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Activated Charcoal (2023 Sunset Livestock)

Sunset Survey

This survey is administered by the Organic Trade Association to assess the necessity/essentiality of substances used in organic production and processing that are undergoing NOSB Sunset Review. The information collected will be passed along to NOSB via the Organic Trade Association’s comments. Please do not include any confidential businesses information. For more information please visit OTA.com/NOSB.

This survey is for the substance ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
Allowed for use as an antidote to poisons and other toxic substances and for removing various mycotoxins. Must be from vegetative sources. §205.603(a)
1.Is your operation certified organic?
2.Is activated charcoal included in your organic system plan?
3.Which types of organic products do you produce/raise using activated charcoal? (e.g., broiler chickens; dairy cows)
4.What function does activated charcoal provide and why is it necessary? (e.g., to control a specific pest or disease, etc.)
5.With what frequency does your operation use activated charcoal? (e.g., seldom, as needed when a certain condition arises, routinely, etc.)
6.Have you tried using any other substances as an alternative to activated charcoal? (e.g., other substances that are on the National List and/or other natural substances)
7.Are there any other management practices that would eliminate the need for activated charcoal? (e.g., mechanical or physical practices; alternative health care or sanitation practices, etc.)
8.How would your organic production be impacted if activated charcoal was no longer allowed? (describe the agronomic, environmental or human health effects, product quality, economic effects)
9.On a scale from 1 to 5 stars, rate the overall necessity of activated charcoal for your organic operation:
Unnecessary (don’t need it at all)
Neutral (nice to have but could live without it)
Critical (would leave organic without it)
10.You are strongly encouraged to submit your own comments by Sept 30th directly to the NOSB via Regulations.gov.

If you would like assistance or guidance in submitting comments to NOSB, please contact Johanna Mirenda at jmirenda@ota.com or provide your contact information below and OTA will contact you directly.