National Organic Standards Board

Materials Subcommittee

Proposal: Research Priorities for 2013 

August 27, 2013

Introduction

A Recommendation for a Framework to set Research Priorities was approved at the National 

Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting in May 2012. Part of that recommendation was that 

the priorities from the previous year of NOSB deliberations would be presented at each fall 

meeting. Therefore, we have collected suggested research topics from the NOSB 

subcommittees and from suggestions within the public comments and present the top research 

priorities for approval this fall.

After a recommendation is finalized by the NOSB each fall the Chair of the Board will make sure 

it is sent to the primary organic research funders such as NIFA, ARS, NRCS, and private 

foundations and other funders that may be identified. In addition all NOP staff, NOSB members 

and stakeholders can use the list for inspiring appropriate research. 

Background

The reasons for encouraging research into organic production systems are well discussed in the 

previous two Materials Committee papers from fall 2011 and spring 2012. 

The recommendation that was passed recommends that potential topics be prioritized. The 

criteria for prioritization are for those topics that the NOSB believes will have the largest longterm impact on growth and integrity of organic agriculture. These criteria are not presented in 

order of importance, but will be evaluated by the Materials Committee in selecting the top 

research needs. 

Criteria for research topics are:

A. Persistent and chronic (i.e., perennial topics of debate and need)

B. Challenging

C. Controversial (i.e., topics on which there are widely differing perspectives or for which 

 there have been close NOSB votes)

D. Nebulous (i.e., the research need is hard to identify but the organic agriculture need is 

 clear), for example, improved methods of weed control.

E. Lacking in primary research. That is, topics for which there is no active research 

 being conducted, primarily relating to the criteria in OFPA for review of materials.

F. Relevant to assessing the need for alternative cultural, biological, and mechanical 

 methods to materials on the National List.

Call for Researchers

We hope that this information will be useful for researchers in many fields to defend and solicit 

funds for research that benefits organic production and handling. Therefore, we invite the public

to comment on these topics, to circulate this widely, and to recommend that funders also 

prioritize these topics. Please submit comments on funders who might want to remain informed 

of research opportunities in organics.

NOSB Research Priorities 2013: 

For 2013 the Subcommittee has re-emphasized four topics that were on the list last year, and 

has added several more pertinent topics. The top priorities are in this section without any 

ranking, with a description of some research questions and why each topic is important. The 

following section titled "Topics for future review" contains other subjects that the NOSB 

Fall 2013 155 of 268 This is a proposal by a Subcommittee of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Proposals are posted for public comment and then may be 

voted upon by the full Board. They are not final Board recommendations or NOP policy
subcommittees put forward but are secondary to the top priorities here. Research into these and 

interrelated issues is urgently needed.

Whole Farm Systems

How can working with the natural world by including diversity of habitat, cropping systems, and 

biological life benefit an organic farm? Selected subjects within this heading include: Can crop 

species and varieties be specifically adapted to their site through plant breeding or cultural 

practices? How does biodiversity contribute to pest and disease resistance? What is the 

relationship between nutrient balancing fertilization practices and microbial life in the soil and 

susceptibility or resistance to pests? How can the need for a diverse ecological system be 

balanced with food safety concerns for a sustainable organic farming system? 

Alternatives to Antibiotics (Tetracycline and Streptomycin) for Fire Blight

With oxytetracycline and streptomycin due to expire from the National List in October of 2014, 

the organic apple and pear growers must find suitable alternatives to control the deadly fire 

blight disease. Since apples and pears are grown throughout the United States in many regions, 

these alternatives must work in a variety of climates and a variety of management systems. The 

following research issues are important to investigate: location, planting density, choice of 

varieties of cultivar and rootstock, soil improvement practices, pruning practices and general 

sanitation, groundcovers or intercrops, pollinator management, dormant copper sprays, bloom 

thinning/lime sulfur, early, full bloom, and late sprays with approved organic materials to prevent 

fire blight establishment, surveys for fire blight activity, and other cultural and preventative 

techniques.

