USDA has published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to amend the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List), part of the organic regulations overseen by the NOP. The proposed changes are based on October 2020 and April 2021 recommendations from the NOSB.
This proposed rule would:
- Allow paper pots, seed tape, and collars for use as planting aids in organic crop production.
- Allow low-acyl gellan gum for use as a thickener, gelling agent, or stabilizer in organic food processing.
- Correct a spelling error on the National List to change “wood resin” to “wood rosin.”
USDA welcomes comments on the proposed amendments. The 62-day comment period will close on April 4, 2022. You can submit a comment by clicking here.
The National List identifies the synthetic substances allowed and the natural substances prohibited in organic farming. It also identifies nonagricultural and nonorganic agricultural substances that may be used in organic handling. Any change to the National List requires a recommendation from the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)—the federal advisory board charged with advising USDA leadership about the National List and other matters—and then USDA rulemaking with multiple opportunities for public comment.
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This article was originally published in the National Organic Program’s Organic Insider and reprinted with permission.