[Federal Register: June 2, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 106)]
[Notices]               
[Page 31425-31426]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02jn08-25]                         

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Docket No. FV-08-378]

 
Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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: Monday, September 8, 2008, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The Committee meeting will be held at the Crowne Plaza 
Hotel, 1480 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202.

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:  andrew.hatch@usda.gov.

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 DATES and ADDRESSES section of this announcement for the 
time and place of the meeting.
    Topics of discussion at the Committee meeting will include: The 
Market News reporting of fruits and vegetables, Perishable Agricultural 
Commodities Act license fees, the restructuring of fresh fruit and 
vegetable grading services at terminal markets, USDA crop insurance 
programs, and Maximum Residue Levels for pesticides in food. Additional 
agenda items can be expected.
    Those parties that would like to speak at the meeting should 
register on or before August 29, 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: andrew.hatch@usda.gov. or 
facsimile to (202) 720-0016. Speakers who have registered in advance 
receive 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 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

[[Page 31426]]

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 the contact name listed above.

    Dated: May 27, 2008.
Lloyd Day,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
 [FR Doc. E8-12228 Filed 5-30-08; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-02-P