83_FR_39194 83 FR 39041 - Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs; Codex Alimentarius Commission: International Standard-Setting Activities

83 FR 39041 - Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs; Codex Alimentarius Commission: International Standard-Setting Activities

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food Safety and Inspection Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 153 (August 8, 2018)

Page Range39041-39050
FR Document2018-16944

This notice informs the public of the sanitary and phytosanitary standard-setting activities of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), in accordance with section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as amended, and the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. This notice also provides a list of other standard-setting activities of Codex, including commodity standards, guidelines, codes of practice, and revised texts. This notice, which covers Codex activities during the time periods from June 1, 2016, to May 31, 2017, and June 1, 2017, to July 20, 2018, seeks comments on standards under consideration and recommendations for new standards.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 153 (Wednesday, August 8, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 8, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39041-39050]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16944]


========================================================================
Notices
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

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.

========================================================================


Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 153 / Wednesday, August 8, 2018 / 
Notices

[[Page 39041]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food Safety and Inspection Service

[Docket No. FSIS-2018-0013]


Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs; Codex Alimentarius 
Commission: International Standard-Setting Activities

AGENCY: Office of Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs (TFAA), USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This notice informs the public of the sanitary and 
phytosanitary standard-setting activities of the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission (Codex), in accordance with section 491 of the Trade 
Agreements Act of 1979, as amended, and the Uruguay Round Agreements 
Act. This notice also provides a list of other standard-setting 
activities of Codex, including commodity standards, guidelines, codes 
of practice, and revised texts. This notice, which covers Codex 
activities during the time periods from June 1, 2016, to May 31, 2017, 
and June 1, 2017, to July 20, 2018, seeks comments on standards under 
consideration and recommendations for new standards.

ADDRESSES: The U.S. Codex Office invites interested persons to submit 
their comments on this notice. Comments may be submitted by one of the 
following methods:
     Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: This website provides the 
ability to type short comments directly into the comment field on this 
web page or attach a file for lengthier comments. Go to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line instructions at the website for 
submitting comments.
     Mail, including CD-ROMs, etc.: Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Room 6065, Washington, DC 20250-
3700.
     Hand- or courier-delivered submittals: Deliver to 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065, Washington, DC 20250-3700.
    Instructions: All items submitted by mail or email are to include 
the Agency name and docket number FSIS-2018-0013. Comments received in 
response to this docket will be made available for public inspection 
and posted without change, including any personal information to http://www.regulations.gov.
    Please state that your comments refer to Codex and, if your 
comments relate to specific Codex committees, please identify the 
committee(s) in your comments and submit a copy of your comments to the 
delegate from that particular committee.
    Docket: For access to background documents or comments received, 
call (202) 720-5627 to schedule a time to visit the FSIS Docket Room at 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065, Washington, DC 20250-3700.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Frances Lowe, United States 
Manager for Codex Alimentarius, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office 
of Food Safety, South Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW, Room 4861, Washington, DC 20250-3700; Telephone: (202) 205-7760; 
Fax: (202) 720-3157; Email: [email protected].
    For information pertaining to particular committees, contact the 
delegate of that committee. A complete list of U.S. delegates and 
alternate delegates can be found in Attachment 2 of this notice. 
Documents pertaining to Codex and specific committee agendas are 
accessible via the internet at http://www.codexalimentarius.org/meetings-reports/en/. The U.S. Codex Office also maintains a website at 
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/international-affairs/us-codex-alimentarius.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established on January 1, 
1995, as the common international institutional framework for the 
conduct of trade relations among its members in matters related to the 
Uruguay Round Trade Agreements. The WTO is the successor organization 
to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). United States 
membership in the WTO was approved and the Uruguay Round Agreements Act 
(Uruguay Round Agreements) was signed into law by the President on 
December 8, 1994, Public Law 103-465, 108 Stat. 4809. The Uruguay Round 
Agreements became effective, with respect to the United States, on 
January 1, 1995. The Uruguay Round Agreements amended the Trade 
Agreements Act of 1979. Pursuant to section 491 of the Trade Agreements 
Act of 1979, as amended, the President is required to designate an 
agency to be ``responsible for informing the public of the sanitary and 
phytosanitary (SPS) standard-setting activities of each international 
standard-setting organization'' (19 U.S.C. 2578). The main 
international standard-setting organizations are Codex, the World 
Organisation for Animal Health, and the International Plant Protection 
Convention. The President, pursuant to Proclamation No. 6780 of March 
23, 1995, (60 FR 15845), designated the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
as the agency responsible for informing the public of the SPS standard-
setting activities of each international standard-setting organization. 
The Secretary of Agriculture has delegated to the Office of Trade and 
Foreign Agricultural Affairs the responsibility to inform the public of 
the SPS standard-setting activities of Codex. The Office of Trade and 
Foreign Agricultural Affairs has, in turn, assigned the responsibility 
for informing the public of the SPS standard-setting activities of 
Codex to the U.S. Codex Office (USCO).
    Codex was created in 1963 by two United Nations organizations, the 
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health 
Organization (WHO). Codex is the principal international organization 
for establishing standards for food. Through adoption of food 
standards, codes of practice, and other guidelines developed by its 
committees and by promoting their adoption and implementation by 
governments, Codex seeks to protect the health of consumers, ensure 
fair practices in the food trade, and promote coordination of food 
standards work undertaken by international governmental and 
nongovernmental organizations. In the United States, U.S. Codex 
activities are managed and carried out by the United States Department 
of Agriculture (USDA); the Food and Drug

