Department of Agriculture September 9, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is announcing that it will hold a public meeting on September 29-30, 2005, in Miami, Florida, to review and discuss the progress made by the Food Safety Institute of the Americas (FSIA). The FSIA was created as an innovative approach for integrating scientific food safety education, information, communication, and outreach in the Americas. During the public meeting, the following issues relating to the FSIA will be discussed: (1) Presentation of assessment and analysis of educational and informational needs identified through a survey administered by FSIA's partners, the University of Florida and Miami Dade College; (2) presentation of FSIA's 3-5 year Strategic Plan; (3) establishing strategies and best practices for developing and delivering programs identified through the needs survey; and (4) planning next steps for the FSIA in fostering collaboration and partnership development of the proposed FSIA colleges. The public meeting will be an interactive session. Discussions will be conducted in plenary sessions for each of the above four issues.

The Hood/Willamette Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) will meet on Thursday, September 29, 2005. The meeting and field trip is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. and will conclude at approximately 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Sweet Home Ranger Station; 3225 Highway 20; Sweet Home, Oregon; (541) 367-5168. The tentative agenda includes: (1) Finalizing Recommendations on 2006 Projects: (2) Public Forum; and (3) Field Trip to Title II Projects. The Public Forum is tentatively scheduled to begin at 9:15 p.m. Time allotted for individual presentations will be limited to 3-4 minutes. Written comments are encouraged, particularly if the material cannot be presented within the time limits for the Public Forum. Written comments may be submitted prior to the September 29th meeting by sending them to Designated Federal Official Donna Short at the address given below.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing to amend the Federal poultry products inspection regulations to provide that turkey slaughter establishments that open turkey carcasses with Bar-type cuts may operate at the maximum line speeds established for J- type cuts, if the establishment uses the specific type of shackle described in this proposed rule. Under this proposed rule, as under current regulations, the inspector in charge will reduce line speeds when, in his or her judgment, the prescribed inspection procedure cannot be adequately performed within the time available because of the health conditions of a particular flock or because of other factors. Such factors include the manner in which birds are being presented to the inspector for inspection and the level of contamination among the birds on the line.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is publishing this notice to inform certified organic producers and handlers of AMS' intention to release the names and addresses of certified operations to the general public. AMS has determined that the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, as amended, 7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq. (OFPA), authorizes the release of the names and addresses of certified organic producers and handlers under the broad category of information characterized by the OFPA as ``certification documents.'' Therefore, AMS intends to release the names and addresses of certified producers and handlers to the general public in response to requests for such information.