[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 13 (Wednesday, January 21, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2885-2886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1208]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV-04-376]


Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee

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 parties 
that the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will hold a Fruit and 
Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee (Committee) meeting that is open 
to the public. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) established 
the Committee to examine the full spectrum of issues faced by the fruit 
and vegetable industry and to provide suggestions and ideas to the 
Secretary of Agriculture on how USDA can tailor its programs to meet 
the fruit and vegetable industry's needs. This notice sets forth the 
schedule and location for the meeting.

DATES: Thursday, February 19, 2004, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and 
Friday, February 20, 2004, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The Committee meeting will be held at the Hilton Hotel 
Crystal City, 2399 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sandra K. Gardei, Marketing 
Specialist, Fruit and Vegetable Programs, AMS, USDA, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Room 2071-S, Stop 0235, Washington DC 20250-0235. 
Telephone: (202) 720-3618. Facsimile: (202) 720-0016. E-mail: Sandra. 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App.), the Secretary of Agriculture established 
the Committee in August 2001 to examine the full spectrum of issued 
faced by the fruit and vegetable industry and to provide suggestions 
and ideas to the Secretary on how USDA can tailor its programs to meet 
the fruit and vegetable industry's needs. The committee was rechartered 
in August 2003 and new members were appointed from industry 
nominations.
    AMS Deputy Administrator for Fruit and Vegetable Programs, Robert 
C. Keeney, serves as the Committee's Executive Secretary and Sandra 
Gardei as the Designated Federal Official. Representatives from USDA 
mission areas and other government agencies affecting the fruit and 
vegetable industry will be called upon to participate in the 
Committee's meetings as determined by the Committee Chairperson. AMS is 
giving notice of the committee meeting to the public so that they may 
wish to attend and present their recommendations. The meeting is 
scheduled for Thursday, February 19,

[[Page 2886]]

2004, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Friday, February 20, 2004, from 8 
a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Hilton Hotel Crystal City, 2399 Jefferson Davis 
Highway, Arlington, VA.
    Topics to be discussed at the meeting will include: USDA programs 
that encourage increased consumption of fruits and vegetables, grading 
and auditing programs offered by the Federal-State Inspection Service. 
AMS' microbiological data program, the organizational structure of the 
Perishable Agriculture Commodities Act Program, and methyl bromide 
issues.
    Those parties that wish to speak at the meeting should register on 
or before February 13, 2004. To register as a speaker, please e-mail 
Sandra.[email protected] or facsimile to (202) 720-0016. Registrants 
should include their name, address, and daytime telephone number. 
Depending on the number of registered speakers, time limits may be 
imposed on speakers. Speakers who have registered in advance will be 
given priority.
    If you require special accommodations, such as a sign language 
interpreter, please contact the person listed for FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT. The meeting will be recorded, and information 
about obtaining a transcript will be provided at the meeting.
    The Secretary of Agriculture has selected a diverse group of 
members representing a broad spectrum of persons interested in 
providing suggestions and ideas on how USDA can tailor its programs to 
meet the fruit and vegetable industry's needs. Equal opportunity 
practices were considered in all appointments to the Committee in 
accordance with USDA policies.

    Dated: January 14, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-1208 Filed 1-20-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-M