[[Page 39042]]

Administration (FDA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department 
of Commerce (DOC); and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
    As the agency responsible for informing the public of the SPS 
standard-setting activities of Codex, the U.S. Codex Office publishes 
this notice in the Federal Register annually. Attachment 1 (Sanitary 
and Phytosanitary Activities of Codex) sets forth the following 
information:
    1. The SPS standards under consideration or planned for 
consideration; and
    2. For each SPS standard specified:
    a. A description of the consideration or planned consideration of 
the standard;
    b. Whether the United States is participating or plans to 
participate in the consideration of the standard;
    c. The agenda for United States participation, if any; and
    d. The agency responsible for representing the United States with 
respect to the standard.
    TO OBTAIN COPIES OF THE STANDARDS LISTED IN ATTACHMENT 1, PLEASE 
CONTACT THE CODEX DELEGATE OR THE U.S. CODEX OFFICE.
    This notice also solicits public comment on standards that are 
currently under consideration or planned for consideration and 
recommendations for new standards. The delegate, in conjunction with 
the responsible agency, will take the comments received into account in 
participating in the consideration of the standards and in proposing 
matters to be considered by Codex.
    The U.S. delegate will facilitate public participation in the 
United States Government's activities relating to Codex. The U.S. 
delegate will maintain a list of individuals, groups, and organizations 
that have expressed an interest in the activities of the Codex 
Committees and will disseminate information regarding U.S. delegation 
activities to interested parties. This information will include the 
status of each agenda item; the U.S. Government's position or 
preliminary position on the agenda items; and the time and place of 
planning meetings and debriefing meetings following the Codex committee 
sessions. In addition, the U.S. Codex Office makes much of the same 
information available through its web page at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/international-affairs/us-codex-alimentarius. If 
you would like to access or receive information about specific 
committees, please visit the web page or notify the appropriate U.S. 
delegate or the U.S. Codex Office, Room 4861, South Agriculture 
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700 
([email protected]).
    The information provided in Attachment 1 describes the status of 
Codex standard-setting activities by the Codex Committees for the time 
periods from June 1, 2016, to May 31, 2017, and June 1, 2017, to July 
20, 2018. Attachment 2 provides a list of U.S. Codex Officials 
(including U.S. delegates and alternate delegates). A list of 
forthcoming Codex sessions may be found at: http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/meetings/en/.

Additional Public Notification

    Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy 
development is important. Consequently, FSIS will announce this Federal 
Register publication on-line through the FSIS web page located at: 
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.

    Done at Washington, DC.
Mary Frances Lowe,
U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius.

Attachment 1

Sanitary and Phytosanitary Activities of Codex

Codex Alimentarius Commission and Executive Committee

    The Codex Alimentarius Commission convened for its 41st Session 
July 2-6, 2018, in Rome, Italy. At that time, the Commission adopted 
standards recommended by Committees at Step at 8 or Step 5/8 (final 
adoption), and it advanced the work of Committees by adopting draft 
standards at Step 5 (for further comment and consideration by the 
relevant committee). The Commission also considered proposals for 
new work; discontinuation of work; amendments to Codex standards and 
related texts; matters arising from the reports of the Commission, 
the Executive Committee and subsidiary bodies; committees working by 
correspondence and a possible pilot for a committee on standards 
advancement; regular review of Codex work management; Codex 
budgetary and financial matters for 2020-2021; FAO/WHO Scientific 
Support for Codex activities; matters arising from FAO and WHO; 
reports on side events on FAO and WHO capacity development 
activities, the Codex Trust Fund, and discussion panels with 
International Government Organizations and Non-Governmental 
Organizations; election of the chairperson and vice-chairpersons of 
Codex; and other business.
    Before the Commission meeting, the Executive Committee met for 
its 75th Session from June 26 to 29, 2018. It is composed of the 
chairperson and vice-chairpersons of the CAC; seven members elected 
by the Commission from each of the following geographic regions: 
Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Near East, 
North America, and South-West Pacific; and regional coordinators 
from the six regional committees. The United States participated as 
the member elected on a geographic basis for North America. The 
Executive Committee conducted a critical review of the elaboration 
of Codex standards; reviewed the implementation status of the 2014-
2019 Strategic Plan and preparation of the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan; 
and considered the work of committees working by correspondence and 
the possibility of a pilot for a committee on standards advancement, 
FAO/WHO Scientific Support for Codex work, other matters arising 
from FAO and WHO, and financial and budgetary issues.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/TFAA/USCO.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods

