USDA Informs Public of International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standard-Setting Activities

International Services

August 13, 2003

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service informed the public of the international standard–setting activities of the Office International des Epizooties, the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention and the North American Plant Protection Organization.

This action is in accordance with legislation implementing the results of the Uruguay Round Agreements of negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. APHIS is also
soliciting public comment of the standards to be considered.

The Secretary of Agriculture is the official responsible for informing the public of the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards under consideration or planned for consideration by the international standard–setting organization and, for each SPS standard specified, a description of the consideration or planned consideration of that standard, the agenda for the U.S. participation, if any, and the agency responsible of representing the United States with respect to that standard.

Notice of this action was published in the Aug. 8 Federal Register. APHIS documents published in the Federal Register and related information, including the names of organizations and individuals who have commented on APHIS dockets, are available on the Internet at
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppd/rad/webrepor.html.

To comment, send an original and three copies of postal or commercial delivery comments to Docket No. 03-050-1, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3C71, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, Md. 20737-1238. If you use e-mail, address comments to regulations@aphis.usda.gov. Your comments must be contained in the body of the message; do not send attached files. Please include your name and address in the message and use “Docket No. 03-050-1” on the subject line.

Comments may be reviewed at USDA, Room 1141, South Building, 14th Street and Independence
Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C., between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Persons wishing to review comments are requested to call ahead on (202) 690-2817 to facilitate entry into the comment reading room.

Note to Stakeholders: Stakeholders announcements and other APHIS information are available on the Internet. Access the APHIS home page by pointing your Web browser to http://www.aphis.usda.gov and clicking on the “News” button. For addition information on this topic, contact Suzan Holl (301) 734-6464 or suzan.holl@aphis.usda.gov.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326–W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250–9410 or call (202) 720–5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

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