National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods; Renewal, 60468-60469 [E6-17036]

Download as PDF 60468 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 198 / Friday, October 13, 2006 / Notices 1. Accreditation Panel 9. Potato Panel DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE The panel will develop an audit protocol for reviewing compliance with the NAPPO laboratory accreditation standard (RSPM No. 9). It will then use this protocol to audit the programs in the three NAPPO countries starting with the United States. It will review and update the current NAPPO laboratory accreditation standard (RSPM No. 9). The panel will develop an appendix to RSPM No. 3 on nematode identification and update appendix 5 based on the latest molecular information for potato virus YN (PVYn). Food Safety and Inspection Service 2. Biological Control Panel This panel will complete the Taxonomic Resources Position Paper, develop guidelines for the movement of commercial shipments of arthropod biological control agents among NAPPO member countries, and exchange information on biological control programs in the NAPPO countries. 3. Biotechnology Panel This panel will continue to develop a NAPPO standard for the importation of transgenic plants into NAPPO member countries. The standard review of products of biotechnology focuses on the assessment of the potential for the new trait to increase the risk the plant could pose to other plants in agriculture or the broader environment. The final fourth module, importation for uses other than propagation, will be developed. 4. Citrus Panel The panel will update the pest lists in the Citrus Standard, based on new pest information. 5. Electronic Phytosanitary Certification Panel This panel will develop guidelines for the electronic transmission of phytosanitary certificates. 6. Forestry Panel This panel will coordinate the implementation of ISPM 15 (Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade) by NAPPO member countries. 7. Fruit Panel The panel will coordinate with other appropriate panels to start the development of a standard for the use of genetically modified fruit flies in North America. ycherry on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES2 8. Grapevine Panel The panel will provide direction and support to the Technical Advisory Group to include insects and nematodes in the NAPPO standard for grapevines (RSPM No. 15). It will participate in the development of the NAPPO standard on plants for planting. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:21 Oct 12, 2006 Jkt 211001 10. Propagative Material Panel The panel will complete the standard on plants for planting. 11. Standards Panel The panel will continue to provide updates on standards for the NAPPO newsletter, coordinate the review of new and amended NAPPO standards and ensure that comments received during the country consultation phase are incorporated as appropriate, organize conference calls and prepare NAPPO discussion documents for possible use at the IPPC, and promote implementation of recently adopted standards. The PPQ Deputy Administrator, as the official U.S. delegate to NAPPO, intends to participate in the adoption of these regional plant health standards, including the work described above, once they are completed and ready for such consideration. The information in this notice includes all the information available to us on NAPPO standards currently under development or consideration. For updates on meeting times and for information on the working panels that may become available following publication of this notice, check the NAPPO Web site on the Internet at https://www.nappo.org or contact Ms. Julie E. Aliaga (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT above). Information on official U.S. participation in NAPPO activities, including U.S. positions on standards being considered, may also be obtained from Ms. Aliaga. Those wishing to provide comments on any of the topics being addressed by any of the NAPPO panels may do so at any time by responding to this notice (see ADDRESSES above) or by transmitting comments through Ms. Aliaga. Done in Washington, DC, this 10th day of October 2006. Kevin Shea, Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E6–17025 Filed 10–12–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 [Docket No. FSIS–2006–0031] National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods; Renewal Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of Re-chartering of Committee. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this notice is announcing the re-chartering of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF). The Committee is being renewed in cooperation with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The establishment of the Committee was recommended by a 1985 report of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Food Protection, Subcommittee on Microbiological Criteria, ‘‘An Evaluation of the Role of Microbiological Criteria for Foods.’’ The current charter for the NACMCF is available for viewing on the NACMCF homepage at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/ OPHS/NACMCF/index.htm. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Thomas, Advisory Committee Specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Room 333 Aerospace Center, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250– 3700. Telephone number: (202) 690– 6620. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background USDA is charged with administration and the enforcement of the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA), and the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA). The Secretary of HHS is charged with the administration and enforcement of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). These Acts help protect consumers by assuring that food products are wholesome, not adulterated, and properly marked, labeled, and packaged. In order to assist the Secretaries in carrying out their responsibilities under the FMIA, PPIA, EPIA, and FFDCA, the NACMCF is being re-chartered. The Committee will be charged with advising and providing recommendations to the Secretaries on the development of microbiological criteria by which the safety and wholesomeness of food can be assessed, E:\FR\FM\13OCN1.SGM 13OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 198 / Friday, October 13, 2006 / Notices including criteria for microorganisms that indicate whether foods have been adequately and appropriately processed. Re-chartering