Evaluation of Genetically Modified Vaccines (GMO)

Prevention and avoidance of unintended GMO contamination are foundational to organic 

production and brand. It is of such importance that NOSB has a GMO Ad-Hoc Subcommittee. A 

need exists for research and/or outreach on easier ways to determine the types of vaccines. A 

better way of identifying the types of vaccines is critically important to our stakeholders, 

especially livestock producers. The testing of products that could be alternatives to GMO 

vaccines in livestock production is a top priority.

Methionine Alternative

Methionine is an essential amino acid for poultry. Prior to the 1950’s poultry and pigs were fed a 

plant and meat based diet without synthetic amino acids such as methionine. One former NOSB 

member stated, in §205.237(5) (b), “We have seemingly made vegetarians out of poultry and 

pigs”. As the organic community moves toward reducing, removing, or providing additional 

annotations to synthetic methionine in the diets of poultry, a heighten need exists for the organic 

community to rally around omnivore producers to assist in marshaling our collective efforts in 

finding viable alternatives to synthetic methionine and help find approaches for making them 

more commercially available.

The key research areas are on alternatives such as herbal methionine, corn gluten meal, potato 

meal, management practices, pastures management, fish meals, animal by-products, and other 

non-plant materials. Additional research on the more promising alternatives related to bringing 

them into commercial production is also encouraged.

Fall 2013 156 of 268 This is a proposal by a Subcommittee of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Proposals are posted for public comment and then may be 

voted upon by the full Board. They are not final Board recommendations or NOP policy
Organic Aquaculture

Organically-labeled aquaculture products are increasing rapidly in markets around the world. 

In the U.S., debate continues on appropriate use(s) of the organic label for aquaculture 

systems, and whether such use should be approved for open-water systems as well as closed

systems such as ponds or tanks. Therefore, research efforts pertaining to both open and closed 

systems are needed. 

Research needed includes: 

- evaluating the environmental impacts of fish wastes from aquaculture systems on the 

 environment; 

- appropriateness of feed and other supplements such as trace minerals that may have 

 synthetic sources; 

- organic practices for fish health and management of diseases and parasites; 

- and impacts and control of fish escapes in open water situations.

The subcommittee notes that application of organic agriculture principles (as described in 

OFPA) to aquaculture poses some definitional problems. OFPA refers to organic management 

principles and practices that were developed in the context of terrestrial plant and animal 

systems. Research approaches are needed which explore the extension of these principles to 

aquatic systems. (For example, see following discussion of “aquatic biodiversity”)

Aquatic Biodiversity

Organic farmers promote biodiversity in cultivated and uncultivated areas through crop rotations 

and other practices. They are expected to maintain areas like hedgerows, woodlands, 

wetlands, and wildlife corridors to promote non-crop biodiversity on the farm. The conservation 

of biodiversity must be included in organic systems plans for aquaculture as well. NOSB 

materials recommendations need to be made with a goal of preserving and enhancing 

biodiversity. With the impending implementation of rules on organic aquaculture, it is important 

that decisions be made with a firm understanding of aquatic ecology and possible impacts of the 

Board’s decisions. Decisions concerning terrestrial inputs derived from aquatic environments 

also need to be based on an understanding of the impacts from such activities. 

In particular, the NOSB needs to understand: nutrient and mineral cycling in various aquatic 

systems, the structure of aquatic food webs, the movement of pollutants in various aquatic 

systems, bioaccumulation and bioconcentration in aquatic organisms, and the status and 

impacts of overharvesting and other stresses on aquatic/marine plants and animals. Board 

members, certifiers, and aquaculture operators all need to know how biodiversity conservation 

measures should be implemented in aquaculture systems and materials decisions.

