[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 10874]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-4143]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 01-012-1]


Living Genetically Modified Organisms and Invasive Species; 
Public Meeting

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: This is to notify interested persons that the Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service will hold a public meeting to provide a forum 
for discussion on the recommendation for the development of two 
standards to address the issues of living genetically modified 
organisms and invasive species under the International Plant Protection 
Convention, recognized by the World Trade Organization Agreement on the 
Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures as the international 
standard-setting body for phytosanitary standards.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on Thursday, March 8, 2001, from 
10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the USDA Center, Second 
Floor, Training Rooms 1 and 2, 4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the meeting, 
contact Dr. Cathleen Enright, Director, Biotechnology, APHIS/PPQ/PIM, 
4700 Riverdale Road Unit 140, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301)734-5342; or 
Mr. Narcy Klag, Director, International Standards Management/NAPPO, 
APHIS/PPQ/PIM, 4700 Riverdale Road Unit 140, Riverdale, MD 20737; (301) 
734-8469.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As a result of the 1997 text revision of the 
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the Interim 
Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (ICPM) was established in 1998 to 
serve as the engine for developing international phytosanitary 
standards as well as promoting other basic objectives of the IPPC until 
the revised IPPC officially comes into force. The ICPM was prompted to 
address living genetically modified organisms (LMO's) and invasive 
species specifically as a result of IPPC member country requests for 
further guidance on evaluating the organisms as potential plant pests. 
At present, the guidance provided under the IPPC for these issues is 
limited. An IPPC working group on genetically modified organisms and 
invasive species met in June, 2000, and drafted recommendations for new 
standards to be developed to address these issues. The working group 
will forward these recommendations to the April 2001 meeting of the 
ICPM for adoption.
    The United States Government is a member of the IPPC, and the 
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) of the United States 
Department of Agriculture has the lead in IPPC matters within the 
United States. Therefore, APHIS is giving notice of a public meeting to 
allow anyone, especially those who are interested in biotechnology and 
invasive species issues, an opportunity to present their views on the 
recommendations and to exchange information among themselves and with 
APHIS regarding the IPPC recommendations. The two standards proposed 
for development in the recommendations are:
    (1) To address the plant pest risks associated with LMO's; and
    (2) To address the environmental effects of quarantine pests, 
including quarantine pests that are invasive.
    This public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 8, 2001. The 
public meeting will begin at 10 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 11:30 
a.m. Those wishing to speak at the meeting should register on or before 
March 5, 2001. To register to speak, please e-mail 
[email protected] or send a fax to Dr. Cathleen Enright 
at 301-734-7639. Registrants should include their name, address, and 
telephone number. Speakers are welcome, but not required, to submit 
written copies of comments by e-mail at the address listed above. 
Depending on the number of registered speakers, time limits may be 
imposed on speakers, and speakers who have registered in advance will 
be given priority if time is limited. The meeting will be recorded, and 
information about obtaining a transcript will be provided at the 
meeting.
    If you require special accommodations, such as a sign language 
interpreter, please contact the persons listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

Parking and Security Procedures

    Please note that a fee of $2 is required to enter the parking lot 
at the USDA Center. The machine accepts $1 bills or quarters.
    Upon entering the building, visitors should inform security 
personnel that they are attending the Living Genetically Modified 
Organisms public meeting. Identification is required. Security 
personnel will direct visitors to the registration tables located 
outside of Training Rooms 1 and 2 on the second floor. Registration 
upon arrival is necessary for all participants, including those who 
have registered to speak in advance. Visitor badges must be worn 
throughout the day.
    Further information regarding the meeting and registration 
instructions may be obtained from the persons listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 14th day of February 2001.
Bobby R. Acord,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 01-4143 Filed 2-16-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-U