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/regulations or NOSB 

recommendations. Proposals must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the 

NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Notes

Tuesday, December 10, 2019 2:00 pm ET

Attending: Dave Mortensen (DM), Chair; Chair; Harriet Behar (HB); Dan Seitz (DS); Steve Ela (SE); Asa 

Bradman (AB) - observer; Jerry D’Amore (JD) - observer; Wood Turner (WT) - observer

Absent: Emily Oakley (EO); Lisa de Lima (LD)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Devon Pattillo (DP)

Agenda

• November 12 meeting notes (All)

• TR and Materials Update (DP)

• Sanitizer panel update (All)

• Excluded Methods - discuss 2020 goals (HB/DM)

• Additional items 

• Adjourn

Discussion 

• November 12 meeting notes were accepted with no changes. 

• TR and Materials Update (DP)

o Chitosan petition was sent to the Crops Subcommittee and will be posted on the 

website soon. The Program is working through some technical issues around getting the 

petition posted to the website. 

o Whey protein concentrate petition (for removal) is under review by NOP

o Several other new petitions were recently received and are under NOP review. 

o One TR out for contracting for sodium carbonate lignin. NOP anticipates that it could be 

back for the spring meeting. 

o There are five TRs in progress, with four of those due back to the Program in the next 

month (insecticidal soaps, konjac flour, sodium hydroxide, and ion exchange filtration). 

NOP is waiting for questions on fenbendazole from Livestock. HB will touch base with SB 

about them.

• Sanitizer panel update. The MS is working on organizing a panel for the Spring meeting. Several 

members suggested potential panelists to ensure there is a breadth of experience and expertise. 

Members will identify folks and coordinate with each other to discuss further. MA will check 

with DP about a possible Federal representative. 

• Excluded Methods (HB). The lead noted that she will transition duties to DM when she rotates 

off the NOSB in January. In support of that she will introduce him to stakeholders who are 

engaged in this topic and have provided support. The goal is to put forth a discussion document 

at the Spring 2020 meeting and a proposal in Fall 2020. HB will develop the next template for 

the spring.

• Contamination of farm Inputs. DM reached out to stakeholders regarding the contamination of 

farm inputs work agenda item. The scope of the issue was quite broad - water quality, 

contaminants in manure, etc. The NOP has put this item on hold, but the MS is proposing to put 

it back on its agenda, perhaps for the Fall 2020 meeting, if they determine it is important. HB 

and DM will discuss this more on next call. 

• Additional items. None

• The meeting was adjourned
Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 2:00 ET)

November 12, 2019

Explore Sanitizers panel abstract

December 10, 2019

January 14, 2020

Sanitizer panel - discuss potential panelists/charge to panel

Excluded Methods - discuss draft proposal

Marine Materials - discuss draft proposal

Contamination of farm Inputs - discuss.

February 11, 2020

March 10, 2020

April 14, 2020

May 12, 2020

June 9, 2020

July 14, 2020

August 11, 2020

September 8, 2020

October 13, 2020

November 10, 2020

December 8, 2020

Work agenda

Materials Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Research Priorities Proposal

May 2012 Framework Proposal

DM Subcommittee reps to MS

DS - Livestock

DM - Crops

LD - Handling

RPs from Subcomm due to MS in July

11 12 19 DD Spring 2020

Petition and TR tracking HB/LB Ongoing NA NA

GMO Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Excluded Methods HB Proposal TBD TBD

Other Projects

Project Contact Notes* Discussed,

Voted Meeting

Sanitizers: Assessing Cleaning 

and Sanitation Materials 

HB, EO, AB Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved 03 16 18. TR request 

sent to NOP 02 27 19.

11.12.19 Panel

Spring 2020
Used in Organic Crop, 

Livestock and Handling

Marine Materials EO Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved request 01 12 16. TR 

request sent to NOP 02 05 16. 

TR expected Jul 2016. TR sent to 

CS and HS 08 10 16. TR suff due 

10 11 16. TR found sufficient 09 

06 16. Voted 09 06 16. Proposal 

in development 12 06 16. Voted 

01 17 17. Referred back to CS 

and HS at Spr 2017 NOSB 

meeting. Moved to MS for 

completion 03 16 18. Panel Fall 

2019. Proposal Spr 2020

11.12.19 Spr 2020

Spring 2020 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Nov 15, 2019

NOSB - Spring 2020 proposals due to NOP Feb 20, 2020

New NOSB member training Feb 25 - 26, 2020

NOP - Draft Spring 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Mar 2, 2020

NOP - Post proposals Mar 5, 2020

Public comment closes Apr 3, 2020

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 7, 2020

Public comment webinars Apr 21 & 23, 2020

Spring 2020 NOSB meeting – Crystal City, VA Apr 28 - May 1, 2020
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/regulations or NOSB 

recommendations. Proposals must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the 

NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Notes

Tuesday, November 12, 2019 2:00 pm ET

Attending: Emily Oakley (EO), Dave Mortensen (DM), Vice Chair; Chair; Harriet Behar (HB); Steve Ela (SE)

Absent: Lisa de Lima (LD); Dan Seitz (DS)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• October 8 meeting notes (All)

• TR and Materials Update (DP)

• Sanitizers - review panel abstract and discuss potential panelists (HB)

• Research Priorities - discuss spring discussion document (DM/all)

• Contamination of Farm Inputs - discuss any next steps?? (all)

• Update on Marine Algae Spring Proposal (EO)

• Excluded Methods - discuss 2020 goals (HB/DM)

• Additional items 

• Adjourn

Discussion 

• October 8 meeting notes were approved as is. 

• TR and Materials Update (DP)

o TR status - five TRs in process, with first drafts due back to NOP mid-November through 

December:

Insecticidal soaps Crops 11/18/19

Konjac flour Handling 11/23/19

Sodium hydroxide Handling 12/23/19

Ion exchange filtration Handling 12/23/19

Sodium carbonate lignin Crops TBD

Fenbendazole? Livestock TBD - awaiting Qs from LS

o Petitions - three under review by NOP for completeness (chitosan as pesticide, whey 

protein concentrate removal, biochar from manure); waiting for NOSB petition 

sufficiency determination for low-acyl gellan gum and red jalapeno pepper; NOSB 

deemed two petitions sufficient (fenbendazole, sodium carbonate lignin). 

• Sanitizers (HB). The group discussed possible panelists and the abstract/charge for the panel. 

HB will reach out to NOP for suggestions about other panelists and expertise. 

• Research Priorities (DM/all). The MS intends on incorporating the Fall 2019 public comments 

into the previous research priorities document, making any suggested changes and perhaps 

adding questions, and reposting it as a discussion document for the Spring 2020 meeting. The 

goal is to solicit feedback from stakeholders earlier in the review process.
• Contamination of Farm Inputs (all). The MS will place this project on hold as this is not a priority 

for the USDA. The entry in the work agenda table below was removed.

• Marine Algae Spring Proposal (EO). The Chair shared feedback from the Fall 2019 meeting

regarding the question of developing an annotation vs. requiring certification. The lead will 

continue to work on this project, and asked for feedback from the other members. 

