Notice of the Scientific Review Panel at the National Animal Disease Center, Ames, IA, 63279-63280 [E6-18189]

Download as PDF 63279 Notices Federal Register Vol. 71, No. 209 Monday, October 30, 2006 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency statements of organization and functions are examples of documents appearing in this section. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Research Service Notice of the Scientific Review Panel at the National Animal Disease Center, Ames, IA Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics, Agricultural Research Service (ARS). ACTION: Notice of meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture announces a meeting of the Scientific Review Panel at the National Animal Disease Center, Ames, Iowa. DATES: November 16–17, 2006, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Written requests to make oral comments at the meeting must be received by the contact person identified herein at least three business days before the meeting. ADDRESSES: City Council Chambers, City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50010. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Shafer, Midwest Area Director, USDA–ARS, 1815 North University Street, Peoria, Illinois 61604; Telephone (309) 681–6602; Fax (309) 681–6684; Email sshafer@mwa.ars.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 4, 2006, the City of Ames, Iowa, received allegations that wastes from areas at the National Animal Disease Center (NADC) with animals challenged with prions were not properly treated prior to discharge to the City wastewater plant. USDA, in cooperation with the City of Ames, has convened an expert panel to review scientific information about deactivation of prions and assess practices used at NADC to treat liquid wastes from areas where animals with prions are housed and handled that enter the Ames wastewater treatment system. (Note: For the purposes of this panel and its review, prions are defined as specific proteins that are abnormally VerDate Aug<31>2005 02:16 Oct 28, 2006 Jkt 211001 shaped and can cause transmissible diseases associated with the allegations). The panel had its first meeting on August 23, 2006, at the Ames City Hall; preparatory work on August 23, August 24, and September 20; a conference call meeting on October 18, 2006; and (pending at the time of this writing) a conference call on November 3. A meeting of the panel on November 16–17, 2006, in Ames will complete implementation of the panel’s charge to evaluate four main issues related to the handling and disposal of potentially prion-contaminated materials in wastewater from the NADC: (1) Identify scientifically accepted methods for effectively destroying prions; (2) Assess the concerns raised regarding NADC’s current and past methods for the destruction of prions; (3) Determine the risk posed to humans and the environment from the current, as well as previous, methods for the destruction of prions utilized at NADC; and (4) If remediation is needed, provide scientifically sound approaches for corrective action(s) that may be taken. Final conclusions of the review will be announced on November 17, when the panel will present to the City of Ames and USDA a written report that documents the panel’s findings for the four main issues being evaluated. On November 17, 2006, after the panel concludes business, reasonable provision (up to 30 minutes total) will be made for verbal comments of no more than three minutes each in duration. The meeting will be open to the public, but space is limited. If you want to be assured of a seat at this meeting, you must register by contacting the contact person named above at least 5 days prior to the meeting. Please provide your name, title, business affiliation, address, and telephone and fax numbers when you register. If you require a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation due to disability, please indicate those needs at the time of registration. Pre-registrations will be limited to 80 people; others may be able to attend on a space-available basis. Dated: October 24, 2006. Caird E. Rexroad, Jr., Associate Administrator, Agricultural Research Service. [FR Doc. E6–18191 Filed 10–27–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–03–P PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Agricultural Research Service Notice of the Scientific Review Panel at the National Animal Disease Center, Ames, IA Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics, Agricultural Research Service (ARS). ACTION: Notice of meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture announces a conference call meeting of the Scientific Review Panel at the National Animal Disease Center, Ames, Iowa. DATES: November 3, 2006, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Central Time. ADDRESSES: City Council Chambers, City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50010 (access to a monitor of the conference call). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Shafer, Midwest Area Director, USDA–ARS, 1815 North University Street, Peoria, Illinois 61604; Telephone (309) 681–6602; Fax (309) 681–6684; Email sshafer@mwa.ars.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 4, 2006, the City of Ames, Iowa, received allegations that wastes from areas at the National Animal Disease Center (NADC) with animals challenged with prions were not properly treated prior to discharge to the City wastewater plant. USDA, in cooperation with the City of Ames, has convened an expert panel to review scientific information about deactivation of prions and assess practices used at NADC to treat liquid wastes from areas where animals with prions are housed and handled that enter the Ames wastewater treatment system. (Note: For the purposes of this panel and its review, prions are defined as specific proteins that are abnormally shaped and can cause transmissible diseases associated with the allegations). The panel had its first meeting on August 23, 2006, at the Ames City Hall; preparatory work on August 23, August 24, and September 20; and a conference call meeting on October 18, 2006. A conference call meeting on November 3, 2006, will continue implementation of the panel’s charge to evaluate four main issues related to the handling and disposal of potentially prion-contaminated materials in wastewater from the NADC: E:\FR\FM\30OCN1.SGM 30OCN1 63280 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 209 / Monday, October 30, 2006 / Notices (1) Identify scientifically accepted methods for effectively destroying prions; (2) Assess the concerns raised regarding NADC’s current and past methods for the destruction of prions; (3) Determine the risk posed to humans and the environment from the