Vitamins 08

06 12. TR expected May 2013

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Lignin sulfonate 

(feed binder) 205.611 JR

Yes

Feb 2011 TR

(Crops)

Petition sent to LC on 06/18/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12. TR expected 

May 2013

Fall 2013
Sodium chlorite, 

Acidified (SCA)

205.603 JD 2008 TR Petition sent to LS on 06/12/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12. TR sent to LS 

05 08 13. Suffic due 07 08 13

Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Biologics: 

Vaccines for 

Aquatic Animals

205.611 JR 2011 TR

(Vaccines 

made from 

GMOs)

Petition sent to LS 06 14 12. 

Petition found sufficient and TR 

requested on 05 21 13. (NOP note: 

TR likely won’t be back in time for 

fall 2013 meeting)

Fall 2013

Other projects

Project Contact TR Reqst? Notes Vote Meeting

Omnivore diets 

(methionine)-

proposal

TF/CW

Yes

Disc doc from Fall 2012 DDstatement 

Fall 2013

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/NM Yes

(revised 

and sent 

12/5/11)

Fall 2012 Proposal TR sent to LC on 6/23/11; 

Sufficiency response rec'd 10/26/2011; 

revised TR sent to LC 12/5/11; TR accepted 

as sufficient on 2/7/12

Interim/

Final? 

Report 

Fall 2013

* Highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve notes from May 7 call

• Discuss workplan/schedule

Discussion:

• Notes from May 7 approved with no changes. 

• Methionine: Preliminary discussion, background recap (MS) – MS presented a cursory overview 

of this substance to get the sense of the Subcommittee before drafting a document. Many 

members felt that the information contained within the petition was anecdotal and not based 

on research or science. A member added that bird health and animal welfare should trump 

anything else. The group discussed variables in the administration of methionine and various

enforcement scenarios. The members also discussed the fact that a previous NOSB 

recommendation included a a lower amount of methionine than the scientificially based 

number because the NOSB wanted organic producers to eventually stop using synthetic 

methionine. MS is going to seek more information from a researcher at the University of KY.

• Aquaculture - Biologics: Vaccines for Aquatic Animals (JR) -The group consensus was that the 

petition lacked specificity. There was no environmental impact statement, no information about 

toxicity, and no alternatives listed. The group discussed the need for a TR, which they feel is 

complicated by the fact that the petitioners are asking for both GMO and non-GMO vaccines.

Members discussed various paths forward, including: having the Vaccines Working group 

(VMWEM) look at the petition, since they are working on this question anyway; adding an 

annotation, and not allowing the GMO vaccines part; or splitting the petition and asking for a TR 

for the non-GMO portion. The Livestock Subcommittee voted a year ago to not allow GMO 

vaccines as a group, so for consistency the group feels that they cannot approve this portion, 
although they would be willing to consider individual vaccines made with excluded methods, JR 

will compile a list of questions for the group so they can determine how to move forward. The 

LS found the petition sufficient as is and decided to request a TR. TF will send note to L Brines

with their request. The workplan table above was edited to reflect this request. A member 

added that the format and comprehensiveness of the past TR (see link above) was very useful

and would like to see if that can be replicated. 

Future Call Schedule:

May 21, 2013 3:00 ET

Methionine - Preliminary discussion, background recap (MS)

Aquaculture - Biologics: Vaccines for Aquatic Animals (JR)

June 4, 2013 3:00 ET

Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo)

Aquaculture – Chlorine (JD)

June 18, 2013 3:00 ET

Sodium Chlorite (JD)

Aquaculture – Vitamins/Trace Minerals (CW)

July 2, 2013 3:00 ET

Aquaculture – Lignin sulfonate (feed binder) (JR)

Omnivore diets discussion (TF/CW)

July 16, 2013 3:00 ET

Vaccines from Excluded Methods (VMWEM update) update (JR)

August 6, 2013 3:00 ET 

August 20, 2013 3:00 ET

September 3, 2013 3:00 ET

September 17, 2013 3:00 ET

October 1, 2013 3:00 ET

October 15, 2013 3:00 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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Tuesday, June 4, 2013, 3:00pm ET

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Mac Stone (MS), Colehour Bondera (CBo), Calvin Walker (CW), Joe 

Dickson (JD), Nick Maravell (NM)

Absent: Jean Richardson (JR), Francis Thicke (FT), Wendy Fulwider (WF) (Vice chair)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA) (Advisory Board Specialist (ABS)), Scott Updike (SU)

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Substance Nat’l List 

§

Contact TR 

requested 

Notes Vote Meeting

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed

205.603 MS Yes TR received 11/15/11. Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Chlorine

205.609

205.611

JD No

Crops 2011

Crops 2006

Crops 1995

Livestock 

2006

Handling 

2006

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 07 03 12. 

No TR requested

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Tocopherols

205.611 TF/CBo 2013 TR

1995 TAP 

rvw

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 08 06 12. 

TR requested 08 06 12. Draft TR 

sent to LS on 04 16 13. TR found 

sufficient 06 04 13

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Vitamins 

205.611 CW/FT Yes Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Response due ~07/30/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12. 

Requested joint TR with Minerals 08 

06 12. TR sent to LS 04/29/13. TR 

suff due 06/28/13.

Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Trace Minerals 

205.611 CW/FT Yes Petition sent to LS on 06/08/12. 

Response due ~08/08/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12? 

Requested joint TR with Vitamins 08 

06 12. TR expected May/June 2013

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Lignin sulfonate 

(feed binder) 205.611 JR

Yes

Feb 2011 TR

(Crops)

Petition sent to LC on 06/18/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12. TR expected 

May 2013

Fall 2013
Aquaculture -

Biologics: 

Vaccines for 

Aquatic Animals

205.611 JR 2011 TR

(Vaccines 

made from 

GMOs)

Petition sent to LS 06 14 12. 

Petition found sufficient and TR 

requested on 05 21 13. (NOP note: 

TR likely won’t be back in time for 

fall 2013 meeting)

Fall 2013

Sodium chlorite, 

Acidified (SCA)

205.603 JD 2008 TR Petition sent to LS on 06/12/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12. TR sent to LS 

05 08 13. Suff due 07 08 13

Fall 2013

Other projects

Project Contact TR Reqst? Notes Vote Meeting

Omnivore diets 

(methionine)-

proposal

TF/CW

Yes

Disc doc from Fall 2012 DDstatement 

Fall 2013

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/NM Yes

(revised 

and sent 

12/5/11)

Fall 2012 Proposal TR sent to LC on 6/23/11; 

Sufficiency response rec'd 10/26/2011; 

revised TR sent to LC 12/5/11; TR accepted 

as sufficient on 2/7/12

Interim/

Final? 

Report 

Fall 2013

* Yellow highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve notes from May 21 call

• Discuss workplan/schedule

Discussion:

• Notes from May 21 approved with no changes.

• Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo) – The petition was found sufficient and the group discussed 

the draft TR that was sent to the group April 16. The LS found the TR sufficient and the Chair will 

send LBrines notice. 

• Aquaculture - Chlorine (JD). The Livestock Subcommittee did not request a new TR because they 

felt that the previous TRs are sufficient. JD will distribute the draft checklist to the group for 

review. Members discussed the petitioned use of this material, and several people noted that

there was some confusion about the use of chlorine as a disinfectant. The petition indicates use 

in containers for the culture of live feed such as algae, rotifers and copepods, as well as culture 

water in containers. The lead reviewer will reread the petition to clarify what the exact use is, 

and will also compare the Livestock and Crops petitions for Chlorine to see if they are identical. 

A member noted that the 2006 TR was informative and it notes that chlorine is foundational. 

• The group indicated that they would like to participate on the July 16th Crops Subcommittee call, 

if an aquatic plant representative from the Aquaculture Working Group is going to join.
Future Call Schedule:

June 4, 2013 3:00 ET

Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo)

June 18, 2013 3:00 ET

Aquaculture – Chlorine (JD) - review checklist

Sodium Chlorite (JD)

Aquaculture – Vitamins/Trace Minerals (CW)

July 2, 2013 3:00 ET

Aquaculture – Lignin sulfonate (feed binder) (JR)

Omnivore diets discussion (TF/CW)

July 16, 2013 3:00 ET

Vaccines from Excluded Methods (VMWEM update) update (JR)

Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo) checklist review

August 6, 2013 3:00 ET 

August 20, 2013 3:00 ET

September 3, 2013 3:00 ET

September 17, 2013 3:00 ET

October 1, 2013 3:00 ET

October 15, 2013 3:00 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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Tuesday, June 18, 2013, 3:00pm ET

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Mac Stone (MS), Colehour Bondera (CBo), Calvin Walker (CW), Nick 

Maravell (NM), Jean Richardson (JR), Francis Thicke (FT), Wendy Fulwider (WF) (Vice chair), Joe Dickson 

(JD)

Absent: none

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA) (Advisory Board Specialist (ABS)), Scott Updike (SU), Mark Bradley (MB)

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Substance Nat’l List 

§

Contact TR 

requested 

Notes Vote Meeting

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed

205.603 MS Yes TR received 11/15/11. Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Chlorine

205.609

205.611

JD No

Crops 2011

Crops 2006

Crops 1995

Livestock 

2006

Handling 

2006

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 07 03 12. 

No TR requested

06 18 13 Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Tocopherols

205.611 TF/CBo 2013 TR

1995 TAP 

rvw

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 08 06 12. 

TR requested 08 06 12. Draft TR 

sent to LS on 04 16 13. TR found 

sufficient 06 04 13

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Vitamins 

205.611 CW/FT Yes Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Response due ~07/30/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12. 

Requested joint TR with Minerals 08 

06 12. TR sent to LS 04/29/13. TR 

found suff 06 18 13.

06 18 13 Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Trace Minerals 

205.611 CW/FT Yes Petition sent to LS on 06/08/12. 

Response due ~08/08/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12? 

Requested joint TR with Vitamins 08

06 12. TR expected June 2013

Fall 2013
Aquaculture –

Lignin sulfonate 

(feed binder) 205.611 JR

Yes

Feb 2011 TR

(Crops)

Petition sent to LC on 06/18/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12. TR expected 

late June/early July 2013

Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Biologics: 

Vaccines for 

Aquatic Animals

205.611 JR 2011 TR

(Vaccines 

made from 

GMOs)

Petition sent to LS 06 14 12. 