• Excluded Methods (HB/DM). Deferred to next call due to lack of time. 

• Additional items. None.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 2:00 ET)

October 8, 2019

November 12, 2019

Explore Sanitizers panel abstract

December 10, 2019

January 14, 2020

February 11, 2020

March 10, 2020

April 14, 2020

May 12, 2020

June 9, 2020

July 14, 2020

August 11, 2020

September 8, 2020

October 13, 2020

November 10, 2020

December 8, 2020

Work agenda

Materials Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Research Priorities Proposal

May 2012 Framework Proposal

DM Subcommittee reps to MS

DS - Livestock

DM - Crops

LD - Handling

RPs from Subcomm due to MS in July

11 12 19 DD Spring 2020

Petition and TR tracking HB/LB Ongoing NA NA

GMO Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Excluded Methods HB TBD TBD
Other Projects

Project Contact Notes* Discussed,

Voted Meeting

Sanitizers: Assessing Cleaning 

and Sanitation Materials 

Used in Organic Crop, 

Livestock and Handling

HB, EO, AB Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved 03 16 18. TR request 

sent to NOP 02 27 19.

11.12.19 Panel

Spring 2020

Marine Materials EO Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved request 01 12 16. TR 

request sent to NOP 02 05 16. 

TR expected Jul 2016. TR sent to 

CS and HS 08 10 16. TR suff due 

10 11 16. TR found sufficient 09 

06 16. Voted 09 06 16. Proposal 

in development 12 06 16. Voted 

01 17 17. Referred back to CS 

and HS at Spr 2017 NOSB 

meeting. Moved to MS for 

completion 03 16 18. Panel Fall 

2019. Proposal Spr 2020

Spr 2020

Spring 2020 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Nov 15, 2019

NOSB - Spring 2020 proposals due to NOP Feb 20, 2020

New NOSB member training Feb 25 - 26, 2020

NOP - Draft Spring 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Mar 2, 2020

NOP - Post proposals Mar 5, 2020

Public comment closes Apr 3, 2020

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 7, 2020

Public comment webinars Apr 21 & 23, 2020

Spring 2020 NOSB meeting – Crystal City, VA Apr 28 - May 1, 2020
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/regulations or NOSB 

recommendations. Proposals must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the 

NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Notes

Tuesday, October 8, 2019 2:00 pm ET

Attending: Emily Oakley (EO), Chair; Dave Mortensen (DM), Vice Chair; Harriet Behar (HB)

Absent: Dan Seitz (DS); Lisa de Lima (LD)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Devon Pattillo (DP)

Agenda

• September 10 meeting notes (All)

• Contamination of Farm Inputs (DP/all)

• Sanitizer Spring Panel - (HB/all)

• Additional items 

• Adjourn

Discussion 

• September 10 meeting notes were approved as is.

• Contamination of Farm Inputs (DP/all). Members discussed the importance of this issue and 

what the best path forward would be. The NOP is focused on Strengthening Organic 

Enforcement and fraud prevention and this is not a priority at this time. It will remain on the 

work agenda and members will discuss at a future meeting. 

• Sanitizer Spring Panel - (HB/all). Members discussed the intent and goal of the panel, and what 

the anticipated result would be. The members also discussed possible panelists. NOP suggested 

having an expert who could address regulatory aspects.

• Additional items. None

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 2:00 ET)

September 10, 2019

New work agenda item suggestion - Development of criteria for evaluating products of 

 fermentation processes.

Sanitizers - discuss panel

Contamination of Farm Inputs Discussion Document

Update on marine algae panel

October 8, 2019

November 12, 2019

Explore Sanitizers panel abstract

December 10, 2019
Work agenda

Materials Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Research Priorities Proposal

May 2012 Framework Proposal

DM Subcommittee reps to MS

DS - Livestock

DM - Crops

LD - Handling

RPs from Subcomm due to MS in July

06 17 19

07 30 19

08 13 19

Fall 2019

Petition and TR tracking HB/LB Ongoing NA NA

GMO Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Genetic Integrity Transparency 

of Seed Grown on Organic Land

(formerly Seed Purity from 

GMOs) 

DS, DM, 

HB

08 13 19 Fall 2019

Excluded Methods: Induced 

mutagenesis and embryo 

transfer in livestock discussion 

document

HB Discussion Document 08 13 19 Fall 2019

Other Projects

Project Contact Notes* Discussed,

Voted Meeting

Contamination of Farm 

Inputs Discussion Document

HB Moved to Materials from Crops 

for continued work. 

09 10 19 TBD

Sanitizers: Assessing Cleaning 

and Sanitation Materials 

Used in Organic Crop, 

Livestock and Handling

HB, EO, AB Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved 03 16 18. TR request 

sent to NOP 02 27 19.

07 30 19

08 13 19

09 10 19

Panel

Spring 2020

Marine Materials EO Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved request 01 12 16. TR 

request sent to NOP 02 05 16. 

TR expected Jul 2016. TR sent to 

CS and HS 08 10 16. TR suff due 

10 11 16. TR found sufficient 09 

06 16. Voted 09 06 16. Proposal 

in development 12 06 16. Voted 

01 17 17. Referred back to CS 

and HS at Spr 2017 NOSB 

meeting. Moved to MS for 

completion 03 16 18. 

07 09 19

07 30 19

09 10 19

Panel Fall 2019
Fall 2019 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

New NOSB member training TBD Feb/Mar 2020

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment May 3, 2019

NOSB Request for TRs for 2022 sunset materials Jun 12, 2019

NOP - Draft Fall 2019 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Aug 5, 2018

NOSB - Fall 2019 proposals due to NOP Aug 15, 2018

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 4, 2018

Public comment closes Oct 3, 2019

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Oct 7, 2019

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Oct 14, 2019

Public comment webinars Oct 15 & 17, 2019

Fall 2019 NOSB meeting - Pittsburgh, PA Oct 23-25, 2019
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/regulations or NOSB 

recommendations. Proposals must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the 

NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Notes

Tuesday, September 10, 2019 2:00 pm ET

Attending: Emily Oakley (EO), Chair; Dave Mortensen (DM), Vice Chair; Harriet Behar (HB); Dan Seitz 

(DS); Lisa de Lima (LD)

Absent: None

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• August 13 meeting notes (All)

• TR and Materials Update (MA)

• New work agenda Item suggestion - Development of criteria for evaluating products 

of fermentation processes (all)

• Sanitizers - discuss panel (HB)

• Contamination of Farm Inputs Discussion Document (all)

• Update on Marine Algae Panel (EO)

• Additional items 

• Adjourn

Discussion 

• August 13 meeting notes were approved as is.

• Technical Reports (TRs) and Materials Update (MA). NOP will be sending out bids for three 

TRs, all for the Handling Subcommittee: Konjac flour, sodium hydroxide, and ion exchange 

filtration. The TR for insecticidal soaps in Crops is in development by the contractor. 

• New work agenda Item suggestion - Development of criteria for evaluating products of 

fermentation processes (all). The group discussed the addition of this project, which was 

suggested by a stakeholder group. The Chair suggested this might best fit in Handling. Members 

would like to discuss this further with the stakeholder group to clarify what they are seeking, 

and the MS will discuss it at the next Executive call.

