[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 12 (Thursday, January 17, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 3232]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-801]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV-08-376]


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 7, 2008, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 
February 8, 2008, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

ADDRESSES: The Committee meeting will be held at the Capital Hilton, 
1001 16th Street, NW., Washington, DC.

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, June 2005 and again in May 2007 with new 
members appointed by USDA 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 of discussion at the advisory committee meeting will 
include: the Agricultural Marketing Service's role in food safety 
related activities; the Food and Drug Administration's import food 
safety plan; fresh produce procurement activities under the National 
School Lunch Program; Country of Origin Labeling; and agriculture 
transportation matters. Additional agenda items can be expected.
    Those parties that would like to speak at the meeting should 
register on or before January 31, 2008. To register as a speaker, 
please e-mail your name, affiliation, business address, e-mail address, 
and phone number to Mr. Andrew 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 Acting 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: January 14, 2008.
Lloyd Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service
[FR Doc. E8-801 Filed 1-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P