Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, March 20, 2017
on materials, materials and inputs, NOSB
The deadlines to register for oral comments and submit written comments to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) at their spring meeting in Denver, Colorado are quickly approaching! It is critical that members of the public submit comments on the materials and other agenda items because the discussions at this meeting will impact future organic standards and materials allowed in organic production.
43 substances will be discussed at the spring meeting:
Crop scope substances and common brands and products:
Biodegradable biobased mulch film
Boric acid
Sticky traps/barriers...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, February 27, 2017
on materials and inputs, NOSB
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) has released the list of substances up for review at their spring meeting in Denver, Colorado, on April 19-21, 2017.
Members of the public are encouraged to submit public comment via www.regulations.gov using docket number AMS-NOP-16-0100-0001 by March 30, 2017.
Oral comments will also be received in person at the meeting and through an online webinar occurring April 13, 2017. Those interested in giving an in-person comment at the meeting or through the webinar must register before March 30, 2017.
NOSB reviews all substances on the National List of...
Written by Peter Nell
on Tuesday, February 21, 2017
on advocacy, policy, regulatory
The California Department of Consumer Affairs’ Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation (BMCR) is now accepting applications for the Cannabis Advisory Committee.
Applications are available online.
The committee will advise the BMCR, California Department of Food and Agriculture’s CalCannabis Cultivation Licensing, and California Department of Public Heath’s Office of Manufactured Cannabis Safety on both the medical and adult recreational use of cannabis.
Representatives from the cannabis industry, labor, state, and local agencies, public health experts, experienced individuals representing other...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, January 30, 2017
on advocacy, farm bill, policy
Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Karen Ross will host five listening sessions on the forthcoming 2018 Farm Bill. The listening sessions are an opportunity to provide input and recommendations on California’s federal policy and program priorities.
“The farm bill is as important to San Francisco and Los Angeles as it is to the Central Valley,” said Secretary Ross. “This legislation ensures a robust farm safety net, promotes farming and ranching practices that are environmentally sound, and provides important nutritional funding for our citizens. How our...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, January 23, 2017
on advocacy, materials and inputs, NOSB, policy
The public comment period is now open for the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposed 2017 Sunset Rule to remove 11 substances from the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). If the USDA finalizes the proposed rule, then 11 previously allowed substances would be prohibited from organic production as of June 27, 2017.
USDA will accept public comments on the proposed rule through March 20, 2017. Comments may be submitted to www.regulations.gov using docket number AMS-NOP-16-0052.
The proposed rule would remove the following three synthetic...