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###### Department of Agriculture

###### U.S. Codex Office

# AGENCY:

U.S. Codex Office, USDA.

# ACTION:

Notice of public meeting and request for comments.

# SUMMARY:

The U.S Codex Office is sponsoring a public meeting on March 24, 2022. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States (U.S.) positions to be discussed at the 22nd Session of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CCFFV) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which will convene virtually April 25-May 4, 2022. The U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius and the Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 22nd Session of the CCFFV and to address items on the agenda.

# DATES:

The public meeting is scheduled for March 24, 2022, from 1:00-2:30 p.m. ET.

# ADDRESSES:

                        The public meeting will take place via Video Teleconference only. Documents related to the 22nd Session of the CCFFV will be accessible via the internet at the following address:                         *https://www.fao.org/​fao-who-codexalimentarius/​meetings/​detail/​it/​?meeting=​CCFFV&​session=​22.*

                        Mr. Dorian Lafond, U.S. Delegate to the 22nd Session of the CCFFV, invites U.S. interested parties to submit their comments electronically to the following email address:                         *dorian.lafond@usda.gov.*

*Registration:*                         Attendees must register to attend the public meeting here:                         *https://www.zoomgov.com/​meeting/​register/​vJItf-GrqjsvHxm0ZzGEBP4rZe8dAdqHjFE*. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

                        For further information about the 22nd Session of the CCFFV, contact U.S. Delegate, Mr. Dorian Lafond,                         *dorian.lafond@usda.gov,*                         +1 (202) 690-4944.                    

                        For further information about the public meeting Contact: U.S. Codex Office, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4861, South Agriculture Building, Washington, DC 20250. Phone (202) 720-7760, Fax: (202) 720-3157, Email:                         *uscodex@usda.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## Background

Codex was established in 1963 by two United Nations organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization. Through adoption of food standards, codes of practice, and other guidelines developed by its committees, and by promoting their adoption and implementation by governments, Codex seeks to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the food trade.

The Terms of Reference of the Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CCFFV) are:

(a) To elaborate worldwide standards and codes of practice as may be appropriate for fresh fruits and vegetables; 

(b) to consult, as necessary, with other international organizations in the standards development process to avoid duplication.

The CCFFV is hosted by Mexico. The United States attends the CCFFV as a member country of Codex.

## Issues To Be Discussed at the Public Meeting

The following items on the agenda for the 22nd Session of the CCFFV will be discussed during the public meeting: 
    - Adoption of the Agenda
    - Matters referred to the Committee by the CAC and other Codex Subsidiary Bodies
    - Matters arising from other international organizations on the standardization of fresh fruits and vegetables
    - Proposed draft standard for onions and shallots
    - Proposed draft standard for berry fruits
    - Proposed draft standard for fresh dates
    - Discussion paper on glossary of terms used in the layout for Codex standards for fresh fruits and vegetables
    - Consideration of the proposals for new work (replies to Circular Letter 2021/79-FFV)

## Public Meeting

                    At the March 24, 2022, public meeting, draft U.S. positions on the agenda items will be described and discussed, and attendees will have the opportunity to pose questions and offer comments. Written comments may be offered at the meeting or sent to Mr. Dorian Lafond, U.S. Delegate for the 22nd Session of the CCFFV (see                           ( print page 9309)    **ADDRESSES**                    ). Written comments should state that they relate to activities of the 22nd Session of the CCFFV.                

## Additional Public Notification

                    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy development is important. Consequently, the U.S. Codex Office will announce this                     **Federal Register**                     publication on-line through the USDA web page located at:                     *https://www.usda.gov/​codex,*                     a link that also offers an email subscription service providing access to information related to Codex. Customers can add or delete their subscription themselves and have the option to password protect their accounts.                

## USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to discrimination any person in the United States under any program or activity conducted by the USDA.

## How To File a Complaint of Discrimination

                    To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at                     *https://www.usda.gov/​sites/​default/​files/​documents/​ad-3027.pdf,*                     or write a letter signed by you or your authorized representative. Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, or email.                

*Mail:*                     U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410.                

*Fax:*                     (202) 690-7442, Email:                     *program.intake@usda.gov.*

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

Done at Washington, DC, on February 15, 2022.

Mary Frances Lowe,

U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius.

[FR Doc. 2022-03592 Filed 2-17-22; 8:45 am]

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