• Sanitizers - discuss panel (HB). The NOSB discussed a panel for the Spring 2020 meeting. 

Members discussed the scope and charge for the panel and potential panelists. The MS will 

continue this conversation on the November MS call. 

• Update on Marine Algae Panel (EO). The MS Chair updated the members about the four 

panelists that have been invited to sit on the panel. 

• Contamination of Farm Inputs Discussion Document (all). MS would like to discuss this further 

with the NOP to clarify the history of the project and to determine what the NOP is seeking. DM 

and EO will work on this project.

• Additional items. None

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 2:00 ET)

August 13, 2019

 Genetic Integrity of Seed (HB). Discuss/vote
 Excluded Methods proposal (HB). Discuss/vote

 Research Priorities Update (DM). Discuss/vote

September 10, 2019

New work agenda item suggestion - Development of criteria for evaluating products of 

 fermentation processes.

Sanitizers - discuss panel

Contamination of Farm Inputs Discussion Document

Update on marine algae panel

October 8, 2019

November 12, 2019

Explore Sanitizers panel abstract

December 10, 2019

Work agenda

Materials Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Research Priorities Proposal

May 2012 Framework Proposal

DM Subcommittee reps to MS

DS - Livestock

DM - Crops

LD - Handling

RPs from Subcomm due to MS in July

06 17 19

07 30 19

08 13 19

Fall 2019

Petition and TR tracking HB/LB Ongoing NA NA

GMO Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Genetic Integrity Transparency 

of Seed Grown on Organic Land

(formerly Seed Purity from 

GMOs) 

DS, DM, 

HB

08 13 19 TBD

Excluded Methods: Induced 

mutagenesis and embryo 

transfer in livestock discussion 

document

HB Discussion Document 08 13 19 TBD

Other Projects

Project Contact Notes* Discussed,

Voted Meeting

Contamination of Farm 

Inputs Discussion Document

HB Moved to Materials from Crops 

for continued work. 

09 10 19 TBD

Sanitizers: Assessing Cleaning 

and Sanitation Materials 

Used in Organic Crop, 

Livestock and Handling

HB, EO, AB Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved 03 16 18. TR request 

sent to NOP 02 27 19.

07 30 19

08 13 19

09 10 19

Panel

Spring 2020
Marine Materials EO Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved request 01 12 16. TR 

request sent to NOP 02 05 16. 

TR expected Jul 2016. TR sent to 

CS and HS 08 10 16. TR suff due 

10 11 16. TR found sufficient 09 

06 16. Voted 09 06 16. Proposal 

in development 12 06 16. Voted 

01 17 17. Referred back to CS 

and HS at Spr 2017 NOSB 

meeting. Moved to MS for 

completion 03 16 18. 

07 09 19

07 30 19

09 10 19

Panel Fall 2019

Fall 2019 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

New NOSB member training TBD Feb/Mar 2020

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment May 3, 2019

NOSB Request for TRs for 2022 sunset materials Jun 12, 2019

NOP - Draft Fall 2019 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Aug 5, 2018

NOSB - Fall 2019 proposals due to NOP Aug 15, 2018

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 4, 2018

Public comment closes Oct 3, 2019

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Oct 7, 2019

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Oct 14, 2019

Public comment webinars Oct 15 & 17, 2019

Fall 2019 NOSB meeting - Pittsburgh, PA Oct 23-25, 2019
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/regulations or NOSB 

recommendations. Proposals must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the 

NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Notes

Tuesday, August 13, 2019 2:00 pm ET

Attending: Emily Oakley (EO), Chair; Dave Mortensen (DM), Vice Chair; Lisa de Lima (LD); Harriet Behar 

(HB); Dan Seitz (DS)

Absent: None

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Devon Pattillo (DP)

Agenda

• July 30 meeting notes (All)

• Materials and TR Update (DP)

• Excluded Methods proposal (HB). Discuss/vote

• Genetic Integrity of Seed (HB). Discuss/vote

• Research Priorities Update (DM). Discuss/vote 

• Sanitizers 

• Additional items

• Adjourn

Discussion 

• July 30 meeting notes were approved with no changes.

• Materials and TR Update (DP). The TR for paper pots has been posted on the AMS website.

• Excluded Methods: Induced Mutagenesis and Embryo Transfer in Livestock proposal (HB). The 

lead summarized the current iteration of the proposal and the group moved to a vote.

Motion to accept the excluded methods proposal

Motion by: HB

Seconded by: DS

Additional discussion: None

Yes: 5 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0

• Genetic Integrity of Seed (HB). The lead summarized the document for the group noting that it 

is a good start. Members discussed the language and made some minor modifications before 

proceeding to a vote. 

Motion to accept the genetic integrity of seed proposal

Motion by: HB

Seconded by: DM

Additional discussion: None

Yes: 5 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0

Research Priorities Update (DM). The lead summarized the major changes since the last version 

of the research priorities. The NOSB has added four (4) new research priorities, 3 of them are 

Crop related. 

Motion to accept the 2019 research priorities proposal 

Motion by: DM
Seconded by: LD

Additional discussion: None

Yes: 5 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0

• Sanitizers. The NOP suggested that the MS convene a panel in Spring 2020 to help inform this 

work and the MS will not proceed with a document at this time. Members discussed further the 

need to review sanitizers as a group. The lead noted that the goal was to help inform future 

NOSB reviews when new sanitizers are petitioned. The MS will provide a verbal update at the 

fall 2019 meeting and will continue to discuss a panel on the next call. 

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 2:00 ET)

July 30, 2019 - Additional call

 New work agenda item suggestion - Development of criteria for evaluating products of 

 fermentation processes

 Contamination of Farm Inputs

 Sanitizer Update (HB) 

 Research Priorities Update (DM)

 Marine Materials panel (All) - discuss

August 13, 2019

 Genetic Integrity of Seed (HB). Discuss/vote

 Excluded Methods proposal (HB). Discuss/vote

 Research Priorities Update (DM). Discuss/vote

September 10, 2019

New work agenda item suggestion - Development of criteria for evaluating products of 

 fermentation processes.

Sanitizers - discuss panel

Contamination of Farm Inputs Discussion Document

Update on marine algae panel

October 8, 2019

November 12, 2019

December 10, 2019

Work agenda

Materials Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Research Priorities Proposal

May 2012 Framework Proposal

DM Subcommittee reps to MS

DS - Livestock

DM - Crops

LD - Handling

RPs from Subcomm due to MS in July

06 17 19

07 30 19

08 13 19

Fall 2019

Petition and TR tracking HB/LB Ongoing NA NA
GMO Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Genetic Integrity Transparency 

of Seed Grown on Organic Land

(formerly Seed Purity from 

GMOs) 

DS, DM, 

HB

08 13 19 TBD

Excluded Methods: Induced 

mutagenesis and embryo 

transfer in livestock discussion 

document

HB Discussion Document 08 13 19 TBD

Other Projects

Project Contact Notes* Discussed,

Voted Meeting

Contamination of Farm 

Inputs Discussion Document

HB Moved to Materials from Crops 

for continued work. 

