[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 10, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8883-8884]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-02701]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

U.S. Codex Office


Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on 
Spices and Culinary Herbs

AGENCY: U.S. Codex Office, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The U.S Codex Office is sponsoring a public meeting on March 
29, 2021. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information 
and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States 
(U.S.) positions to be discussed at the 5th Session of the Codex 
Committee on Spices and Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) of the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission, which will convene virtually April 26-30, 
2021. The U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius and the Acting Under 
Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs recognize the 
importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain 
background information on the 5th Session of the CCSCH and to address 
items on the agenda.

DATES: The public meeting is scheduled for March 29, 2021 from 1:00 
p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST.

ADDRESSES: The public meeting will take place via Video Teleconference 
hosted by the U.S. Codex Office. Documents related to the 5th Session 
of the CCSCH will be accessible via the internet at the following 
address: http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/meetings/detail/en/?meeting=CCSCH&session=5.
    Mr. Dorian A. LaFond, U.S. Delegate to the 5th Session of the 
CCSCH, invites U.S. interested parties to submit their comments 
electronically to the following email address: [email protected].
    Registration: Attendees may register to attend the virtual public 
meeting here: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsce2grDIjHgR59gdd1YczP24oxfgwbvQ or by emailing Ms. Heather Selig 
([email protected]) by March 15, 2021.
    For Further Information about the 5th Session of the CCSCH, contact 
the U.S. Delegate, Mr. Dorian A. LaFond, International Standards 
Coordinator for the Agricultural Marketing Service Specialty Crops 
Program, Specialty Crops Inspection Division at Stop 0247, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-0247, Tel: 202-690-4944, 
Cell: 202-577-5583, Fax: 202-720-0016 or Email: [email protected].
    For Further Information about the Public Meeting Contact: U.S. 
Codex Office, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4861, South Agriculture 
Building, Washington, DC 20250, Phone: 202-720-7760, Fax: 202-720-3157, 
Email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Codex was established in 1963 by two United Nations organizations, 
the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health 
Organization (WHO). Through adoption of food standards, codes of 
practice, and other guidelines developed by its committees, and by 
promoting their adoption and implementation by governments, Codex seeks 
to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair practices in the 
food trade.
    The Terms of Reference of the Codex Committee on Spices and 
Culinary Herbs (CCSCH) are:
    (a) To elaborate worldwide standards for spices and culinary herbs 
in their dried and dehydrated state in whole, ground, and cracked or 
crushed form; and
    (b) To consult, as necessary, with other international 
organizations in the standards development process to avoid 
duplication.
    The CCSCH is hosted by India. The United States attends CCSCH as a 
member country of Codex.

Issues To Be Discussed at the Public Meeting

    The following items on the Agenda for the 5th Session of the CCSCH 
will be discussed during the public meeting:

 Matters Referred by the Codex Alimentarius Commission and its 
Subsidiary Bodies
 Dried Oregano
     Draft Standard for Dried Oregano
 Dried Roots, Rhizomes, and Bulbs
     Draft Standard for Dried or Dehydrated Ginger
 Dried Floral Parts
     Draft Standard for Dried Cloves
     Draft Standard for Saffron
 Dried Herbs
     Draft Standard for Dried Basil
 Dried Fruits and Berries
     Proposed Draft Standard for Dried Chilli Peppers and 
Paprika
 Dried Seeds
     Proposed Draft Standard for Dried Nutmeg
 New Work and Layout for SCH Standards
     Consideration of the Proposals for New Work
     Update to the Template for SCH Standards

[[Page 8884]]

 Other Business Related to CCSCH

Public Meeting

    At the March 29, 2021 public meeting, the draft U.S. positions on 
the agenda items will be described and discussed, and attendees will 
have the opportunity to pose questions and offer comments. Written 
comments may be offered at the meeting or sent to Mr. Dorian A. LaFond, 
U.S. Delegate for the 5th Session of the CCSCH (see ADDRESSES). Written 
comments should state that they relate to the activities of the 5th 
Session of the CCSCH.

Additional Public Notification

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, the U.S. Codex Office will 
announce this Federal Register publication on-line through the USDA web 
page located at: http://www.usda.gov/codex/, a link that also offers an 
email subscription service that provides access to information related 
to Codex. Customers can modify their subscriptions and have the option 
to password protect their accounts.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

    No agency, officer, or employee of the USDA shall, on the grounds 
of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual 
orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, 
income derived from a public assistance program, or political beliefs, 
exclude from participation in, deny the benefits of, or subject to 
discrimination any person in the United States under any program or 
activity conducted by the USDA.

How To File a Complaint of Discrimination

    To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program 
Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at http://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you or your 
authorized representative. Send your completed complaint form or letter 
to USDA by mail, fax, or email.
    Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of 
Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410.
    Fax: (202) 690-7442, Email: [email protected].
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for 
communication (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact 
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

    Done at Washington, DC, on February 3, 2021.
Mary Lowe,
U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius.
[FR Doc. 2021-02701 Filed 2-9-21; 8:45 am]
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