[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 162 (Monday, August 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50729-50730]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-21215]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


North American Free Trade Agreement: Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
Committee

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with legislation implementing the North American 
Free Trade Agreement, we are informing the public of a meeting to be 
held Thursday, September 7, 2000 at the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) in Washington, DC. The purpose of this meeting is to solicit 
public comment on proposed agenda items for the next scheduled meeting 
of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary (SPS) Committee, September 19-20, 2000, in Washington, 
DC. It is also to

[[Page 50730]]

seek public input in identifying any new issues of concern that should 
be considered for the agenda. Representatives from each of the SPS 
Committee's eight Technical Working Groups (TWGs) will also be present 
to apprise the public of each TWG's progress and to respond to 
questions.
    The September meeting will be the Ninth Meeting of the NAFTA SPS 
Committee and will include the co-chairs from the TWGs that report to 
the Committee. The purpose of the NAFTA SPS Committee is to address 
sanitary and phytosanitary trade issues affecting the entry of 
agricultural products among the three member countries.

DATES: The public meeting date is Thursday, September 7, 2000, 9 a.m. 
to 11 a.m., USDA South Building (at the back of the USDA cafeteria, 
first floor, 14th Street and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC. 
Written comments should be submitted by September 4, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carolyn T. Cohen, Foreign Agricultural 
Service, International Trade Policy, Food Safety and Technical Services 
Division, Room 5545, South Building, 14th Street and Independence 
Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, (202) 720-1301; or e-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with Article 722 of NAFTA, the 
NAFTA SPS Committee is responsible for facilitating: (a) The 
enhancement of food safety and sanitary and phytosanitary conditions in 
the territories of the part is; (b) activities of the Parties pursuant 
to Articles 713 and 714 relating respectively to international 
standards and equivalence; (c) technical cooperation; and (d) 
consultation on specific bilateral issues. An SPS issue can be raised 
by any party and is sent to the Committee for consideration. The 
Committee will either consider the matter itself or refer the issue to 
an individual, working group or relevant standard setting organization 
for technical advice.
    Since the entry into force of NAFTA on January 1, 1994, the NAFTA 
SPS Committee has met on eight separate occasions: March 24, 1994 in 
Washington, DC; October 6, 1994 in Washington, DC; September 21, 1995 
in Mexico City; February 14, 1996 in Mexico City; June 20, 1996 in 
Ottawa; November 18-19, 1997 in Washington, DC; November 4-5, 1998 in 
Mexico City; and November 2-3, 1999 in Ottawa. The Committee meets at 
least once a year with meetings rotating among the three countries. 
Each TWG is to send at least one representative to the annual Committee 
meeting to report on its progress and activity. The nine TWGS under the 
NAFTA SPS Committee and their points of contact (POC) are as follows:
    1. Animal Health: POC: Dr. Alfonso Torres, Veterinary Services, 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), USDA.
    2. Plant Health, Seeds & Fertilizers: POC: Dr. Ric Dunkle, Plant 
Protection and Quarantine, APHIS, USDA.
    3. Fish & Fishery Product Inspection: POC: Dr. Philip Spiller, 
Office of Seafood, Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
    4. Meat, Poultry & Egg Inspection: POC: Dr. John C. Prucha, Food 
Safety Inspection Service, USDA.
    5. Dairy, Fruits, Vegetables and Processed Foods: POC: Dr. Terry 
Troxell, Office of Plant & Dairy Foods & Beverages, FDA.
    6. Veterinary Drugs & Feed: POC: Dr. Robert Livingstone, Center for 
Veterinary Medicine, FDA.
    7. Food Additives and Contaminants: POC: Dr. Alan Rulis, Office of 
Pre-Market Approval, FDA.
    8. Pesticides: POC: Ms. Marcia Mulkey, Office of Pesticide 
Programs, Environmental Protection Agency.
    9. Labeling, Packaging & Standards: POC: Dr. Christine J. Lewis, 
Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling and Dietary Supplements, FDA.

PUBLIC MEETING: The public meeting will take place at the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC, 
(at the back of USDA cafeteria, 1st floor).

WRITTEN COMMENTS: Those persons wishing to submit written comments 
should provide five (5) typed copies to Richard White, Director for SPS 
Affairs, Office of the United States Trade Representatives, 600 17th 
St., NW., Room 421; Washington, DC 20508. If the submission contains 
business confidential information, five copies of a confidential 
version must also be submitted. A justification as to why the 
information contained in the submission should be treated 
confidentially must be included in the submission. In addition, any 
submissions containing business confidential information must be 
clearly marked ``Confidential'' at the top and bottom of the cover page 
(or letter) and of each succeeding page of the submission. The version 
that does not contain confidential information should also be clearly 
marked, at the top and bottom of each page, ``public version'' or 
``nonconfidential.''
    Written comments submitted in connection with this request, except 
for information granted ``business confidential'' status pursuant to 15 
CFR 20003.6, will be available for public inspection in the USTR 
Reading Room, Room 101, Office of the United States Trade 
Representatives, 600 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC. An appointment 
to review the file may be made by calling Brenda Webb (202) 395-6186. 
The Reading Room is open to the public from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon, and 
from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

David Walters,
Acting Chairman, Trade Policy Staff Committee.
[FR Doc. 00-21215 Filed 8-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3190-01-M