09 10 19 TBD

Sanitizers: Assessing Cleaning 

and Sanitation Materials 

Used in Organic Crop, 

Livestock and Handling

HB, EO, AB Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved 03 16 18. TR request 

sent to NOP 02 27 19.

07 30 19

08 13 19

09 10 19

Panel

Spring 2020

Marine Materials EO Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved request 01 12 16. TR 

request sent to NOP 02 05 16. 

TR expected Jul 2016. TR sent to 

CS and HS 08 10 16. TR suff due 

10 11 16. TR found sufficient 09 

06 16. Voted 09 06 16. Proposal 

in development 12 06 16. Voted 

01 17 17. Referred back to CS 

and HS at Spr 2017 NOSB 

meeting. Moved to MS for 

completion 03 16 18. 

07 09 19

07 30 19

09 10 19

Panel Fall 2019

Fall 2019 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

New NOSB member training TBD Feb/Mar 2020

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment May 3, 2019

NOSB Request for TRs for 2022 sunset materials Jun 12, 2019

NOP - Draft Fall 2019 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Aug 5, 2018

NOSB - Fall 2019 proposals due to NOP Aug 15, 2018

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 4, 2018
Public comment closes Oct 3, 2019

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Oct 7, 2019

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Oct 14, 2019

Public comment webinars Oct 15 & 17, 2019

Fall 2019 NOSB meeting - Pittsburgh, PA Oct 23-25, 2019
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/regulations or NOSB 

recommendations. Proposals must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the 

NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Notes

Tuesday, July 30, 2019 2:00 pm ET draft

Attending: Emily Oakley (EO), Chair; Lisa de Lima (LD); Harriet Behar (HB); Dan Seitz (DS)

Absent: Dave Mortensen (DM), Vice Chair

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Devon Pattillo (DP); Paul Lewis (PL)

Agenda

• July 9 meeting notes (All)

• Materials and TR Update (DP)

• Sanitizer Update (HB)

• Research Priorities Update (DM)

• Genetic Integrity of Organic Seed Update (HB)

• Marine Materials panel - discuss

• Excluded Methods Update (HB)

• Additional items

• Adjourn

Discussion 

• July 9 meeting notes were reviewed and accepted with minor corrections.

• Materials and TR Update (DP).

o The draft TRs for fish-based fertilizers and paper pots & containers were sent to the

Crops Subcommittee July 26.

o The revised TR for ascorbic acid was sent to the Handling Subcommittee July 24.

o A petition for sodium carbonate lignin was sent to the Crops Subcommittee on July 29.

NOP encouraged the subcommittee to put forward a discussion document for the fall

meeting, as time permits.

o A petition to add nonorganic red jalapeño peppers to §205.606 is under review by NOP.

o There are several petitions currently under review by the Board, including potassium

hypochlorite, fenbendazole, and fatty alcohols.

o NOP received a petition for potassium sorbate as a crop input, and it was returned to

the petitioner for additional information.

o The group discussed the request to add a work agenda item to the Handling

Subcommittees work agenda to annotate fish oil. The NOP previously asked that the

Subcommittee determine if this overlaps with the liquid fish annotation work agenda.

The members indicated that they are not similar and there is not enough overlap, since

one is listed for crops use and one if for handling use, and conflating the two might be

confusing. The HS is seeking a decision from NOP on moving forward with the work

agenda item before the vote on the sunset review, August 6.

• Sanitizer Update (HB). The group discussed the best approach moving forward: a panel or

technical report (TR). The NOP feels the request is too broad and a technical report would not

be successful. NOP is supportive of a panel, which could produce a white paper or written

proceedings, and could be a good first step. The group discussed the goals of this project, which

they envision would include a comparison and assessment of classes of sanitizers, such as

alcohols or chlorine based sanitizers, based on the OFPA criteria. The Materials Subcommittee is

seeking a resolution by the Fall 2019 NOSB meeting as to how they are going to move forward.
• Research Priorities (RPs) Update (DM). The Materials Subcommittee will vote on the final 

research priorities proposal on the next call.

• Genetic Integrity of Seed (HB). The lead author relayed feedback from commenters regarding 

the last proposal and the group discussed this feedback in light of the current state of seed 

testing. The MS intends on putting forth a proposal for the Fall 2019 meeting. The goals of this 

proposal are 1. Lessen the percentage of GE contamination in seed corn, and 2. Increase 

transparency so farmers can make informed decisions when purchasing seed. The lead will be 

discussing this with the Organic Seed Alliance, and the MS will continue the conversation on the 

next call. 

• Excluded Methods proposal (HB). The MS will present a proposal at the Fall 2019 meeting that 

will include embryo transfer in livestock and induced mutagenesis. 

• Marine Materials panel (All). The MS Chair has discussed this topic with many stakeholders and 

the NOP, and the MS is moving forward with panelist selection. The MS will invite four (4)

panelists who represent a wide swath of the community, including two (2) scientists specializing 

in marine ecology and seaweed, one (1) certifier, and one (1) harvester. The MS has proposed a

broad list of questions and will ask each of the panelists to address those which they feel most 

qualified to answer. 

• Additional items. None

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 2:00 ET)

July 9, 2019

July 30, 2019 - Additional call

 New work agenda item suggestion - Development of criteria for evaluating products of 

 fermentation processes

 Contamination of Farm Inputs

 Sanitizer Update (HB) 

 Research Priorities Update (DM)

 Marine Materials panel (All) - discuss

August 13, 2019

 New work agenda item suggestion - Development of criteria for evaluating products of 

 fermentation processes.

 Genetic Integrity of Seed (HB). Discuss/vote

 Excluded Methods proposal (HB). Discuss/vote

 Research Priorities Update (DM). Discuss/vote

September 10, 2019

October 8, 2019

November 12, 2019

December 10, 2019
Work agenda

Materials Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Research Priorities Proposal

May 2012 Framework Proposal

DM Subcommittee reps to MS

DS - Livestock

DM - Crops

LD - Handling

RPs from Subcomm due to MS in July

06 17 19

07 30 19

Fall 2019

Petition and TR tracking HB/LB Ongoing NA NA

GMO Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Genetic Integrity Transparency 

of Seed Grown on Organic Land

(formerly Seed Purity from 

GMOs) 

DS, DM, 

HB

TBD

Excluded Methods: Induced 

mutagenesis and embryo 

transfer in livestock discussion 

document

HB Discussion Document TBD

Other Projects

Project Contact Notes* Discussed,

Voted Meeting

Contamination of Farm 

Inputs Discussion Document

HB Moved to Materials from Crops 

for continued work. 

07 30 19 TBD

Sanitizers: Assessing Cleaning 

and Sanitation Materials 

Used in Organic Crop, 

Livestock and Handling

HB, EO, AB Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved 03 16 18. TR request 

sent to NOP 02 27 19.

07 30 19 Discussion doc

Fall 2019

Marine Materials EO Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved request 01 12 16. TR 

request sent to NOP 02 05 16. 

