[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 21, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43150-43151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-21345]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
9 CFR Parts 304, 308, 310, 320, 327, 381, 416, and 417

[Docket No. 93-016-1N]


Schedule of FSIS Public Meetings Regarding the Pathogen 
Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Systems 
Final Rule

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Announcement of public meetings.

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SUMMARY: The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announces a 
series of public meetings to discuss specific aspects of the final 
rule, ``Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point 
(HACCP) Systems,'' published on July 25, 1996. These meetings are 
intended to assist in the understanding and implementation of the final 
rule. The public is invited to comment on the schedule, including 
conflicts. Some dates may be changed to ensure the meetings will 
accomplish their intended purposes.

DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for dates of the meetings.

ADDRESSES: Submit one original and two copies of written comments to: 
FSIS Docket Clerk, DOCKET #93-016F, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Food Safety and Inspection Service, Room 4352, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3700. All comments submitted on this 
rule will be available for public inspection in the Docket Clerk's 
Office between 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., 
Monday through Friday. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for location of 
the meetings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Charles Danner, Director, Planning 
Staff, (202) 501-7138, with any questions about the meeting schedule. 
To register for the meetings, call (800) 485-4429, FAX (202) 501-7642, 
or E-mail usdafsis/[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 25, 1996, FSIS published a final 
rule, ``Pathogen Reduction; Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point 
(HACCP) Systems'' (61 FR 38805). This rule introduced sweeping changes 
to the meat and poultry inspection system.
    As announced in the final rule, FSIS is holding meetings to address 
the implementation of the rule and to discuss specific scientific and 
technical aspects of the rule.
    FSIS also will hold additional meetings on issues related to the 
final rule. The Agency will hold a ``Public Hearing on Criteria for 
Equivalence of Foreign Inspection Systems.'' This

[[Page 43151]]

meeting will provide interested parties the opportunity to present 
viewpoints that will inform FSIS' decisionmaking for determining the 
equivalence of foreign meat and poultry inspection systems to the U.S. 
inspection system.
    FSIS will hold a conference, ``Federal/State Conference on Food 
Safety.'' This conference will focus on how FSIS and State agencies can 
effectively allocate resources at the Federal, State, and local levels 
of governments to improve food safety.
    Also, the Agency is in the initial planning phases to develop a 
national food safety symposium to continue the dialogue on animal 
production food safety issues, research needs, and farm-to-slaughter 
strategies.
    The list of meetings follows:

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                   Meeting                              Location                           Date                 
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E. coli Verification Testing Conference......  Washington, DC...........  Sept. 12-13, 1996.                    
National Implementation Conference...........  Washington, DC...........  Sept. 30 through Oct. 3, 1996.        
International Meeting on Implementation......  Washington, DC...........  Oct. 8, 1996.                         
Public Hearing on Criteria for Equivalence of  Washington, DC...........  Oct. 9-10, 1996.                      
 Foreign Inspection Systems.                                                                                    
Public Meeting on HACCP-based Inspection       Washington, DC...........  To Be Announced.                      
 Models (Pilots).                                                                                               
Meeting with State Directors of Meat and       Washington, DC...........  Oct. 29, 1996.                        
 Poultry Inspection Programs.                                                                                   
Federal/State Conference on Food Safety......  Washington, DC...........  Oct. 30, 1996.                        
Demonstration Projects for Small Plants......  Washington, DC...........  Oct. 31, 1996.                        
Regional Implementation Conferences..........  Chicago..................  Oct. 15, 1996.                        
                                               Kansas City..............  Oct. 17, 1996.                        
                                               Dallas...................  Oct. 22, 1996.                        
                                               Oakland..................  Oct. 24, 1996.                        
                                               Boston...................  Nov. 7, 1996.                         
                                               Atlanta..................  Nov. 13, 1996.                        
Joint FSIS/FDA Conference Time and             Washington, DC...........  Nov. 18-20, 1996.                     
 Temperature.                                                                                                   
Second E. coli Conference....................  Washington, DC...........  Apr. 1997.                            
Salmonella Conference........................  Washington, DC...........  To Be Announced.                      
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    Information on each conference will be included in separate notices 
in the Federal Register. FSIS will try to adhere to the above schedule; 
any changes will be indicated in the Federal Register notice pertaining 
to that meeting.

    Done at Washington, DC, on: August 16, 1996.
Michael R. Taylor,
Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety.
[FR Doc. 96-21345 Filed 8-16-96; 2:52 pm]
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