Herd Health

The assessment of preventive organic practices to improve organic livestock health is critical 

and of high importance. These include general animal health as it relates to diseases prevention, 

uterine infections in peri-parturient animals, growth, and identification of vaccine types, nutrition, 

and production systems. Research that could lead practitioners to better prevention strategies, 

use of non-synthetic substances such as feed supplements that would improve health and 

management practices that minimize health issues are all important topics.

Pastured Poultry and Salmonella 

Raising poultry on pasture where the birds get a varied diet, are outdoors and have space to 

roam makes sense from an organic standpoint. But does pasturing of poultry lead to higher 

Fall 2013 157 of 268 This is a proposal by a Subcommittee of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Proposals are posted for public comment and then may be 

voted upon by the full Board. They are not final Board recommendations or NOP policy
rates of Salmonella infection? Some critics have claimed this but there is scant evidence to 

support or refute this opinion. Exploring where Salmonella infections can originate, whether the 

pasture system has some inherent buffering capacity against pathogens getting a foothold, and 

whether there truly is more risk involved in raising organic poultry on pasture are key research 

topics.

Commercial Availability Assessments 

The NOSB must make assessments of commercial availability or organic sources every time 

there is a petition or a sunset review for substances on §205.606 in particular (agricultural 

substances that may be used from non-organic sources). What are some resources for 

commercial availability information? Is it out there? If there is no information available, how 

could such information be developed?

Consumer Demand 

The NOSB get told often by commenters who are or claim to represent consumers that 

consumers have expectations about what organic means and what inputs and ingredients 

should be in organic food. Sometimes there is a wide difference between what consumer 

activist groups claim and sales of specific categories of organic products in the marketplace. 

How can the NOSB determine whether the consumers and groups who speak up are truly 

representing all consumers of organic, and if not, is there a better measure of consumer 

preference and expectations than sales figures for organic products? This has come up in the 

past year with particular regard to fortification by synthetic nutrients in infant formula and other 

processed food, as well as in the apple and pear marketplace with the discussion of 

oxytetracycline. Research into the relationship of consumer buying habits and their beliefs about 

them would be helpful.

Fate of Genetically Engineered Plant Material in Compost? 

What happens to transgenic DNA in the composting process? Materials such as cornstalks from 

GMO corn or manure from cows receiving rBGH are often composted yet there is little 

information on whether the genetically engineered material and traits break down in composting 

process. Do these materials affect the microbial ecology of a compost pile? Is there trait 

expression of Bt (bacillus thuringienses) after composting?

Reduction of Genetically Modified Content of Breeding Lines 

In grappling with the issue of a Seed Purity Standard, it came up in comment that breeding lines 

of corn and other crops had become polluted by GMO pollen entering their germplasm. This 

research question is posed to determine what techniques can be applied to reduce or eliminate

contamination by unintended GMO presence in seed breeding materials. Can lines be "purified" 

so that there are non-detectable levels of GMOs after several selection cycles and how many 

generations would it take?

Topics for Future Review 

This group of topics was submitted by the Crops and Livestock Subcommittees of the NOSB but 

did not make it into the Priorities for Research in 2013. They will remain in consideration for 

future year priorities.

Fall 2013 158 of 268 This is a proposal by a Subcommittee of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Proposals are posted for public comment and then may be 

voted upon by the full Board. They are not final Board recommendations or NOP policy
• Chlorine Alternatives

Chlorine compounds are the most common equipment and food contact sanitizers used in the 

food processing and handling. They are also common disinfecting agents for farm equipment 

and tools. In its reactive forms –chlorine gas, hypochlorite, etc. – chlorine may react with organic 

matter to form organochlorines, which are generally persistent, toxic, carcinogenic, and often 

endocrine disruptors. Sometimes the reactions are purposeful, to create pesticides, solvents, 

pharmaceuticals, and other synthetic chemical products. Other times unintentional byproducts, 

such as chloroform or carbon tetrachloride, result from processes such as disinfection.