    The Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods 
(CCRVDF) determines priorities for the consideration of residues of 
veterinary drugs in foods and recommends Maximum Residue Limits 
(MRLs) for veterinary drugs. The Committee also develops codes of 
practice, as may be required, and considers methods of sampling and 
analysis for the determination of veterinary drug residues in food. 
A veterinary drug is defined as any substance applied or 
administered to any food producing animal such as meat or milk 
producing animals, poultry, fish, or bees, whether used for 
therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic purposes, or for 
modification of physiological functions or behavior.
    A Codex MRL for residues of veterinary drugs is the maximum 
concentration of residue resulting from the use of a veterinary drug 
(expressed in mg/kg or ug/kg on a fresh weight basis) that is 
recommended by the Codex Alimentarius Commission to be permitted or 
recognized as acceptable in or on a food. Residues of a veterinary 
drug include the parent compounds or their metabolites in any edible 
portion of the animal product, and include residues of associated 
impurities of the veterinary drug concerned. An MRL is based on the 
type and amount of residue considered to be without any 
toxicological hazard for human health as expressed by the Acceptable 
Daily Intake (ADI) or on the basis of a temporary ADI that utilizes 
an additional safety factor. When establishing an MRL, consideration 
is also given to residues that occur in food of plant origin or the 
environment. Furthermore, the MRL may be reduced to be consistent 
with official recommended or authorized usage, approved by national 
authorities, of the veterinary drugs under practical conditions.
    An ADI is an estimate made by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee 
on Food Additives (JECFA) of the amount of a veterinary drug, 
expressed on a body weight basis, which can be ingested daily in 
food over a lifetime without appreciable health risk.
    The Committee convened for its 24th Session (CCRVDF24) in 
Chicago, Illinois, April 23-27, 2018. The relevant document is 
REP18/RVDF. The following items were

[[Page 39043]]

adopted by the 41st Session of the Commission in July 2018:
    Adopted at Step 5/8:
     Proposed draft MRLs for amoxicillin (finfish fillet, 
muscle); ampicillin (finfish fillet, muscle; lufenuron (salmon and 
trout fillet); monepantel (cattle fat, kidney, liver, muscle).
    Adopted at Step 8:
     Draft Risk Management Recommendation for gentian 
violet.
    Adopted at Step 5:
     Proposed draft MRL for flumethrin (honey).
    The Commission also adopted the proposed amendment to the Risk 
Analysis Principles Applied by CCRVDF in the Codex Procedural 
Manual, and approved new work on the priority list of veterinary 
drugs for evaluation by the Joint Expert Committee on Food 
Additives, as recommended by CCRVDF24.
    The Committee will continue working on the following items:
     Proposed draft MRLs for zilpaterol hydrochloride 
(cattle fat, kidney, liver, muscle);
     Draft Priority List of veterinary drugs requiring 
approval by CAC;
     Discussion paper on extrapolation of MRLs to one or 
more species (including a pilot on extrapolation of MRLs identified 
in Part D of the Priority List);
     Coordination with the Codex Committee on Pesticide 
Residues/Electronic Working Group on the revision of the 
Classification of Food and Feed for the development of a harmonized 
definition for edible offal/animal tissues for the establishment of 
MRLs;
     Database on countries needs for MRLs; and
     Discussion paper on advantages and disadvantages of a 
parallel approach to compound evaluation.
    The following items were discontinued:
     Discussion paper on the revision of the criteria for 
the use of multi-residue analytical methods for the determination 
and identification of veterinary drugs in foods in the Guidelines 
for the design and implementation of national regulatory food safety 
assurance programs associated with the use of veterinary drugs in 
food producing animals; and
     Discussion paper on MRLs for groups of fish species.
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA/Center for Veterinary Medicine; 
USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods

    The Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) establishes 
or endorses permitted maximum levels (MLs), as necessary, revises 
existing guideline levels (GLs) for contaminants and naturally 
occurring toxicants in food and feed; prepares priority lists of 
contaminants and naturally occurring toxicants for risk assessment 
by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA); 
considers and elaborates methods of analysis and sampling for the 
determination of contaminants and naturally occurring toxicants in 
food and feed; considers and elaborates on standards or codes of 
practice (COPs) for related subjects; and considers other matters 
assigned to it by the Commission in relation to contaminants and 
naturally occurring toxicants in food and feed.
    The Committee convened for its 12th Session (CCCF12) in Utrecht, 
the Netherlands, March 12-16, 2018. The relevant document is REP18/
CF. The following standards were forwarded to the CAC for 
consideration and adopted by the 41st Session of the Commission in 
July 2018:
    Adopted at Step 5/8:
     MLs for lead in selected commodities (revision of MLs 
and consequential revocation of corresponding MLs/amendments to MLs 
in the General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed 
(GSCTFF) (CXS 193-1995));
     MLs for cadmium in chocolate containing or declaring 
>=50% to <70% total cocoa solids on a dry matter basis; and 
chocolate containing or declaring >=70% total cocoa solids on a dry 
matter basis;
     MLs for methylmercury in tuna, alfonsino, marlin and 
shark, and revocation of the GLs for methylmercury in predatory and 
non-predatory fish;
     Amendment to the note for the ML on inorganic arsenic 
in rice (consequential amendment); and
     COP for the prevention and reduction of dioxins, 
dioxin-like PCBs and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) 
contamination in food and feed.
    Adopted at Step 5:
     COP for the reduction of 3-MCPDE and GE in refined oils 
and products made with refined oils; and
     Guidelines for risk analysis of instances of 
contaminants in food where there is no regulatory level or risk 
management framework established.
    The Commission also approved discontinuation of work on the 
following items, as recommended by CCCF12:
     Establishment of MLs for cadmium in dry mixtures of 
cocoa and sugars sold for final consumption; and
     Establishment of MLs for methylmercury in amberjack and 
swordfish.
    The Committee suspended working on the following items:
     Establishment of MLs for total aflatoxins in ready-to-
eat peanuts; and
     Establishment of MLs for total aflatoxins and 
ochratoxin A in nutmeg, chili and paprika, ginger, pepper and 
turmeric.
    The Committee will continue working on the following items:
     MLs for lead in wine and edible offals;
     MLs for cadmium in chocolate and cocoa-derived products 
(category of chocolate and chocolate products containing or 
declaring (1) <30% and (2) >=30% to <50% total cocoa solids on a dry 
matter basis;
     Discussion paper on establishment of MLs for 
hydrocyanic acid (HCN) in cassava and cassava-based products and 
occurrence of mycotoxins in these products;
     Discussion paper on structured approach to prioritize 
commodities for which new MLs for lead could be established for 
inclusion in the General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in 
Food and Feed;
     Discussion paper on aflatoxins in cereals 
(establishment of MLs for total aflatoxins in wheat, maize, sorghum 
and rice (specifying the categories));
     Discussion paper on development of a COP for the 
prevention and reduction of cadmium contamination in cocoa;
     Discussion paper on forward workplan for CCCF; and
     Priority list of contaminants and naturally occurring 
toxicants for evaluation by JECFA.
    The Committee also agreed to start discussion on the following 
items:
     Discussion paper on lead and cadmium in quinoa;
     Discussion paper on general guidance on data analysis 
for ML development; and
     Discussion paper, including a project document, for a 
proposal for new work on the revision of the COP for prevention and 
reduction of lead contamination in foods (CXC 56-2004).
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Food Additives

    The Codex Committee on Food Additives (CCFA) establishes or 
endorses acceptable maximum levels (MLs) for individual food 
additives; prepares a priority list of food additives for risk 
assessment by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives 
(JECFA); assigns functional classes to individual food additives; 
recommends specifications of identity and purity for food additives 
for adoption by the Codex Alimentarius Commission; considers methods 
of analysis for the determination of additives in food; and 
considers and elaborates standards or codes of practice for related 
subjects such as the labeling of food additives when sold as such. 
The 50th Session of the Committee (CCFA50) convened in Xiamen, 
China, March 26-30, 2018. The relevant document is REP18/FA. 
Immediately prior to the Plenary Session, there was a two-day 
physical Working Group (PWG) on the General Standard for Food 
Additives (GSFA) chaired by the United States.
    The following items were recommended by CCFA50 and considered by 
the 41st Session of the Commission in July 2018:
    Adopted at Step 5/8:
     Proposed draft specifications for the identity and 
purity of food additives; and
     Proposed draft amendments to the Class Names and 
International Numbering System (INS) for Food Additives (CAC/GL 36-
1989).
    Adopted at Step 8 and 5/8:
     Draft and proposed draft food additive provisions of 
the GSFA.
    Adopted:
     Replacement of the name ``sodium aluminosilicate'' with 
``sodium aluminum silicate'' in the GSFA (CXS 192-1995); Class Names 
and the INS for Food Additives (CXG 36-1989); Standard for Milk 
Powders and Cream Powder (CXS 207-1999); Standard for a Blend of 
Skimmed Milk and Vegetable Fat in Powdered Form (CXS 251-2006); and 
Standard for Edible Casein Products (CXS 290-1995);
     Revised food additive provisions of the GSFA related to 
the alignment of the annexes of the Standard for Certain Canned 
Fruits

