PCC Fall 2019 Comments to NOSB in Pittsburgh

October 3, 2019

PCC submitted written comments and in-person testimony for the fall 2019 meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) advisory committee to the National Organic Program (NOP).

Each year the NOP holds two open meetings of the NOSB, giving the public an opportunity to learn about the NOSB’s work and recommendations. These meetings also are a platform for individuals to voice their opinions on issues concerning the organic program through written comments and oral testimony. This year’s fall meeting took place in Pittsburgh, PA.

As a certified organic grocer that places a priority on organics, we are accountable to our shoppers and nearly 70,000 active member-owners to advocate for organic integrity. As a part of this advocacy, we not only developed our own comments, but contributed to and signed on, as a full member, to the extensive comments submitted by the National Organic Coalition (NOC).

Two issues of significance in our comments were genetic engineering (GE) and the role of organic to mitigate climate change. We also addressed a number of other topics, including the Origin of Livestock rule, program transparency, relisting Seaweed materials, and adding research priorities on access to organic foods and production for economically and racially disadvantaged populations.

PCC’s Director of Advocacy and Product Sustainability also travelled to Pittsburgh to provide in-person testimony on behalf of our members, shoppers, and the organic community on key issues identified in PCC’s comments.

Read the full text of PCC’s Fall 2019 NOSB Comments.