current, as well as previous, methods for the destruction of prions utilized at NADC; and (4) If remediation is needed, provide scientifically sound approaches for corrective action(s) that may be taken. Final conclusions of the review will be developed during a meeting at a later date, also to be announced. At the conclusion of its review, the panel will prepare a written report that documents the panel’s findings for the four main issues being evaluated. The meeting on November 3 will be held by conference call. The public may monitor the panel’s discussion via a speaker phone in the Ames City Hall’s Council Chamber. No oral comments will be accepted from the public during the call, however, written public comment received by letter, fax, or e-mail to the contact person named above by close of business on Friday, November 10, 2006, will be provided to the panel members. Although access to the conference call monitor will be open to the public, space is limited. If you want to be assured of a seat at this meeting, you must register by contacting the contact person named above at least 5 days prior to the meeting. Please provide your name, title, business affiliation, address, and telephone and fax numbers when you register. If you require a sign language interpreter or other special accommodation due to disability, please indicate those needs at the time of registration. Pre-registrations will be limited to 80 people; others may be able to attend on a space-available basis. Dated: October 24, 2006. Caird E. Rexroad, Jr., Associate Administrator, Agricultural Research Service. [FR Doc. E6–18189 Filed 10–27–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–02–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food Safety and Inspection Service sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES [Docket No. FSIS–2006–0032] Codex Alimentarius Commission: Sixth Session of the Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived From Biotechnology Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, USDA. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 02:16 Oct 28, 2006 Jkt 211001 SUMMARY: The Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food And Drug Administration (FDA) are sponsoring a public meeting on November 14, 2006 to discuss the agenda items coming before the Sixth Session of the Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology (FBT) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex) and present draft U.S. positions on the agenda items. The Sixth Session of the FBT will be held in Chiba, Japan, November 27–December 1, 2006. The Under Secretary and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to comment on the agenda items that will be debated at this forthcoming Session of the FBT. DATES: The public meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 14, 2006 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held in Room 107A, Jamie Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC. Documents related to the Sixth Session of the FBT will be accessible via the World Wide Web at the following address: https:// www.codexalimentarius.net/ current.asp. For Further Information About the Sixth Session of the FBT, Contact: U.S. Delegate, Dr. Eric Flamm, Senior Advisor, Office of the Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration (HF–23), Parklawn Building, Rockville, MD 20857, Phone (301) 827–0591, Fax (301) 827–4774, E-mail: eric.flamm@fda.hhs.gov. For Further Information About the Public Meeting Contact: Edith Kennard, Staff Officer, U.S. Codex Office, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Room 4861, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250, Phone: (202) 720–5261, Fax: (202) 720–3157, E-mail: edith.kennard@fsis.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Codex Alimentarius (Codex) was established in 1962 by two United Nations organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization. Through adoption of food standards, codes of practice, and other guidelines developed by its committees, and by promoting their adoption and implementation by governments, Codex seeks to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in trade. In the United States, USDA, FDA, and the Environmental Protection Agency manage and carry out U.S. Codex activities. PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology was established by the 23rd Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission in 1999 to elaborate standards, guidelines, or other principles as relates to foods derived from biotechnology. The Task Force completed its mandates within its fouryear timeframe and was dissolved by the 26th Session of the Commission. The 27th Session re-established the Task Force for another four-year period. The Task Force is hosted by the government of Japan. Issues To Be Discussed at the Public Meeting The following items on the agenda for the Sixth Session of the FBT will be discussed during the public meeting: • Matters referred to the Committee from other Codex bodies. • Review of the Work by International Organizations on the Evaluation of the Safety and Nutrition Aspects of Foods Derived from Biotechnology. • Proposed Draft Guideline for the Conduct of Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA Animals. • Proposed Draft Annex (scoping document) to the Guideline for the Conduct of Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA Plants; Food Safety Assessment of Food Derived from Recombinant-DNA Plants Modified for Nutritional or Health Benefits. • Discussion Paper on Comparative Food Composition Analysis of Staple Foods. • Discussion Paper on Sanitary Surveillance after Placing on the Market Foods Derived from Biotechnology. • Discussion Paper on Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Animals Exposed to Protection against Disease through Gene Therapy or Recombinant-DNA Vaccines. Each issue listed will be fully described in documents distributed, or to be distributed, by the Japanese Secretariat to the Meeting. Members of the public may access copies of these documents at https:// www.codexalimentarius.net/ current.asp. Public Meeting At the November 14, 2006 public meeting, draft U.S. positions on these agenda items will be described and discussed, and attendees will have the opportunity to pose questions and offer comments. Written comments may be offered at the meeting or sent to the U.S. Delegate of the FBT, Dr. Eric Flamm at eric.flamm@fda.hhs.gov. Written E:\FR\FM\30OCN1.SGM 30OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 209 (Monday, October 30, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63279-63280]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18189]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service