[[Page 39044]]

(CXS 319-2015) and to the alignment of 14 standards for fish and 
fish products; and
     Revised food additive sections of 14 standards for fish 
and fish products and the Standard for Certain Canned Fruits (CXS 
319-2015).
    Revoked:
     Food additive provisions of the GSFA;
     Food-additive provisions for specific malates and/or 
tartrates from the Standards for Mozzarella (CXS 262-2006), Cottage 
Cheese (CXS 273-1968), Cream Cheese (CXS 275-1973), Fermented Milks 
(CXS 243-2003), and Dairy Fat Spreads (CXS 253-2006) due to a lack 
of JECFA specifications for these additives; and
     Food-additive provisions for sodium sorbate (INS 201) 
from the Standards for Instant Noodles (CXS 249-2006), Fermented 
Milks (CXS 243-2003), Dairy Fat Spreads (CXS 253-2006), Cottage 
Cheese (CXS 273-1968), Cream Cheese (CXS 275-1973), the General 
Standard for Cheese (CXS 283-197), and 11 standards for named 
cheeses due to a lack of JECFA specifications for the additive.
    The Committee will continue working on:
     Draft and proposed draft food additive provisions of 
the GSFA, and technological justification for the use of 
preservatives and anticaking agents for surface treatment of 
mozzarella with high moisture content covered by Standard for 
Mozzarella (CXS 262-2006) (EWG led by the United States);
     Proposals for additions and changes to the Priority 
List of Substances Proposed for Evaluation by JECFA (PWG led by 
Canada);
     Alignment of the food additive provisions of commodity 
standards and relevant provisions of the GSFA; consider revisions to 
the ``References to Commodity Standard for GSFA Table 3 Additives'' 
section of Table 3; proposed revisions to food-additive provisions 
in Food Categories 13.1.1, 13.1.2, and 13.1.3 for ascorbyl palmitate 
(INS 304) and ascorbyl stearate (INS 305) (EWG led by Australia, 
Japan and the United States);
     Revision of the Class Names and the INS for Food 
additives (EWG led by Iran and Belgium);
     New or revised provisions of the GSFA (PWG led by the 
United States);
     Clarification of the appropriate descriptors for Food 
Categories 14.1.4.2 and 14.1.5 for ready-to-drink coffee and tea 
beverages (Codex Secretariat);
     Review of all group food additives in the GSFA to 
determine if all food-additives in the group share a Group 
Acceptable Daily Intake (Codex Secretariat in consultation with 
JECFA Secretariat);
     Development of an inventory of data available on the 
use of nitrates (INS 251, 252) and nitrites (INS 249, 250) with a 
view to consulting with JECFA and CCFA regarding next steps (eWG led 
by the European Union and the Netherlands);
     Development of an alternative to Note 161 relating to 
the use of sweeteners and, subject to agreement on the wording of an 
alternative, review of recommendations in CX FA 14/47/13 in the 
context of pending and adopted provisions (EWG led by United States 
and the European Union); and
     Preparation of a discussion paper on the use of the 
terms ``fresh'', ``plain'', ``unprocessed'' and ``untreated'' in 
existing Codex texts (Russian Federation).
    The Committee also agreed to hold a one and one-half day PWG on 
the GSFA immediately preceding the 51st Session of the CCFA, to be 
chaired by the United States. That group will discuss the 
recommendations of the EWG on the GSFA, new proposals and proposed 
revisions of food additive provisions in the GSFA.
    The Committee also agreed to hold a half day PWG on the GSFA 
immediately preceding the 51st Session of the CCFA to be chaired by 
Australia. That group will discuss the recommendations of the PWG on 
alignment.
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues

    The Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (CCPR) is responsible 
for establishing MRLs for pesticide residues in specific food items 
or in groups of food; establishing MRLs for pesticide residues in 
certain animal feeding stuffs moving in international trade where 
this is justified for reasons of protection of human health; 
preparing priority lists of pesticides for evaluation by the Joint 
FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR); considering methods of 
sampling and analysis for the determination of pesticide residues in 
food and feed; considering other matters in relation to the safety 
of food and feed containing pesticide residues; and establishing 
maximum limits for environmental and industrial contaminants showing 
chemical or other similarity to pesticides in specific food items or 
groups of food.
    The 50th Session of the Committee (CCPR50) met in Haikou, China, 
April 9-14, 2018. The relevant document is REP18/PR. The following 
items were considered at the 41st Session of the Codex Alimentarius 
Commission in July 2018:
    Adopted at Step 8 and 5/8:
     Three hundred eighty-six (386) MRLs for different 
pesticide residues.
     Revisions of the Classification: Class A--Primary 
Commodities of Plant Origin--Type 04 Nuts, Seeds, and SAPs (Step 8 
and 5/8);
     Revision of the Classification: Class A-Primary 
Commodities of Plant Origin--Type 05 Herbs and Spices (Step 8).
    Adopted at Step 5/8:
     Tables with Examples of Representative Commodities for 
Commodity Groups in Type 04 and Type 05 (For inclusion in the 
Principles and Guidance for the Selection of Representative 
Commodities for the Extrapolation of Maximum Residue Limits for 
Pesticides for Commodity Groups).
    The Commission also discontinued work, approved new work, and 
revoked existing MRLs as recommended by CCPR50.
    The Committee will continue working on the following items:
     Revision of the Classification: Impact of the Revised 
Commodity Groups and Subgroups in Type 03, Type 04 and Type 05 on 
the CXLs adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission;
     Draft and proposed draft Revision of the Classification 
of Food and Feed;
     Development of a system within the classification of 
food and feed to provide codes for commodities not meeting the 
criteria for crop grouping;
     Discussion Paper on the review of the International 
Estimated Short-term Intake Equations (IESTI);
     Discussion paper on management of unsupported 
compounds;
     Discussion paper on biopesticides;
     Discussion paper on the revision of the guidelines on 
the use of mass spectrometry for the identification, confirmation 
and quantitative determination of residues;
     Discussion paper on the opportunities and challenges 
related to the participation of JMPR in an international joint 
review of a new compounds;
     National Registration Database of Pesticides; and
     Establishment of Codex Schedules and Priority Lists of 
Pesticides.
    Responsible Agencies: EPA; USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and Certification 
Systems

    The Codex Committee on Food Import and Export Inspection and 
Certification Systems (CCFICS) is responsible for developing 
principles and guidelines for food import and export inspection and 
certification systems, with a view to harmonizing methods and 
procedures that protect the health of consumers, ensure fair trading 
practices, and facilitate international trade in foodstuffs; 
developing principles and guidelines for the application of measures 
by the competent authorities of exporting and importing countries to 
provide assurance, where necessary, that foodstuffs comply with 
requirements, especially statutory health requirements; developing 
guidelines for the utilization, as and when appropriate, of quality 
assurance systems to ensure that foodstuffs conform with 
requirements and promote the recognition of these systems in 
facilitating trade in food products under bilateral/multilateral 
arrangements by countries; developing guidelines and criteria with 
respect to format, declarations, and language of such official 
certificates as countries may require with a view towards 
international harmonization; making recommendations for information 
exchange in relation to food import/export control; consulting as 
necessary with other international groups working on matters related 
to food inspection and certification systems; and considering other 
matters assigned to it by the Commission in relation to food 
inspection and certification systems. The 24th Session of the 
Committee will convene in Brisbane, Australia, October 22-26, 2018.
    The Committee will continue working on the following items:
     Project document for new work on guidance on paperless 
use of electronic certificates (Revision of Guidelines for Design, 
Production, Issuance and Use of Generic Official Certificates);
     Project document for new work on guidance on regulatory 
approaches to third party assurance schemes in food safety and fair 
practices in the food trade;

[[Page 39045]]

     Discussion paper on food integrity and food 
authenticity;
     Discussion paper on consideration of emerging issues 
and future directions for the work of the Codex Committee on Food 
Import and Export Inspection and Certification Systems;
     Framework for the preliminary assessment and 
identification of priority areas for CCFICs; and
     Inter-sessional physical working groups: trial.
    Responsible Agencies: USDA/FSIS; HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling

    The Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) 
defines the criteria appropriate to Codex Methods of Analysis and 
Sampling; serves as a coordinating body for Codex with other 
international groups working on methods of analysis and sampling and 
quality assurance systems for laboratories; specifies, on the basis 
of final recommendations submitted to it by the bodies referred to 
above, reference methods of analysis and sampling appropriate to 
Codex standards which are generally applicable to a number of foods; 
considers, amends if necessary, and endorses as appropriate, methods 
of analysis and sampling proposed by Codex commodity committees, 
except for methods of analysis and sampling for residues of 
pesticides or veterinary drugs in food, the assessment of 
microbiological quality and safety in food, and the assessment of 
specifications for food additives; elaborates sampling plans and 
procedures, as may be required; considers specific sampling and 
analysis problems submitted to it by the Commission or any of its 
Committees; and defines procedures, protocols, guidelines or related 
texts for the assessment of food laboratory proficiency, as well as 
quality assurance systems for laboratories.
    The 39th Session of the Committee (CCMAS39) met in Budapest, 
Hungary, May 7-11, 2018. The relevant document is REP18/MAS.
    At its 41st Session in July 2018, the Commission adopted, 
amended and revoked methods of analysis and sampling as recommended 
by CCMAS39. The Commission also approved new work as proposed by 
CCMAS:
     Revision of the Guidelines on Measurement Uncertainty 
(CXG 54-2004); and
     Project plan and amendment of the General Guidelines on 
Sampling (CXG 50-2004).
    The Committee will continue working on the following item:
     Review/Revision of the General Standard for Methods of 
Analysis and Sampling (CSX 234.
    At CCMAS 39, the Committee agreed to discontinue work on 
criteria for endorsement of biological methods to detect chemicals 
of concern.
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/AMS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Food Labelling

