Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 17 / Friday, January 25, 2013 / Notices 5413 

sampling, and species verification. In 

addition, on May 29, 2012, FSIS 

launched a comprehensive, Web-based 

data analytics system called the Public 

Health Information System (PHIS) as 

part of its efforts to collect, consolidate, 

and analyze data. PHIS builds upon the 

previous Automated Import Inspection 

System (AIIS) used by FSIS since 1979 

through the increased integration of 

FSIS’s existing data streams. PHIS also 

enables FSIS to collect information from 

external sources through an electronic 

interface with Customs and Border 

Protection’s Automated Commercial 

Environment (ACE), including foreign 

government electronic certification 

systems. These enhancements further 

support a performance-based approach 

to POE reinspection. 

As with AIIS, PHIS automatically 

schedules a more intensive reinspection 

(i.e., increased follow-up sampling) of 

shipments from foreign establishments 

that produce products failing 

reinspection at POE, or products 

identified as the sole raw material 

source for ground beef that has tested 

positive for pathogenic STEC in the U.S. 

PHIS provides the ability to 

automatically adjust frequencies for 

pathogen testing, food chemistry 

sampling, and species verification based 

on a particular countries performance 

classification. 

If non-compliant imported shipments 

are detected, FSIS works with the 

government of the country that exported 

the product to ensure that appropriate 

corrective actions are effected. As 

indicated previously, the foreign 

government reports through the SRT 

what actions it will take when noncompliant products are shipped. That 

information serves as the basis for 

FSIS’s follow-up verification activities. 

If a country makes any modifications 

to its inspection system, FSIS requires 

that the country update its responses to 

FSIS’s SRT accordingly (see 9 CFR 

327.2(a)(2)(iii), 381.196(a)(2)(iii), and 

590.910(a)). Changes to the SRT may 

affect the results of a country’s 

performance assessment, which then 

may affect the scope and frequency of 

subsequent equivalence verification 

activities. Thus, FSIS’s performancebased approach improves the linkage 

between POE reinspections and on-site 

audits. 

Furthermore, if repeated failures from 

a particular establishment indicate a 

loss of process control, and FSIS finds 

that the foreign country’s corrective 

actions are not effective, FSIS will take 

action to suspend the eligibility of the 

establishment and may conclude that a 

‘‘for cause’’ on-site audit is necessary. 

When multiple establishments in a 

country repeatedly fail POE 

reinspections, FSIS will consider 

elevating its action to a system level that 

could affect the eligibility of the foreign 

inspection system. 

Additional Public Notification 

FSIS will announce this notice online through the FSIS Web page located 

at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations_

&_policies/Federal_Register_Notices/

index.asp. 

FSIS also will make copies of this 

Federal Register publication available 

through the FSIS Constituent Update, 

which is used to provide information 

regarding FSIS policies, procedures, 

regulations, Federal Register notices, 

FSIS public meetings, and other types of 

information that could affect or would 

be of interest to constituents and 

stakeholders. The Update is 

communicated via Listserv, a free 

electronic mail subscription service for 

industry, trade groups, consumer 

interest groups, health professionals and 

other individuals who have asked to be 

included. The Update is available on the 

FSIS Web page. Through the Listserv 

and the Web page, FSIS is able to 

provide information to a much broader 

and more diverse audience. 

In addition, FSIS offers an email 

subscription service which provides 

automatic and customized access to 

selected food safety news and 

information. This service is available at 

http://www.fsis.usda.gov/ 

News_&_Events/Email_Subscription/. 

Options range from recalls to export 

information to regulations, directives 

and notices. Customers can add or 

delete subscriptions themselves, and 

have the option to password protect 

their accounts. 

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture 

(USDA) prohibits discrimination in all 

its programs and activities on the basis 

of race, color, national origin, gender, 

religion, age, disability, political beliefs, 

sexual orientation, and marital or family 

status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to 

all programs.) 

Persons with disabilities who require 

alternative means for communication of 

program information (Braille, large 

print, audiotape, etc.) should contact 

USDA’s Target Center at 202–720–2600 

(voice and TTY). 

To file a written complaint of 

discrimination, write USDA, Office of 

the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 

1400 Independence Avenue SW., 

Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call 

202–720–5964 (voice and TTY). USDA 

is an equal opportunity provider and 

employer. 

Done in Washington, DC, on January 18, 

2013. 

Alfred V. Almanza, 

Administrator. 

[FR Doc. 2013–01511 Filed 1–24–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P 

COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS 

Agenda and Notice of Public Meetings 

of the Massachusetts Advisory 

Committee 

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to 

the provisions of the rules and 

regulations of the U.S. Commission on 

Civil Rights (Commission), and the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act 

(FACA), that a planning meeting of the 

Massachusetts Advisory Committee to 

the Commission will convene at 12:00 

p.m. (ET) on Tuesday, February 12, 

2013, at the McCarter and English Law 

Office, 265 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 

02110. The purpose of the meetings are 

orientation and project planning. 

Members of the public are entitled to 

submit written comments. The 

comments must be received in the 

regional office by Tuesday, March 12, 

2013. Comments may be mailed to the 

Eastern Regional Office, U.S. 

Commission on Civil Rights, 1331 

Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 1150, 

Washington, DC 20425, faxed to (202) 

376–7548, or emailed to ero@usccr.gov. 

Persons who desire additional 

information may contact the Eastern 

Regional Office at 202–376–7533. 

Persons needing accessibility services 

should contact the Eastern Regional 

Office at least 10 working days before 

the scheduled date of the meeting. 

Records generated from this meeting 

may be inspected and reproduced at the 

Eastern Regional Office, as they become 

available, both before and after the 

meeting. Persons interested in the work 

of this advisory committee are advised 

to go to the Commission’s Web site, 

www.usccr.gov, or to contact the Eastern 

Regional Office at the above phone 

number, email or street address. 

The meetings will be conducted 

pursuant to the provisions of the rules 

and regulations of the Commission and 

FACA. 

Dated in Washington, DC, on January 22, 

2013. 

David Mussatt, 

Acting Chief, Regional Programs 

Coordination Unit. 

[FR Doc. 2013–01539 Filed 1–24–13; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6335–01–P 

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