[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 247 (Wednesday, December 24, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77441-77443]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30219]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2014-0044]


National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Public Meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing 
that the National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection 
(NACMPI) will hold a public meeting on

[[Page 77442]]

January 13 and 14, 2015, to review and discuss FSIS's identification 
and management of chemical hazards within the National Residue Program 
(NRP). The NRP is an interagency program administered by FSIS that is 
designed to identify, rank, and test for chemical contaminants in meat, 
poultry, and egg products. FSIS is seeking input on whether or not it 
should change the way it categorizes chemical hazards and allocates 
resources. NACMPI will also review and discuss the Cost Calculation 
Model that FSIS developed with the Economic Research Service (ERS), 
which provides detailed data about the costs of major foodborne 
illnesses in the United States.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for January 13-14, 2015 from 9:00 a.m. 
to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. NACMPI will meet from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 
on January 13th for administrative purposes; this portion of the 
meeting is not open to the public.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Auditorium at the Patriot 
Plaza III building, 355 E. Street SW., Washington, DC 20024. The 
auditorium is located on the first floor. Please note that due to 
increased security measures at the Patriot Plaza III, all persons 
wishing to attend are strongly encouraged to register in advance.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Natasha Williams, Program Specialist, 
Designated Federal Officer, via Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#eaa48b9e8b99828bc4bd838686838b8799aa8c998399c49f998e8bc48d859c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="de90bfaabfadb6bff089b7b2b2b7bfb3ad9eb8adb7adf0abadbabff0b9b1a8">[email protected]</span></a>; 
Telephone: 202-690-6531; or Fax: (202) 690-6519, regarding specific 
questions about the committee or this meeting. General information 
about the committee can also be found at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulations/advisory-committees/nacmpi.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    NACMPI provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary on meat 
and poultry inspection programs, pursuant to sections 7(c), 24, 
301(a)(3), and 301(c) of the Federal Meat Inspection Act, 21 U.S.C. 
607(c), 624, 645, 661(a)(3), and 661(c), and to sections 5(a)(3), 5(c), 
8(b), and 11(e) of the Poultry Products Inspection Act, 21 U.S.C. 
454(a)(3), 454(c), 457(b), and 460(e). A copy of the current charter 
and other information about NACMPI can be found at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulations/advisory-committees/nacmpi.
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Deputy Under Secretary for 
Food Safety is the chairperson of NACMPI. Membership of NACMPI is drawn 
from distinguished representatives of consumer groups; producers; 
processors; and marketers from the meat, poultry and egg product 
industries; State and local government officials; and academia. The 
current members of NACMPI are: Dr. Michael Crupain, Consumer Product 
Safety and Sustainability; Mr. George Wilson, STOP Foodborne Illness; 
Dr. Tanya Roberts, Center for Foodborne Illness Research and 
Prevention; Mr. Kurt Brandt, United Food and Commercial Workers 
International Union; Dr. Dustin Oedekoven, South Dakota Animal Industry 
Board; Dr. Krzysztof Mazurczak, Illinois Department of Agriculture; Dr. 
Monique Wiggins, Georgia Department of Agriculture; Mr. Michael Frances 
Link Jr., Ohio Department of Agriculture; Dr. Manpreet Singh, Purdue 
University; Dr. Randall K. Phebus, Kansas State University; Dr. 
Patricia Curtis, Auburn University; Mr. Brian Sapp, White Oak Pastures, 
Inc.; Ms. Sherri Jenkins, JBS, USA, LLC; Dr. Betsy Booren, American 
Meat Institute; Dr. Alice Johnson, Butterball, LLC; Ms. Sherika Harvey, 
Mississippi Department of Agriculture; Dr. Carol L. Lorenzen, 
University of Missouri; Dr. Michael L. Rybolt, Hillshire Brands 
Company; Dr. John A. Marcy, University of Arkansas; and Mr. Christopher 
A. Waldrop, Consumer Federation of America.
    On January 13 and 14, 2015, NACMPI will review and discuss FSIS's 
identification and management of chemical hazards within the NRP and 
the FSIS and ERS Cost Calculation Model.
    FSIS has administered the NRP by collecting meat, poultry, and egg 
product samples and analyzing the samples for specific chemical 
compounds at FSIS laboratories since 1967 for meat and poultry, and 
1995 for egg products. Chemical compounds tested in the program include 
approved and unapproved veterinary drugs, pesticides, and environmental 
compounds.
    The NRP is designed to: (1) Provide a structured process for 
identifying and evaluating chemical compounds of concern in food 
animals; (2) analyze chemical compounds of concern; (3) collect, 
analyze, and report results; and, (4) identify the need for regulatory 
follow-up subsequent to the identification of violative levels of 
chemical residues.
    The NRP consists of three separate, but interrelated, chemical 
residue testing programs: Scheduled sampling, inspector-generated 
sampling, and import sampling. This basic structure has been in 
existence since 1967. These testing programs provide data for FSIS to 
detect chemical residues of concern and have been modified over the 
years to respond to emerging and re-emerging chemical residue concerns 
and improved testing methodologies.
    The Cost Calculation Model provides detailed data about the costs 
of major foodborne illnesses in the United States, updating and 
extending previous ERS research. It is available on ERS's Web site at 
http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/cost-estimates-of-foodborne-illnesses/documentation.aspx#resources. It includes:
    1. Detailed identification of specific disease outcomes for 
foodborne infections caused by 15 major pathogens in the United States;
    2. Associated outpatient and inpatient expenditures on medical 
care;
    3. Associated lost wages; and
    4. Estimates of individuals' willingness to pay to reduce mortality 
resulting from these foodborne illnesses acquired in the United States.
    Disease outcomes include both acute illness and chronic disease 
that sometimes follow these acute illnesses. These 15 pathogens account 
for over 95 percent of the illnesses and deaths from foodborne 
illnesses acquired in the United States for which the U.S. Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can identify a pathogen cause. 
These estimates build on CDC estimates of the incidence of foodborne 
disease; peer-reviewed synthesis of data on medical costs, and 
economic, medical and epidemiological literature; and publicly 
available data on wages.
    The Cost Calculation Model provides FSIS and other Federal agencies 
with a set of consistent, peer-reviewed estimates of the costs of 
foodborne illness that can be used in analyzing the impact of Federal 
regulation. It also provides other stakeholders and the general public 
with a means of understanding the relative impact of different 
foodborne infections in the United States. Cost estimates of foodborne 
illnesses have been used in the past to help inform food-safety policy 
discussions.
    The two issues described above will be presented to the full 
Committee. The Committee will then divide into two subcommittees to 
discuss the issues. Each subcommittee will provide a report of their 
comments and recommendations to the full Committee before the meeting 
concludes on January 14, 2015.
    Register for the Meeting: The public is asked to pre-register for 
the meeting. Your pre-registration must state: The name of each person 
in your group; organization or interest represented; the

