The National Organic Standards Board will hold its annual spring meeting April 29–May 1 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a virtual option available for those unable to travel. Public comment webinars will take place April 23 and 25. 

The Northwest Horticultural Council shared details in a news release and is reminding growers that it’s important that the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Program hear from the Pacific Northwest tree fruit industry. 

The council encourages growers to submit comments on materials under sunset review, giving voice to the challenges faced by organic farmers and stakeholders. Comments from growers are highly valued by the NOSB, according to the council, and can be as simple as a few paragraphs expressing why these materials are important to your organic production. 

This spring, important materials under sunset review from the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances include:

—Ammonium soaps, for use as large animal repellant only.

—Hydrogen peroxide, as a sanitizer/disinfectant and plant disease control.

—Horticultural oils, as an insecticide and plant disease control.

—Magnesium sulfate, as a plant or soil amendment.

—Peracetic acid/peroxyacetic acid (PAA), for use as a sanitizer on food contact surfaces.

—Pheromones, for insect management (mating disruption).

—Potassium bicarbonate, for plant disease control.

The NOSB will also discuss a proposal regarding compost production for organic agriculture.

To see the full list of sunset materials and discussion documents, go to: ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/NOSBWorkAgenda.pdf. 

The deadline to submit written comments is 11:59 p.m. (Eastern time) on April 3. Written comments to the NOSB can be submitted online at: regulations.gov/document/AMS-NOP-23-0075-0001 (Docket No. AMS-NOP-23-0075). For tips on submitting comments, go to: Tips-For-Submitting-Effective-Comments.pdf.

To sign up for oral comments on April 23 or April 25, go to: ams.usda.gov/event/national-organic-standards-board-nosb-meeting-milwaukee-wi. Registration for oral comments typically fills up quickly. 

If you have any questions or would like assistance submitting comments, contact Dan Langager at the Northwest Horticultural Council — by email at: langager@nwhort.org or by phone at: 509-453-3193. For more information, visit the NHC website at: nwhort.org/organics.

—by Jonelle Mejica