Greetings! 

National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List)

A final rule has been published to amend the U. S. Department of Agriculture's National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). Based on recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), one substance will be added to the National List, and two expired substances will be removed.  This action results in the following:

(1)    Biodegradable biobased mulch film will be allowed in organic crop production; and

(2)    Expired listings for nonorganic hops (Humulus lupulus) and unmodified rice starch will be removed from the National List.

This final rule becomes effective October 30, 2014.

In addition, two nonorganic agricultural ingredients (curry leaves and Citrus hystrix leaves and fruit) that were presented in the proposed rule will not be added to the National List through this action.

View the Final Rule.

Reminder:  Public Comments on Fall 2014 NOSB Proposals Due October 7, 2014

As a reminder, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is accepting public comments on its fall 2014 proposals.  The deadline to submit written comments and to reserve an in-person oral comment slot is next Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at 11:59 pm EST. 

October 2014 NOSB Meeting

Louisville, KY

October 28-30, 2014

8:30am - 5:30pm daily

Galt House Hotel

For more information about the NOSB Fall Meeting, click here. 

Webinar:  Organic Farming and Soil Health

The USDA National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) East and West National Technology Centers are pleased to present a webinar on Organic Farming and Soil Health.  The discussion will feature new research on soil health from the Rodale Institute, a leader in organic agriculture which hosts the longest-running side-by-side U.S. study comparing conventional agriculture with organic methods.

Organic Farming and Soil Health

Kris Nichols, Chief Scientist, Rodale Institute

October 7, 2014

3 pm Eastern/12 pm Pacific

Learn more about the webinar.

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) facilitates the competitive and efficient marketing of agricultural products. Through its National Organic Program, AMS facilitates trade and ensures the integrity of organic agricultural products by consistently implementing organic standards and enforcing compliance with the regulations throughout the world. Learn more.

The USDA Organic Insider informs the organic community on a wide range of functions, including regulatory updates, requests for public comments, and USDA programs and services.

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