[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 208 (Monday, October 28, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65777-65778]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27306]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. ST-02-05]


Microbiological Data Program; Public Meeting

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to notify all interested persons 
that the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will hold a public 
meeting to discuss the Microbiological Data Program (MDP). 
Specifically, AMS will discuss the current status of the program and 
invite comment and input regarding the MDP activities to date. This 
notice also sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda for the 
meeting.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2002, 
from 1 to 4 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, 
Georgetown meeting room, 815-14th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Martha Lamont, Monitoring Programs 
Office, Science and Technology Programs, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 8609 Sudley Road, 
Manassas, Virginia, 20110-8411. Telephone number (703) 330-2300, Ext 17 
or fax (703) 369-0678.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the past several years the number of 
foodborne illness associated with domestic and imported fresh fruits 
and vegetables has increased. Some microorganisms once thought under 
control may be adapting to their environments, may be developing 
resistance to conventional food processing operations, and may be re-
emerging with increased pathogenicity. To respond to these concerns, 
Congress authorized an appropriation of $6.234 million for FY 2002 to 
fund a microbiological monitoring program for foodborne pathogens and 
indicator organisms on domestic and imported fruits and vegetables. The 
program is designed to collect reliable data and develop national 
estimates of bacterial contamination with regard to selected produce. 
The MDP is a voluntary data gathering program and not a regulatory or 
enforcement program. The Federal agencies; Food and Drug 
Administration, Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, USDA's 
National Agricultural Statistical Service, as well as 10 State 
Departments of Agriculture, industry and academia have provided 
assistance and information in formulating program policy and operating 
procedures. The program is being conducted under the authority of the 
Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 (7 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.).
    AMS is hereby giving notice of a public meeting, scheduled for 
Wednesday, November 20, 2002, in order to keep all interested persons 
advised of the current status of the program and invite comment and 
input regarding the MDP activities to date. The public meeting will 
begin at 1 p.m. and is scheduled to end at 4 p.m. It will be held at 
the Hilton Garden Inn, Georgetown meeting room, 815-14th Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20005.
    Those parties who wish to speak at the meeting should register on 
or before November 13, 2002 to speak, please e-mail 
[email protected], or send a fax to Martha Lamont at (703) 330-
2300, Ext 17. Registrants should include their name, address, and 
daytime telephone number. 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 proposed agenda for the meeting will include discussions of: 
(1) MDP overview and current status, (2) MDP sampling and testing 
methodology, (3) MDP Annual Summary Calendar Year 2002, and (4) 
recommendations and concerns.
    Registration upon arrival is necessary for all participants, 
including those who have registered to speak in advance. Speakers 
should provide one original and two copies of their presentation at 
registration. A registration desk will be located outside the meeting 
room. If you require special accommodations, such as a sign language 
interpreter, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT. The meeting will be recorded, and information 
about obtaining a transcript will be provided at the meeting.


[[Page 65778]]


    Dated: October 22, 2002.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 02-27306 Filed 10-25-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P