[Sc-aquaponics] FW: Federal Register Notice - National Organic Program; Nominations for Task Force Members - Hydroponics and Aquaponics

[Tiu, Laura]

AQUACONTACTS
MAIL GROUP NEWS
March 11, 2015

[http://www.nifa.usda.gov/about/offices/images/usda_nifa_h_cmyk_300.jpg]


USDA AMS seeks nomination for Hydroponics and Aquaponics Task Force members
USDA AMS Federal Register Notice is "National Organic Program; Nominations for Task Force Members"
Rex A. Barnes, Associate Administrator of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
The following information is taken from the March 9, 2015 USDA AMS Federal Register Notice:
Why is this task force being formed?
The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 6501-6522) provides for the certification of agricultural products for human consumption. To implement this Act, AMS published the USDA organic regulations on December 20, 2000. The regulations provide for the certification of crops and livestock production and operations that handle and process agricultural products. Hydroponic and aquaponic operations are currently being certified under the USDA organic regulations.
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions in water without soil. Terrestrial plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert medium, such as perlite, gravel, biochar, or coconut husk. Aquaponics combines the features of hydroponics and aquaculture. In these systems, the metabolic waste from fish tanks provides a source of nutrients for vegetables grown hydroponically. The USDA organic regulations do not include specific provisions for organic hydroponic or aquaponic production. However, there are certified organic operations observing the crop production requirements of the USDA organic regulations to produce organic crops via hydroponic or aquaponic growing methods. These operations, for example, must maintain water quality and use only approved inputs as fertilizers and pest control practices. Organic hydroponic production is allowed as long as the producer can demonstrate compliance with the USDA organic regulations.
In 2010, the NOSB provided recommendations to the NOP on Production Standards for Terrestrial Plants in Containers and Enclosures (Greenhouses). The NOSB recommended practice standards for growing terrestrial plants in containers using growing media rather than soil. The NOSB recommended not allowing organic hydroponic production because these systems are not soil based.
AMS is assembling a task force to assess the diversity of these soilless production practices and advise on what specific practices may or may not be supported by the current USDA organic regulations.
What are the hydroponics task force's objectives and time requirements?
There are two main objectives of the task force: (i) To describe current hydroponic and aquaponic production methods used in organic production, and (ii) to assess whether these practices align with OFPA and the USDA organic regulations. The task force will prepare a report advising the NOSB on proposed standards or guidelines for hydroponic and aquaponic methods in organic agriculture. The report may be used to inform the NOSB on recommendations concerning hydroponic and aquaponic systems and for possible guidance or rulemaking by the NOP.
USDA will name the members of the task force approximately 120 days after the publication of this notice. The discussions between task force members will be conducted through electronic mail and conference calls with no requirement for travel. We expect the task force to present its completed report to the NOSB in the spring of 2016.
What are the minimum skills and experience requirements to be considered for this task force?
Go to the USDA AMS Federal Register Notice for additional information and details. (Attached)
March 9, 2015 USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Federal Register Notice
Applications Due By: Nominations are due to AMS by May 8, 2015
The March 9, 2015 USDA AMS Federal Register Notice:
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-03-09/html/2015-05403.htm

Information about the NOSB:

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/nosb

Information about the USDA AMS National Organic Program:

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/nop
Questions may be directed to Mark Bradley who is the Assistant to the Deputy Administrator of the USDA AMS National Organic Program at 202 720 3252; fax: 202 205 7808; e-mail: Mark.Bradley at AMS.USDA.gov<mailto:Mark.Bradley at AMS.USDA.gov>



Regards,

Max Mayeaux

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Maxwell H. Mayeaux, Ph.D.
Aquaculture Program Specialist
USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Waterfront Center, Room 3413
800 9th St. SW
Washigton, DC  20024
(202) 401-3353
mmayeaux at nifa.usda.gov<mailto:mmayeaux at nifa.usda.gov>
*****************************************
Feeding the Huugry Leads to World Peace



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