PURPOSE: This rule defines terms to be used when implementing the Missouri Department of Agriculture Organic Program.

1. (1) These definitions apply to all rules adopted and incorporated under authority of section 261.110, RSMo Supp. 2002, unless specified differently by statute or law.

   1. (A) Certifying agent registration. “Certifying agent registration” means the mandatory act of filing with the director, on forms provided by or approved by the department, the name and address of any accredited certifying agent that certifies organic entities within the state of Missouri.
   2. (B) Department. The “department” means the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA).
   3. (C) Director. The “director” means the director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, or designee.
   4. (D) Missouri-based. “Missouri-based” means any organic entity with not less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the certified organic production area and of any production/handling facility(ies) located within the state’s borders.
   5. (E) NOP. “NOP” means the National Organic Program, as outlined in Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 246 NOP 7 CFR, Part 205.
   6. (F) Organic entity. “Organic entity” refers to any producer or handler, and the production or handling site and/or facility, that utilizes methods that adhere to those required by NOP 7 CFR, Part 205.
   7. (G) Organic registration. “Organic registration” means a voluntary act of filing with the director, on forms provided by or approved by the program.
   8. (H) Program. “Program” means the Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) Organic Program.
   9. (I) Transitional-to-organic. “Transitionalto-organic” means any Missouri-based agricultural producer or handler that is converting from conventional to organic production methods while adhering to NOP requirements.

AUTHORITY: section 261.110, RSMo Supp. 2002.* Original rule filed Jan. 3, 2003, effective Aug. 30, 2003. *Original authority: 261.110, RSMo 2000, amended 2002.