Petition found sufficient and TR 

requested on 05 21 13. (NOP note: 

TR likely won’t be back in time for 

fall 2013 meeting)

Fall 2013

Sodium chlorite, 

Acidified (SCA)

205.603 JD 2008 TR Petition sent to LS on 06/12/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12. TR sent to LS 

05 08 13. Suff due 07 08 13

Fall 2013

Other projects

Project Contact TR Reqst? Notes Vote Meeting

Omnivore diets 

(methionine)-

proposal

TF/CW

Yes

Disc doc from Fall 2012 DDstatement 

Fall 2013

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/NM Yes

(revised 

and sent 

12/5/11)

Fall 2012 Proposal TR sent to LC on 6/23/11; 

Sufficiency response rec'd 10/26/2011; 

revised TR sent to LC 12/5/11; TR accepted 

as sufficient on 2/7/12

Interim/

Final? 

Report 

Fall 2013

* Yellow highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve Notes from June 4, 203 call

• Aquaculture – Chlorine (JD) - review checklist

• Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD)

• Aquaculture – Vitamins/Trace Minerals (CW)

Discussion:

• Notes from June 4 approved with no changes

• Aquaculture overview (TF). TF spoke with the NOP prior to the LS call about the forthcoming 

aquaculture standards, and the NOP noted that the underlying principle of the standards is the 

same regardless of the materials: must maintain or improve the natural ecosystem functions. 

Therefore the full burden of implementation is not the responsibility of the NOSB, as the 

regulations will provide that. Chlorine in culture water was used as an example: Although 

chlorine is fairly toxic it does have approved uses on the NL, and certifiers will use the standard 

at §205.200 as an overarching principle. Members also discussed the timing of their reviews in 

light of the impending rule, and the NOP indicated that past Boards have approved materials 

without a rule and instead relied on previous Board recommendations. If the group bases their 

action on that premise, then it will prevent a delay, as there will be materials ready for use when 

the rule is released. The group also discussed the intent for the fall meeting, and the NOP noted 

that the LS shouldn’t feel pressured to get all the materials reviewed in the fall if they are not 
ready. The majority of members indicated that they would support moving forward with all 

items that are ready and not delaying, in the interest of future workplans. One member noted 

that he was not comfortable moving forward with some of the materials using soil based 

systems as the platform for making judgments about aquatic systems. The topic of fish meal 

was also discussed, as the group had previous concerns about this. The consensus was that 

because of the safety nets already in the regulation, it is no longer a concern. The chair asked 

that if any members had lingering concerns, they reread any pertinent materials and prepare 

any discussion points for the next call. 

• Aquaculture - Chlorine (JD) – As a follow up to a previous conversation, JD collected additional 

detailed information about the use of chlorine in "culture water" and confirmed that this use is 

not materially different from others used in disinfecting surfaces and equipment. The water is 

sanitized in closed tanks and would be subject to the same effluent controls required by the 

annotation. This use does not relate to open systems such as net pens or fish ponds. The 

fundamental question is whether chlorine in aquatic systems may be different than chlorine in 

soil based system. The lead reviewer feels that chlorine usage is no different in crops, livestock, 

or handling especially with the restrictive annotation and the language in the regulation that 

requires ecosystem health. A member asked about the EPA clean water act and the legal limit of 

4 ppm for drinking water, and the group consensus was that it is important to respect the 

regulatory authority of the EPA and it is not the within the NOSB’s purview to question it. It was 

also reiterated that since the regulations require maintenance and improvement of the 

ecosystem, this is not a problem. A member also noted that chlorine can be very toxic to fish, so 

growers are very prudent with its quantity and usage, so as to protect their product. JD will 

finalize the checklist based on subsequent conversations and the group chose to vote on this 

substance. 

Vote: Motion to classify chlorine as synthetic 

Motion by: JD

Seconded by: JR

Additional Discussion: none 

Yes: 9 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0 

Motion to add chlorine to 205.611 as petitioned (Calcium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, 

sodium hypochlorite) to the National List sec 205.611(x).

Motion by: JD

Seconded by: CW

Discussion: A member asked if the group can still make this specific motion if there is currently 

no section 611 on the National List. The NOP indicated it was fine, and if any alterations need to 

be made, the program can do it. 

Yes: 7 No: 1 Abstain: 1 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0 

• Aquaculture – Vitamins (CW) - mirrors Chlorine review, so the group felt that no further 

discussion was needed. The group found sufficient June 18. The Chair will send an email to the 

National List Manager indicating their determination. The Subcommittee proceeded to vote. 

Motion to classify vitamins for aquatic animals as petitioned as synthetic 

Motion by: JR

Seconded by: CW

Discussion: none 
Yes: 9 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0 

Motion to add vitamins for aquatic animals as petitioned at §205.611 

Motion by: CW

Seconded by: MS

Discussion: A member asked if GMOs were an issue in vitamin production and should be 

addressed in an annotation. Another member noted that since GE is an excluded method it is 

already prohibited and does not need to be reiterated in an annotation. 

Yes: 9 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0 

Note: Will hold voting open for CBo who, because the call ran late, had to leave for another 

meeting.

ABS note: CBo voted via email June 18, 2013, and the numbers above were changed to reflect 

his vote. 

• Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) - JD asked if FT and WF could look at the TR since they both have 

extensive expertise in livestock.

Future Call Schedule:

June 4, 2013 3:00 ET

Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo)

June 18, 2013 3:00 ET

Aquaculture – Chlorine (JD) - review checklist

Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) – postponed due to lack of time

Aquaculture – Vitamins (CW) –discuss checklist

July 2, 2013 3:00 ET

Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) - TR sufficiency

Aquaculture - Lignin sulfonate (feed binder) (JR)

Omnivore diets discussion (TF/CW)

July 16, 2013 3:00 ET

Vaccines from Excluded Methods (VMWEM update) update (JR)

Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo) checklist review

August 6, 2013 3:00 ET 

August 20, 2013 3:00 ET

September 3, 2013 3:00 ET

September 17, 2013 3:00 ET

October 1, 2013 3:00 ET

October 15, 2013 3:00 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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Tuesday, July 2, 2013, 3:00pm ET

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Mac Stone (MS), Calvin Walker (CW), Nick Maravell (NM), Jean 

Richardson (JR), Francis Thicke (FT), Wendy Fulwider (WF) (Vice chair)

Absent: Joe Dickson (JD), Colehour Bondera (CBo)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA) (Advisory Board Specialist (ABS)), Scott Updike (SU)

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Substance Nat’l List 

§

Contact TR 

requested 

Notes Vote Meeting

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed

205.603 MS Yes Proposal. TR received 11/15/11. Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Chlorine

205.609

205.611

JD No

Crops 2011

Crops 2006

Crops 1995

Livestock 

2006

Handling 

2006

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 07 03 12. 

No TR requested

06 18 13 Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Tocopherols

205.611 TF/CBo 2013 TR

1995 TAP 

rvw

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 08 06 12. 

TR requested 08 06 12. Draft TR 

sent to LS on 04 16 13. TR found 

sufficient 06 04 13

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Vitamins 

205.611 CW/FT Yes Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Response due ~07/30/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12. 

Requested joint TR with Minerals 08 

06 12. TR sent to LS 04/29/13. TR 

found suff 06 18 13.

06 18 13 Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Trace Minerals 

205.611 CW/FT Yes Petition sent to LS on 06/08/12. 

Response due ~08/08/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12? 

Requested joint TR with Vitamins 08

06 12. TR sent to LS 06 25 13. Suff 

due 08 27 13

Fall 2013
Aquaculture –

Lignin sulfonate 

(feed binder) 205.611 JR

Yes

Feb 2011 TR

(Crops)

Petition sent to LC on 06/18/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12. TR expected 

early July 2013. 

Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Biologics: 

Vaccines for 

Aquatic Animals

205.611 JR 2011 TR

(Vaccines 

made from 

GMOs)

Petition sent to LS 06 14 12. 

Petition found sufficient and TR 

requested on 05 21 13. (NOP note: 

TR likely won’t be back in time for 

fall 2013 meeting)

Spring

2014

Sodium chlorite, 

Acidified (SCA)

205.603 JD 2008 TR Petition sent to LS on 06/12/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12. TR sent to LS 

05 08 13. Suff due 07 08 13

Fall 2013

Other projects

Project Contact TR Reqst? Notes Vote Meeting

Omnivore diets 

(methionine)-

proposal

TF/CW

Yes

Disc doc from Fall 2012 final 

report on 

discussion

doc Fall 

2013

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/NM Yes

(revised 

and sent 

12/5/11)

Fall 2012 Proposal TR sent to LC on 6/23/11; 

Sufficiency response rec'd 10/26/2011; 

revised TR sent to LC 12/5/11; TR accepted 

as sufficient on 2/7/12

Interim/

Final? 

Report 

Spring

2014

* Yellow highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve Notes from June 18, 203 call

• Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) - TR sufficiency

• Omnivore diets discussion (TF/CW)

Discussion:

• Notes from June 18 approved with no changes.

• MS announced that the fall meeting will be 3 days long, and asked that each of the 

Subcommittees think about any proposals that may be delayed in case we need to make more 

time for discussion. The options include the following: eliminate items as they drop off 

organically, delay aquaculture proposals wholesale until the spring 2014 meeting, or send 

proposals out for comment but delay voting until the spring 2014 meeting. The Chair asked for 

any additional discussion. Members feel it’s important to put forth documents for discussion so 

the public knows that the group is moving forward with their work, while the meeting length is 

the limiting factor. Members are also cognizant of the amount of work and effort and don’t

want to lose momentum. The NOSB chair noted that it might be beneficial put forth a document 

for comment, and then delay the vote until the following meeting, allowing them to fully digest 
and incorporate public comments. The Chair feels that they could potentially finish all of the 

aquaculture proposals for the fall 2013 meeting, with the exception of the Biologics: Vaccines 

for Aquatic Animals.

• Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) - TR sufficiency –postponed until July 16, 2013

• Omnivore diets discussion (TF/CW) – The overall sentiment is that the group would like to 

produce a statement or discussion document. CW provided a great summary of public comment

for this project at the spring 2013 meeting. The Members feel that because there was not a lot 

of public or trade support they will not pursue it further except to put forth a final statement at 

the fall 2013 meeting indicating the NOSBs position on access to the outdoors. 

• The Chair informed the group about the Handling Subcommittees sunset review of glycerin and 

asked for feedback as it is on the National List with uses for Livestock. The goal is to make sure 

any decisions made in the Handling Subcommittee don’t negatively impact Livestock. 

