[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27490-27491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12749]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
[Docket No. 95-018N]


Codex Alimentarius: Public Meeting

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), U.S. Department 
of Agriculture (USDA); the [[Page 27491]] Food and Drug Administration 
(FDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); and the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are sponsoring a public meeting 
on June 7, 1995, from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in the Washington Rooms, 
Hyatt Regency--Crystal City, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Crystal 
City, Virginia. The meeting will provide information and solicit public 
comments and suggestions on U.S. participation in activities of the 
Codex Alimentarius Commission. The co-sponsors of this public meeting 
recognize the importance of providing interested parties the 
opportunity to obtain background information on Codex, to discuss 
current Codex issues, and to address U.S. participation in the Codex 
process.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Marvin A. Norcross, U.S. 
Coordinator for Codex Alimentarius, USDA, Food Safety and Inspection 
Service, Room 311-West End Court, Washington, DC 20250-3700, telephone 
(202) 254-2517; Fax (202) 254-2530.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Codex was established in 1962 by two United 
Nations' organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the 
World Health Organization, to encourage fair international trade in 
food and to promote the health and economic interests of consumers 
worldwide.
    Codex provides a forum for the world's leading experts to discuss, 
debate, and often reach scientific consensus on food safety issues that 
affect trade. There are currently 151 member nations of Codex that work 
to develop Standards, Codes of Practice, and Guidelines dealing with 
basic principles, technical specifications for products, and good 
manufacturing practices.
     With the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement 
(NAFTA), the successful conclusion of the Uruguay Round of multilateral 
trade negotiations, and the formation of the World Trade Organization, 
the role of Codex as an international standard-setting body has become 
much more visible and critical to U.S. interests.
    On January 1, 1995, the Uruguay Round Agreement of the General 
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade was implemented by the United States. 
One part of this is the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
Measures elevating the significance of Codex standards and requiring 
that a country scientifically justify its actions to achieve its level 
of food safety, if higher than Codex recommendations. The Agreement on 
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures recognizes three international 
standard-setting organizations. The three are the Codex for food 
safety, the International Plant Protection Convention for plant health, 
and the Office of International Epizootics for animal health.
    Within the United States, Codex activities are carried out by 
officials from USDA, FDA, EPA, and the National Marine Fisheries 
Service who serve as U.S. Delegates and Alternate Delegates to various 
Codex Committees. Dr. Marvin A. Norcross, Food Safety and Inspection 
Service, USDA, assisted by a Codex staff, serves as the U.S. 
Coordinator for Codex Alimentarius. A Steering Committee made up of 
Senior Executives from USDA, FDA, and EPA provides direction for all 
U.S. Codex activities.

Meeting Agenda

    The following specific issues will be discussed during the public 
meeting:
    1. The implications of NAFTA and the Uruguay Round Agreements Act 
for Codex and U.S. participation.
    2. The draft ``U.S. Codex Strategic Plan.'' (copies available see 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.)
    3. The paper ``Role of Science in the Codex Decision-Making 
Process.'' (copies available see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.)
    4. An overview of matters to be addressed during the upcoming 21st 
session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
    5. Issues raised by public comments relating to Codex.

Attendance

    The meeting will be open to all interested parties on a space 
available basis. All persons wishing to give a presentation at the 
meeting should submit a written request that includes the participant's 
name and organization, address, telephone and facsimile numbers, and a 
copy of the remarks to be presented. Send your request to Dr. Marvin 
Norcross (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
    All information and comments presented will be carefully reviewed 
and taken into consideration for future Codex activities. A summary of 
the meeting and copies of information submitted during the meeting will 
be available for review in the FSIS Docket Clerk's Office, Room 4352, 
South Building, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC. 20250.

    Done at Washington, DC, on: May 17, 1995.
Michael R. Taylor,
Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 95-12749 Filed 5-23-95; 8:45 am]
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