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[Federal Register: August 21, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 162)]
[Notices]
[Page 50729-50730]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21au00-121]
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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
North American Free Trade Agreement: Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee
AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with legislation implementing the North American Free
Trade Agreement, we are informing the public of a meeting to be held Thursday,
September 7, 2000 at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Washington,
DC. The purpose of this meeting is to solicit public comment on proposed agenda
items for the next scheduled meeting of the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA) Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Committee, September
19-20, 2000, in Washington, DC. It is also to
seek public input in identifying any new issues of concern that should be
considered for the agenda. Representatives from each of the SPS
Committee's eight Technical Working Groups (TWGs) will also be present to
apprise the public of each TWG's progress and to respond to
questions. The September meeting will be the Ninth Meeting of
the NAFTA SPS
Committee and will include the co-chairs from the TWGs that report to the
Committee. The purpose of the NAFTA SPS Committee is to
address sanitary and phytosanitary trade issues affecting the entry of
agricultural products among the three member countries.
DATES: The public meeting date is Thursday, September 7, 2000, 9 a.m. to 11
a.m., USDA South Building (at the back of the USDA cafeteria, first floor, 14th
Street and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC. Written comments should be
submitted by September 4, 2000.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carolyn T. Cohen, Foreign Agricultural Service,
International Trade Policy, Food Safety and Technical Services Division, Room
5545, South Building, 14th Street and Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20250, (202) 720-1301; or e-mail ofsts@fas.usda.gov
.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with Article 722 of NAFTA, the AFTA SPS
Committee is responsible for facilitating: (a) The enhancement of food safety
and sanitary and phytosanitary conditions in the territories of the part is; (b)
activities of the Parties pursuant to Articles 713 and 714 relating respectively
to international standards and equivalence; (c) technical cooperation; and (d)
consultation on specific bilateral issues. An SPS issue can be
raised by any party and is sent to the Committee for consideration. The
Committee will either consider the matter itself or refer the issue to an
individual, working group or relevant standard setting organization for
technical advice.
Since the entry into force of NAFTA on January 1, 1994, the
NAFTA
SPS Committee has met on eight separate occasions: March 24,
1994 in Washington, DC; October 6, 1994 in Washington, DC; September 21, 1995 in
Mexico City; February 14, 1996 in Mexico City; June 20, 1996 in Ottawa; November
18-19, 1997 in Washington, DC; November 4-5, 1998 in Mexico City; and November
2-3, 1999 in Ottawa. The Committee meets at least once a year with meetings
rotating among the three countries.
Each TWG is to send at least one representative to the annual Committee meeting
to report on its progress and activity. The nine TWGS under the NAFTA SPS
Committee and their points of contact (POC) are as follows:
1. Animal Health: POC: Dr. Alfonso Torres, Veterinary
Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), USDA.
2. Plant Health, Seeds & Fertilizers: POC: Dr. Ric Dunkle,
Plant Protection and Quarantine, APHIS, USDA.
3. Fish & Fishery Product Inspection: POC: Dr. Philip
Spiller, Office of Seafood, Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
4. Meat, Poultry & Egg Inspection: POC: Dr. John C.
Prucha, Food Safety Inspection Service, USDA.
5. Dairy, Fruits, Vegetables and Processed Foods: POC: Dr.
Terry Troxell, Office of Plant & Dairy Foods & Beverages, FDA.
6. Veterinary Drugs & Feed: POC: Dr. Robert Livingstone,
Center for Veterinary Medicine, FDA.
7. Food Additives and Contaminants: POC: Dr. Alan Rulis,
Office of Pre-Market Approval, FDA.
8. Pesticides: POC: Ms. Marcia Mulkey, Office of Pesticide
Programs, Environmental Protection Agency.
9. Labeling, Packaging & Standards: POC: Dr. Christine J.
Lewis, Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling and Dietary Supplements, FDA.
PUBLIC MEETING: The public meeting will take place at the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC, (at the back of USDA
cafeteria, 1st floor).
WRITTEN COMMENTS: Those persons wishing to submit written comments should
provide five (5) typed copies to Richard White, Director for SPS
Affairs, Office of the United States Trade Representatives, 600 17th St., NW.,
Room 421; Washington, DC 20508. If the submission contains business confidential
information, five copies of a confidential version must also be submitted. A
justification as to why the information contained in the submission should be
treated confidentially must be included in the submission. In addition, any
submissions containing business confidential information must be clearly marked
``Confidential'' at the top and bottom of the cover page (or letter) and of each
succeeding page of the submission. The version that does not contain
confidential information should also be clearly marked, at the top and bottom of
each page, ``public version'' or ``nonconfidential.''
Written comments submitted in connection with this request,
except for information granted ``business confidential'' status pursuant to 15
CFR 20003.6, will be available for public inspection in the USTR Reading Room,
Room 101, Office of the United States Trade Representatives, 600 17th Street,
NW., Washington, DC. An appointment to review the file may be made by calling
Brenda Webb (202) 395-6186. The Reading Room is open to the public from 9:30
a.m. to 12 noon, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
David Walters,
Acting Chairman, Trade Policy Staff Committee.
[FR Doc. 00-21215 Filed 8-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-01-M
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