October 10, 2001
FDA HOLDING PUBLIC HEARING ON RUMINANT FEED (BSE) RULES
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is holding a public hearing to solicit information and views on its present animal feeding regulation "Animal Proteins Prohibited in Ruminant Feed" -- Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21, Part 589.2000. The purpose of the rule is to help prevent the establishment and amplification of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in U.S. cattle herds through feed and thereby help minimize any risks from BSE to animal or human health.
FDA recognizes that new information has emerged on BSE and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) since the rule went into effect in 1997. Therefore, FDA is requesting information and views from individuals and organizations on the present rule and whether changes in the rule or other additional measures are necessary. The Agency is particularly interested in soliciting comments and views from individuals, industry, consumer groups, health professionals, and researchers with expertise in BSE and related animal and human diseases.
The hearing will be held on October 30, 2001, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time (but will be adjourned from noon to 1 p.m. for lunch) at the Westin Crowne Center Hotel, 1 Pershing Road, Kansas City, Missouri. The hearing will be open to the public and FDA will reserve the hour from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. for those who have not registered to make oral presentations.
Individuals or organizations that wish to register to present orally at the hearing must register by 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on October 23, 2001. They must submit a written notice of participation to Linda Grassie at: Center for Veterinary Medicine (HFV-12), Food and Drug Administration, 7500 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855, or fax at 301-827-4065. To ensure timely handling, the outer envelope should be clearly marked with Docket No. 01N-0423 and the statement "Animal Feed Rule Hearing."
Written comments regarding this issue are welcome at anytime; however, the official record of the hearing will remain open to receive written comments until November 21, 2001. Individuals and organizations wishing to submit written comments on these issues, but do not wish to present orally at the hearing, should submit their written comments to the Dockets Management Branch, HFA-305, Food and Drug Administration 5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Individuals may submit one copy of their comments; others are requested to submit two copies of their comments. Those submitting written comments should identify their comments with Docket No. 01N-0423. To submit electronic comments go to http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/oc/dockets/edockethome.cfm.
Additional information about the hearing is available in the October 5, 2001, Federal Register and from Linda Grassie at 301-827-3796..
Issued by:
FDA, Center for Veterinary Medicine,
Communications Staff, HFV-12
7519 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855
Telephone: (240) 276-9300 FAX: (240) 276-9115
Internet Web Site: http://www.fda.gov/cvm
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