 

Future Call Schedule:

June 18, 2013 3:00 ET

Aquaculture – Chlorine (JD) - review checklist

Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) – postponed due to lack of time

Aquaculture – Vitamins (CW) –discuss checklist

July 2, 2013 3:00 ET

Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) - TR sufficiency

Omnivore diets discussion (TF/CW)

July 16, 2013 3:00 ET

Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) - TR sufficiency (WF and FT will provide feedback)

Aquaculture - Lignin sulfonate (feed binder) (JR) - TR sufficiency

Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo) checklist review

Aquaculture - Trace Minerals (CW/FT) - TR sufficiency

August 6, 2013 3:00 ET

Aquaculture - Lignin sulfonate (feed binder) (JR) - TR sufficiency

Aquaculture - Trace Minerals - checklist review

Methionine in organic poultry feed

August 20, 2013 3:00 ET

Omnivore diets (methionine)

September 3, 2013 3:00 ET

September 17, 2013 3:00 ET

October 1, 2013 3:00 ET

October 15, 2013 3:00 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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Tuesday, July 16, 2013, 3:00pm ET

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Mac Stone (MS), Calvin Walker (CW), Nick Maravell (NM), Jean 

Richardson (JR), Francis Thicke (FT), Wendy Fulwider (WF) (Vice chair), Colehour Bondera (CBo)

Absent: Joe Dickson (JD)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA) (Advisory Board Specialist (ABS)), Scott Updike (SU), Mark Bradley (MB)

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Substance Nat’l List 

§

Contact TR 

requested 

Notes Vote Meeting

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed

205.603 MS Yes Proposal. TR received 11/15/11. Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Chlorine

205.609

205.611

JD No

Crops 2011

Crops 2006

Crops 1995

Livestock 

2006

Handling 

2006

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 07 03 12. 

No TR requested

06 18 13 Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Tocopherols

205.611 TF/CBo 2013 TR

1995 TAP 

rvw

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 08 06 12. 

TR requested 08 06 12. Draft TR 

sent to LS on 04 16 13. TR found 

sufficient 06 04 13

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Vitamins 

205.611 CW/FT Yes

2013 TR

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Response due ~07/30/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12. 

Requested joint TR with Minerals 08 

06 12. TR sent to LS 04/29/13. TR 

found suff 06 18 13.

06 18 13 Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Trace Minerals 

205.611 CW/FT Yes –waiting 

for 

sufficiency

Petition sent to LS on 06/08/12. 

Response due ~08/08/12. Petition

found sufficient 08 06 12? 

Requested joint TR with Vitamins 08 

06 12. TR sent to LS 06 25 13. Suff 

due 08 27 13. TR found sufficient 07 

16 13

Fall 2013
Aquaculture –

Lignin sulfonate 

(feed binder) 205.611 JR

Yes

Feb 2011 TR

(Crops)

Petition sent to LC on 06/18/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12. TR sent to LS 

07 08 13. TR suff due 09 09 13. TR 

found sufficient 07 16 13

Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Biologics: 

Vaccines for 

Aquatic Animals

205.611 JR 2011 TR

(Vaccines 

made from 

GMOs)

Petition sent to LS 06 14 12. 

Petition found sufficient and TR 

requested on 05 21 13. (NOP note: 

TR likely won’t be back in time for 

fall 2013 meeting)

Spring

2014

Sodium chlorite, 

Acidified (SCA)

205.603 JD 2008 TR Petition sent to LS on 06/12/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12. TR sent to LS 

05 08 13. Suff due 07 08 13

Fall 2013

Other projects

Project Contact TR Reqst? Notes Vote Meeting

Omnivore diets 

(methionine)-

proposal

TF/CW

Yes

Disc doc from Fall 2012 final 

report on 

discussion

doc Fall 

2013

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/NM Yes

(revised 

and sent 

12/5/11)

Fall 2012 Proposal TR sent to LC on 6/23/11; 

Sufficiency response rec'd 10/26/2011; 

revised TR sent to LC 12/5/11; TR accepted 

as sufficient on 2/7/12

Interim/

Final? 

Report 

Spring

2014

* Yellow highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve Notes from July 2, 2013 call

• Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) - TR sufficiency (WF and FT will provide feedback)

• Aquaculture - Lignin sulfonate (feed binder) (JR) - TR sufficiency

• Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo) checklist review

• Aquaculture - Trace Minerals (CW/FT) - TR sufficiency

Discussion:

• Notes from July 2 approved with no changes.

• Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD). WF and FT were going to provide feedback to JD, but the topic 

was postponed until the next call. 

• Aquaculture - Lignin sulfonate (feed binder) (JR) – The group discussed the TR which they found 

sufficient. Lignin sulfonate is a byproduct of wood pulp and is used a feed binder. It’s particularly 

useful in aquatic fish feed because it takes a long time to dissolve, and the Aquaculture Working 

Group (AWG) feels it’s an excellent option. It is presently on National List at §205.601 in 
terrestrial crop production. The checklist will be ready to review on the next call. TF will send 

note to Lisa Brines that the TR is sufficient. 

• Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo) checklist review- CBo/TF circulated a draft checklist to the 

group and asked for input in order to complete it. The members discussed various questions 

including: whether or not tocopherols are derived by a naturally occurring process (irrelevant

because this material is being petitioned is synthetic); If there are natural alternatives 

(Rosemary extract is an alternative but alone it alters the flavor and in combination with another 

material it is very effective); and the commercial availability of tocopherols that are 

manufactured via less toxic processes (i.e. without hexane). The group discussed the possibility 

of including an annotation regarding not allowing hexane extracted tocopherols and not 

allowing tocopherols which had any feedstock that may have been GMO.

The Subcommittee is considering including questions in the proposal, and feels that if they do 

not glean the information they need, they have the option of deferring the vote at the fall 

meeting until they can discuss and research it further. The group agreed that the goal is to move 

the proposal forward and collect public comment and feels that there is enough info to 

complete the checklist. CBo and TF will flesh out the checklist and concentrate the questions to 

forward to the members, including the Board members who will be visiting the Aquaculture 

facility in Maine at the end of July.

• Aquaculture - Trace Minerals (CW/FT) – The lead reviewer found the TR sufficient, and noted 

that the checklist was already completed and circulated to the group. The members will discuss 

the checklist on the next call. The Chair will send a note to the National List Manager indicated 

that the TR is sufficient. 

Future Call Schedule:

July 16, 2013 3:00 ET

Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) - TR sufficiency (WF and FT will provide feedback) -postponed

Aquaculture - Lignin sulfonate (feed binder) (JR) - TR sufficiency

Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo) checklist review

Aquaculture - Trace Minerals (CW/FT) - TR sufficiency

July 30, 2013 3:00 ET

Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) - TR sufficiency (WF and FT will provide feedback) 

Aquaculture - Trace Minerals - checklist review/vote

Aquaculture - Lignin sulfonate (feed binder) (JR) - review checklist/vote

Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo)- discuss draft proposal/vote?

August 6, 2013 3:00 ET

Methionine in organic poultry feed- Review proposal? Cklist? Vote?

August 20, 2013 3:00 ET

Omnivore diets (methionine) - discuss/vote 

September 3, 2013 3:00 ET

September 17, 2013 3:00 ET

October 1, 2013 3:00 ET

October 15, 2013 3:00 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 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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Tuesday, July 30, 2013, 3:00pm ET

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Jean Richardson (JR), Francis Thicke (FT), Joe Dickson (JD), Colehour 

Bondera (CBo), Wendy Fulwider (WF) (Vice chair), Calvin Walker (CW)

Absent: Mac Stone (MS), Nick Maravell (NM) 

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA) (Advisory Board Specialist (ABS)), Scott Updike (SU)

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Substance Nat’l List 

§

Contact TR 

requested 

Notes Vote Meeting

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed

205.603 MS Nov 2011 Proposal. TR received 11/15/11. Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Chlorine

205.609

205.611

JD No

Crops 2011

Crops 2006

Crops 1995

Livestock 

2006

Handling 

2006

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 07 03 12. 

No TR requested

06 18 13

Revised 

annotati

on and 

will 

revote 

via 

email 07 

30 13

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Tocopherols

205.611 TF/CBo 2013 TR

1995 TAP 

rvw

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 08 06 12. 

TR requested 08 06 12. Draft TR 

sent to LS on 04 16 13. TR found 

sufficient 06 04 13

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Vitamins 

205.611 CW/FT 2013 TR Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Response due ~07/30/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12. 

Requested joint TR with Minerals 08 

06 12. TR sent to LS 04/29/13. TR 

found suff 06 18 13.

06 18 13 Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Trace Minerals 

205.611 CW/FT July 2013 Petition sent to LS on 06/08/12. 

Response due ~08/08/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12? 

Requested joint TR with Vitamins 08 

06 12. TR sent to LS 06 25 13. Suff 

due 08 27 13. TR found sufficient 07 

16 13

07 30 13 Fall 2013
Aquaculture –

Lignin sulfonate 

(feed binder) 205.611 JR

July 2013

Feb 2011 TR

(Crops)

Petition sent to LC on 06/18/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12. TR sent to LS 

07 08 13. TR suff due 09 09 13. TR 

found sufficient 07 16 13

07 30 13 Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Biologics: 

Vaccines for 

Aquatic Animals

205.611 JR 2011 TR

(Vaccines 

made from 

GMOs)

Petition sent to LS 06 14 12. 

Petition found sufficient and TR 

requested on 05 21 13. (NOP note: 

TR likely won’t be back in time for 

fall 2013 meeting)

NA Spring

2014

Sodium chlorite, 

Acidified (SCA)

205.603 JD May 2013

2008 TR

Petition sent to LS on 06/12/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12. TR sent to LS 

05 08 13. TR found suff 07 30 13

Fall 2013

Other projects

Project Contact TR Reqst? Notes Vote Meeting

Omnivore diets 

(methionine)-

proposal

TF/CW

Yes

Disc doc from Fall 2012 final 

report on 

discussion

doc Fall 

2013

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/NM Yes

(revised 

and sent 

12/5/11)

Fall 2012 Proposal TR sent to LC on 6/23/11; 

Sufficiency response rec'd 10/26/2011; 

revised TR sent to LC 12/5/11; TR accepted 

as sufficient on 2/7/12

NA Interim/

Final? 

