[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]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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]
BILLING CODE P