of this Committee is necessary and in the public interest because of the need for external expert advice on the range of scientific and technical issues that must be addressed by the Federal sponsors in meeting their statutory responsibilities. The complexity of the issues to be addressed requires that the Committee meet at least twice per year. Members will be appointed by the Secretary of USDA after consultation with the Secretary of HHS. Because of their interest in the matters to be addressed by this Committee, 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 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Background materials are available on the web at the address noted above or by contacting the person listed above. ycherry on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES2 Additional Public Notification Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy development is important. Consequently, in an effort to ensure that minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are aware of this notice, FSIS will announce it online through the FSIS Web Page located at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/ 2006_Notices_Index/. FSIS will also make copies of this Federal Register publication available through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal Register notices, FSIS public meetings, recalls and other types of information that could affect or would be of interest to constituents and stakeholders. The update is communicated via Listserv, a free electronic mail subscription service for industry, trade and farm groups, consumer interest groups, allied health professionals, and other individuals who have asked to be included. The update is available on the FSIS web page. Through the Listserv and web page, FSIS is able to provide information to a much broader and more diverse audience. In addition, FSIS offers an e-mail subscription service which provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety news and information. This service is available at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/ news_and_events/email_subscription/. Options range from recalls to export VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:21 Oct 12, 2006 Jkt 211001 information to regulations, directives and notices. Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves and have the option to password protect their account. Done at Washington, DC, on October 10, 2006. Barbara J. Masters, Administrator. [FR Doc. E6–17036 Filed 10–12–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Southwest Washington Province Advisory Committee Meeting Notice AGENCY: ACTION: Forest Service, USDA. Notice of Meeting. SUMMARY: The Southwest Washington Province Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday, November 9, 2006, at the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Headquarters, 10600 NE. 51st Circle, Vancouver, WA 98682. The meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue until 4 p.m. The purpose of the meeting is to share information and receive feedback on: Gifford Pinchot National Forest’s Recreation Site Facilities Master Plan effort; Invasive Plant environmental impact statement; Special Forest Products; and to share information among Committee members. All Southwest Washington Province Advisory Committee meetings are open to the public. Interested citizens are encouraged to attend. The ‘‘open forum’’ provides an opportunity for the public to bring issues, concerns, and discussion topics to the Advisory Committee. The ‘‘open forum’’ is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Interested speakers will need to register prior to the open forum period. The committee welcomes the public’s written comments on Committee business at any time. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Strebig, Public Affairs Officer, at (360) 891–5005, or write Forest Headquarters Office: Gifford Pinchot National Forest, 10600 NE. 51st Circle, Vancouver, WA 98682. Dated: October 5, 2006. Claire Lavendel, Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 06–8659 Filed 10–12–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 60469 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Business-Cooperative Service Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved Information Collection Rural Business-Cooperative Service, USDA. ACTION: Proposed collection; comments requested. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Rural BusinessCooperative Service’s (RBS) intention to request an extension for a currently approved information collection in support of the program for the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC) authorized in 7 U.S.C. 2008j. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by December 12, 2006 to be assured of consideration. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jay B. Wilson, Executive Director, National Sheep Industry Improvement Center, P.O. Box 23483, Washington, DC 20026– 3483, Telephone (202) 690–0632 or by e-mail to: info@nsiic.org. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title: National Sheep Industry Improvement Center. OMB Number: 0570–0048. Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2007. Type of Request: Extension of a currently approved information collection. Abstract: The National Sheep Industry Improvement Center (NSIIC) is authorized by 7 U.S.C. 2008j as a flexible and innovative approach for the sheep and goat industries for infrastructure development, business development, production, resource development, and market and environmental research. The management of NSIIC is vested in a Board of Directors (Board), appointed by, and reports to the Secretary of Agriculture. The Board is authorized in 7 U.S.C. 2008j(e)(3)(A) to make grants, and the grant process is further addressed in the National Sheep Center 2006 Strategic Plan which has been approved by the Secretary of Agriculture. The Board proposes to make competitive grant funds available in fiscal year 2007 to address the needs and priorities of the sheep and goat industries. Estimate of Burden: Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 8 hours or less per response. Respondents: Grant Applicants. Estimated Number of Respondents: 45. E:\FR\FM\13OCN1.SGM 13OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 198 (Friday, October 13, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60468-60469]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-17036]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2006-0031]


