NOP to Modify Rules Governing Use of Substances in Organic Crop Production and Processing

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) has
issued a proposed rule that would amend the National List of Allowed and
Prohibited Substances to permit the use of biodegradable biobased mulch
film in organic crop production and the use of Citrus hystrix and curry leaves
in organic processing. NOP has also proposed removing two nonorganic
agricultural products from the National List—hops (Humulus lupulus) and
unmodified rich starch—“as their use exemptions expired on January 1, 2013,
and June 21, 2009, respectively.”

According to NOP, biodegradable biobased mulch film is a synthetic
substance “used as an alternative to petroleum-based plastic mulches that
do not biodegrade,” while the leaves and fruit of Citrus hystrix are traditional
ingredients in Lao, Thai and other Southeast Asian cuisines, and curry or
sweet neem leaves are an important ingredient in Indian, Sri Lankan, Malay,
and other Southeast Asian cuisines. The agency will accept comments on the
inclusion of these substances in organic crop production and processing until
October 21, 2013. See Federal Register, August 22, 2013.