Blog posts by Peter Nell
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Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, April 17, 2017
on advocacy, policy, research
April 19, 2017 is the last day to submit comments on the Organic Research, Promotion, and Information Order, commonly known as the Organic Check-Off.
After extending the deadline by 60 days, the National Organic Program has received over 3,500 comments on the program.
The Organic Check-Off would create a 17-member governance board of stakeholders who would decide on allocating research, promotion, and technical assistance funds. The proposed program would generate funds from all organic operations (farms, ranches, processors, handlers, and importers).
Organic operations would contribute one-...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, April 10, 2017
on advocacy, policy
The comment period is closing soon for the proposed rule removing 11 materials from the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List).
Comments are accepted until April 19, 2017 on regulations.gov using docket number AMS-NOP-16-0052-0001.
If the substances are removed from the National List, use of the substances will be prohibited in organic production beginning June 27, 2017. More information on the substances can be found here.
CCOF encourages all to submit comments. Contact CCOF’s Policy Team for additional information and questions.
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, April 10, 2017
on advocacy, policy, research
The deadline to submit comments on the Organic Research, Promotion, and Information Order, commonly known as the Organic Check-Off, is closing on April 19, 2017.
The program would create a 17-member governance board that would decide how to allocate research, promotion, and technical assistance funds generated by the program. Under the proposed program, all organic operations (farmers, ranchers, processors, handlers, and importers) would contribute one-tenth of 1 percent of their operation’s net organic sales each year. Any certified operation with a gross organic revenue of less than $250,...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, April 3, 2017
on advocacy, materials and inputs, NOP, NOSB, policy
CCOF submitted nine comments to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) ahead of their 2017 spring meeting. The comments cover many agenda items, including the 2019 Sunset Review substances.
NOSB is the federal advisory committee to the National Organic Program that meets twice a year. This spring, the board will meet in Denver, Colorado, on April 19-21, 2017.
NOSB will begin the yearly Sunset Review process in which it reviews substances on the National List of Allowed & Prohibited Substances (National List) to determine their status in organic production. This year 43 substances are...
Written by Peter Nell
on Tuesday, March 28, 2017
on advocacy, materials and inputs, NOSB, policy
The National Organic Program (NOP) has relisted 187 substances on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). The complete list of substances can be found on the Federal Register.
As part of the 2017 Sunset Review, the substances were recommended to be renewed by the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Each substance on the National List is reviewed every five years to determine whether it should remain on the list or not.
NOSB evaluates the substances using the criteria of whether it is harmful to human health or the environment, if the substance is no longer...
Written by Peter Nell
on Tuesday, March 28, 2017
on advocacy, NOP, policy
The comment period is closing soon to submit comments to the National Organic Program regarding their draft guidance on calculating the percentage of organic ingredients in multi-ingredient products.
Comments can be submitted until April 7, 2017 to regulations.gov using docket number AMS_FRDOC_0001-1558.
The draft guidance could impact product labelling and the calculation of organic ingredients.
CCOF urges all processors/handlers and members of the public to review the draft guidance and submit their recommendations. CCOF will also submit a comment. Contact CCOF’s Policy Team for additional...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, March 20, 2017
on research
In conjunction with National Agriculture Day, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is launching the 2017 Census of Agriculture on March 21, 2017.
The Census of Agriculture is taken every five years and collects comprehensive data on farms, ranches, and the people who operate them. The Census is conducted in all 50 states and all five U.S. territories.
CCOF’s Senior Policy Specialist Jane Sooby participated in the 2016 NASS Community-based Organization Workshop and spoke to the importance of the Census of Agriculture to organic.
Data is collected from any place from which at...
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...
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