[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 4 (Monday, January 7, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 1225]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-25599]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Food and Drug Administration

[Docket No. 2007N-0487]


Meeting Being Planned to Obtain Public Input for Ensuring the 
Safety of Pet Food

AGENCY: Food and Drug Administration, HHS

ACTION: Notice of intent to schedule and hold public meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is announcing its 
intention to schedule and hold a public meeting early in 2008 to obtain 
input from stakeholder groups, including, but not limited to, the 
Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), veterinary 
medical associations, animal health organizations, and pet food 
manufacturers for the development of ingredient, processing, and 
labeling standards to ensure the safety of pet food. These standards 
were mandated by the FDA Amendments Act of 2007 (FDAAA).
    Date, Time, and Location: The date, time, and location for the 2008 
public meeting will be announced in a subsequent notice that will be 
published in the Federal Register a later date.
    Addresses: A docket has been opened at FDA to receive any comments 
in advance of the public meeting. Submit written comments to the 
Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 
5630 Fishers Lane, rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. Submit electronic 
comments to either http://www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments or http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Walter Osborne, Center for Veterinary 
Medicine (HFV-6), Food and Drug Administration, 7519 Standish Pl., 
Rockville, MD 20855, 240-276-9024, FAX: 240-276-9101, or e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    FDAAA was signed into law by the President on September 27, 2007 
(Public Law 110-085). Title X of the FDAAA includes several provisions 
pertaining to food safety, including the safety of pet food. Sec. 
1002(a)of the new law directs that, within 2 years, FDA is to issue new 
regulations to establish ingredient standards and definitions, 
processing standards, and updated standards for labeling to include 
nutritional and ingredient information. This same provision of the law 
also directs that, in developing these new regulations, FDA obtain 
input from its stakeholders, including AAFCO, veterinary medical 
associations, animal health organizations, and pet food manufacturers. 
In order to obtain such input, FDA intends to hold a public meeting to 
hear directly from interested stakeholders.

II. Public Meeting Details

    Because FDA is mandated by Congress to establish the new pet food 
requirements within 2 years of enactment of the FDAAA, it is imperative 
that the agency begin the rulemaking process as soon as possible. To 
that end, FDA intends to hold a public meeting in the greater 
Rockville, MD area sometime within the first 3 months of 2008. After 
the meeting, FDA will review all of the comments submitted to the 
docket prior to initiating the regulation drafting process.

III. Comments

    FDA will publish a subsequent notice in the Federal Register 
announcing the details of the 2008 public meeting. However, anyone 
wishing to submit general comments about the new law as it relates to 
pet food safety or the planned public meeting may do so to the Division 
of Dockets Management (see Addresses). Submit a single copy of 
electronic comments or two paper copies of any written comments, except 
that individuals may submit one paper copy. Comments should be 
identified with the full title and the docket number found in brackets 
in the heading of this document. Received comments will be available 
for public examination in the Division of Dockets Management between 9 
a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. You may also view received 
comments on the FDA's Internet site at: http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets.

    Dated: December 27, 2007.
Jeffrey Shuren,
Assistant Commissioner for Policy.
[FR Doc. E7-25599 Filed 1-4-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-01-S