The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) was established to assist in developing standards for substances to be used in organic production and to advise the Secretary on the implementation of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. The NOSB sent the National Organic Program (NOP) recommendations in Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 related to nitrogen fertilizers in organic crop production. The Fall 2021 recommendation specifically requested the prohibition of two types of natural ammonia extracts: stripped and concentrated ammonia. In response to the NOSB recommendation to prohibit ammonia extracts, the NOP began researching these substances and consulting with other agencies. Section 6517(c)(2) of the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) requires the NOP to consult with other agencies to prohibit a natural substance from organic production. 

Following these consultations, the NOP sent the U.S. EPA’s Office of the Administrator and Office of the Agriculture Advisor a letter on December 22, 2022, requesting their input on ammonia extracts. On May 16, 2024, the NOP received the U.S. EPA’s response. This Insider shares the response and its supporting documents with the public. Now that the NOP has concluded the consultation required by OFPA, we are considering next steps for a nitrogen fertilizers proposed rule. The NOP will continue to keep the community updated, and we thank the Board again for their work on this topic.