Notice of the Scientific Review Panel at the National Animal 
Disease Center, Ames, IA

AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and 
Economics, Agricultural Research Service (ARS).

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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

SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture announces a 
conference call meeting of the Scientific Review Panel at the National 
Animal Disease Center, Ames, Iowa.

DATES: November 3, 2006, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Central Time.

ADDRESSES: City Council Chambers, City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, Ames, 
Iowa 50010 (access to a monitor of the conference call).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Shafer, Midwest Area Director, 
USDA-ARS, 1815 North University Street, Peoria, Illinois 61604; 
Telephone (309) 681-6602; Fax (309) 681-6684; E-mail 
sshafer@mwa.ars.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 4, 2006, the City of Ames, Iowa, 
received allegations that wastes from areas at the National Animal 
Disease Center (NADC) with animals challenged with prions were not 
properly treated prior to discharge to the City wastewater plant. USDA, 
in cooperation with the City of Ames, has convened an expert panel to 
review scientific information about deactivation of prions and assess 
practices used at NADC to treat liquid wastes from areas where animals 
with prions are housed and handled that enter the Ames wastewater 
treatment system. (Note: For the purposes of this panel and its review, 
prions are defined as specific proteins that are abnormally shaped and 
can cause transmissible diseases associated with the allegations). The 
panel had its first meeting on August 23, 2006, at the Ames City Hall; 
preparatory work on August 23, August 24, and September 20; and a 
conference call meeting on October 18, 2006. A conference call meeting 
on November 3, 2006, will continue implementation of the panel's charge 
to evaluate four main issues related to the handling and disposal of 
potentially prion-contaminated materials in wastewater from the NADC:

[[Page 63280]]

(1) Identify scientifically accepted methods for effectively destroying 
prions; (2) Assess the concerns raised regarding NADC's current and 
past methods for the destruction of prions; (3) Determine the risk 
posed to humans and the environment from the current, as well as 
previous, methods for the destruction of prions utilized at NADC; and 
(4) If remediation is needed, provide scientifically sound approaches 
for corrective action(s) that may be taken. Final conclusions of the 
review will be developed during a meeting at a later date, also to be 
announced. At the conclusion of its review, the panel will prepare a 
written report that documents the panel's findings for the four main 
issues being evaluated. The meeting on November 3 will be held by 
conference call. The public may monitor the panel's discussion via a 
speaker phone in the Ames City Hall's Council Chamber. No oral comments 
will be accepted from the public during the call, however, written 
public comment received by letter, fax, or e-mail to the contact person 
named above by close of business on Friday, November 10, 2006, will be 
provided to the panel members. Although access to the conference call 
monitor will be open to the public, space is limited. If you want to be 
assured of a seat at this meeting, you must register by contacting the 
contact person named above at least 5 days prior to the meeting. Please 
provide your name, title, business affiliation, address, and telephone 
and fax numbers when you register. If you require a sign language 
interpreter or other special accommodation due to disability, please 
indicate those needs at the time of registration. Pre-registrations 
will be limited to 80 people; others may be able to attend on a space-
available basis.

    Dated: October 24, 2006.
Caird E. Rexroad, Jr.,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Research Service.
[FR Doc. E6-18189 Filed 10-27-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P

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