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[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 249 (Friday, December 28, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67168-67169]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-31967]

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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. ST-01-05]

Microbiological Data Program; Public Meeting

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to notify all interested parties 
that the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will hold a public 
meeting to provide a forum to discuss the Microbiological Data Program 
(MDP). Specifically, AMS will present a detailed data collection 
proposal and seek input from all interested parties on data collection 
techniques. This notice also sets forth the schedule and proposed 
agenda for the meeting.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on Thursday, January 10, 2002, 
from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the Jamie L. Whitten 
Federal Building, Room 107-A, United States Department of Agriculture, 
12th and Jefferson Drive, SW, Washington DC 20250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Robert L. Epstein, Science and 
Technology Programs, Agricultural Marketing Service, United States 
Department of Agriculture, 14th and Independence Avenue, Washington DC, 
20250 Telephone number (202) 720-5231 or fax (202) 720-6496.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the past several years the number of 
foodborne illness associated with domestic and imported fresh fruits 
and vegetables has increased. Some microorganisms once thought under 
control may be adapting to their environments, may be developing 
resistance to conventional food processing operations, and may be re-
emerging with increased pathogenicity. To respond to these concerns, 
Congress authorized an appropriation of $6.235 million for fiscal year 
(FY) 2001 and $6.234 million for FY 2002, to fund a microbiological 
monitoring program for foodborne pathogens and indicator organisms on 
domestic and imported fruits and vegetables. The program is designed to 
collect reliable data and develop national estimates of bacterial 
contamination with regard to selected produce. The MDP is a voluntary 
data gathering program and not a regulatory or enforcement program. The 
Federal Food and Drug Administration, Centers of Disease Control and 
Prevention, USDA's National Agricultural Statistical Service, as well 
as 10 State Departments of Agriculture, industry and academia have 
provided assistance and information in formulating program policy and 
operating procedures. The program will be conducted under the authority 
of the Agricultural Marketing

[[Page 67169]]

Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621-1627). Congress requested that AMS hold a 
public meeting to seek input from all interested parties (H.R. No. 275, 
107th Congress, 1st session, at 65). Therefore, AMS, is giving notice 
of a public meeting to allow anyone, especially those who are 
interested in food safety issues, an opportunity to present their input 
regarding MDP. This public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 
10, 2002. The public meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m. and is scheduled 
to end at 1 p.m. It will be held at the Jamie L. Whitten Federal 
Building, Room 107-A, United States Department of Agriculture, 12th and 
Jefferson Drive, SW, Washington DC 20250.
    Those parties who wish to speak at the meeting should register on 
or before January 7, 2002. To register to speak, please e-mail 
[email protected], or send a fax to Dr. Robert Epstein at (202) 
720-6496. Registrants should include their name, address, and daytime 
telephone number. Depending on the number of registered speakers, time 
limits may be imposed on speakers, and speakers who have registered in 
advance will be given priority if time is limited.
    The proposed agenda for the meeting will include discussions of: 
(1) MDP Overview and Framework, (2) MDP sampling rationale and 
principles, (3) Public health agencies program needs, and (4) Public 
recommendations and concerns.
    Upon entering the Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, visitors 
should inform security personnel that they are attending the MDP Public 
Meeting. Identification will be required to be admitted to the 
building. Security personnel will direct visitors to the registration 
tables located outside of Room 107-A. Registration upon arrival is 
necessary for all participants, including those who have registered to 
speak in advance.
    If you require special accommodations, such as a sign language 
interpreter, please contact the person listed under For Further 
Information Contact. The meeting will be recorded, and information 
about obtaining a transcript will be provided at the meeting.

    Dated: December 21, 2001.
A. J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 01-31967 Filed 12-21-01; 2:27 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P
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