[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 82 (Friday, April 28, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 20961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10428]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service
[Docket No. 95-016N]


National Forum on Animal Production Food Safety

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will hold a 
forum, ``National Forum on Animal Production Food Safety,'' on May 23-
25, 1995, at the University of Maryland, The Inn and Conference Center, 
University College, College Park, Maryland. The forum will explore ways 
FSIS can refine and advance its strategy to assure the safety of meat 
and poultry products from farm to table as outlined in the proposal, 
``Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point 
(HACCP) Systems.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Margaret Webb, Communications and 
Public Affairs, FSIS Animal Production Food Safety Program, FSIS, USDA, 
(202) 690-2683.
    To register to attend, call Ms. Jennifer Callahan (202) 501-7136.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 3, 1995, FSIS published a 
proposed rule, ``Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical 
Control Point (HACCP) Systems'' (60 FR 6774). In that document, the 
Agency proposed a number of regulatory changes applicable to Federal- 
and State-inspected meat and poultry establishments. The proposed 
changes are designed to reduce the occurrence and numbers of pathogenic 
microorganisms in meat and poultry products, thereby reducing the 
incidence of foodborne illness associated with the consumption of these 
products.
    In the proposed rule, FSIS stated that public meetings would be 
held with the regulated industry and interested parties. Although the 
proposed regulations address product safety within an establishment 
environment, FSIS recognizes that food safety requires attention 
throughout the chain of production, processing, distribution, and sale. 
Therefore, FSIS is holding the forum, ``National Forum on Animal 
Production Food Safety,'' to explore FSIS strategy to assure the safety 
of meat and poultry products from farm to table.
    The forum, ``National Forum on Animal Production Food Safety,'' 
will be held on May 23-25, 1995, at the University of Maryland, The Inn 
and Conference Center, University College, College Park, Maryland 20742 
(301) 985-7445. On May 23 and 24 the forum will begin at 8:00 a.m. and 
end at 5:30 p.m. On May 25 the forum will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 
12:30 p.m.

Forum Agenda

    The forum will primarily focus on the preventive approach to 
reducing microbial pathogens from the farm to the slaughter plant. 
Objectives are to define the current status of food safety risks and 
possible risk reduction measures in animal production practices; to 
work toward national consensus on research priorities; to identify 
partnerships needed for research and education; to explore effective 
public/private funding processes to sustain research and build science-
based prevention programs; to identify roles and responsibilities of 
stakeholders; and to consider the role of FSIS' Animal Production Food 
Safety Program.
    Several speakers will address key issues relating to HACCP and 
international animal production food safety programs. In addition, 
attendees will participate in commodity workshops addressing topics 
relating to the forum. Producers, processors, government agencies, 
consumer groups, university scientists, the veterinary community, and 
all interested groups are invited to participate. Transcripts of the 
forum will be available in the FSIS Docket Clerk's Office, Room 4352, 
South Agriculture Building, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250.

Attendance and Hotel Reservations

    Seating space at the forum is limited. Please call Ms. Jennifer 
Callahan if you wish to attend the forum (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT). People attending the forum will be responsible for making 
their own hotel arrangements.

    Done at Washington, DC, on: April 21, 1995.
Michael R. Taylor,
Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety.
[FR Doc. 95-10428 Filed 4-27-95; 8:45 am]
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