National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for 
Foods; Renewal

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Re-chartering of Committee.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this 
notice is announcing the re-chartering of the National Advisory 
Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF). The Committee 
is being renewed in cooperation with the Department of Health and Human 
Services (HHS). The establishment of the Committee was recommended by a 
1985 report of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Food 
Protection, Subcommittee on Microbiological Criteria, ``An Evaluation 
of the Role of Microbiological Criteria for Foods.'' The current 
charter for the NACMCF is available for viewing on the NACMCF homepage 
at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/OPHS/NACMCF/index.htm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Thomas, Advisory Committee 
Specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food Safety and 
Inspection Service (FSIS), Room 333 Aerospace Center, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3700. Telephone number: (202) 690-
6620.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    USDA is charged with administration and the enforcement of the 
Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), the Poultry Products Inspection Act 
(PPIA), and the Egg Products Inspection Act (EPIA). The Secretary of 
HHS is charged with the administration and enforcement of the Federal 
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). These Acts help protect consumers 
by assuring that food products are wholesome, not adulterated, and 
properly marked, labeled, and packaged.
    In order to assist the Secretaries in carrying out their 
responsibilities under the FMIA, PPIA, EPIA, and FFDCA, the NACMCF is 
being re-chartered. The Committee will be charged with advising and 
providing recommendations to the Secretaries on the development of 
microbiological criteria by which the safety and wholesomeness of food 
can be assessed,

[[Page 60469]]

including criteria for microorganisms that indicate whether foods have 
been adequately and appropriately processed.
    Re-chartering of this Committee is necessary and in the public 
interest because of the need for external expert advice on the range of 
scientific and technical issues that must be addressed by the Federal 
sponsors in meeting their statutory responsibilities. The complexity of 
the issues to be addressed requires that the Committee meet at least 
twice per year.
    Members will be appointed by the Secretary of USDA after 
consultation with the Secretary of HHS. Because of their interest in 
the matters to be addressed by this Committee, 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 Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention. Background materials are available on the web at the 
address noted above or by contacting the person listed above.

Additional Public Notification

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, in an effort to ensure that 
minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are aware of this 
notice, FSIS will announce it on-line through the FSIS Web Page located 
at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/regulations/2006_Notices_Index/. FSIS 
will also make copies of this Federal Register publication available 
through the FSIS Constituent Update, which is used to provide 
information regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal 
Register notices, FSIS public meetings, recalls and other types of 
information that could affect or would be of interest to constituents 
and stakeholders. The update is communicated via Listserv, a free 
electronic mail subscription service for industry, trade and farm 
groups, consumer interest groups, allied health professionals, and 
other individuals who have asked to be included. The update is 
available on the FSIS web page. Through the Listserv and web page, FSIS 
is able to provide information to a much broader and more diverse 
audience.
    In addition, FSIS offers an e-mail subscription service which 
provides automatic and customized access to selected food safety news 
and information. This service is available at https://www.fsis.usda.gov/
news_and_events/email_subscription/. Options range from recalls to 
export information to regulations, directives and notices.
    Customers can add or delete subscriptions themselves and have the 
option to password protect their account.

    Done at Washington, DC, on October 10, 2006.
Barbara J. Masters,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E6-17036 Filed 10-12-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P

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