[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 27, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21730-21731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-1982]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. 05-026-1]


Public Meeting; Veterinary Biologics

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: We are holding a public meeting to solicit comments on the 
development of a national strategy concerning the use of vaccines in 
State/Federal/industry programs for the control of brucellosis, 
pseudorabies, and other program diseases.

DATES: The public meeting will be held on Friday, June 10, 2005, from 8 
a.m. to 3 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held at the Four Points by 
Sheraton Des Moines Airport, 1810 Army Post Road, Des Moines, IA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Gera Ashton, Center for Veterinary 
Biologics, VS, APHIS, 1800 Dayton Road, Ames, IA 50010; phone (515) 
663-7838, fax (515) 232-7120, or e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Animal and Plant Health Inspection 
Service (APHIS) and its State and industry partners are approaching 
their goal of eradicating brucellosis and

[[Page 21731]]

pseudorabies from the national herd in the United States. As that goal 
becomes nearer, it is necessary to discuss issues such as the need for 
continued production of vaccine after eradication has been declared, 
changes in the availability of diagnostic reagents and test kits, and 
possible changes to the biosecurity level assigned to the causative 
agents for both diseases.
    In October 2002, at a forum hosted by APHIS in St Louis, MO, 
representatives of State and Federal government, academia, veterinary 
biologics industry, producer groups, and animal disease researchers 
compiled a list of issues that they believed should be considered when 
developing regulations or policies concerning the use of vaccines 
beyond the end of eradication programs for diseases such as brucellosis 
and pseudorabies. It was suggested that APHIS seek additional input 
from State animal health officials, producer groups, and other 
interested persons prior to deciding the final policy. The report of 
the October 2002 meeting is available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/cvb/newlypublishedinfo.htm.
    We are holding this meeting to solicit additional input on the 
continued use of and need for vaccines and diagnostic reagents at the 
end of eradication for these and other program diseases.
    This meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 10, 2005. The public 
meeting will begin at 8 a.m. and is scheduled to end at 3 p.m. but may 
end earlier if all persons wishing to speak have been heard. Those 
wishing to speak at the meeting must register in advance on or before 
June 1, 2005. To register to speak, please e-mail Ms. Gera Ashton at 
[email protected]. Please provide the subject of your 
remarks and the approximate length of time that will be necessary. 
Depending on the number of speakers, limits may be imposed on the 
length of each presentation. Speakers may register on the day of the 
meeting between 7:30 and 8 a.m. The time allotted to each speaker will 
depend on the number of pre-registered speakers. If time permits, 
persons attending the meeting who have not registered to speak will be 
given an opportunity to make remarks after the registered speakers have 
concluded their comments. 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 person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT.

    Done in Washington, DC, this 21st day of April 2005.
Elizabeth E. Gaston,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E5-1982 Filed 4-26-05; 8:45 am]
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