[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 15, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75043-75044]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-27427]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV-04-319]


Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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[[Page 75044]]

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: Tuesday, January 11, 2005, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Wednesday, 
January 12, 2005, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. As part of the meeting, 
Committee members will tour the National Training and Development 
Center on Tuesday, January 11, 2005, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The Committee meeting will be held at the Hilton Hotel, 1767 
King Street, Alexandria, VA. The tour of the National Training and 
Development Center will take place at 100 Riverside Parkway, Suite 101, 
Fredericksburg, VA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrew Hatch, Designated Federal 
Official, USDA, AMS, Fruit and Vegetable Programs. Telephone: (202) 
690-0182. Facsimile: (202) 720-0016. E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App. II), the Secretary of Agriculture established 
the Committee in August 2001 to examine the full spectrum of issues 
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 re-
chartered in July 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. 
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 attend and present their recommendations. 
Reference the date and address section of this announcement for the 
time and place of the meeting.
    Topics to be discussed include: Perishable Agricultural Commodities 
Act branch reorganization status and transportation issues, crop 
insurance, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the school lunch procurement 
study, Fruit and Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation overview, and 
ways that USDA programs can encourage increased consumption of fruits 
and vegetables. Those parties that would like to speak at the meeting 
should register on or before January 5, 2005. To register as a speaker, 
please e-mail your name, affiliation, business address, e-mail address, 
and phone number to Mr. Andrew C. Hatch at: [email protected] or 
facsimile to (202) 720-0016. Speakers who have registered in advance 
will be given priority. Groups and individuals may submit comments for 
the Committee's consideration to the same e-mail address. The meeting 
will be recorded, and information about obtaining a transcript will be 
provided at the meeting.
    The Secretary of Agriculture 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.
    If you require special accommodations, such as a sign language 
interpreter, please use either contact name listed above.

    Dated: December 10, 2004.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 04-27427 Filed 12-14-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P