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AnnouncementMarch 10, 2016


The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) is pleased to announce the revised National List Petition Guidelines are now available online. We also invite you to attend two upcoming webinars.   
USDA Publishes National List Petition Guidelines
Today, USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced revised guidelines for requesting amendments to the National Organic Program's (NOP) National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). AMS also published a Federal Register notice announcing the availability of NOP 3011: National List Petition Process.
 
The National List identifies the synthetic substances that may be used and the nonsynthetic (natural) substances that may not be used in organic crop and livestock production. It also identifies a limited number of non-organic substances that may be used in or on processed organic products. Once a substance is on the National List, changes to its listing are initiated through a petition or through the sunset review process. These guidelines implement recommendations made by the National Organic Standards Board and apply to petitions that request an amendment to the National List.
 
In addition, these guidelines clarify the information to be submitted for all types of petitions requesting amendments to the National List. Public input is critical to the National List process, and this notice clarifies and clearly explains how stakeholders can make their voices heard and petition to change the National List.
 
This notice and NOP 3011, which is now available as part of the NOP Handbook, replace the previous petition guidelines that were published in the Federal Register on Jan. 18, 2007.
 
Reminder -- Upcoming Webinar:
Sound and Sensible Resources
Join the Agricultural Marketing Service's National Organic Program for our second webinar about sound and sensible organic certification education and outreach tools.

Date and Time:  
Sound and Sensible Organic Certification: 
New Outreach Tools 
Wednesday, March 16, 2016  
1:00 PM-2:00 PM Eastern
 
Access Information:
Step 1: Dial In by Phone:
Toll-Free (U.S. & Canada): 866.740.1260
Access Code: 7202000
 
Step 2: Also Access the Web: 
Meeting URL: http://www.readytalk.com    
On the left side of the screen, enter Participant Access Code: 7202000 
 
Description:
This webinar will provide an overview of education and outreach materials created for the Sound and Sensible organic certification initiative. The session will summarize the goals of sound and sensible certification, provide an overview of the successful outcomes of 14 recent sound and sensible projects, and take a closer look at two of the projects and their outcomes. 
 
By the end of the session, you will understand the goal of sound and sensible outreach, and will be able to easily access the outreach materials to use with your own audiences. 
 
For those who attended the webinar held on February 23, this session will contain similar introductory information, but will highlight different projects. 
Reminder -- Upcoming Webinar:
Natural Resources and Biodiversity Conservation in Organic Production
Please join us on Thursday, March 17, 2016, from 3:00-4:00 PM Eastern Time, for a webinar on Natural Resources and Biodiversity Conservation in Organic Production. 
 
USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the National Organic Program (NOP) will provide an overview of the new NOP guidance concerning natural resources and biodiversity conservation. The guidance provides examples of practices that support the conservation principles and demonstrate compliance with USDA organic regulations. This webinar will also share opportunities for USDA NRCS to support producers as they implement these conservation practices.
  
Pre-registration is not required for this webinar session.

To participate or to learn more about receiving continuing education credits for this webinar, access the Conservation Webinar Portal  and click How to join the webinar? 

Contact Holli.Kuykendall@gnb.usda.gov for more information. 
About the Agricultural Marketing Service
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.
About the USDA Organic Insider

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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