National Organic Standards Board is the committee that works with USDA to decide on changes and how to implement the USDA organic certification process. As I promised, when these events are happening and there is an opportunity for you to share your perspective I would share them with you, so here is a chance for you to give them your thoughts. Vicki Morrone Organic Vegetable and Crop Outreach Specialist Michigan State University C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems 303 Natural Resources Bldg. East Lansing, MI 48824 517-353-3542 517-282-3557 (cell) 517-353-3834 (fax) For information on organic agriculture production please visit: http://www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu/ P Please consider the environment before printing this email From: Liana Hoodes [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2009 3:38 PM To: Vicki Morrone Subject: NOSB pre-Meeting Sunday May 3, 2009 Washington, DC NOC logo#1<http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com/fs038/1101589773259/img/50.j pg?a=1102538793667> National Organic Coalition www.NationalOrganicCoalition.org <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102538793667&s=2732&e=001z0K6nOYFNzww1b4Sqr-e FpJXmikY3zemI0TOciMYeWxytcbszT1MdXNRbIpyvDGMLGJVvLJw6Ut8DCouJ48gNyuhb7D2 vDxDzZuAc-rnoHEo3JpA5D5uvawKE162ZV4v> Dear Vicki, Pre- NOSB Meeting, Sunday May 3, 2009 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NOON to 6:30 pm, Washington, DC -- POST LUNCH (snacks will be provided) please RSVP! Sponsored by National Organic Coalition <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102538793667&s=2732&e=001z0K6nOYFNzyah3x4P5x5 VrytP0-z_GIsnJQNr_AxaA-ov8aXNoCG9JpkTFNNt2ZihEZe9cLTukpaCI8c8Q_jZJCTDH_F AAEp-LDnxNpl-Ty8kWfFwJvWLDHomYjXx2v0> and National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102538793667&s=2732&e=001z0K6nOYFNzxkO3d7k56R W2_wWD4meIDLJlpGSSiZPvpaR1F08Lyxhug69qSJ7C0SO_bRgLAZDfjbBEF2k5938VmX8WvB afBNinh7Ecys8A7AYhsM5fCyu-2B6CvUQhQbEznqmgl2QGc=> The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is meeting Monday May 4 through Wednesday May 6, 2009, so we will once again hold our pre-NOSB meeting on the day before -- Sunday, May 3. Location: WASHINGTON PLAZA HOTEL (same hotel as NOSB meeting) 10 Thomas Circle, Washington DC 20005 202-842-1300 DRAFT TOPICS -- I. Farm Bill Implementation Update II. 2010 Appropriations III. "Pasture" Rule and Origin of Livestock Rule?? IV. NOSB ISSUES: Aquaculture bivalves Retail Certification and ICS Personal Care products Biodiversity Issues Organic Seeds Requirement Definitions of Ag/NonAg; Synthetic/Non-Synthetic Nanotech Materials NOSB 2010 nominations V. SCS label update VI. NOAP Update VII. Food Safety FOR FULL NOSB MEETING AGENDA ( and link to committee documents) go to: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTemplateData.do?&template=Templ ateN&navID=NationalOrganicProgram&leftNav=NationalOrganicProgram&page=Ma y2009Agenda&description=NOSB%20May%202009%20Agenda&acct=nosb <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102538793667&s=2732&e=001z0K6nOYFNzxoZBxT6ogU YyeiwynVqqz3VsdVz_UsQPMVnXFjqa_hKkmvoG_3GffMOf0tw7gVg1M7DjyLXyscZDN1-TF- MSREJoXA5l80oQyAyhGx40iPEivsVfpPJ1z2EsVn9MfKUS7yip6tCeu_QLtPJSOi3F6T-zNG 4PLBMGOAM1EQpqmrceQ-snq8TyVkYzvvjglsz4gE7Vb3K3jIFDZTAKX5GTp0DPFDJRn1N8M8 Ty4G_Ouc7dEyNcde5Pckni1cOqxin-Xu2_H_7Kk0S15VsP7OJuIXk1MCEBnz_jIpk-vOnzI_ y-TrmvweExhjHb8dtZtQ7GaJQka8qgwpKSeZf-6nrfaN9VkAqUHkhiyh3REYtSpxqfE0B03H GD-aX_QriB8onQCOsCjHLj3tsQ==> Take Action Today to Support Organic Biodiversity Conservation -- See Alert below ** In order to make sure there are enough chairs, Please RSVP to: Liana Hoodes ([log in to unmask]) ** For Hotel Rooms: The Washington Plaza Hotel 10 Thomas Circle, NW Washington, DC 20005 202-842-1300 From the Wild Farm Alliance: www.wildfarmallliance.org <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102538793667&s=2732&e=001z0K6nOYFNzx43nugJcF7 NBxrwrCaBbYKAoV-HKfJcic4iZa3QVzgATf6_9ezbsK4FlT1kD5kk7VJ0XsddL7ZC829qToN T4y2cgtCx0pzt6LsIwGrd9Pbeg==> Take Action Today to Support Organic Biodiversity Conservation Send comments to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) before Monday April 20, 2009 to let them know that you support biodiversity conservation within organic agriculture. Use text from the sample letter or submit your own comments via this website: http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocketDetail&d =AMS-TM-09-0014 <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102538793667&s=2732&e=001z0K6nOYFNzzHObJGftxf qgZdWPRtLNEFqe8BtgK1pcggy-KQqcOupeaKy6S-TGiXCeI5LI3HfzCH4jTwxoY_Dj0p11wm smSxQVLHRroNe3vV2q2NG1i4jAsGxcJxp4zkC8rfXpFAZ4_iYIeVJhGj2Z5FmQHsjVp1JeJZ D9zmnClD0GZtCaVeoNb1coKvJausEOlDwf1F0hwzYI6tWYo37A==> Once there, look for the "Notice of Meeting of the NOSB" under the dark blue bar and click the image beneath "Add Comments." For further information, read the discussion on recommendations for strengthening biodiversity conservation within organics written by joint committees of the National Organic Standards Board: http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5075826&acct=no sb <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102538793667&s=2732&e=001z0K6nOYFNzy9pId0BGJW