[Federal Register: October 17, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 200)]
[Notices]
[Page 61016-61017]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17oc06-53]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Research Service
Office of the Under Secretary, Research, Education, and
Economics; Notice of the Scientific Review Panel at the National Animal
Disease Center, Ames, Iowa
AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service (ARS), USDA.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture announces a
conference call meeting of the Scientific Review Panel at the National
Animal Disease Center, Ames, Iowa.
DATES: October 18, 2006, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. or noon central time.
ADDRESSES: City Council Chambers, City Hall, 515 Clark Avenue, Ames,
Iowa 50010 (access to a monitor of the conference call).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Shafer, Midwest Area Director,
USDA-ARS, 1815 North University Street, Peoria, Illinois 61604;
Telephone (309) 681-6602; Fax (309) 681-6684; E-mail
sshafer@nwa.ars.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 4, 2006, the City of Ames, Iowa,
received allegations that wastes from areas at the National Animal
Disease Center (NADC)
[[Page 61017]]
with animals challenged with prions were not properly treated prior to
discharge to the City wastewater plant. An expert panel was convened to
review scientific information about deactivation of prions and assess
practices used at NADC to treat liquid wastes from areas where animals
with prions are housed and handled that enter the Ames wastewater
treatment system. (Note: For the purposes of this panel and its review,
prions are defined as specific proteins that are abnormally shaped and
can cause transmissible diseases associated with the allegations). The
panel had its first meeting on August 23, 2006, at the Ames City Hall,
followed by preparatory work on August 23, August 24, and September 20.
The conference call meeting on October 18, 2006, will continue
implementation of the panel's charge to evaluate four main issues
related to the handling and disposal of potentially prion-contaminated
materials in wastewater from the NADC: (1) Identify scientifically
accepted methods for effectively destroying prions; (2) Assess the
concerns raised regarding NADC's current and past methods for the
destruction of prions; (3) Determine the risk posed to humans and the
environment from the current, as well as previous, methods for the
destruction of prions utilized at NADC; and (4) If remediation is
needed, provide scientifically sound approaches for corrective
action(s) that may be taken. Final conclusions of the review will be
developed during a meeting at a later date, also to be announced. At
the conclusion of its review, the panel will prepare a written report
that documents the panel's findings for the four main issues being
evaluated. The meeting on October 18 will be held by conference call.
The public may monitor the panel's discussion via a speaker phone in
the Ames City Hall's Council Chamber. No oral comments will be accepted
from the public during the call, however, written public comment
received by letter, fax, or e-mail to the contact person named above by
close of business on Wednesday, November 1, 2006, will be provided to
the panel members. Although access to the conference call monitor will
be open to the public, space is limited. If you want to be assured of a
seat at this meeting, you must register by contacting the contact
person named above at least 5 days prior to the meeting. Please provide
your name, title, business affiliation, address, and telephone and fax
numbers when you register. If you require a sign language interpreter
or other special accommodation due to disability, please indicate those
needs at the time of registration. Pre-registrations will be limited to
80 people; others may be able to attend on a space-available basis.
Dated: October 6, 2006.
Caird E. Rexroad, Jr.,
Associate Administrator, Agricultural Research Service.
[FR Doc. 06-8727 Filed 10-12-06; 12:44 pm]
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