98-30336. Proposed Joint Institute for Food Safety Research; Public Meeting

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 219 (Friday, November 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 63536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30336]



[[Page 63535]]

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Part II





Department of Agriculture

Department of Health and Human Services





_______________________________________________________________________



Proposed Joint Institute for Food Safety Research; Public Meeting; 
Notice

Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 219 / Friday, November 13, 1998 / 
Notices

[[Page 63536]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Proposed Joint Institute for Food Safety Research; Public Meeting

AGENCIES: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of 
Health and Human Services (DHHS).

ACTION: Notice; public meeting; establishment of public docket.

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SUMMARY: On July 4, 1998, President Clinton directed the Secretaries of 
Agriculture and Health and Human Services to report back to him within 
90 days on the creation of the Joint Institute for Food Safety 
Research, which would: (1) develop a strategic plan for conducting food 
safety research activities consistent with the President's Food Safety 
Initiative; and (2) efficiently coordinate all Federal food safety 
research, including research conducted with the private sector and 
academia. The report to the President articulates the concept of the 
Institute and provides a proposed structure, operating principles, 
goals and outcomes, and an implementation schedule for the Institute. 
This report can be obtained from Ms. Sarah Poythress, [phone] or 
by email at [e-mail].
    The USDA and DHHS are announcing a public meeting to solicit input 
from individuals regarding the role of the Joint Institute for Food 
Safety Research. Agency personnel will use the input as they begin to 
develop a detailed proposal for the Institute. The ultimate goal of the 
Institute's research agenda is to reduce the incidence of adverse human 
health effects associated with the consumption of food. The objective 
of creating the Institute--and all other Administration food safety 
activities--is to reduce the incidence of foodborne illness to the 
greatest extent feasible. Scientific information about prevention of 
foodborne illness and detection of organisms that may cause it is 
critical to reduce further the incidence of foodborne illness.
    The meeting is open to the public. Written comments and suggestions 
on issues that may be considered in the meeting may be submitted to the 
CSREES Docket Clerk at the address below.

DATES: The meeting will be held on December 1, 1998, from 8:30 a.m. to 
3 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Room 107A, Jamie L. Whitten 
Building, United States Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Sarah Poythress, [phone] or 
by email at [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Persons wishing to present comments orally 
at this meeting are requested to pre-register by contacting Ms. Sarah 
Poythress at [phone], by fax at [phone] or by e-mail to 
[e-mail]. Participants may reserve a 5-minute comment 
period when they register. More time may be available, depending on the 
number of people wishing to make a presentation and the time needed for 
questions, following the presentations. Reservations will be confirmed 
on a first-come, first-served basis. All other attendees may register 
at the meeting. Written comments may also be submitted for the record 
at the meeting or may be mailed to Ms. Sarah Poythress, USDA/CSREES, 
Room 305A, Jamie L. Whitten Federal Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, 
SW, Washington, DC 20250-2201. Please provide five copies of the 
comments. Written comments must be postmarked by December 18, 1998, to 
be considered. All comments and the official transcript of the meeting, 
when it becomes available, will be available for review for six months 
at the address listed above from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday.
    Participants who require a sign language interpreter or other 
special accommodations should contact Ms. Poythress by Friday, November 
20, 1998 as directed above.

    Done in Washington, DC, on this 29th day of October, 1998.
Eileen Kennedy,
Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics, United 
States Department of Agriculture.

William Raub,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science Policy, Department of Health and 
Human Services.
[FR Doc. 98-30336 Filed 11-12-98; 8:45 am]
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