[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 122 (Friday, June 23, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 39121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-15919]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. 00-018N]


Nominations for Membership on the National Advisory Committee on 
Microbiological Criteria for Foods

AGENCY: Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is soliciting 
nominations for membership on the National Advisory Committee on 
Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF). Nominations for membership 
are being sought from individuals with scientific expertise in the 
fields of Epidemiology, Food Technology, Microbiology (food, clinical, 
and predictive), Risk Assessment, Infectious Disease, and 
Biostatistics. Persons from the government, industry, academia, and 
consumer advocacy groups are invited to submit nominations. This notice 
also informs members of the public as to how they may receive copies of 
the weekly FSIS Constituent Update, which provides information 
regarding FSIS policies, procedures, regulations, Federal Register 
notices, FSIS public meetings, recalls, and other relevant information.

DATES: The Nominee's typed resume or curriculum vitae must be 
postmarked no later than July 24, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Ms. Jacque Knight, Advisory 
Committee Specialist, USDA, FSIS, Room 341-E JLW Building, 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3700.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jacque Knight, Advisory Committee 
Specialist, at the above address or by telephone 202-720-3523 or FAX 
202-720-3192.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The NACMCF was established in April 1988, as a result of a 
recommendation by a 1985 report of the National Academy of Sciences 
Committee on Food Protection, Subcommittee on Microbiological Criteria, 
``An Evaluation of the Role of Microbiological Criteria for Foods.'' 
The current Charter for the NACMCF is available for viewing on the FSIS 
homepage at www.fsis.usda.gov.
    The Committee provides advice and recommendations to the 
Secretaries of Agriculture and Health and Human Services concerning the 
development of microbiological criteria by which the safety and 
wholesomeness of food can be assessed. For example, the Committee 
assists in the development of criteria for microorganisms that indicate 
whether food has been processed using good manufacturing practices.
    Appointments to the Committee will be made by the Secretary of 
Agriculture after consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services. To ensure that recommendations of the Committee take into 
account the needs of the diverse groups served by the Departments, 
membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with 
demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with 
disabilities.
    Because of the complexity of the issues to be addressed, it is 
anticipated that the full Committee will meet more than once each year, 
and the subcommittees will meet as deemed necessary by the chairperson. 
There is a minimum two-year commitment to the advisory committee. 
Participation may require members to work outside of scheduled 
committee and subcommittee meetings and may require written documents 
to be prepared. Committee members serve without payment, however, they 
are reimbursed for travel and receive per deim.

Additional Public Notification

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, in an effort to better ensure 
that minorities, women, and persons with disabilities are aware of this 
notice, FSIS will announce it and provide copies of this Federal 
Register publication in the FSIS Constituent Update. FSIS provides a 
weekly FSIS Constituent Update, which is communicated via fax to over 
300 organizations and individuals. In addition, the update is available 
on-line through the FSIS web page located at http://www.fsis.usda.gov. 
The update is used to provide information regarding FSIS policies, 
procedures regulations, Federal Register notices, FSIS public meetings, 
recalls, and any other types of information that could affect or would 
be of interest to our constituents/stakeholders. The constituent fax 
list consists of industry, trade, and farm groups, consumer interest 
groups, allied health professionals, scientific professionals, and 
other individuals that have requested to be included. Through these 
various channels, FSIS is able to provide information to a much 
broader, more diverse audience. For more information and to be added to 
the constituent fax list, fax your request to the Congressional and 
Public Affairs Office, at (202) 720-5704.

    Done at Washington, DC, on: June 16, 2000.
Thomas J. Billy,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 00-15919 Filed 6-22-00; 8:45 am]
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