Report 

Spring

2014

* Yellow highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve Notes from July 16, 2013 call

• Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) - TR sufficiency (WF and FT will provide feedback) 

• Aquaculture – Chlorine (JD) revote

• Aquaculture - Trace Minerals (TF)- checklist review/vote

• Aquaculture - Lignin sulfonate (feed binder) (JR) - review checklist/vote

• Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo) - discuss draft proposal/vote?

• Research Priorities

• Report about aquaculture field trip from Jean

Discussion:

• Notes from July 16 approved with no changes.

• Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) - The group discussed the TR and noted that it provided a 

thorough assessment of alternative materials. JD asked that FT and WF provide input into the 

review since they both have backgrounds in livestock. WF added that based on community 

input, the need is not there and will discuss this on a future call. The group found the TR found 

sufficient, and TF will send L. Brines a note regarding their determination. 
• Aquaculture - Chlorine. The annotation in the original proposal (which was voted on June 18) 

was altered for consistency with other uses in Crops so the group chose to re-vote on this item. 

The modified language reads:

Chlorine Materials are petitioned for use in aquatic livestock production, to be added to 205.611 

- Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic aquatic animal production as follows: (x) 

Chlorine materials—disinfecting and sanitizing food contact surfaces, Except, That, residual 

chlorine levels in the water shall not exceed the maximum residual disinfectant limit under the 

Safe Drinking Water Act (Calcium hypochlorite; Chlorine dioxide; and Sodium hypochlorite). JD 

will send the annotations to the group and the members will vote via email.

Note: MA will add the votes to the notes after email vote is completed. 

Follow-up note: After further discussion, the NOP suggested a change to the annotation, so 

the group withdrew this vote and revoted on Chlorine during the August 6, 2013 call

Motion to add Chlorine Materials to § 205.611: with the following annotation: Chlorine 

materials—disinfecting and sanitizing food contact surfaces, Except, That, residual chlorine 

levels in the water shall not exceed the maximum residual disinfectant limit under the Safe 

Drinking Water Act (Calcium hypochlorite; Chlorine dioxide; and Sodium hypochlorite).

Motion by: JD

Seconded by: TF

Yes: No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0 

TF: Y, FT: , JR: Y, JD: Y, CW: , CBo: N, WF: , MS: , NM: 

• Aquaculture - Trace Minerals – The group briefly discussed trace minerals noting that they are 

required and that there doesn’t seem to be a difference between trace minerals in landbased vs. 

aquatic environments. The group proceeded to vote. 

Motion to classify trace minerals as synthetic 

Motion by: CW

Seconded by: FT 

Discussion: none

Yes: 7 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 2 Recuse: 0 

Motion to add trace minerals as petitioned on section 205.611

Motion by: FT

Seconded by: CW 

Discussion: none 

Yes: 7 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 2 Recuse: 0 

FT will revise the checklist and add the votes and send it to the group, the Chair and MA.

• Aquaculture - Lignin sulfonate (feed binder) (JR) – The lead reviewer summarized the proposal 

for the group, indicating that the material fails all review criteria and there are several 

alternatives. Lignin Sulfonate is synthetic and currently approved for Crop production. JR briefed 

the members about the Maine aquaculture tour and noted that one producer in Maine did not 
use lignin sulfonate as a feedbinder, but used two alternatives instead. JR asked several experts 

(fish nutritionists, aquaculturists etc.) about the need for this material and got consistent 

answers about the lack of essentiality and necessity. Members also discussed the European

standards, CODEX standards and producer standards. SU asked if water temperature was a 

factor i.e. what about catfish in warmer water? JR will seek more information about this. 

Motion to classify Lignin sulfonate, CAS numbers: 8062-15-5 (lignin sulfonic acid), 8061-51-6 

(lignin sulfonic acid, sodium salt), 9009-75-0 (sodium lignosulfonate), 8061-54-9 (magnesium 

lignosulfonate), 8061-53-8 (ammonium lignosulfonate) and 8061-52-7 (calcium lignosulfonate) 

as synthetic.

Motion by: JR

Seconded by: CW 

Discussion: none

Yes: 6 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 3 Recuse: 0 

Motion to add Lignin sulfonate, CAS numbers: 8062-15-5 (lignin sulfonic acid), 8061-51-6 (lignin 

sulfonic acid, sodium salt), 9009-75-0 (sodium lignosulfonate), 8061-54-9 (magnesium 

lignosulfonate), 8061-53-8 (ammonium lignosulfonate) and 8061-52-7 (calcium lignosulfonate) 

on section 205.611 of the National List without annotation

Motion by: JR

Seconded by: JD

Discussion: none

Yes: 0 No: 6 Abstain: 0 Absent: 3 Recuse: 0 

• Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo) - Deferred to August 6 call

• Research Priorities - Deferred to August 6

• Aquaculture field trip. JR gave a brief report of the Maine aquaculture visit that several of the 

Board members made. They looked at several facilities in the region, both net pens and open 

systems, and also met with oyster farmers. In response to a couple of questions that the Board 

members posed prior to the visit - Vaccines are all non-GMO, net pens are farmed for 1.5 years 

then left to fallow, much like one would do with a land based system. 

Future Call Schedule:

July 30, 2013 3:00 ET

Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) - TR sufficiency (WF and FT will provide feedback) 

Aquaculture - Trace Minerals - checklist review/vote -done

Aquaculture - Lignin sulfonate (feed binder) (JR) - review checklist/vote -done

Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo) - discuss draft proposal/vote? - deferred to August 6

Discuss Research Priorities - deferred to August 6

August 6, 2013 3:00 ET

Methionine in organic poultry feed- Review proposal? Cklist? Vote?

Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) – Review checklist. WF and FT will provide feedback 

Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo) - discuss draft proposal/vote

Discuss Research Priorities
August 20, 2013 3:00 ET

Omnivore diets (methionine) - discuss/vote 

September 3, 2013 3:00 ET

September 17, 2013 3:00 ET

October 1, 2013 3:00 ET

October 15, 2013 3:00 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 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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Tuesday, August 6, 2013, 3:00pm ET

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Francis Thicke (FT), Colehour Bondera (CBo), Calvin Walker (CW), Mac 

Stone (MS)

Absent: Nick Maravell (NM), Joe Dickson (JD), Jean Richardson (JR), Wendy Fulwider (WF) (Vice chair)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA) (Advisory Board Specialist (ABS)), Scott Updike (SU)

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Substance Nat’l List 

§

Contact TR requested Notes Vote Meeting

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed

205.603 MS Yes Proposal. TR received 11/15/11. Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Chlorine

205.609

205.611

JD No

Crops 2011

Crops 2006

Crops 1995

Livestock 

2006

Handling 

2006

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 07 03 12. 

No TR requested

Original 

vote 06 18 

13

Revised 

annotation 

revote 08 

06 13

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Tocopherols

205.611 TF/CBo 2013 TR

1995 TAP rvw

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 08 06 12. 

TR requested 08 06 12. Draft TR 

sent to LS on 04 16 13. TR found 

sufficient 06 04 13

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Vitamins 

205.611 CW/FT Yes

2013 TR

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Response due ~07/30/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12. 

Requested joint TR with Minerals 

08 06 12. TR sent to LS 04/29/13. 

TR found suff 06 18 13.

06 18 13 Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Trace Minerals 

205.611 CW/FT 2013 TR Petition sent to LS on 06/08/12. 

Response due ~08/08/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12? 

Requested joint TR with Vitamins 

08 06 12. TR sent to LS 06 25 13. 

Suff due 08 27 13. TR found 

sufficient 07 16 13

07 30 13 Fall 2013
Aquaculture –

Lignin sulfonate 

(feed binder) 205.611 JR

Yes

Feb 2011 TR

(Crops)

2013 TR

Petition sent to LC on 06/18/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12. TR sent to 

LS 07 08 13. TR suff due 09 09 13. 

TR found sufficient 07 16 13

07 30 13 Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Biologics: 

Vaccines for 

Aquatic Animals

205.611 JR 2011 TR

(Vaccines 

made from 

GMOs)

Petition sent to LS 06 14 12. 

Petition found sufficient and TR 

requested on 05 21 13. (NOP note: 

TR likely won’t be back in time for 

fall 2013 meeting)

NA Spring

2014

Sodium chlorite, 

Acidified (SCA)

205.603 JD 2008 TR Petition sent to LS on 06/12/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12. TR sent to 

LS 05 08 13. TR found suff 07 30 

13

Fall 2013

Other projects

Project Contact TR Reqst? Notes Vote Meeting

Omnivore diets 

(methionine)-

proposal

TF/CW

Yes

Disc doc from Fall 2012 final 

report 

on 

discussio

n

doc Fall 

2013

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/NM Yes

(revised 

and sent 

12/5/11)

Fall 2012 Proposal TR sent to LC on 

6/23/11; Sufficiency response rec'd 

10/26/2011; revised TR sent to LC 12/5/11; 

TR accepted as sufficient on 2/7/12

NA Interim/

Final? 

Report 

Spring

2014

* Yellow highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve Notes from July 30, 2013 call

• Methionine in organic poultry feed - Review proposal? Cklist? Vote?

• Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) - Review checklist. WF and FT will provide feedback deferred to 

next meeting

• Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo) - discuss draft proposal/vote

• Discuss Research Priorities

• Vote on revised Chlorine checklist annotation 

Discussion:

• Notes from July 30 approved with no changes.

• Methionine in organic poultry feed - Although the proposal is not completed yet the group 

discussed the framework and content they would like to include. The petitioner does not seek to 

increase the overall levels of methionine that are allowed, but instead would like to regulate the 
amounts that are administered at certain stages of a bird’s life, supplying more or less, 

depending on the need and stage of development. The members discussed animal welfare 

issues related to levels of methionine and potential alternatives that may exist, which may not 

currently be available in adequate quantities. MS will have a document ready for the group to 

review on the next conference call. The group also discussed the public comments received, 

which were supportive of the change to methionine levels at different stages over the life of a 

bird. A member noted that with this small change, they may not change the world, but they can 

help the chickens. 

• Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD). WF and FT will provide feedback to JD. discussion was deferred to 

next call.

• Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo) - CBo updated the checklist and members briefly discussed

the TR and the information about alternative methods. CBo will have the document ready for 

the August 20 call.

• Discuss Research Priorities – A member suggested methionine as a potential topic for the 

research priorities. Another member suggested research on salmonella in pasture raised 

poultry. The members were asked to send suggestions to the Chair via email so she can forward 

them to ZS for inclusion on the Research Priorities list. CW offered to send the list from last year 

to the group to review, in case there were potential topics that were not included last time. 