TR expected Jul 2016. TR sent to 

CS and HS 08 10 16. TR suff due 

10 11 16. TR found sufficient 09 

06 16. Voted 09 06 16. Proposal 

in development 12 06 16. Voted 

01 17 17. Referred back to CS 

and HS at Spr 2017 NOSB 

meeting. Moved to MS for 

completion 03 16 18. Panel 

approved by NOP 7/17/2019

07 09 19

07 30 19

Discussion doc

/Panel Fall 2019
Fall 2019 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

New NOSB member training TBD Feb/Mar 2020

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment May 3, 2019

NOSB Request for TRs for 2022 sunset materials Jun 12, 2019

NOP - Draft Fall 2019 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Aug 5, 2018

NOSB - Fall 2019 proposals due to NOP Aug 15, 2018

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 4, 2018

Public comment closes Oct 3, 2019

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Oct 7, 2019

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Oct 14, 2019

Public comment webinars Oct 15 & 17, 2019

Fall 2019 NOSB meeting - Pittsburgh, PA Oct 23-25, 2019
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/regulations or NOSB 

recommendations. Proposals must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the 

NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Notes

Monday, July 9, 2019 2:00 pm ET

Attending: Emily Oakley (EO), Chair; Dave Mortensen (DM), Vice Chair; Lisa de Lima (LD); Harriet Behar 

(HB); Dan Seitz (DS)

Absent: None

Guest Speaker: Patricia Bianchi

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Devon Pattillo (DM)

Agenda

• June 17 meeting notes (All)

• Guest speaker from ASC-MSC

• Marine materials/algae panelist discussion (all)

• Materials and TR Update (DP)

• Sanitizer Update (HB)

• Research Priorities Update (DM)

• Additional items

• Adjourn

Discussion 

• June 17 meeting notes were accepted as is.

• Guest speaker from Marine Stewardship Council - Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC-MSC).

Patricia Bianchi, Policy Manager of ASC-MSC joined the call to discuss the Marine stewardship 

council (farm focus), and aquaculture stewardship council (aquaculture and seaweed focus). Ms. 

Bianchi described how their environmental standards were developed and how they are being 

measured and verified in practice, and members asked follow-up questions about harvesting 

and sustainability. Ms. Bianchi offered to forward additional resources to the MS and the 

Subcommittee would like to reach out again as they continue to work on the Marine Materials 

project. 

• Marine algae panelist discussion (all). The MS members discussed the logistics and desired 

expertise for a panel on marine materials. The lead suggested a certifier, two marine scientists, 

and a harvester. The group also discussed the utility of holding two panels – the first of which to 

discuss harvesting and production, and the second to address environmental concerns. The lead 

will reach out to previous commenters for additional feedback. 

• Materials and TR Update (DP). Deferred to next call. 

• Sanitizer Update (HB). Deferred to next call.

• Research Priorities Update (DM). Deferred to next call.

• Additional items. None

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 2:00 ET)

June 17, 2019, Monday. Rescheduled from June 11

July 9, 2019

July 30, 2019 - Additional call
 New work agenda item suggestion - Development of criteria for evaluating products of 

 fermentation processes.

 Contamination of Farm Inputs

 Sanitizer Update (HB). 

 Research Priorities Update (DM)

 Marine Materials panel - discuss

August 13, 2019

September 10, 2019

October 8, 2019

November 12, 2019

December 10, 2019

Work agenda

Materials Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Research Priorities Proposal

May 2012 Framework Proposal

DM Subcommittee reps to MS

DS - Livestock

DM - Crops

LD - Handling

RPs from Subcomm due to MS in July

06 17 19

07 30 19

Fall 2019

Petition and TR tracking HB/LB Ongoing NA NA

GMO Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Genetic Integrity Transparency 

of Seed Grown on Organic Land

(formerly Seed Purity from 

GMOs) 

DS, DM, 

HB

TBD

Excluded Methods: Induced 

mutagenesis and embryo 

transfer in livestock discussion 

document

HB Discussion Document TBD
Other Projects

Project Contact Notes* Discussed,

Voted Meeting

Contamination of Farm 

Inputs Discussion Document

HB Moved to Materials from Crops 

for continued work. 

07 30 19 TBD

Sanitizers: Assessing Cleaning 

and Sanitation Materials 

Used in Organic Crop, 

Livestock and Handling

HB, EO, AB Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved 03 16 18. TR request 

sent to NOP 02 27 19.

07 30 19 Discussion doc

Fall 2019

Marine Materials EO Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved request 01 12 16. TR 

request sent to NOP 02 05 16. 

TR expected Jul 2016. TR sent to 

CS and HS 08 10 16. TR suff due 

10 11 16. TR found sufficient 09 

06 16. Voted 09 06 16. Proposal 

in development 12 06 16. Voted 

01 17 17. Referred back to CS 

and HS at Spr 2017 NOSB 

meeting. Moved to MS for 

completion 03 16 18. 

07 09 19

07 30 19

Discussion doc

/Panel Fall 2019

Fall 2019 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

New NOSB member training TBD Feb/Mar 2020

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment May 3, 2019

NOSB Request for TRs for 2022 sunset materials Jun 12, 2019

NOP - Draft Fall 2019 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Aug 5, 2018

NOSB - Fall 2019 proposals due to NOP Aug 15, 2018

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 4, 2018

Public comment closes Oct 3, 2019

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Oct 7, 2019

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Oct 14, 2019

Public comment webinars Oct 15 & 17, 2019

Fall 2019 NOSB meeting - Pittsburgh, PA Oct 23-25, 2019
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/regulations or NOSB 

recommendations. Proposals must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the 

NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Notes

Monday, June 17, 2019 2:00 pm ET

Attending: Emily Oakley (EO), Chair; Lisa de Lima (LD); Harriet Behar (HB); Dan Seitz (DS)

Guest: Bob Durst, Oregon State University (OSU)

Absent: Dave Mortensen (DM), Vice Chair

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Devon Pattillo (DM); Paul Lewis (PL)

Agenda

• May 14 meeting notes (All)

• Sanitizer TR Request - Meet with Bob Durst of Oregon State University (HB)

• MS 2019 Research Priorities - Review last year's MS research priorities to keep/edit/delete/add. 

• Marine algae panel - Discuss timeframe, questions, and inviting panelists. (EO)

• Additional items 

• Adjourn

Discussion 

• May 14 meeting notes were approved as is

• Sanitizer TR Request. Bob Durst, Oregon State University Food Science, was invited to provide 

guidance regarding the Materials’ Subcommittee request for a technical report on sanitizers. Dr. 

Durst is a food scientist who has spent approximately 40 years in both academia and organic 

agriculture. He has conducted organic food inspections for Oregon Tilth, been involved in 

materials reviews for CCOF and OMRI, and has written technical reports (TRs), including the TR 

for the NOSB on citric acid. He also has extensive experience with processing, and the organic 

industry in general. Dr. Durst expressed his support for the project to develop a tool to compare 

various types of sanitizers. The group discussed the draft request for a technical report and 

noted that while a challenging task, would be worthwhile. Members discussed the format of the 

TR request and perhaps grouping the sanitizers. Dr. Durst will review the questions and provide 

feedback to the lead. 

