[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27490-27491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12749]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
[Docket No. 95-018N]
Codex Alimentarius: Public Meeting
AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), U.S. Department
of Agriculture (USDA); the [[Page 27491]] Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); and the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are sponsoring a public meeting
on June 7, 1995, from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., in the Washington Rooms,
Hyatt Regency--Crystal City, 2799 Jefferson Davis Highway, Crystal
City, Virginia. The meeting will provide information and solicit public
comments and suggestions on U.S. participation in activities of the
Codex Alimentarius Commission. The co-sponsors of this public meeting
recognize the importance of providing interested parties the
opportunity to obtain background information on Codex, to discuss
current Codex issues, and to address U.S. participation in the Codex
process.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Marvin A. Norcross, U.S.
Coordinator for Codex Alimentarius, USDA, Food Safety and Inspection
Service, Room 311-West End Court, Washington, DC 20250-3700, telephone
(202) 254-2517; Fax (202) 254-2530.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Codex was established in 1962 by two United
Nations' organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the
World Health Organization, to encourage fair international trade in
food and to promote the health and economic interests of consumers
worldwide.
Codex provides a forum for the world's leading experts to discuss,
debate, and often reach scientific consensus on food safety issues that
affect trade. There are currently 151 member nations of Codex that work
to develop Standards, Codes of Practice, and Guidelines dealing with
basic principles, technical specifications for products, and good
manufacturing practices.
With the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA), the successful conclusion of the Uruguay Round of multilateral
trade negotiations, and the formation of the World Trade Organization,
the role of Codex as an international standard-setting body has become
much more visible and critical to U.S. interests.
On January 1, 1995, the Uruguay Round Agreement of the General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade was implemented by the United States.
One part of this is the Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary
Measures elevating the significance of Codex standards and requiring
that a country scientifically justify its actions to achieve its level
of food safety, if higher than Codex recommendations. The Agreement on
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures recognizes three international
standard-setting organizations. The three are the Codex for food
safety, the International Plant Protection Convention for plant health,
and the Office of International Epizootics for animal health.
Within the United States, Codex activities are carried out by
officials from USDA, FDA, EPA, and the National Marine Fisheries
Service who serve as U.S. Delegates and Alternate Delegates to various
Codex Committees. Dr. Marvin A. Norcross, Food Safety and Inspection
Service, USDA, assisted by a Codex staff, serves as the U.S.
Coordinator for Codex Alimentarius. A Steering Committee made up of
Senior Executives from USDA, FDA, and EPA provides direction for all
U.S. Codex activities.
Meeting Agenda
The following specific issues will be discussed during the public
meeting:
1. The implications of NAFTA and the Uruguay Round Agreements Act
for Codex and U.S. participation.
2. The draft ``U.S. Codex Strategic Plan.'' (copies available see
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.)
3. The paper ``Role of Science in the Codex Decision-Making
Process.'' (copies available see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.)
4. An overview of matters to be addressed during the upcoming 21st
session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
5. Issues raised by public comments relating to Codex.
Attendance
The meeting will be open to all interested parties on a space
available basis. All persons wishing to give a presentation at the
meeting should submit a written request that includes the participant's
name and organization, address, telephone and facsimile numbers, and a
copy of the remarks to be presented. Send your request to Dr. Marvin
Norcross (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
All information and comments presented will be carefully reviewed
and taken into consideration for future Codex activities. A summary of
the meeting and copies of information submitted during the meeting will
be available for review in the FSIS Docket Clerk's Office, Room 4352,
South Building, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC. 20250.
Done at Washington, DC, on: May 17, 1995.
Michael R. Taylor,
Administrator, Food Safety and Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 95-12749 Filed 5-23-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P