    The Codex Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL) drafts provisions 
on labeling applicable to all foods; considers, amends, and endorses 
draft specific provisions on labeling prepared by the Codex 
Committees drafting standards, codes of practice, guidelines; and 
studies specific labeling problems assigned by the Codex 
Alimentarius Commission. The Committee also studies problems 
associated with the advertisement of food with particular reference 
to claims and misleading descriptions.
    The Committee convened its 44th Session (CCFL44) in Asuncion, 
Paraguay, October 16-20, 2017. The relevant document is REP18/FL. 
The following item was adopted by the Commission at its 41st Session 
in July 2018, as recommended by CCFL44:
    Adopted at Step 8:
     Draft Revision of the General Standard for the 
Labelling of Prepackaged Foods: Date marking.
    The Committee will continue working on the following items:
     Proposed draft Guidance for the Labelling of Non-Retail 
Containers;
     Proposed draft Guidelines on Front of Pack Nutrition 
Labelling;
     Discussion paper on internet sales/e-commerce;
     Discussion paper on allergen labelling;
     Discussion paper on innovation--use of technology in 
food labelling;
     Discussion paper on labelling of alcoholic beverages;
     Discussion paper on criteria for the definition of 
``high in'' nutritional descriptors for fats, sugars and sodium;
     Discussion paper on labelling of foods in joint 
presentation and multipack formats; and
     Discussion paper on future work and direction of CCFL 
(update).
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Food Hygiene

    The Codex Committee on Food Hygiene (CCFH):
     Develops basic provisions on food hygiene, applicable 
to all food or to specific food types;
     Considers and amends or endorses provisions on food 
hygiene contained in Codex commodity standards and codes of practice 
developed by Codex commodity committees;
     Considers specific food hygiene problems assigned to it 
by the Commission;
     Suggests and prioritizes areas where there is a need 
for microbiological risk assessment at the international level and 
develops questions to be addressed by the risk assessors; and
     Considers microbiological risk management matters in 
relation to food hygiene and in relation to the FAO/WHO risk 
assessments.
    The Committee convened for its 49th Session (CCFH49) in Chicago, 
Illinois, November 13-17, 2017. The relevant document is REP 18/FH. 
The following item was adopted by the 41st Session of the Commission 
in July 2018, as recommended by CCFH49:
    Adopted at Step 5/8:
     Proposed draft Revision of the Code of Practice (COP) 
for Fish and Fishery Products (Guidance for histamine control), with 
minor amendment accepted to section 13.1.2.
    The Commission also approved new work as recommended by CCFH49:
     Code of Practice on food allergen management for food 
business operators; and
     Guidance for the management of (micro)biological 
foodborne crises/outbreaks.
    The Committee will continue working on the following items:
     Proposed draft Revision of the General Principles of 
Food Hygiene and its HACCP Annex;
     The placement for the guidance on histamine control in 
CXC 52-2003, the amendments of other sections of CXC 52-3002, and 
the revision of the section on sampling, examination and analyses in 
standards for fish and fishery products related to histamine food 
safety;
     Discussion paper on future work on Shiga toxin-
producing Escherichia coli (STEC); and
     New work proposals/Forward Workplan.
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

    The Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (CCFFV) is 
responsible for elaborating worldwide standards and codes of 
practice, as may be appropriate, for fresh fruits and vegetables, 
consulting as necessary, with other international organizations in 
the standards development process to avoid duplication.
    The 20th Session of the Committee (CCFFV20) met in Kampala, 
Uganda, October 2-6, 2017. The relevant document is REP 18/FFV.
    The following items were considered by the Commission at its 
40th Session in July 2018, and the Commission took action as 
recommended by CCFFV20:
    Adopted at Step 8:
     Draft Standard for Aubergines.
    Adopted at Step 5:
     Draft Standard for Ware Potatoes.
    Approved new work:
     Standards for yam, onions and shallots, and berry 
fruits.
    The Committee will continue working on the following items:
     Proposed Layout for Standards for Fresh Fruits and 
Vegetables;
     Draft Standard for Garlic;
     Draft Standard for Kiwifruit;
     Draft Standard for Ware Potatoes;
     Proposed Draft Standard for Fresh Dates;
     Discussion paper on glossary of terms used in the 
layout for Codex standards for fresh fruits and vegetables; and
     Recommendation on the inclusion of mono and di-
glycerides of fatty acids and salts of myristic, palmitic and 
stearic acids with ammonia, calcium, potassium and sodium in the 
GSFA under the food categories ``surface-treated fresh fruits'' and 
``surface treated fresh vegetables.''

