 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
- PURPOSE
- The Secretary of Agriculture, after consultation with the
Secretary of Health and Human Services on the need for a joint
U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U. S. Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) advisory committee, hereby
renews the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods.
The Committee was initially established by the Secretary of Agriculture on
March 18, 1988.
- The purpose of the Committee is to provide impartial,
scientific advice to federal food safety agencies for use in the development
of an integrated national food safety systems approach from farm to
final consumption to assure the safety of domestic, imported, and exported foods.
- The functions of this Committee cannot be performed in less
than 2 years, and renewal is considered in the public interest in connection
with the duties and responsibilities of both Departments in ensuring
the safety and wholesomeness of foods.
- The work of the Committee may be accomplished through
subcommittees consisting of members from the whole Committee. Subject
matter experts outside of the NACMCF
membership may be invited to subcommittee meetings on an ad hoc basis to
give presentations and to participate in discussions. Subcommittee chairs,
with the approval of the Executive Committee, may also assign outside
subject matter experts to serve as Special Government Employee members
of subcommittees with no voting rights on the full Committee.
- SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
- This regulation will expire 2 years from the date of filing,
unless the Secretary of Agriculture determines prior to that
date that renewal is in the public interest.
- Departmental Regulation Number 1043-28 dated
August 3, 2006 is hereby superseded.
- This document will also serve as the charter for the
National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods.
- OFFICERS AND MEMBERSHIP
- The Under Secretary for Food Safety, or designee, will serve as the Chairperson.
The Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, or designee, will serve
as the Vice-Chairperson. A representative of the Food Safety and Inspection Service
will serve as the Executive Secretary.
- The membership of the Committee will be appointed by the
Secretary of Agriculture after consultation with the Secretary of
Health and Human Services. Because of their interest in food safety
and foodborne illness, advice on membership appointments will be
requested from the Department of Commerce's National Marine Fisheries Service,
the Department of Defense's Veterinary Service Activity, and the
Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Membership will consist of not more than 30 individuals with expertise in
microbiology, risk assessment, epidemiology, public health, food science
and other relevant disciplines. Members will serve at the
discretion of the Secretary of Agriculture.
- Non-Federal Government employee members will be appointed to
serve as non-salaried Special Government Employees (SGEs), and will
be subject to appropriate conflict of interest statutes and standards
of ethical conduct. In particular to their appointment, SGEs must
complete the Office of Government Ethics 450 Confidential Financial
Disclosure Report, as new entrants before rendering any advice, or
no later than the first meeting. Members will be reviewed for conflict
of interest pursuant to 18 U.S.C.208 in relation to specific Committee functions.
- Equal opportunity practices, in line with USDA policies, will
be followed in all appointments to the Committee. To ensure that
the recommendations of the Committee have taken into account the needs
of the diverse groups served by USDA, membership should include,
to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability
to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
- DUTIES
The Committee will provide impartial, scientific advice to federal food safety
agencies for use in the development of an integrated national food safety systems
approach from farm to final consumption to assure the safety of domestic, imported, and
exported foods.
- ESTIMATED ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS
- Members serve without pay, but with reimbursement of travel
expenses and per diem for attendance at Committee or subcommittee
meetings called by the Chairperson.
- Annual operating costs are estimated to be $160,000.
Staff year requirements are estimated to be 2.
- NUMBER AND FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS
The full Committee is expected to meet two
times each year and the subcommittees will
meet as deemed necessary by the Chairperson.
- REPORTS AND SUPPORT
- The Committee reports to the Secretary of Agriculture
through the Under Secretary for Food Safety and to the Secretary
of Health and Human Services through the Assistant Secretary for Health.
- The Food Safety and Inspection Service will provide
administrative staff support to the Committee.
|
Signed June 5, 2008 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