• MS 2019 Research Priorities (EO/DM). Each NOSB Subcommittee is reviewing its previous 

research priorities and making additions or deletions. The Material’s Subcommittee discussed 

modifications a member proposed. One of the leads will incorporate the suggestions, reformat 

the document into a narrative, and recirculate it to the MS members.

• Marine Algae Panel (EO). The group discussed having a panel at the Fall 2019 meeting. Ideally it 

would include four experts, and be 1.5 hours long. Each panel member would have 

approximately 10 minutes for a presentation and then there would be Q & A with the NOSB. 

Members discussed potential panelists who could represent a breadth of stakeholders. A 

member suggested inviting an expert to the July 9 MS call to discuss marine materials.

• Additional items.

o The lead is working with stakeholders to develop discussion documents for the fall 

meeting for two work agenda items: Genetic integrity transparency of seed grown on 

organic land (formerly Seed purity from GMOs) and Excluded methods: Induced 

mutagenesis and embryo transfer. 

o The MS scheduled an additional call for July 30 and may cancel it if it is unnecessary.

• The meeting was adjourned
Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 2:00 ET)

May 14, 2019

June 17, 2019, Monday. Rescheduled from June 11

July 9, 2019

July 30, 2019 - Additional call

 New work agenda item suggestion - Development of criteria for evaluating products of 

 fermentation processes.

 Contamination of Farm Inputs

August 13, 2019

September 10, 2019

October 8, 2019

November 12, 2019

December 10, 2019

Work agenda

Materials Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Research Priorities Proposal

May 2012 Framework Proposal

DM Subcommittee reps to MS

DS - Livestock

DM - Crops

LD - Handling

RPs from Subcomm due to MS in 

July

06 17 19 Fall 2019

Petition and TR tracking HB/LB Ongoing NA NA

GMO Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Genetic Integrity Transparency 

of Seed Grown on Organic Land

(formerly Seed Purity from 

GMOs) 

DS, DM, HB TBD

Excluded Methods: Induced 

mutagenesis and embryo 

transfer in livestock discussion 

document

HB Discussion Document TBD
Other Projects

Project Contact Notes* Discussed,

Voted Meeting

Contamination of Farm 

Inputs Discussion Document

HB Moved to Materials from Crops 

for continued work. 

TBD

Sanitizers: Assessing Cleaning 

and Sanitation Materials 

Used in Organic Crop, 

Livestock and Handling

HB, EO, AB Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved 03 16 18. TR request 

sent to NOP 02 27 19.

Discussion doc

Fall 2019

Marine Materials EO Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved request 01 12 16. TR 

request sent to NOP 02 05 16. 

TR expected Jul 2016. TR sent to 

CS and HS 08 10 16. TR suff due 

10 11 16. TR found sufficient 09 

06 16. Voted 09 06 16. Proposal 

in development 12 06 16. Voted 

01 17 17. Referred back to CS 

and HS at Spr 2017 NOSB 

meeting. Moved to MS for 

completion 03 16 18. 

Discussion doc

/Panel Fall 2019

Fall 2019 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

New NOSB member training TBD Feb/Mar 2020

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment May 3, 2019

NOSB Request for TRs for 2022 sunset materials Jun 12, 2019

NOP - Draft Fall 2019 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Aug 5, 2018

NOSB - Fall 2019 proposals due to NOP Aug 15, 2018

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 4, 2018

Public comment closes Oct 3, 2019

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Oct 7, 2019

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Oct 14, 2019

Public comment webinars Oct 15 & 17, 2019

Fall 2019 NOSB meeting - Pittsburgh, PA Oct 23-25, 2019
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/regulations or NOSB 

recommendations. Proposals must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the 

NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Notes

Tuesday, May 14, 2019 2:00 pm ET

Attending: Emily Oakley (EO), Chair; Dave Mortensen (DM), Vice Chair; Lisa de Lima (LD); Harriet Behar 

(HB); Dan Seitz (DS)

Absent: None

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Clarissa Mathews (CM); Devon Pattillo (DM)

Agenda

• March 12 meeting notes (All)

• Update on Materials and TRs (CM)

• Marine Materials in Organic Crop Production (EO)

• - for the open docket 

• - expert panel for fall

• Assessing Cleaning and Sanitation Materials Used in Organic Crop, Livestock and Handling TR 

Request (HB, EO)

• Research Priorities Fall 2019 (EO, DM)

• Genetic Integrity Transparency of Seed Grown on Organic Land for Fall? (HB)

• Excluded Method Determinations Proposal for Fall? (HB)

• New Work Agenda Item Suggestion - "development of criteria for evaluating products of

• fermentation processes"

• Contamination of Farm Inputs

• Additional items 

• Adjourn

Discussion 

• March 12 meeting notes were approved as is

• Update on Materials and TRs (CM). 

o Anticipating the paper pot TR in mid-to-late August. 

o The request for a TR for sanitizers was recently revised and the NOP will send it out for 

bids

o Fatty alcohols petition was found sufficient by the Crops Subcommittee

o Potassium hypochlorite petition in Crops is awaiting sufficiency

o There are nine (9) other petitions in various stages of review and NOP will forward them

when they are complete and ready.

o The NOP drafted a comparison of the fatty alcohols petitions (the original and the repetition) and will send that to the both the Crops and Materials Subcommittees.

• Marine Materials in Organic Crop Production (EO)

o NOP will post the Spring document in the open docket for comment once it is open. A 

Materials Review Organization (MRO) is going to put a link to it in their newsletter 

directing people to the document. 

o Expert panel for fall. Although time is more limited at the Fall meeting, the lead feels it 

would be useful to have an expert panel on marine materials. Members supported this 

idea. The MS emphasized that it is important to convene experts and have enough time 

for Q & A after the panel. The members want to ensure that they have the breadth of 
expertise and viewpoints. A member asked what the goal of the panel is and if there is a 

path forward? EO will send out questions that were posed via public comment. 

o The Materials Subcommittee may consider inviting experts to sit in on Subcommittee 

calls.

• Assessing Cleaning and Sanitation Materials Used in Organic Crop, Livestock and Handling TR 

Request (HB, EO). The leads revised the TR request and will submit it to NOP soon. 

• Research Priorities Fall 2019 (EO, DM). The MS Chair explained the process by which the 

Subcommittees will complete their priorities’ lists, so they can get them to the Materials 

Subcommittee in time to vote on them in July.

o DM offered to look at what was funded in last round of NIFA grants, and will reach out 

to National program leaders to summarize grants in progress for OREI, NIFA, SARE, etc.

• Genetic integrity transparency of seed grown on organic land (HB). The lead is awaiting 

information from the Seed Alliance regarding unintended negative consequences. A member 

emphasized the importance of focusing on the positive aspects in order to move forward.

Would like to potentially bring something to the Fall meeting. 

• Excluded method determinations proposal for Fall (HB). The lead will reach out to stakeholders 

to determine how to move forward. 