• Revised Chlorine checklist annotation – the NOP suggested a language change to the chlorine 

annotation to be consistent with chlorine guidance after the vote was taken during the last call, 

so it was revised and the Subcommittee revoted: 

Chlorine Vote: ABS note: 5 members were present to vote and the voting was left open so the 

absent members could vote via email. MA will send email asking for members to cast their vote 

by Friday August 9.

Motion to classify chlorine materials (Calcium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, sodium 

hypochlorite) as synthetic. (From the original vote June 18)

Motion by: JD

Seconded by: JR 

Yes: 9 No: 0 Absent: 0 Abstain: 0 Recuse: 0

Motion to add chlorine materials (Calcium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite) 

to §205.611 with the following annotation: Chlorine materials - Disinfecting and 

sanitizing facilities and equipment. Residual chlorine levels in the water in direct animal contact 

(for example, culture water) shall not exceed the maximum residual disinfectant limit under the 

Safe Drinking Water Act.

Motion by: MS

Seconded by: CW

Yes: No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0 

TF: Y, FT: Abstain, JR: Y, JD: Absent, CW:Y, CBo: N, WF: Y , MS: Y, NM: Absent

ABS NOTE: Vote was retaken and completed August 20. See LS Notes from August 20 for final tally
Future Call Schedule:

August 6, 2013 3:00 ET

Methionine in organic poultry feed- Review proposal? Cklist? Vote?

Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) – Review checklist. WF and FT will provide feedback 

Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo) - discuss draft proposal/vote

Discuss Research Priorities

August 20, 2013 3:00 ET

Confirm vote on Chlorine

Omnivore diets (methionine) - discuss/vote 

Tocopherols - discuss/vote

Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) - vote

September 3, 2013 3:00 ET

September 17, 2013 3:00 ET

October 1, 2013 3:00 ET

October 15, 2013 3:00 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 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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Tuesday, August 20, 2013, 3:00pm ET

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Francis Thicke (FT), Colehour Bondera (CBo), Mac Stone (MS), Nick 

Maravell (NM), Joe Dickson (JD), Wendy Fulwider (WF) (Vice chair)

Absent: Jean Richardson (JR), Calvin Walker (CW)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA) (Advisory Board Specialist (ABS)), Scott Updike (SU), Mark Bradley (MBr)

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Substance Nat’l List 

§

Contact TR 

requested 

Notes Vote Meeting

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed

205.603 MS Yes Proposal. TR received 11/15/11. 08 20 13 Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Chlorine

205.609

205.611

JD No

Crops 2011

Crops 2006

Crops 1995

Livestock 

2006

Handling 

2006

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 07 03 12. 

No TR requested

Original 

vote 06 18 

13

Revised 

annotation 

revote 08 06 

13 and 08 

20 13

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Tocopherols

205.611 TF/CBo 2013 TR

1995 TAP 

rvw

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Petition found sufficient 08 06 12. 

TR requested 08 06 12. Draft TR 

sent to LS on 04 16 13. TR found 

sufficient 06 04 13

08 26 13 

(via email)

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Vitamins 

205.611 CW/FT Yes

2013 TR

Petition sent to LS on 05/30/12. 

Response due ~07/30/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12. 

Requested joint TR with Minerals 

08 06 12. TR sent to LS 04/29/13. 

TR found suff 06 18 13.

06 18 13 Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Trace Minerals 

205.611 CW/FT 2013 TR Petition sent to LS on 06/08/12. 

Response due ~08/08/12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12? 

Requested joint TR with Vitamins 

08 06 12. TR sent to LS 06 25 13. 

Suff due 08 27 13. TR found 

sufficient 07 16 13

07 30 13 Fall 2013
Aquaculture –

Lignin sulfonate 

(feed binder) 205.611 JR

Yes

Feb 2011 TR

(Crops)

2013 TR

Petition sent to LC on 06/18/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12. TR sent to 

LS 07 08 13. TR suff due 09 09 13. 

TR found sufficient 07 16 13. 

WITHDRAWN BY PETITIONER 

8/6/13

07 30 13

WITHDRAWN BY 

PETITIONER 

08 06 13

Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Biologics: 

Vaccines for 

Aquatic Animals

205.611 JR 2011 TR

(Vaccines 

made from 

GMOs)

Petition sent to LS 06 14 12. 

Petition found sufficient and TR 

requested on 05 21 13. (NOP note: 

TR likely won’t be back in time for 

fall 2013 meeting)

Spring

2014

Acidified Sodium 

chlorite (ASC)

205.603(

a)(b)

JD 2008 TR Petition sent to LS on 06/12/12. 

Petition found sufficient 9/18. TR 

requested on 9/18/12. TR sent to 

LS 05 08 13. TR found suff 07 30 

13

08 20 13 Fall 2013

Other projects

Project Contact TR Reqst? Notes Vote Meeting

Omnivore diets 

(methionine)-

proposal

TF/CW

Yes

Disc doc from Fall 2012

NA

final 

report 

on 

discussio

n

doc Fall 

2013

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/NM

Yes

(revised 

and sent 

12/5/11)

Fall 2012 Proposal TR sent to LC on 

6/23/11; Sufficiency response rec'd 

10/26/2011; revised TR sent to LC 

12/5/11; TR accepted as sufficient on 

2/7/12

NA Interim/

Final? 

Report 

Spring

2014

* Yellow highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve Notes from August 6, 2013 call

• Confirm vote on Chlorine

• Methionine in organic poultry feed- discuss/vote 

• Tocopherols - discuss/vote 

• Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) - vote 

Discussion:

• Notes from August 6 approved with no changes

• Confirm vote on Chlorine - done. See below.
Vote on Chlorine: 

Motion to classify chlorine materials (Calcium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, sodium 

hypochlorite) as synthetic. (From the original vote June 18 when all members were present)

Motion by: JD

Seconded by: JR 

No Additional discussion

Yes: 9 No: 0 Absent: 0 Abstain: 0 Recuse: 0

Motion to add chlorine materials (Calcium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, sodium 

hypochlorite) to §205.611 with the following annotation: Chlorine materials - Disinfecting 

and sanitizing facilities and equipment. Residual chlorine levels in the water in direct animal 

contact (for example, culture water) shall not exceed the maximum residual disinfectant 

limit under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Motion by: JD

Seconded by: TF

No further discussion

Yes: 5 No: 1 Abstain: 1 Absent: 2 Recuse: 0 (Vote was completed August 20 and via 

email prior to the call)

• Methionine in organic poultry feed. MS discussed the document which was circulated prior to 

the call, indicating the change in rate but not overall amount of methionine. MS will make some 

minor edits to some of the language in the current document and add some questions the 

Subcommittee discussed on the call today and finalize the proposal.

Vote on Methionine in organic poultry feed

Motion to accept the following amendment at §205.603(d): DL–Methionine, DL–Methionine—

hydroxy analog, and DL–Methionine—hydroxy analog calcium (CAS #'s 59-51-8, 583-91-5, 4857-

44-7, and 922-50-9) -for use only in organic poultry production at the following maximum 

average ton of 100% synthetic methionine in the diet over the life of the bird: Laying and broiler 

chickens – 2 pounds; Turkeys and all other poultry – 3 pounds.

Motion by: MS 

Seconded by: FT

No further discussion

Yes: 7 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 2 Recuse: 0 

• Acidified Sodium Chlorite (ASC) (JD). Members discussed ASC and proceeded to vote. Two of the 

members with expertise in dairy and livestock felt that this was not essential, and that there are 

alternatives already on the National List. A member added that if ASC was wholly organic then it 

would make sense to keep it, but given that there are alternatives it doesn’t seem necessary. 

Acidified Sodium Chlorite Vote: 

Motion to classify Acidified Sodium Chlorite (CAS # 7758-19-2 (sodium chlorite) and CAS #
14998-27-7 (chlorous acid) as synthetic.

Motion by: JD

Seconded by: CBo

Yes: 8 No: 0 Absent: 1 Abstain: 0 Recuse: 0 (JR voted synthetic via email 08 20 13)

Motion to list Sodium Chlorite, Acidified (CAS #s 13898-47-0 (Chlorous Acid), 7758-19-2 (Sodium 

Chlorite)) to section 205.603(a) and 205.603(b) of the National List annotated as follows:

Sodium Chlorite, Acidified – Allowed for use on organic livestock as a pre and post teat dip 

treatment. Acidified with lactic acid or other GRAS acid. 

Motion by: JD

Seconded by: CBo

No further discussion

Yes: 0 No: 8 Abstain: 0 Absent: 1 Recuse: 0 (JR voted N via email 08 20 13)

• Tocopherols (CBo). CBo felt that we do not have enough time to vote on this without more 

discussion and added that it would be more useful to have a clear summary so everyone is sure 

about what we are voting on. CBo and TF will discuss this, write a summary and send it out for 

email vote by end of the day Thursday (August22). The Chair will ask that members cast their 

votes by Monday afternoon, August 26th.

The vote was taken via email and finalized August 26, 2013

Motion to classify Tocopherols as petitioned as synthetic.

Motion by: TF

Seconded by: CBo

Yes: 9 No: 0 Absent: Abstain: 0 Recuse: 0 

Motion to list Tocopherols on section 205.611 of the National List for use in aquatic livestock 

production with the following annotation: Tocopherols derived from vegetable oils, not 

extracted using volatile synthetic solvents, are allowed as ingredients in aquatic livestock 

production when rosemary extracts are not a suitable alternative.

Motion by: TF

Seconded by: CBo

No further discussion

Yes: 9 No: Abstain: 0 Absent: Recuse: 0 

• The meeting was adjourned

Future Call Schedule:

August 6, 2013 3:00 ET

Methionine in organic poultry feed- Review proposal? Cklist? Vote?

Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) – Review checklist. WF and FT will provide feedback 

Aquaculture - Tocopherols (TF/CBo) - discuss draft proposal/vote

Discuss Research Priorities
August 20, 2013 3:00 ET

Confirm vote on Chlorine - done

Methionine in organic poultry feed - discuss/vote -done

Tocopherols - discuss/vote- deferred to email

Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) – vote -done

September 3, 2013 3:00 ET

September 17, 2013 3:00 ET

October 1, 2013 3:00 ET

October 15, 2013 3:00 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 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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Tuesday, September 3, 2013, 3:00pm ET

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Francis Thicke (FT), Colehour Bondera (CBo), Mac Stone (MS), Nick 

Maravell (NM), Joe Dickson (JD)

Absent: Jean Richardson (JR), Calvin Walker (CW), Wendy Fulwider, Vice Chair (WF)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA) (Advisory Board Specialist (ABS)), Scott Updike (SU)

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Substance Nat’l List 

§

Contact TR 

requested 

Notes Vote Meeting

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed

205.603 MS 2011 TR Proposal. TR received 11 15 11. 08 20 13 Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Chlorine

205.609

205.611

JD No

Crops 2011

Crops 2006

Crops 1995

Livestock 

2006

Handling 

2006

Petition sent to LS on 05 30 12. 

Petition found sufficient 07 03 12. 

No TR requested

Original 

vote 06 18 

13

Revised 

annotation 

revote 08 06 

13 and 08 

20 13

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Tocopherols

205.611 TF/CBo 2013 TR

1995 TAP 

rvw

Petition sent to LS on 05 30 12. 

Petition found sufficient 08 06 12. 

TR requested 08 06 12. Draft TR 

sent to LS on 04 16 13. TR found 

sufficient 06 04 13

08 26 13 

(via email)

Fall 2013

Aquaculture –

Vitamins 

205.611 CW/FT Yes

2013 TR

Petition sent to LS on 05 30 12. 

Response due ~07 30 12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12. 

Requested joint TR with Minerals 

08 06 12. TR sent to LS 04 29 13. 

TR found suff 06 18 13.

06 18 13 Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Trace Minerals 

205.611 CW/FT 2013 TR Petition sent to LS on 06 08 12. 

Response due ~08 08 12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12? 

Requested joint TR with Vitamins 

08 06 12. TR sent to LS 06 25 13. 

Suff due 08 27 13. TR found 

sufficient 07 16 13

07 30 13 Fall 2013
Aquaculture –

Lignin sulfonate 

(feed binder) 205.611 JR

Yes

Feb 2011 TR

(Crops)

2013 TR

Petition sent to LC on 06 18 12. 

Petition found sufficient 9 18 12. 

TR requested on 09 18 12. TR sent 

to LS 07 08 13. TR suff due 09 09 

13. TR found sufficient 07 16 13. 

WITHDRAWN BY PETITIONER 08

06 13

07 30 13

WITHDRAWN BY 

PETITIONER 

08 06 13

Fall 2013

Aquaculture -

Biologics: 

Vaccines for 

Aquatic Animals

205.611 JR 2011 TR

(Vaccines 

made from 

GMOs)

Petition sent to LS 06 14 12. 

Petition found sufficient and TR 

requested on 05 21 13. (NOP note: 

TR likely won’t be back in time for 

fall 2013 meeting)

Spring

2014 

Acidified Sodium 

chlorite (ASC)

205.603(

a)(b)

JD 2008 TR Petition sent to LS on 06 12 12. 

Petition found sufficient 09 18. TR 

requested on 09 18 12. TR sent to 

LS 05 08 13. TR found suff 07 30 

13

08 20 13 Fall 2013

Other projects

Project Contact TR Reqst? Notes Vote Meeting

Omnivore diets 

(methionine)-

proposal

TF/CW Yes Disc doc from Fall 2012. Work is 

completed. No final report will be 

presented

NA NA

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/NM Yes

(revised 

and sent 12

05 11)

Fall 2012 Proposal TR sent to LC on 06 23

11; Sufficiency response rec'd 10 26 11; 

revised TR sent to LC 12 05 11; TR 

accepted as sufficient on 02 07 12

NA Interim/

Final? 

Report 

Spring

2014

* Yellow highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve Notes from August 20, 2013 call

• Discuss spring 2014 workplan

Discussion:

• Notes from August 20 approved with no changes

• The members discussed the Crops Subcommittee plan to set up a seminar series on aquaculture 

similar to the one the Livestock Subcommittee conducted, in an effort to move the CS proposals 

forward for the spring 2014 NOSB meeting. The Crops members had expressed a discomfort 

with the level of preparedness which is why the 5 Crops aquaculture proposals were tabled, and 

TF asked if the LS members felt comfortable with the proposals they put forth. Although some 

members expressed their hesitation, the overall sense was that the Livestock proposals were 

better defined and that there was no reason to delay. The group discussed various aspects of 

this decision such as receipt of public comment, and the release of the final rule, which they feel 

will not alter the outcome as they have a fairly clear sense of what the final rule will include. MS 

added that the aquaculture proposals will lend itself to a round- robin discussion at the fall

meeting, and will include this information in the introduction to the LS session at the meeting. 
• Spring 2014 workplan. The Subcommittee will finalize the Vaccines from Excluded Methods 

(GMO Vaccines update) and report out during the spring 2014 meeting. The update will include 

a status update and notice that since the Working Group completed its task it is going to be 

 disbanded. Aside from this, the only item on the LS workplan is Aquaculture - Biologics: 

Vaccines for Aquatic Animals. 

• Methionine - TF and CW will work on some language to finalize this doc.

• The LS meeting was adjourned

Future Call Schedule:

August 20, 2013 3:00 ET

Confirm vote on Chlorine - done

Methionine in organic poultry feed - discuss/vote -done

Tocopherols - discuss/vote- deferred to email

Acidified Sodium Chlorite (JD) – vote -done

September 3, 2013 3:00 ET

Workplan

September 17, 2013 3:00 ET

October 1, 2013 3:00 ET

October 15, 2013 3:00 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 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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Tuesday, November 5, 2013, 3:00pm ET

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Colehour Bondera (CBo), Jean Richardson (JR), Calvin Walker (CW), 

Mac Stone (MS)

Absent: Francis Thicke (FT), Joe Dickson (JD), Nick Maravell (NM), Wendy Fulwider, Vice Chair (WF) 

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA), Scott Updike (SU)

Workplan (Will be replaced with updated version after November Executive Call)

Petitioned Materials

Substance Nat’l List 

§

Contact TR 

requested 

Notes Vote Meeting

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed

205.603 MS 2011 TR Proposal. TR received 11 15 11. 08 20 13 Spring

2014

Aquaculture -

Chlorine

205.609

205.611

JD No

Crops 2011

Crops 2006

Crops 1995

Livestock 

2006

Handling 

2006

Petition sent to LS on 05 30 12. 

Petition found sufficient 07 03 12. 

No TR requested

Original 

vote 06 18 

13

Revised 

annotation 

revote 08 06 

13 and 08 

20 13

Fall 2013

Meeting 

cancelled

Aquaculture –

Tocopherols

205.611 TF/CBo 2013 TR

1995 TAP 

rvw

Petition sent to LS on 05 30 12. 

Petition found sufficient 08 06 12. 

TR requested 08 06 12. Draft TR 

sent to LS on 04 16 13. TR found 

sufficient 06 04 13

08 26 13 

(via email)

Fall 2013

Meeting 

cancelled

Aquaculture –

Vitamins 

205.611 CW/FT Yes

2013 TR

Petition sent to LS on 05 30 12. 

Response due ~07 30 12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12. 

Requested joint TR with Minerals 

08 06 12. TR sent to LS 04 29 13. 

TR found suff 06 18 13.

06 18 13 Fall 2013

Meeting 

cancelled

Aquaculture -

Trace Minerals 

205.611 CW/FT 2013 TR Petition sent to LS on 06 08 12. 

Response due ~08 08 12. Petition 

found sufficient 08 06 12? 

Requested joint TR with Vitamins 

08 06 12. TR sent to LS 06 25 13. 

Suff due 08 27 13. TR found 

sufficient 07 16 13

07 30 13 Fall 2013

Meeting 

cancelled
Aquaculture –

Lignin sulfonate 

(feed binder) 205.611 JR

Yes

Feb 2011 TR

(Crops)

2013 TR

Petition sent to LC on 06 18 12. 

Petition found sufficient 9 18 12. 

TR requested on 09 18 12. TR sent 

to LS 07 08 13. TR suff due 09 09 

13. TR found sufficient 07 16 13. 

WITHDRAWN BY PETITIONER 08

06 13

07 30 13

WITHDRAWN BY 

PETITIONER 

08 06 13

NA

Aquaculture -

Biologics: 

Vaccines for 

Aquatic Animals

205.611 JR 2011 TR

(Vaccines 

made from 

GMOs)

Petition sent to LS 06 14 12. 

Petition found sufficient and TR 

requested on 05 21 13. (NOP note: 

TR likely won’t be back in time for 

fall 2013 meeting)

Spring

2014 

Acidified Sodium 

chlorite (ASC)

205.603(

a)(b)

JD 2008 TR Petition sent to LS on 06 12 12. 

Petition found sufficient 09 18. TR 

requested on 09 18 12. TR sent to 

LS 05 08 13. TR found suff 07 30 

13

08 20 13 Fall 2013

Meeting 

cancelled

Other projects

Project Contact TR Reqst? Notes Vote Meeting

Omnivore diets 

(methionine)-

proposal

TF/CW Yes Disc doc from Fall 2012. Work is 

completed. No final report will be 

presented

NA NA

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/NM Yes

(revised 

and sent 12

05 11)

Fall 2012 Proposal TR sent to LC on 06 23

11; Sufficiency response rec'd 10 26 11; 

revised TR sent to LC 12 05 11; TR 

accepted as sufficient on 02 07 12

NA Interim/

Final? 

Report 

Spring

2014

* Yellow highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve Notes from September 3, 2013 call

• Discuss public comments re: Chlorine, Methionine and Tocopherols

Discussion:

• Notes from September 3, 2013 approved with no changes

• Public comments re: Chlorine, Methionine and Tocopherols. The group discussed various 

comments submitted for the fall 2013 proposals and whether or not any of the proposals will 

need to be revised based on this feedback. MS will review the comments on Methionine and the 

group will discuss them on the November 19 call. Upon initial review, it appears that this 

proposal will be revised for the spring 2014 meeting. A member suggested that it might be 

helpful to read the proposal and comments from the perspective of an inspector and consider 

how they would develop a template for inspection. The group will review the comments on the 

chlorine proposal and have scheduled the follow-up discussion for December 3, 2013.

