Codex Alimentarius Commission: Seventh Session of the Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology, 44485-44486 [E7-15396]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 152 / Wednesday, August 8, 2007 / Notices Done in Washington, DC, this 2nd day of August 2007. W. Ron DeHaven, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. [FR Doc. E7–15418 Filed 8–7–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–34–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food Safety and Inspection Service [Docket No. 2007–0025] Codex Alimentarius Commission: Seventh Session of the Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, Food Safety and Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES AGENCY: 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 September 6, 2007, to discuss the agenda items coming before the Seventh Session of the Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology (FBT) and to present draft U.S. positions on the agenda items. The Seventh Session of the FBT will be held in Chiba, Japan, September 24–28, 2007. The Under Secretary and FDA recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to comment on the agenda items that will be discussed at this forthcoming session of the FBT. DATES: The public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 6, 2007, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held in Room 0161 South Agriculture Building (Basement), 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC (please enter at Wing One). Documents related to the Seventh 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 Seventh 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, VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:14 Aug 07, 2007 Jkt 211001 Staff Officer, U.S. Codex Office, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), 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. A call-in number can be provided upon request. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Codex Alimentarius (Codex) was established in 1963 by two United Nations organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). 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 that fair practices are used in trade. 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 related 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 Seventh 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 Intergovernmental Organizations Related to Foods Derived from Biotechnology. • Summary of the Report of the FAO/ WHO Expert. Consultation on the Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA Animals. • Proposed Draft Guideline for the Conduct of Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA Animals. • Proposed Draft Annex to the Guideline for the Conduct of Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA Plants: Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA plants Modified for Nutritional or Health Benefits. • Proposed Draft Annex to the Guideline for the Conduct of Food PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 44485 Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA Plants with Low-level Presence of RecombinantDNA Plant Material. 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 September 6, 2007, 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 comments should state that they relate to activities of the Seventh Session of the FBT. 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/ 2007_Notices_Index/. FSIS also will 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 E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM 08AUN1 44486 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 152 / Wednesday, August 8, 2007 / Notices option to password protect their account. Done at Washington, DC on: August 2, 2007. F. Edward Scarbrough, U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius. [FR Doc. E7–15396 Filed 8–7–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Oregon; Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Travel Management Plan Forest Service, USDA. Revised Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: On May 3, 2007, the USDA Forest Service, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, published a Notice of Intent in Federal Register (72 FR 24558) to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Forest Travel Management Plan. On June 1, 2007, a Revised Notice of Intent was published in Federal Register (72 FR 30540) extending the scoping period for receiving comments on the proposed action from June 30, 2007, to August 17, 2007. The Notice of Intent is being revised a second time to further extend the scoping period until November 16, 2007. DATES: Written comments concerning the proposed action should be received by November 16, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cindy Whitlock, Interdisciplinary Team Leader, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, La Grande Ranger District, 3502 Highway 30, LaGrande, OR, 97850, Phone: (541) 962–8501. Dated: August 2, 2007. Steven A. Ellis, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Supervisor. [FR Doc. 07–3858 Filed 8–7–07; 8:45 am] Oregon. The purpose of the meeting is to review proposed projects and make recommendations under Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000. DATES: The meeting will be held August 28, 2007 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If the project selection process is not complete on August 28, the Committee will meet again on August 29, 2007, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the office of the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council, 2363 SW. Glacier Place, Redmond, Oregon 97756. Send written comments to Jeff Walter, Designated Federal Official, for the Deschutes and Ochoco Resource Advisory Committee, c/o Forest Service, USDA, Ochoco National Forest, 3160 NE 3rd St., Prineville, OR 97754 or electronically to jwalter@fs.fed.us. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff Walter, Designated Federal Official, Ochoco National Forest, 541–416–6625. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The meeting is open to the public. Committee discussion is limited to Forest Service staff and Committee members. However, persons who wish to bring Title II matters to the attention of the Committee may file written statements with the Committee staff before the meeting. A public input session will be provided and individuals who made written requests by June 29 will have the opportunity to address the committee at the session. Dated: July 26, 2007. Jeff Walter, Forest Supervisor, Designated Federal Official. [FR Doc. 07–3859 Filed 8–7–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410–11–M DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration Amendment to Certification of Colorado’s Central Filing System BILLING CODE 3410–11–M Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, USDA. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests Resource Advisory Committee Forest Service, USDA. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests Resource Advisory Committee will meet in Redmond, VerDate Aug<31>2005 19:14 Aug 07, 2007 Jkt 211001 SUMMARY: In response to a request from Colorado’s Secretary of State we are approving amendments to the debtor identification and signature requirements of the certified central filing system for Colorado to permit the conversion of all debtor social security and taxpayer identification numbers into approved unique identifiers; and the filing of effective financing PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 statements and amendments that are authorized or authenticated without signatures. The proposed specific procedure whereby Colorado will automatically convert social security numbers and taxpayer identification numbers into ten number unique identifiers has been reviewed and determined to permit the numerical searching of master lists while providing protection against identity theft. DATES: Effective Date: August 8, 2007. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) administers the Clear Title program for the Secretary of Agriculture. The Clear Title program is authorized by Section 1324 of the Food Security Act of 1985, which requires that States implementing central filing system for notification of liens on farm products must have such systems certified by the Secretary of Agriculture. A listing of the states with certified central filing systems is available through the Internet on the GIPSA Web site (https://www.usda.gov/gipsa/). Farm products covered by a State’s central filing system are also identified through the GIPSA Web site. The Colorado central filing system covers all farm products. We originally certified the central filing system for Colorado on September 28, 1992. On March 30, 2007, Keith Whitelaw, Director, Business Division, Colorado Secretary of State’s Office, requested the certification be amended to incorporate the use of an approved unique identifier other than a Social Security Number, in accordance with 2004 amendments to Section 1324 of the Food Security Act. On June 12, 2007, Mr. Whitelaw confirmed that Colorado’s clear title forms, instructions and regulations had also been modified to indicate that signatures were optional when the filing of effective financing statements, and amendments thereto, is authorized or otherwise authenticated, in accordance with the 2002 amendments to Section 1324 of the Food Security Act. This notice announces our approval of the amended certification for Colorado’s central filing system. Details of the specific procedure by which Colorado will create approved unique identifiers are being provided by GIPSA to the Secretaries of State of other states with certified central filing systems. The statewide central filing system of Colorado is certified for all farm products produced in that state. Examples of farm products and possible entries for lien identification include: All field crops, all fruits, all livestock, E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM 08AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 152 (Wednesday, August 8, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44485-44486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15396]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. 2007-0025]


