[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 162 (Thursday, August 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50511-50512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21421]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 162 / Thursday, August 21, 2003 / 
Notices  

[[Page 50511]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket 03-074-1]


International Plant Protection Convention Draft Standard on the 
Plant Pest Risks Associated with Living Modified Organisms; Public 
Meeting

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: We are giving notice of a public meeting to solicit comments 
on a draft international standard concerning the plant pest risks 
associated with living modified organisms.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on September 18, 2003, from 1 to 
3 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the USDA Center at Riverside, 
4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD, in Conference Rooms C and D.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Terri Dunahay, Director for 
International Biotechnology Policy, BRS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 
146, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; phone (301) 734-4308, fax (301) 734-
8669, e-mail: [email protected].
    For further information on APHIS's participation in international 
standard-setting activities, contact Mr. Narcy Klag, Manager, 
International Standards Management, PIM, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road 
Unit 60, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-8469, e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The International Plant Protection 
Convention (IPPC) is recognized as the standard-setting body for 
international phytosanitary (plant health) issues by the World Trade 
Organization. In April 2001, the IPPC's Interim Commission on 
Phytosanitary Measures (ICPM) recommended that an international 
standard be developed to address potential plant pest risks associated 
with living modified organisms (LMOs). An expert working group was 
established to develop detailed specifications for the standard. The 
decision to develop an international standard was the result of 
requests from IPPC member countries for guidance from the IPPC on 
evaluating potential phytosanitary issues that may be associated with 
LMOs.
    APHIS has held two public meetings regarding the development of an 
LMO standard in the IPPC. The need for a standard was discussed at a 
public meeting announced in the Federal Register on February 20, 2001 
(66 FR 10874, Docket No. 01-012-1), and held on March 8, 2001. At the 
second public meeting, which was announced in the Federal Register on 
July 27, 2001 (66 FR 39136, Docket No. 01-061-1), and held on August 
23, 2001, we solicited public comments on the development of 
specifications for the LMO standard. The transcripts of both meetings 
are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/pim/standards/draft_standard_&_discussion_for_review.htm htm.
    The specifications for the standard were adopted at the ICPM-4 
meeting in March 2002. The United States supported the development of a 
stand-alone risk analysis standard for LMOs, but the decision at ICPM-4 
was to draft the LMO standard as a supplement to an existing IPPC 
standard, International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No. 
11, ``Pest Risk Analysis for Quarantine Pests.'' The specifications 
describe the scope of the standard as guidance on how to assess the 
phytosanitary risks that could be presented by LMOs, and charge the 
working group with the following tasks:
    [sbull] Consider existing pest risk analysis procedures and IPPC 
and other relevant standards;
    [sbull] Identify relevant hazards and methods for the evaluation of 
the potential phytosanitary risks presented by LMOs;
    [sbull] Formulate a draft supplement to ISPM No. 11 providing 
guidance on the conduct of pest risk analyses for LMOs consistent with 
relevant aspects of the Cartagena Protocol, taking account of Annex III 
of the Cartagena Protocol and September 2001 statements from the Open 
Ended Working Group, as amended by ICPM-4; and
    [sbull] Maintain a clear and easily understood standard, and 
provide comprehensive guidance on pest risk analysis for LMOs.
    The working group, consisting of seven experts, one from each FAO 
region plus representation from the Convention on Biological Diversity, 
the Global Invasive Species Program, and Canada (as host) met in 
September 2002 to draft the standard. The draft standard was reviewed 
by the Standards Committee in May 2003 and posted for country 
consultation in June 2003. The draft standard and guidelines for 
submitting comments are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/pim/standards/draft_standards_4_comment.htm htm. Comments should be submitted to Mr. Narcy Klag on or before 
September 22, 2003 (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT at the 
beginning of this notice for Mr. Klag's postal and e-mail addresses).
    We are holding this public meeting to provide a forum for the 
submission of comments from representatives of non-governmental 
organizations on the format and content of the draft standard. If you 
wish to speak at the meeting, please register in advance by sending an 
e-mail or fax to Dr. Terri Dunahay (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
at the beginning of this notice for Dr. Dunahay's e-mail address and 
fax number). Registrants should include their name, affiliation, 
address, and telephone number. Speakers are welcome, but not required, 
to submit written copies of their comments via e-mail to Dr. Dunahay. 
Based on the number of registered speakers, limits may be imposed on 
the length of each speaker's presentation. The meeting will be 
recorded, and information about obtaining a transcript will be provided 
at the meeting.
    We will also provide the opportunity for interested persons to 
participate by teleconference. Those wishing to do so should contact 
Dr. Dunahay via e-mail by Friday, September 12, 2003, for phone-in 
information.
    If you require special accommodations, such as a sign language 
interpreter, please contact either of the persons listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

[[Page 50512]]

Parking and Security Procedures

    Please note that a fee of $2.25 in exact change is required to 
enter the parking lot at the USDA Center at Riverside. The machine 
accepts $1 bills or quarters.
    Upon entering the building, visitors should inform security 
personnel that they are attending the Living Modified Organisms public 
meeting. State-issued photo identification is required and all bags 
will be screened. Security personnel will direct visitors to the 
registration tables located outside of Conference Rooms C and D on the 
first floor. Registration upon arrival is required for all 
participants, including those who have registered in advance to speak. 
Visitor badges must be worn at all times in the building.
    Further information regarding the meeting may be obtained from 
either of the persons listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of August 2003.
Peter Fernandez,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 03-21421 Filed 8-20-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P