USDA Proposes to Amend the National List for Crops and Handling

On February 15, 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has proposed a new rule to amend the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances section on organic regulations.

On one hand, the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 forbids the use of synthetic substances in organic production and handling unless mentioned on the National List. On the other hand, the National List allows the use of non-synthetic substances unless specifically prohibited.

With this proposal, the USDA agency would introduce the following changes regarding organic crop production:

• Introduction of elemental sulfur for use as a molluscicide;
• Addition of polyoxin D zinc salt to control fungal diseases;
• Reclassification of magnesium chloride from an allowed synthetic to an allowed nonsynthetic ingredient in organic handling.

The agency will accept public comment on these additions for 60 days.

The full text of the proposed rule is available here.