XuN3S8rc5uFt5d5lGFI5VjlM7taCOj6wj9Szb2bU7BDpxdnv7T5-gMfN5dJO_cYc8TxPJPds ATIWkg3bzgHzjZmmiC0JbjauoqycrIftwYVz57R8XwtNZBDjd1rIMGJZcySoF7jr48xIUkMb 4M087zo3teew3p2yG62W02f-Ulqqm7w41M3CZ84=> Sample Letter ----Your Letterhead---- <Date> Jeff Moyer Chairman of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Re: Implementation of Biodiversity Conservation in Organic Agriculture Systems Dear Chairman Moyer, <Your Organization> is writing to encourage the NOSB to adopt recommendations that will address biodiversity conservation within the National Organic Program (NOP) rule. Maintaining healthy, biologically diverse farms is essential for the long-term sustainability of our food system and ecosystem. <Your Organization's Mission and how strengthening biodiversity conservation in the rule relates to your work.> In 2004 and 2005, the NOSB issued guidance statements regarding biodiversity conservation. The current recommendations of its Joint Crops and Compliance, Accreditation, and Certification Committee are reasonable steps that build on these earlier assertions and include: 1) Biodiversity be considered when reviewing materials for use on organic farms, 2) Biodiversity conservation be more fully developed and implemented in the Organic System Plan (OSP) by: a) Producers outlining their strategy for biodiversity conservation in their OSP, b) Inspectors being trained in biodiversity conservation, c) Certifiers verifying producer's efforts to address the NOP's requirements for biodiversity, and d) NOP emphasizing biodiversity conservation in its trainings and revising its checklist used to audit certifiers so that questions about the NOP's biodiversity standards are in every audit. Incorporating biodiversity into the Materials Review process will ensure that no harm comes to organisms benefiting the farm, such as native pollinators. Implementing the requirement for organic farmers to include biodiversity conservation in their OSPs, will help them to prioritize their plans and will ensure improvement of their practices over time. Educating organic inspectors about conservation will result in consistent interpretation, and requiring certifiers to verify that their producers are conserving biodiversity will mean that farmers across the country will all be treated equally. As well, once the NOP begins checking that all organic certifiers are inspecting for biodiversity conservation, the rule will be uniformly implemented. The organic community will benefit from improved conservation efforts. Farmers who conserve habitat will see an increase in native predatory and parasitic insects, predatory birds, and pollinators. The dependence on artificial pest control means will be reduced, as will the need for purchasing honeybee services. Native vegetation which protects soil from erosion and acts as filters for pathogen and nutrient pollutants, will help to meet community needs of food safety and clean water requirements. By maintaining and restoring wildlife corridors through the farm, rodent-eating predators will help to keep pests in check, native species populations will stay viable, and wild nature will benefit. Consumers will profit from conservation because they care about nature and do not want to have their children grow up in a world devoid of biodiversity. Additionally, implementing the recommendations will help maintain the integrity of the organic label and honor consumer confidence in its meaning. We believe it is crucial for the organic farmers, inspectors, certifiers, the NOSB and the NOP to each do their part to ensure that biodiversity conservation is fully developed and implemented. By comprehensively handling the issue, the organic community throughout the country will be become more efficient at addressing the intent of the rule and better equipped to benefit from all that nature provides. Thank you for your consideration of this important issue. Sincerely, <Your Name> <Your Organization> ******************************* Liana Hoodes National Organic Action Plan National Organic Coalition 3540 Route 52 Pine Bush, NY 12566 Phone and Fax: 845-744-2304 www.NationalOrganicCoalition.org <http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1102538793667&s=2732&e=001z0K6nOYFNzww1b4Sqr-e FpJXmikY3zemI0TOciMYeWxytcbszT1MdXNRbIpyvDGMLGJVvLJw6Ut8DCouJ48gNyuhb7D2 vDxDzZuAc-rnoHEo3JpA5D5uvawKE162ZV4v> [log in to unmask] Forward email <http://ui.constantcontact.com/sa/fwtf.jsp?m=1101589773259&ea=sorrone%40 msu.edu&a=1102538793667> Safe Unsubscribe <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001jyV49J2cwWqZGiizBk4h8KJfT c-y-aK0HMiYjj1GYcXRrgspbj81rQOliYoYN_x9p-zE32RUYfs%3D&p=un> This email was sent to [log in to unmask] by [log in to unmask] Update Profile/Email Address <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001jyV49J2cwWqZGiizBk4h8KJfT c-y-aK0HMiYjj1GYcXRrgspbj81rQOliYoYN_x9p-zE32RUYfs%3D&p=oo> | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe <http://visitor.constantcontact.com/d.jsp?v=001jyV49J2cwWqZGiizBk4h8KJfT c-y-aK0HMiYjj1GYcXRrgspbj81rQOliYoYN_x9p-zE32RUYfs%3D&p=un> (tm) | Privacy Policy <http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/CCPrivacyPolicy.jsp> . 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