• The group discussed the appropriate level of detail in the NOSB proposals; the NOP indicated 

that certain details are helpful for the rulewriting process. The NOP also discussed how 
recommendations with implications for large economic costs, such as the costs predicted for the 

animal welfare recommendation, can delay the rule writing process. In general, the more 

detailed the proposal, including good estimates of costs, the easier and faster it is for NOP to 

complete the rule writing process.

• Aquaculture - Vitamins (CW) and Trace Minerals (FT). The comments received do not warrant 

changes to the current proposals. The members noted that the NOSB did receive several 

comments about reviewing the aquaculture materials without having a published rule, which 

the commenters were opposed to. The NOP indicated that the aquaculture rule may be delayed 

until the spring due to various factors.

• The group discussed additional workplan items including prioritization of the research priorities.

• The workplan table has been updated with the 2014 workplan items and will replace the one 

above in the next set of notes. Additionally, a 2014 milestone timeline has been added below 

and will replace the fall 2013 milestones.

Future Call Schedule:

September 17, 2013 3:00 ET-cancelled

October 1, 2013 3:00 ET (CANCELLED)

October 15, 2013 3:00 ET (CANCELLED)

November 5, 2013 3:00 ET

November 19, 2013 3:00 ET

Discuss Public comments for fall 2013 proposals

Methionine - discuss public comments

Tocopherols - discuss public comments

December 3, 2013 3:00 ET

Chlorine - discuss public comments

December 17, 2013 3:00 ET

Aquaculture - Biologics: Vaccines for Aquatic Animals

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 

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)

Livestock Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Tuesday, November 19, 2013, 3:00pm ET

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Colehour Bondera (CBo), Jean Richardson (JR), Mac Stone (MS), 

Francis Thicke (FT), Wendy Fulwider, Vice Chair (WF), Joe Dickson (JD), Calvin Walker (CW), Jay Feldman 

(JFe) - sitting in

Absent: Nick Maravell (NM) 

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA), Scott Updike (SU)

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Substance Nat’l List 

§

Contact TR 

requested 

Notes Vote Meeting

Aquaculture -

Biologics: 

Vaccines for 

Aquatic Animals

205.611 JR 2011 TR

(Vaccines 

made from 

GMOs)

Petition sent to LS 06 14 12. 

Petition found sufficient and TR 

requested on 05 21 13. (NOP note: 

TR likely won’t be back in time for 

mid Dec.)

Proposal 

Spr 2014 

Other projects

Project Contact TR Reqst? Notes Vote Meeting

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/NM

Yes

(revised 

and sent 

12/5/11)

Fall 2012 Proposal TR sent to LC on 

6/23/11; Sufficiency response rec'd 

10/26/2011; revised TR sent to LC 

12/5/11; TR accepted as sufficient on 

2/7/12

NA Interim/

Final? Report 

Fall 2014

* Yellow highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve Notes from November 5, 2013 call

• Discuss Public comments for fall 2013 proposals

• Methionine - discuss public comments

• Tocopherols - discuss public comments

Discussion:

• Notes from November 5, 2013 approved with no changes

• Public comments for fall 2013 proposals - The members discussed various aquaculture 

comments and noted that many of the commenters were uncomfortable with the idea of 

making decisions about materials without standards in place. It was noted on an earlier 

Subcommittee call that the publication of the standards has taken significant time and the NOP
does not have a set date for proposed rule release. SU informed the group that he recently met 

with various USDA entities, and several groups asked about recommendations from the NOSB,

as they are very interested. These groups also expressed their view that it would be easier to get 

the standards through the clearance process if there are finalized materials recommendations 

ready. The Subcommittee discussed its concern about reviewing materials with the appropriate 

rigor without the standards in place and noted a prior situation in which this complicated 

matters. The members discussed how to proceed. A straw poll was taken, indicating that

members were uncomfortable sending forth additional proposals without having proposed 

standards published. A member noted that it appears that the public comment has shifted the 

sentiment of the Subcommittee with regard to voting on aquaculture materials without an 

aquaculture standard in place. TF requested that SU inform the program about this change.

Members were supportive of moving ahead and re-reviewing the aquaculture substances

without the published standard with the understanding that they may make changes or defer 

the vote based on new information from public comment or if the regulation is not published by 

the spring meeting date. MS suggested developing a matrix containing information about the 

materials under review, their uses, who uses them vs. who doesn’t, and brief definitions of 

systems. JR will forward existing data sets that can provide the foundation for the matrix and MS 

will compile it and forward it to Dr. Tidwell for further input or feedback. The group also 

discussed developing specific targeted questions for future guest speakers which will help focus

the issues under review. JD offered to forward these targeted questions to colleagues 

knowledgeable in the area of aquaculture. 

• Methionine - Review of public comment. Egg producers are in accordance with the proposed 

adjustment in methionine levels and can adapt, but the broiler groups feel that the NOSB’s 

recommendation is not ideal for animal welfare. It appears that both groups have animal 

welfare issues at the forefront and are not basing their arguments on economics. A member 

asked if the NOSB should differentiate between these groups and rewrite the proposal 

accordingly. The members also discussed the certifier community and the need for a better feed 

tag verification system. MS will meet with a state feed official and to discuss options to 

accommodate the certifiers so they can inspect accurately. The NOP mentioned public 

comments that indicated an increased death rate: 100,000 out of 30 million organic broilers may 

have died as a result of the lowered methionine standard. The NOP added that because broilers

have a short life span, averaging over the life of the bird is not as valuable a tool for them as it is 

for layers. The Subcommittee discussed how to proceed and feels that for now they have a 

strong recommendation and will leave the proposal as is. The group will revisit this on the 

December 3 call.

Future Call Schedule:

November 5, 2013 3:00 ET

November 19, 2013 3:00 ET

Discuss Public comments for fall 2013 proposals

Methionine - discuss public comments

December 3, 2013 3:00 ET

Methionine - moving forward. Modification or leave as is?

Assign Crops aquaculture materials. MA will attach the last Crops notes with the materials that 

need to be reassigned. 

Discuss matrix on aquaculture

Discuss potential for expert testimony 
December 17, 2013 3:00 ET

Tocopherols - discuss public comments

Chlorine - discuss public comments

Aquaculture - Biologics: Vaccines for Aquatic Animals if TR is back. 

 

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)

Livestock/Aquaculture Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Tuesday, December 3, 2013, 3:00pm ET

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Jean Richardson (JR), Mac Stone (MS), Francis Thicke (FT), Joe Dickson 

(JD), Colehour Bondera (CBo), Calvin Walker (CW), Jay Feldman (JFe) - sitting in

Absent: none

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA), Scott Updike (SU)

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Substance Nat’l List 

§

Contact TR 

requested 

Notes Vote Meeting

Aquaculture -

Biologics: 

Vaccines for 

Aquatic Animals

205.611 JR 2011 TR

(Vaccines 

made from 

GMOs)

Petition sent to LS 06 14 12. 

Petition found sufficient and TR 

requested on 05 21 13. (NOP note: 

TR likely won’t be back in time for 

mid Dec.)

Proposal 

Spr 2014 

Aquaculture-CO2, 205.609 TF/CBo No Petition sent to CS on 5 30 12. Will 

rqst modification from petitioner 

(for use pattern). Updated petition 

was deemed sufficient. TR 

deemed unnecessary.

Proposal 

Spr 2014

AquacultureChlorine205.609 

and 

205.611

JD No Petition sent to CS on 5 30 12. 

Determine petition sufficiency. CS 

requested clarification from 

petitioner 11 20 12. TR deemed 

suff 11 20 12. Aquaculture TR 

deemed unnecessary. Sent follow 

up questions to petitioner. 

Response deemed sufficient. 

Proposal 

Spr 2014

AquacultureMicronutrients 205.609 FT/CW 2010 TR 

(Nickel)

6/2013 

Minerals TR

Petition sent to CS on 06 08 12. 

Petition sufficiency response due 

08 08 12? CS sent request to NL 

Mgr 12 04 12 for additional 

info. Questions clarified by 

petitioner. Petition found 

sufficient 06 18 13 and 07 02 13. 

TR deemed unnecessary. 

Proposal 

Spr 2014
AquacultureLignin sulfonate 

(chelating agent 

for aquatic 

plants) 

205.609 JR 2/2011 

Crops TR

7/2013 TR 

Aquatic 

Animals TR

Petition sent to CS on 07 03 12. 

Petition Sufficiency Response due 

09 04 12. CS sent request to NL 

Mgr 12 04 12 for additional info 

and TR. Questions clarified by 

petitioner. Petition found 

sufficient 06 18 13 and 07 02 13.

Proposal 

Spr 2014

Aquacultureplant production 

Vitamins (B1, 

B12, H) List at 

§205.609

FT/CW 4/2013 

Aquatic 

Animals TR

Petition sent to CS 08 10 12. 

Petition Sufficiency response due 

10 10 12. Petition found sufficient 

06 18 13. 

Proposal 

Spr 2014

Other projects

Project Contact TR Reqst? Notes Vote Meeting

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/NM

Yes

(revised 

and sent 

12/5/11)

Fall 2012 Proposal TR sent to LC on 

6/23/11; Sufficiency response rec'd 

10/26/2011; revised TR sent to LC 

12/5/11; TR accepted as sufficient on 

2/7/12

NA Interim/

Final? Report 

Fall 2014

* Yellow highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve Notes from November 19, 2013 call

• Methionine: Determine if proposal needs modification 

• Assign Crops aquaculture materials (added to table above)

• Discuss matrix on aquaculture (MS)

• Discuss potential for expert testimony

Discussion:

• Notes from November 19, 2013 were approved with no changes

• Methionine: The lead reviewer, MS, is still conducting research and follow-up conversations 

based on the public comments. The only aspect in question is whether or not there should be a 

difference for broilers vs. layers. On the last call, the group indicated that they did not support 

making this distinction in the proposal. A member posed a question to the group about how an 

inspector would verify the levels, concerned that it would be difficult or impossible to do so. 

Members discussed public comments that addressed the death rate of birds based on the 

change in methionine levels. The NOP offered some information gleaned from the the organic 

broiler producer who submitted the public comments about death rates: The rates that were 

reported were based on a comparison of death rates for a small percentage of birds (10 

million)using the old methionine allowance as the baseline and comparing the death loss of 10 

million birds after the reduction in methionine levels. The NOP noted that this was a very small 
sampling size: ~ less than 1.0 %. One LS member stated this was not a scientific study and could 

not be used as a basis on which to make decisions.The members reemphasized the public 

support of the inclusion of animal welfare aspects, which were of primary concern. MS will 

provide an update on the Dec 17 call. 

