[Federal Register: May 7, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 88)]
[Notices]
[Page 22998-22999]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07my01-25]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Foreign Agricultural Service
Meeting on Agreement Between the United States and the European
Community on Sanitary Measures To Protect Public and Animal Health in
Trade in Live Animals and Animal Products
AGENCY: Foreign Agricultural Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is informing the public
of a meeting to be held on May 15, 2001, at the U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) to discuss the general U.S. negotiating objectives,
particularly item-specific export priorities under the U.S. and
European Community (EC) Veterinary Equivalency Agreement (VEA). This
would include specific sanitary measures and certification issues that
currently impede or prohibit trade or potential regulatory changes that
would facilitate trade in live animals and animal products between the
United States and the EC. U.S. Government agencies, including the Food
Safety Inspection Service, Agricultural Marketing Service, Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA. Food and Drug Administration,
National Marine Fisheries Service, and Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative will be participating in the meeting.
DATES: The meeting will be held on May 15, 2001, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
This meeting may close early if all business is finished.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., South Building, Washington,
DC 20250.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Catherine Otte or Mr. Bobby Richey
at (202) 720-1340.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In July 20, 1999, the United States and the
EC signed the Veterinary Equivalency Agreement. The Agreement entered
into force on August 1, 1999, and covers more than $3 billion in
combined U.S.
[[Page 22999]]
and EC live animal and animal product trade.
The objective of the Agreement is to facilitate trade in live
animals and animal products between the EC and United States by
establishing a mechanism for the recognition of equivalence of sanitary
measures maintained by each Party consistent with the protection of
public and animal health and to improve communication and cooperation
on sanitary measures.
The Agreement calls for a Joint Management Committee to meet each
year and identify progress and set priorities on outstanding issues for
the future. Prior to the Joint Management Committee meeting currently
scheduled for June 2001, the U.S. Government would like to receive
input from U.S. industries on priority areas for immediate and future
attention. The U.S. Government is requesting input on general U.S.
negotiating objectives, particularly item-specific export priorities
under the VEA. This would include specific sanitary measures and
certification issues that currently impede or prohibit trade or
potential regulatory changes that would facilitate trade in live
animals and animal products. Input received will be considered by the
Executive Branch in formulating U.S. positions and objectives in this
area.
A complete copy of the agreement can be viewed on the FDA
International Cooperative Agreements Web Site at: http://www.fda.gov/
oia/default.htm. The document is the second listed under the European
Community and is titled ``Veterinary Equivalence Framework Agreement.''
Public Meeting
The public meeting will take place at the U.S. Department of
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC, back of the
cafeteria, South Building. All visitors should enter at Wing 2 on the C
Street side of the South Building. To accommodate all public meeting
participants, we request that individuals planning to attend should so
inform the Department in advance by contacting: Foreign Agricultural
Service, International Trade Policy, Europe, Africa and Middle East
Division, Stop 1024, South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20250; phone: (202) 720-1340; facsimile: (202) 690-2079.
Please indicate the organization represented, if any, including the
names and titles of individuals attending.
Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities
For information on facilities or services for individuals with
disabilities, or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact
FAS at the above location as soon as possible.
Signed at Washington, DC on May 2, 2001.
Mattie R. Sharpless,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-11426 Filed 5-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-M
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : 2001/05/07 EST