Codex Alimentarius Commission: Seventh Session of the Codex ad 
hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnology

AGENCY: Office of the Under Secretary for Food Safety, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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

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 September 6, 
2007, to discuss the agenda items coming before the Seventh Session of 
the Codex ad hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from 
Biotechnology (FBT) and to present draft U.S. positions on the agenda 
items. The Seventh Session of the FBT will be held in Chiba, Japan, 
September 24-28, 2007. The Under Secretary and FDA recognize the 
importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to comment 
on the agenda items that will be discussed at this forthcoming session 
of the FBT.

DATES: The public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 6, 2007, 
from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held in Room 0161 South 
Agriculture Building (Basement), 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
Washington, DC (please enter at Wing One). Documents related to the 
Seventh 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 Seventh 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 (FSIS), 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. A call-in number can be provided 
upon request.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Codex Alimentarius (Codex) was established in 1963 by two 
United Nations organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization 
(FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO). 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 
that fair practices are used in trade.
    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 related to foods derived from biotechnology. The Task 
Force completed its mandates within its four-year 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 Seventh 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 Intergovernmental 
Organizations Related to Foods Derived from Biotechnology.
     Summary of the Report of the FAO/WHO Expert. Consultation 
on the Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA Animals.
     Proposed Draft Guideline for the Conduct of Food Safety 
Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA Animals.
     Proposed Draft Annex to the Guideline for the Conduct of 
Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA Plants: 
Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA plants 
Modified for Nutritional or Health Benefits.
     Proposed Draft Annex to the Guideline for the Conduct of 
Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA Plants 
with Low-level Presence of Recombinant-DNA Plant Material.
    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 September 6, 2007, 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 comments 
should state that they relate to activities of the Seventh Session of 
the FBT.

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/2007_Notices_Index/. FSIS 
also will 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

[[Page 44486]]

option to password protect their account.

    Done at Washington, DC on: August 2, 2007.
F. Edward Scarbrough,
U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius.
 [FR Doc. E7-15396 Filed 8-7-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P

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