The fact that use of chlorine –as opposed to chloride– is so universally associated with the 

production of persistent toxic chemicals has led some environmental groups to seek a ban on 

chlorine-based chemicals. Since chlorine compounds have so many adverse impacts in the 

production-to-disposal life of the materials, we recommend that the NOSB support research to 

determine how organic production can move beyond reliance on chlorine-based materials. 

• Sulfuric Acid Alternatives

Sulfuric acid is commonly used to lower the pH in the manufacture or processing of some 

agricultural inputs. The NOSB has received petitions for sulfuric acid itself and also for materials 

that have sulfuric acid as a processing aid in the manufacture. Recent examples include 

vinasse, magnesium oxide, and laminarin.

In 2006, the Crops Subcommittee voted unanimously to reject a petition to allow use of sulfuric 

acid in anaerobically digested livestock manure because “Sulfuric acid, when used in livestock 

manure, is changed to sulfate, which is in this case a synthetically derived plant nutrient. 

Additionally, it is an important air pollutant, e.g. acid rain. Other wholly natural materials can be 

used.” In 2012, the Crops Subcommittee took a similar position on a similar petition.

Unfortunately, the NOSB is not always able to identify alternatives, despite concerns about 

sulfate as a synthetic plant nutrient and environmental impacts. Research into natural acids or 

other substitutes that could be used in place of sulfuric acid to lower pH in the production of

inputs for organic agriculture, as well as whether the pH lowering step is always required to 

purify, extract or stabilize raw inputs is important to the NOSB deliberations on materials.

• Parasitism

The control of internal and external parasites is important to animal welfare, growth, 

reproduction, and production. In organic production, the control of parasites is critical. The use 

of antibiotics is prohibited. A limited number of substances are available to control parasites. 

Antibiotics are not allowed in organic livestock production for growth, reproduction, and 

production. Antibiotics can be used on sick animals. However, these animals cannot be sold as 

organic. A critical need exists to explore ways to find materials for the control of internal and 

external parasites in organic livestock operations.

• Mastitis

Mastitis is a disease of the mammary gland. It is an inflammation in the mammary gland. It is 

generally associated with dairy cattle. It can be caused by bacteria, physical injury, etc. Mastitis 

is one of the most common and expensive diseases of dairy cattle. It can result in reduced milk 

production, discarded milk, treatment, and veterinary expenses. An urgent need exists for 

looking at ways to reduce mastitis in dairy herds. The research needs include the areas of 

herbal treatment of mastitis and management practices.

• Pneumonia

Pneumonia denotes a swelling of the lungs. Pneumonia is rare when animal populations and 

densities are low. In the winter, animals are housed or gather more closely together, increasing 

Fall 2013 159 of 268 This is a proposal by a Subcommittee of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Proposals are posted for public comment and then may be 

voted upon by the full Board. They are not final Board recommendations or NOP policy
the concentration of pathogens in their environment. Confinement and higher animal densities 

result in increased air temperatures, humidity, and condensation, which are beneficial conditions 

for pathogen survival and transmission. Pneumonia in a herd or flock means animals are not 

performing up to their maximum potential, production costs are higher, labor is increased, and 

food product quality is compromised. Responsible animal caretakers know it is their duty and 

responsibility to address animal welfare concerns and ensure a safe and healthy environment 

for their animals.

Subcommittee Vote

Motion to adopt the proposed recommendation on NOSB Research Priorities for 2013. 

Motion by: Zea Sonnabend

Second: Tracy Favre

Yes: 5 No: 0 Absent: 2 Abstain: 0 Recuse: 0

Approved by Zea Sonnabend, Subcommittee Chair, to transmit to NOSB September 3, 

2013

Fall 2013 160 of 268 This is a proposal by a Subcommittee of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Proposals are posted for public comment and then may be 

voted upon by the full Board. They are not final Board recommendations or NOP policy