Processing
NOSB Update:
The Delicate Balance of Organic Regulation
By Tracy Miedema
The organic community is made up of all types, from the small to the not so small, from pioneers to newcomers. While there
may be a variety of views, in order to push the
organic movement forward and make a bigger impact on the health of the planet and
those who live on it, it’s important to work together to promote the industry while we also
protect organic integrity.
The Importance of a Balanced Board.
Striving for balance is of utmost importance
when it comes to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Under the Organic
Foods Production Act (OFPA), the members
of the Board are appointed by the secretary of
the USDA to serve as citizen-advisers to the
National Organic Program (NOP) in the rule-making process.
With 15 members who fill specific seats—
including organic farmers, consumers, environmentalists, processors, a retailer and a
certifier—the NOSB was brought together to
represent the views of a wide range of the organic community. NOSB members are volunteers, and each member carries into his or
her term of service a set of unique life experiences and beliefs. Still, it’s crucial that members commit to having an open mind—
weighing information based on science
and evidence in order to offer an objective
analysis.
Currently, five seats on the NOSB are open
for nominations, and these appointments will
significantly impact the composition of the
Board and, inevitably, its policy recommenda-
tions. With these new appointments, it’s es-
sential that the NOSB represent not only a
diverse group, but a balanced and knowledge-
able body of citizen advisers who act to repre-
sent the best interests of the entire organic
community. Written nominations, with cover
letters and resumes, must be postmarked on
or before July 17, 2011.
NOSB Spring Meeting, Seattle, WA
The most important part of every NOSB
meeting is the opportunity to hear from the
public. The NOSB heard from more than 200
citizens giving public testimony in Seattle. Invariably, the public influences both the written recommendations and the way NOSB
members vote.
At the most recent meeting, the Board
took decisive action to vote on more than 30
recommendations and guidance documents.
Below is a summary of some of these actions,
including supporting information as reported
in the Organic Trade Association’s NOSB
Report.*
Crop Materials
Several of the items up for sunset review
were controversial at the meeting. One was
corn steep liquor (CSL), a byproduct of the
corn wet milling process. The key question
