Washington, DC - The United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is extending a deadline by 30 days to allow members of the public to submit alternative proposals or partial proposals on a new industry-funded promotion, research and information order for organic products. The new order would be developed under the Commodity Promotion, Research, and Information Act of 1996 (1996 Act).

AMS received a number of requests from organic stakeholders for additional time and will accept proposals or partial proposals until July 20, 2015. AMS originally announced that it would accept proposals until June 19, 2015.

The agency will consider submissions before publishing a proposed Organic Promotion, Research and Information Order that would create an industry-funded research and promotion program for organic products under the 1996 Act.

Proposals may be submitted to Organic Promotion, Research, and Information Order; Room 3071-S, STOP 0201; Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; Washington, D.C. 20250-0201; telephone number (202) 720-5115. AMS is only seeking proposals or partial proposals. Comments on the submitted proposal or any other aspect of an organic research and promotion program will not be considered. Interested parties will have full opportunity to submit comments when AMS publishes a proposed order.