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Subj: 4 National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) VACANCIES FOR 2007 ANNOUNCED  Date: 4/24/2006 10:58:17 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: [log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask] Sent from the Internet (Details)

 

National Campaign For Sustainable Agriculture


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Patricia Whetham,

NOP ANNOUNCES FOUR VACANCIES ON THE NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD FOR 2007:  ORGANIC HANDLER, SCIENTIST, CONSUMER/PUBLIC INTEREST, AND ENVIRONMENTALIST.
APPLICATIONS DUE JULY 14, 2006.

ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 1990, as amended, requires the
establishment of a National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The NOSB is a
15-member board that is responsible for developing and recommending to the
Secretary a proposed National List of Approved and Prohibited Substances.
The NOSB also advises the Secretary on other aspects of the National Organic
Program. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is requesting nominations
to fill four (4) upcoming vacancies on the NOSB. The positions to be filled
are: Organic handler (1 position), scientist (1 position), consumer public
interest (1 position), and an environmentalist (1 position). The Secretary
of Agriculture will appoint a person to each position to serve a 5-year term
of office that will commence on January 24, 2007, and run until January 24,
2012. USDA encourages eligible minorities, women, and persons with
disabilities to apply for membership on the NOSB.

DATES: Written nominations, with cover letters and resumes, must be
postmarked on or before July 14, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Ms. Katherine E. Benham, Advisory
Board Specialist, USDA-AMS-TMP-NOP, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.,

Room 4008-So., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Katherine E. Benham, (202) 205-7806;
E-mail: [log in to unmask];  Fax: (202) 205-7808.

The OFPA of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.), requires the Secretary
to establish an organic certification program for producers and handlers of
agricultural products that have been produced using organic methods. In
developing this program, the Secretary is required to establish an NOSB. The
purpose of the NOSB is to assist in the development of a proposed National
List of Approved and Prohibited Substances and to advise the Secretary on
other aspects of the National Organic Program. The NOSB made recommendations
to the Secretary regarding the establishment of the initial organic program.
It is anticipated that the NOSB will continue to make recommendations on
various matters, including recommendations on substances it believes should
be allowed or prohibited for use in organic production and handling.

The NOSB is composed of 15 members; 4 organic producers, 2 organic handlers,
a retailer, 3 environmentalists, 3 public/consumer representatives, a
scientist, and a certifying agent. Nominations are being sought to fill the
following four (4) upcoming NOSB vacancies: Organic handler (1 position),
scientist (1 position), consumer public interest (1 position), and an
environmentalist (1 position).

Individuals desiring to be appointed to the NOSB at this time must be either
an owner or operator of a certified organic handling operation; an
individual with expertise in areas of environmental protection and resource
conservation; an individual with expertise in the fields of toxicology,
ecology, or biochemistry; or an individual who represents public interest or
consumer interest groups. Selection criteria will include such factors as:
Demonstrated experience and interest in organic production, organic
certification, support of consumer and public interest organizations;
demonstrated experience with respect to agricultural products produced and
handled on certified organic farms; and such other factors as may be
appropriate for specific positions.

For a pdf file of this announcement go to the USDA/NOP/NOSB website: "What's New", at:  http://www.ams.usda.gov/nosb/whatsnew/whatsnew.html

***************************************************
Liana Hoodes
National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture
3540 Route 52
Pine Bush, New York 12566
Phone and Fax:Ê 845-744-2304
http://www.sustainableagriculture.net/
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