[Federal Register: August 21, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 162)]
[Notices]
[Page 50511-50512]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21au03-26]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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[[Page 50511]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket 03-074-1]
International Plant Protection Convention Draft Standard on the
Plant Pest Risks Associated with Living Modified Organisms; Public
Meeting
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
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SUMMARY: We are giving notice of a public meeting to solicit comments
on a draft international standard concerning the plant pest risks
associated with living modified organisms.
DATES: The public meeting will be held on September 18, 2003, from 1 to
3 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the USDA Center at Riverside,
4700 River Road, Riverdale, MD, in Conference Rooms C and D.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Terri Dunahay, Director for
International Biotechnology Policy, BRS, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit
146, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; phone (301) 734-4308, fax (301) 734-
8669, e-mail: terri.g.dunahay@aphis.usda.gov. For further information on APHIS's participation in international
standard-setting activities, contact Mr. Narcy Klag, Manager,
International Standards Management, PIM, PPQ, APHIS, 4700 River Road
Unit 60, Riverdale, MD 20737-1236; (301) 734-8469, e-mail:
narcy.g.klag@aphis.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The International Plant Protection
Convention (IPPC) is recognized as the standard-setting body for
international phytosanitary (plant health) issues by the World Trade
Organization. In April 2001, the IPPC's Interim Commission on
Phytosanitary Measures (ICPM) recommended that an international
standard be developed to address potential plant pest risks associated
with living modified organisms (LMOs). An expert working group was
established to develop detailed specifications for the standard. The
decision to develop an international standard was the result of
requests from IPPC member countries for guidance from the IPPC on
evaluating potential phytosanitary issues that may be associated with
LMOs.
APHIS has held two public meetings regarding the development of an
LMO standard in the IPPC. The need for a standard was discussed at a
public meeting announced in the Federal Register on February 20, 2001
(66 FR 10874, Docket No. 01-012-1), and held on March 8, 2001. At the
second public meeting, which was announced in the Federal Register on
July 27, 2001 (66 FR 39136, Docket No. 01-061-1), and held on August
23, 2001, we solicited public comments on the development of
specifications for the LMO standard. The transcripts of both meetings
are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda. gov/ ppq/pim/
standards/ draft--standard--&-- discussion--for--review. htm.
The specifications for the standard were adopted at the ICPM-4
meeting in March 2002. The United States supported the development of a
stand-alone risk analysis standard for LMOs, but the decision at ICPM-4
was to draft the LMO standard as a supplement to an existing IPPC
standard, International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) No.
11, ``Pest Risk Analysis for Quarantine Pests.'' The specifications
describe the scope of the standard as guidance on how to assess the
phytosanitary risks that could be presented by LMOs, and charge the
working group with the following tasks:
[sbull] Consider existing pest risk analysis procedures and IPPC
and other relevant standards;
[sbull] Identify relevant hazards and methods for the evaluation of
the potential phytosanitary risks presented by LMOs;
[sbull] Formulate a draft supplement to ISPM No. 11 providing
guidance on the conduct of pest risk analyses for LMOs consistent with
relevant aspects of the Cartagena Protocol, taking account of Annex III
of the Cartagena Protocol and September 2001 statements from the Open
Ended Working Group, as amended by ICPM-4; and
[sbull] Maintain a clear and easily understood standard, and
provide comprehensive guidance on pest risk analysis for LMOs.
The working group, consisting of seven experts, one from each FAO
region plus representation from the Convention on Biological Diversity,
the Global Invasive Species Program, and Canada (as host) met in
September 2002 to draft the standard. The draft standard was reviewed
by the Standards Committee in May 2003 and posted for country
consultation in June 2003. The draft standard and guidelines for
submitting comments are available on the Internet at http://www.aphis.usda.
gov/ppq/pim/ standards/draft--standards--4--comment.
htm. Comments should be submitted to Mr. Narcy Klag on or before
September 22, 2003 (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT at the
beginning of this notice for Mr. Klag's postal and e-mail addresses).
We are holding this public meeting to provide a forum for the
submission of comments from representatives of non-governmental
organizations on the format and content of the draft standard. If you
wish to speak at the meeting, please register in advance by sending an
e-mail or fax to Dr. Terri Dunahay (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
at the beginning of this notice for Dr. Dunahay's e-mail address and
fax number). Registrants should include their name, affiliation,
address, and telephone number. Speakers are welcome, but not required,
to submit written copies of their comments via e-mail to Dr. Dunahay.
Based on the number of registered speakers, limits may be imposed on
the length of each speaker's presentation. The meeting will be
recorded, and information about obtaining a transcript will be provided
at the meeting.
We will also provide the opportunity for interested persons to
participate by teleconference. Those wishing to do so should contact
Dr. Dunahay via e-mail by Friday, September 12, 2003, for phone-in
information.
If you require special accommodations, such as a sign language
interpreter, please contact either of the persons listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
[[Page 50512]]
Parking and Security Procedures
Please note that a fee of $2.25 in exact change is required to
enter the parking lot at the USDA Center at Riverside. The machine
accepts $1 bills or quarters.
Upon entering the building, visitors should inform security
personnel that they are attending the Living Modified Organisms public
meeting. State-issued photo identification is required and all bags
will be screened. Security personnel will direct visitors to the
registration tables located outside of Conference Rooms C and D on the
first floor. Registration upon arrival is required for all
participants, including those who have registered in advance to speak.
Visitor badges must be worn at all times in the building.
Further information regarding the meeting may be obtained from
either of the persons listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
Done in Washington, DC, this 15th day of August 2003.
Peter Fernandez,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 03-21421 Filed 8-20-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-34-P