• Assign Crops aquaculture materials (added to table above)

o The LS Chair asked that people review petitions and TR/checklists and share 

their recommendations with the rest of the Subcommittee.

o The Chair feels that the five aquaculture materials that were moved from Crops 

should be reviewed by the same people who conducted the reviews for Crops, 

or who reviewed the same/similar material for Livestock: lignin sulfonate (JR), 

vitamins, micronutrients (FT, CW), Chlorine (JD), and CO2 (TF/CBo). She also 

asked that the members review the past conversations about why the materials 

were tabled. The goal is for the Subcommittee to conduct a robust review and 

complete the checklists in a consistent manner, so the proposals can be 

presented with a systems perspective as opposed to individual materials. 

Tocopherols and Chlorine need to be added back onto the workplan table 

because they will be revised. 

o Aquaculture – Biologics: Waiting for TR, which is expected in late December

o The group discussed the path forward and would like to be ready whether or 

not the standards are released by the spring 2014 NOSB meeting. A member 

noted the uneasiness about the lack of resolution and would like to move things 

forward while respecting the groups’ and publics’ uneasiness with having no 

standards. 

o A member indicated that there is a minority opinion for some of the 

aquaculture materials and would like to make sure that both perspectives are 

represented. The members discussed the best way to write the proposals to 

reflect this, noting that in the past the incorporation of a minority opinion made 

the document confusing and difficult to read. Another member supported a 

document with the minority opinion discussed in the discussion section. The 

voting record will reflect the differences. Another member suggested not using 

the terms majority and minority and instead discussing all of the aspects in one 

section without classifying them. The NOSB Chair urged the group to go forth 

with the proposals based on the understanding that the forthcoming rule will 

not alter what is currently in existence. This should allay anyone’s concerns that 

the proposals will not align well with the new rule, and won’t be as robust.

• Discuss matrix on aquaculture (MS). The matrix is being developed and MS will share the results 

on next call. In general it appears that an aquaculture system cannot be microbially overloaded 

because it has repercussions, so the system has a self-correcting nature. 

• New Vice Chair. The new Livestock Vice Chair has not been determined yet, but TF will choose 

someone and let the group know on the next call. 

• The LS Chair will solicit questions from the members and forward them to Jim Pierce before he 

joins the Dec 17 call. Jim can speak to the roles of the certifiers in standards and not just the 

specific materials. 

• The call was adjourned.

Future Call Schedule:
November 19, 2013 3:00 ET

Discuss Public comments for fall 2013 proposals

Methionine - discuss public comments

December 3, 2013 3:00 ET

Methionine. Determine if proposal needs modification

Assign Crops aquaculture materials (added to table above)

Discuss matrix on aquaculture (MS)

Discuss potential for expert testimony 

December 17, 2013 3:00 ET

Jim Pierce + additional OTCO expert on plant aquaculture – moved to Livestock/Aquaculture 

Subcommittee call (MA sent invitation 11 29 13)

January 7, 2014 3:00 ET

Methionine, Tocopherols - discuss public comments

Chlorine - discuss public comments

Aquaculture - Biologics: Vaccines for Aquatic Animals if TR is back. 

January 21, 2014 3:00 ET

February 4, 2014 3:00 ET

February 18, 2014 3:00 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
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)

Livestock/Aquaculture Subcommittee (LS) Meeting Notes

Tuesday, December 17, 2013, 3:00pm ET

Attending: Tracy Favre, Chair (TF), Joe Dickson, Vice Chair (JD), Jean Richardson (JR), Mac Stone (MS), 

Francis Thicke (FT), Calvin Walker (CW), Colehour Bondera (CBo), Jay Feldman (JFe) - sitting in, Harold 

Austin - sitting in 

Guests: Jim Pierce, OTCO and Ryan Costello, OTCO

Absent: Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA), Scott Updike (SU)

Workplan

Petitioned Materials

Substance Nat’l List 

§

Contact TR 

requested 

Notes Vote Meeting

Aquaculture -

Biologics: 

Vaccines for 

Aquatic Animals

205.611 JR Y- new TR 

reqtd

2011 TR

(Vaccines 

made from 

GMOs)

Petition sent to LS 06 14 12. 

Petition found sufficient and TR 

requested on 05 21 13. (NOP note: 

TR likely won’t be back in time for 

mid Dec.)

Proposal 

Spr 2014 

Aquaculture-CO2, 205.609 TF/CBo No Petition sent to CS on 5 30 12. Will 

rqst modification from petitioner 

(for use pattern). Updated petition 

was deemed sufficient. TR 

deemed unnecessary.

Proposal 

Spr 2014

AquacultureChlorine205.609 

and 

205.611

JD No Petition sent to CS on 5 30 12. 

Determine petition sufficiency. CS 

requested clarification from 

petitioner 11 20 12. TR deemed 

suff 11 20 12. Aquaculture TR 

deemed unnecessary. Sent follow 

up questions to petitioner. 

Response deemed sufficient. 

Proposal 

Spr 2014
AquacultureMicronutrients 

205.609 FT/CW 2010 TR 

(Nickel)

6/2013 

Minerals TR

Petition sent to CS on 06 08 12. 

Petition sufficiency response due 

08 08 12? CS sent request to NL 

Mgr 12 04 12 for additional 

info. Questions clarified by 

petitioner. Petition found 

sufficient 06 18 13 and 07 02 13. 

TR deemed unnecessary. 

Proposal 

Spr 2014

AquacultureLignin sulfonate 

(chelating agent 

for aquatic 

plants) 

205.609 JR 2/2011 

Crops TR

7/2013 TR 

Aquatic 

Animals TR

Petition sent to CS on 07 03 12. 

Petition Sufficiency Response due 

09 04 12. CS sent request to NL 

Mgr 12 04 12 for additional info 

and TR. Questions clarified by 

petitioner. Petition found 

sufficient 06 18 13 and 07 02 13.

Proposal 

Spr 2014

Aquacultureplant production 

Vitamins (B1, 

B12, H) List at 

§205.609

FT/CW 4/2013 

Aquatic 

Animals TR

Petition sent to CS 08 10 12. 

Petition Sufficiency response due 

10 10 12. Petition found sufficient 

06 18 13. 

Proposal 

Spr 2014

Methionine in 

organic poultry 

feed (MET)-

petitioned

205.603 MS 2011 TR TR received 11 15 11. 

Proposal being revised for spring 

2014 meeting

08 20 13 Spr 2014

Other projects

Project Contact TR Reqst? Notes Vote Meeting

Vaccines from 

Excluded 

Methods (GMO 

Vaccines update)

JR/NM

Yes

(revised 

and sent 

12/5/11)

Fall 2012 Proposal TR sent to LC on 

6/23/11; Sufficiency response rec'd 

10/26/2011; revised TR sent to LC 

12/5/11; TR accepted as sufficient on 

2/7/12

NA Interim/

Final? Report 

Fall 2014

* Yellow highlight indicates committee action needed

Agenda:

• Approve Notes from December 3, 2013 call

• Guest speakers for Aquaculture
Discussion:

• Notes from December 3, 2013 call approved with no changes.

• Guests: Jim Pierce and Ryan Costello both of Oregon Tithe (OTCO). Both Jim and Ryan 

introduced themselves and gave a little background about their experience with organic and 

aquaculture. Jim participated on a previous call for Livestock and discussed aquaculture systems 

as well as plants. Ryan has a Master’s degree in soils and does reviews for Oregon Tilth. While 

not an expert in aquaculture, he provided expertise about plants in general. The Subcommittee 

prepared questions ahead of time and the group spent the hour discussing them. Members 

discussed various topics including the list of 11 specific materials that were petitioned and how 

that may or may not affect a systems approach. Jim noted that althoughn the list of petitioned 

materials is short, is a good start. He also noted that the list was intentionally kept short as a 

result of a request to the working group, since this was meant to be an initial review. Jim noted

that the same strategy was used for livestock; an initial list consisting of only essential materials. 

In response to a member’s question, Jim noted that this shortened list, if approved, would allow 

organic aquaculture to develop and grow, and feels it’s a good starting point. It also allows 

organic to stand out from conventional aquaculture, which relies on non-organic practices. Jim 

added that since all of these materials are already listed for other uses, he would support all of 

them for organic aquaculture. 

The group also discussed vitamins and minerals for plants, chlorine, closed systems vs. 

integrated multi-tropic based systems, organic aquaculture standards vs, conventional 

standards, and certification of open systems. A member asked about chlorine use in culture 

water, and JD offered to send the group some information that he received from the petitioner 

regarding this. Jim noted that fish are very sensitive to chlorine and it’s expensive so overuse is 

self-restricted. Additionally the use of chlorine is restricted by the safe drinking water act. 

The group discussed the current standards and the challenge of ensuring compliance. The NOP 

is proposing minor changes to the current standards and will not alter them drastically. Jim 

noted that the CA and EU standards which are similar, are working very well, so there wouldn’t 

be a reason to alter them much. Jim also acknowledged that it is commonplace and is the

standard operating procedure with the NOSB to move forward with materials review without 

standards, despite the negative feedback from several commenters about this practice. A 

member asked for more information about the aforementioned “non-organic practices” in 

conventional aquaculture. Jim noted that once the organic Standards are released it will 

highlight the following practices used in conventional aquaculture: lack of nutrient filtering, use 

of medications, and use and reliance on synthetic inputs. Jim referred the members to other 

contacts who may be able to answer additional questions regarding ocean based systems and 

kelp. 

• JR offered to contact the folks in Maine who led an aquaculture tour this past summer to ask 

additional questions. 

• The meeting was adjourned.

Future Call Schedule:

December 3, 2013 3:00 ET

Methionine. Determine if proposal needs modification

Assign Crops aquaculture materials (added to table above)
Discuss matrix on aquaculture (MS)

Discuss potential for expert testimony 

December 17, 2013 3:00 ET

Jim Pierce + additional OTCO expert on plant aquaculture – moved from Crops to 

Livestock/Aquaculture Subcommittee call (MA sent invitation 11 29 13)

January 7, 2014 3:00 ET

Methionine, Tocopherols - discuss public comments

Chlorine - discuss public comments

Aquaculture - Biologics: Vaccines for Aquatic Animals. Discuss if TR is back.

January 21, 2014 3:00 ET

February 4, 2014 3:00 ET

February 18, 2014 3:00 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