• New work agenda item suggestion - Development of criteria for evaluating products of

fermentation processes. Deferred to next call

• Contamination of Farm Inputs. Deferred to next call

• Additional items

o Origin of livestock (OOL). NOP and NOSB received many comments at the Spring NOSB 

meeting. Members asked if there was anything the Board could do to aid the NOP to 

move this forward. NOP is hoping to get OOL on the Fall unified agenda for the USDA

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 2:00 ET)

May 14, 2019

June 17, 2019, Monday. Rescheduled from June 11

 New work agenda item suggestion - Development of criteria for evaluating products of 

 fermentation processes.

 Genetic integrity transparency of seed grown on organic land

 Contamination of Farm Inputs

July 9, 2019

August 13, 2019

September 10, 2019

October 8, 2019

November 12, 2019

December 10, 2019
Work agenda

Materials Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Research Priorities Proposal

May 2012 Framework Proposal

DM Subcommittee reps to MS

DS - Livestock

DM - Crops

LD - Handling

RPs from Subcomm due to MS in 

July

5 14 19 Fall 2019

Petition and TR tracking HB/LB Ongoing NA NA

GMO Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Genetic Integrity Transparency 

of Seed Grown on Organic Land

(formerly Seed Purity from 

GMOs) 

DS, DM, HB 5 14 19 TBD

Excluded Methods: Induced 

mutagenesis and embryo 

transfer in livestock discussion 

document

HB Discussion Document TBD

Other Projects

Project Contact Notes* Discussed,

Voted Meeting

Contamination of Farm 

Inputs Discussion Document

HB Moved to Materials from Crops 

for continued work. 

TBD

Sanitizers: Assessing Cleaning 

and Sanitation Materials 

Used in Organic Crop, 

Livestock and Handling

HB, EO, AB Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved 03 16 18. TR request 

sent to NOP 02 27 19. Revisions 

by NOP and MS in progress. 

05 14 19 Discussion doc

Fall 2019

Marine Materials EO Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved request 01 12 16. TR 

request sent to NOP 02 05 16. 

TR expected Jul 2016. TR sent to 

CS and HS 08 10 16. TR suff due 

10 11 16. TR found sufficient 09 

06 16. Voted 09 06 16. Proposal 

in development 12 06 16. Voted 

01 17 17. Referred back to CS 

and HS at Spr 2017 NOSB 

meeting. Moved to MS for 

completion 03 16 18. 

05 14 19 Discussion doc

Fall 2019
Fall 2019 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

New NOSB member training TBD Feb/Mar 2020

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment May 3, 2019

NOSB Request for TRs for 2022 sunset materials Jun 12, 2019

NOP - Draft Fall 2019 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Aug 5, 2018

NOSB - Fall 2019 proposals due to NOP Aug 15, 2018

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 4, 2018

Public comment closes Oct 3, 2019

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Oct 7, 2019

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Oct 14, 2019

Public comment webinars Oct 15 & 17, 2019

Fall 2019 NOSB meeting - Pittsburgh, PA Oct 23-25, 2019
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/regulations or NOSB 

recommendations. Proposals must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the 

NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Notes

Tuesday, February 12, 2019 1:30 pm ET draft

Attending: Emily Oakley (EO), Chair; Dave Mortensen (DM), Vice Chair; Lisa de Lima (LD); Harriet Behar 

(HB); Dan Seitz (DS)

Absent: None

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Clarissa Mathews (CM)

Agenda

• Genetic Integrity Transparency of Seed Grown on Organic Land

• Proposal Excluded Method Determinations 

• Induced Mutagenesis and Embryo Transfer in Livestock 

• Marine Materials in Organic Crop Production

• Assessing Cleaning and Sanitation Materials Used in Organic Crop, Livestock and Handling 

• Update on Materials and TRs

• Additional items 

• Adjourn

Discussion 

• Genetic Integrity Transparency of Seed Grown on Organic Land discussion document. The lead 

summarized the draft discussion document and the public comments that were submitted to 

the open docket. The initial intention was to draft a proposal, but the lead felt that based on the 

need for additional feedback, it is best to have a discussion document for the Spring meeting.

Motion to accept the discussion document on genetic integrity transparency of seed grown on 

organic land.

Motion by: HB

Seconded by: LD 

Additional discussion: None

Yes: 5 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0

• Excluded method determinations April 2019 proposal. The lead reviewed the proposal and the 

MS members discussed it briefly. After some minor modifications the group moved to a vote.

Motion to accept the proposal on excluded method determinations 

Motion by: HB

Seconded by: DM

 Additional discussion: None

Yes: 5 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0

• Induced mutagenesis and embryo transfer in livestock discussion document. The group 

discussed the draft document and members made suggestions for some structural/formatting

changes. The MS is seeking more input from the community on these topics and will post the 

discussion document for the Spring meeting.
Motion to accept the discussion document on induced mutagenesis and embryo transfer in 

livestock. 

Motion by: HB

Seconded by: DS

Additional discussion: None

Yes: 5 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0

• Marine materials in organic crop production discussion document. The lead summarized the 

draft document and asked for additional feedback from members. The document contains 

public comments from previous iterations, as well as feedback from several stakeholder groups. 

The lead suggested sending the document to the entire Board as soon as it’s finalized to give 

members additional time to read it before the Spring meeting. 

Motion to accept the discussion document on marine materials in organic crop production 

Motion by: EO

Seconded by: HB

Additional discussion: None

Yes: 5 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0

• Assessing cleaning and sanitation materials used in organic crop, livestock and handling 

discussion document. The lead summarized the discussion document. The Subcommittee is 

looking forward to reading public comment, which they intend on using to develop a TR request.

Motion to accept the discussion document on assessing cleaning and sanitation materials used 

in organic crop, livestock and handling.

Motion by: HB

Seconded by: DS

Additional discussion: None

Yes: 5 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0

• Update on Materials and TRs. 

o The NOP received petitions for the following substances. All are currently under NOP 

review, and will be sent to the Board when completed, except where noted.

 Fatty alcohols - a repetition was sent to the Crops Subcommittee yesterday; 

NOP review indicated there is new information, as the repetition is for use on 

tobacco only. 

 Sodium carbonate lignin for addition to 205.601j. Originally petitioned in 2011. 

 Gellan gum - re-petition for low acyl form for 205.605(b). The previous 

submission asked for addition to 205.605(a)

 Magnesium oxide - resubmission for making buffered lactic acid; petitioned for 

addition to 205.601 previously; this petition is for addition to 205.605(b). 

o The following TRs are expected soon: Collagen gel (HS), horticultural oils (CS), atropine 

(LS), xylazine (LS), and malic acid (). The TR for trace minerals and ascorbic acid are both 

under NOP review, and should be completed by end of week.

o A member asked about a potential TR for sanitizers and asked NOP to consider a limited 

scope TR.

o A member asked about reviewing substances that may include inerts, and for 

clarification about how approach a review when they are tasked with only reviewing the 

individual substance.
• Additional items. None

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 2:00 ET)

January 29, 2019

February 12, 2019

March 12, 2019

April 9, 2019

May 14, 2019

June 11, 2019

July 9, 2019

August 13, 2019

September 10, 2019

October 8, 2019

November 12, 2019

December 10, 2019

Work agenda

Materials Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Research Priorities Proposal

May 2012 Framework Proposal

DM Subcommittee reps to MS

DS - Livestock

DM - Crops

LD - Handling

RPs from Subcomm due to MS in 

July

NA Fall 2019

Petition and TR tracking HB/LB Ongoing NA NA

GMO Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Protecting the Genetic Integrity 

of Seed Grown on Organic Land

(formerly Seed Purity from 

GMOs) 

DS, DM, HB Proposal sent back to MS at Fall 

2018 meeting. Reposted for 

additional comments for Spr 2019

01 29 19

02 12 19

Spr 2019

Excluded Methods 

Determinations April 2019

HB Proposal 02 12 19 Spr 2019

Excluded Methods: Induced 

mutagenesis and embryo 

transfer in livestock discussion 

document

HB Discussion Document 02 12 19 Spr 2019

Other Projects
Project Idea Contact Notes* Discussed, 

Voted Meeting

Contamination of Farm 

Inputs Discussion Document

HB Moved to Materials from Crops 

for continued work. 

