[Federal Register: December 16, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 242)]
[Notices]
[Page 76330]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16de08-28]
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Notices
Federal Register
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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 76330]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
[Docket No. FV-08-381]
Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee
AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
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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: Tuesday, February 24, 2009, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and
Wednesday, February 25, 2009, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
ADDRESSES: The first day of the Committee meeting will be held at the
Crowne Plaza Hotel, 1480 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202, and the
second day will be held at the USDA South Building, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW., Room 3501-S, Washington, DC 20250.
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. This is the
Committee's final meeting under the current 2-year charter.
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 date and address section of this announcement for the
time and place of the meeting.
Topics of discussion at the Committee meeting will include:
Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act license fees, labor and
immigration legislation, the National Organic Program, and a review of
products, including fresh-cut items, that USDA purchases for the
National School Lunch Program and other domestic outlets. Additional
agenda items can be expected.
Those parties that would like to speak at the meeting should
register on or before February 6, 2009. 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 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: December 10, 2008.
James E. Link,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. E8-29657 Filed 12-15-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P