[[Page 77443]]

number of people planning to give oral comments, if any; and whether 
anyone in your group requires special accommodations. Submit 
registrations to http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulations/advisory-committees/nacmpi/nacmpi-meetings/nacmpi-registration. FSIS will also accept walk-in registrations. Members of 
the public requesting to give oral comment to the Committee must sign 
in at the registration desk.
    PUBLIC COMMENTS: Written public comments may be mailed to USDA/
FSIS, 1400 Independence Ave SW., Mail Stop 3778, Washington, DC 20250; 
submitted via fax (202) 690-6519; or by Email at: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2967686a647960694f5a405a075c5a4d48074e465f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0a444b49475a434a6c796379247f796e6b246d657c">[email protected]</span></a>. 
All written comments must arrive by January 23, 2015. Oral comments are 
also accepted (see instructions under ``Register for the Meeting'' 
above).
    Availability of Materials for the Meeting: All written public 
comments will be compiled into a binder and available for review at the 
meeting. Duplicate comments from multiple individuals will appear as 
one comment, with a notation that multiple copies of the comment were 
received. Please visit: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/regulations/advisory-committees/nacmpi/nacmpi-meetings to learn 
more about the agenda for the meeting or reports resulting from this 
meeting.
    Meeting Accommodations: USDA is committed to ensuring that all 
interested persons are included in our events. If you are a person with 
a disability and would like to request reasonable accommodations to 
participate in this meeting, please contact Natasha Williams via 
Telephone: (202) 690-6531; Fax (202) 690-6519; or Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f6b8978297859e97d8a19f9a9a9f979b85b690859f85d883859297d8919980"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7f311e0b1e0c171e5128161313161e120c3f190c160c510a0c1b1e51181009">[email protected]</span></a>. All reasonable accommodation requests 
are managed on a case by case basis.

USDA Nondiscrimination 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.
    To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program 
Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_12.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

    <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e595978a82978488cb8c8b91848e80a590968184cb828a93"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f78785989085969ad99e9983969c92b782849396d9909881">[email protected]</span></a>.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact 
USDA's TARGET Center at (202)720-2600 (voice and TDD).

Additional Public Notification

    FSIS will announce this notice online through the FSIS Web page 
located at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.
    FSIS will also 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 also available on the FSIS 
Web page. In addition, FSIS offers an electronic mail 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/subscribe. 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.

    Done at Washington, DC, on December 19, 2014.
Alfred V. Almanza,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014-30219 Filed 12-23-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P


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