TBD

Sanitizers: Assessing Cleaning 

and Sanitation Materials 

Used in Organic Crop, 

Livestock and Handling

HB, EO, AB Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved 03 16 18

01 29 19

02 12 19

Proposal 

Spr 2019

Marine Materials EO Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved request 01 12 16. TR 

request sent to NOP 02 05 16. 

TR expected Jul 2016. TR sent to 

CS and HS 08 10 16. TR suff due 

10 11 16. TR found sufficient 09 

06 16. Voted 09 06 16. Proposal 

in development 12 06 16. Voted 

01 17 17. Referred back to CS 

and HS at Spr 2017 NOSB 

meeting. Moved to MS for 

completion 03 16 18. 

02 12 19 Discussion doc

Spr 2019

Spring 2019 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Nov 26, 2018

NOSB – Spring 2019 proposals due to NOP Feb 21, 2019

NOP - Draft Spring 2019 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Mar 4, 2019

NOP - Post proposals Mar 6, 2019

Public comment closes Apr 4, 2019

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Apr 13, 2019

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 8, 2019

Public comment webinars Apr 16 & 18, 2019

Spring 2019 NOSB meeting - Seattle, WA Apr 24 - 26, 2019
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/regulations or NOSB 

recommendations. Proposals must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the 

NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Notes

Tuesday, January 29, 2019 2:00 pm ET draft

Attending: Emily Oakley (EO), Chair; Dave Mortensen (DM), Vice Chair; Lisa de Lima (LD); Harriet Behar 

(HB); Steve Ela (SE)

Absent: Dan Seitz (DS)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Devon Pattillo (DP)

Agenda

• Discuss/review notes from December meeting. 

• Update on materials and TRs (DP) 

• Update on marine materials - Emily

• Update on excluded methods - Harriet

• Update on sanitizers - Harriet

• Proposal genetic integrity transparency - Harriet

• Additional items 

• Adjourn

Discussion 

• Discuss/review notes from December meeting (All). The December notes were reviewed by the 

Subcommittee and there were no changes

• Update on materials and TRs (DP). The NOP updated the MS on the status of several petitions 

and pending TRs. There are eight (8) TRs under review, some of which were received during the 

government shutdown: Collagen gel/gelatin/casings, Ammonium soaps, Horticultural oils, 

Atropine, Xylazine, Trace Minerals, Malic Acid, and Ascorbic Acid). NOP is working on reviewing 

these documents and will send them to the appropriate Subcommittees when its review is 

complete.

• Update on marine materials (EO). Members discussed the status of this project, including 

feedback from the community, and will revisit it on a future call.

• Update on excluded methods (HB). The lead has been talking with a geneticist to help inform 

the next iteration of the excluded methods document, specifically sections on transposons, 

embryo transfer, and mutagenesis. Her intention is to have a draft discussion document ready 

for discussion on the March 12 Materials call, and to post if for the Spring meeting. 

• Update on sanitizers (HB). The lead is compiling questions to include in the sanitizer document. 

The MS will post the document and seek public input to help inform the development of a 

proposal. 

• Genetic integrity transparency proposal (HB). Members discussed the draft proposal, which 

contains modifications from the last iteration as well as feedback from public comments. The 

group discussed additional changes and will vote on the proposal during the next call. 

• Other items: 

o Fatty alcohols. The NOP received a new petition for fatty alcohols and it is currently 

under review.

o Methionine task force presentation in April. The NOSB Chair would like to invite 

representatives from the methionine task force to give a status update at the Spring 

NOSB meeting. The NOSB Chair will reach out to NOP to discuss this. 
o Celery Powder panel. The Handling Subcommittee discussed the celery powder panel 

earlier today and is moving towards finalizing a list of potential panelists. 

o The NOSB Chair is exploring the possibility of inviting a speaker to the April meeting to 

talk about excluded methods and how testing is keeping up with the new techniques. 

She will discuss this with NOP and update the group at a later date. 

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 2:00 ET)

December 11, 2018 - Cancelled due to shutdown

January 29, 2019

February 12, 2019

March 12, 2019

April 9, 2019

May 14, 2019

June 11, 2019

July 9, 2019

August 13, 2019

September 10, 2019

October 8, 2019

November 12, 2019

December 10, 2019

Work agenda

Materials Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Research Priorities Proposal

May 2012 Framework Proposal

DM Subcommittee reps to MS

DS - LS

DM - CS

LD - HS

RPs from Subcomm due to MS in 

July

NA Fall 2019

Petition and TR tracking ALL Ongoing NA NA

GMO Projects Contact Notes Discussed,

Voted

Meeting

Protecting the Genetic Integrity 

of Seed Grown on Organic Land

(formerly Seed Purity from 

GMOs) 

DS, DM, HB Proposal sent back to MS at Fall 

2018 meeting. Reposted for 

additional comments for Spr 2019

01 29 19 Spr 2019

Excluded Methods 

Determinations April 2019

HB Discussion document 03 12 19 Spr 2019
Other Projects

Project Idea Contact Notes* Discussed, 

Voted Meeting

Contamination of Farm 

Inputs Discussion Document

HB Moved to Materials from Crops 

for continued work. 

TBD

Sanitizers HB, EO, AB Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved 03 16 18

01 29 19 Proposal 

Spr 2019

Marine Materials EO Pending NOP approval. NOP 

approved request 01 12 16. TR 

request sent to NOP 02 05 16. 

TR expected Jul 2016. TR sent to 

CS and HS 08 10 16. TR suff due 

10 11 16. TR found sufficient 09 

06 16. Voted 09 06 16. Proposal 

in development 12 06 16. Voted 

01 17 17. Referred back to CS 

and HS at Spr 2017 NOSB 

meeting. Moved to MS for 

completion 03 16 18. 

Discussion doc

Spr 2019

Spring 2019 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Nov 26, 2018

NOSB – Spring 2019 proposals due to NOP Feb 21, 2019

NOP - Draft Spring 2019 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Mar 4, 2019

NOP - Post proposals Mar 6, 2019

Public comment closes Apr 4, 2019

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Apr 13, 2019

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 8, 2019

Public comment webinars Apr 16 & 18, 2019

Spring 2019 NOSB meeting - Seattle, WA Apr 24 - 26, 2019