[[Page 39046]]

    Responsible Agencies: USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS); 
HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses

    The Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary 
Uses (CCNFSDU) is responsible for studying nutrition issues referred 
to it by the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The Committee also 
drafts general provisions, as appropriate, on nutritional aspects of 
all foods and develops standards, guidelines, and related texts for 
foods for special dietary uses, in cooperation with other committees 
where necessary; considers, amends if necessary, and endorses 
provisions on nutritional aspects proposed for inclusion in Codex 
standards, guidelines, and related texts.
    The Committee convened for its 39th Session (CCNFSDU) in Berlin, 
Germany, December 4-8, 2017. The reference document is REP 18/NFSDU. 
The following item was adopted by the Commission at its 41st Session 
in July 2-6, 2018, as recommended by CCNFSDU39.
    Adopted at Step 5:
     Review of the Standard for Follow-up Formula: Proposed 
``Essential composition requirements for older infants and young 
children.''
    The Committee will continue working on the following items:
     Proposed draft Claim for ``free of'' trans fatty acids;
     Discussion of biological methods used to detect 
chemicals of concern;
     Review of the Standard for Follow-up Formula: Scope, 
product definition, labelling;
     Proposed draft definition for biofortification;
     Proposed draft Nutrient Reference Values--
Noncommunicable Disease (NRV-NCD) for EPA and DHA;
     Proposed draft guideline for ready to use therapeutic 
foods;
     Nutrient Reference Values--Requirements (NRV-R) for 
older infants and young children;
     Mechanism/framework for considering the technological 
justification of food additives;
     Discussion paper on harmonized probiotic guidelines for 
use in foods and dietary supplements; and
     General guidelines to establish nutritional profiles.
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/Agricultural Research 
Service (ARS).
    U.S. Participation: Yes.
    Ad hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial 
Resistance (re-activated in 2016).
    The Ad hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task Force on Antimicrobial 
Resistance (TFAMR) is responsible for (1) reviewing and revising, as 
appropriate, the Code of Practice to Minimize and Contain 
Antimicrobial Resistance (CAC/RCP 61-2005) to address the entire 
food chain, in line with the mandate of Codex; and (2) considering 
the development of Guidance on Integrated Surveillance of 
Antimicrobial Resistance, taking into account the guidance developed 
by the WHO Advisory Group on Integrated Surveillance of 
Antimicrobial Resistance (AGISAR) and relevant World Organisation 
for Animal Health (OIE) documents. The objective of the Task Force 
is to develop science-based guidance on the management of foodborne 
antimicrobial resistance, taking full account of the WHO Global 
Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance, in particular objectives 3 
and 4, the work and standards of relevant international 
organizations, such as FAO, WHO, and OIE, and the One-Health 
approach, to ensure members have the necessary guidance to enable 
coherent management of antimicrobial resistance along the food 
chain. The Task Force is expected to complete its work within three 
(or a maximum of four) sessions.
    The Task Force will convene for its 6th Session (the 2nd Session 
since reactivation in 2016) in the Republic of Korea, December 10-
14, 2018.
    The Committee will continue to discuss:
     The Proposed draft Revision of the Code of Practice to 
Minimize and Contain Antimicrobial Resistance;
     Proposed draft Guidelines on Integrated surveillance of 
Antimicrobial Resistance; and
     Request for Scientific Advice from Food and Agriculture 
Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) in 
collaboration with OIE.
    Responsible Agencies: FDA/USDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Fats and Oils

    The Codex Committee on Fats and Oils (CCFO) is responsible for 
elaborating worldwide standards for fats and oils of animal, 
vegetable, and marine origin, including margarine and olive oil.
    The Committee will convene in 2019 for its 26th Session.
    The Committee will continue working on the following items:
     Revision of the Standard for Named Vegetable Oils: 
Essential composition of sunflower seed oils;
     Revision of the Standard for Named Vegetable Oils: 
Inclusion of walnut oil, almond oil, hazelnut oil, pistachio oil, 
flaxseed oil, and avocado oil;
     Revision of the Standard for Named Vegetable Oils: 
Replacement of acid value with free fatty acids for virgin palm oil 
and inclusion of free fatty acids for crude palm kernel oil; and
     Revision of the Standard for Olive Oils and Pomace 
Olive Oils (Codex Stan 33-1981).
     Gathering information on technical difficulties in the 
implementation of the fish oil standard, specifically on monitoring 
its application with respect to the conformity of named fish oils 
with the requirements (especially the fatty acid profile), and its 
effect on trade;
     Alignment of food additives provisions in standards for 
fats and oils (except fish oils) and technological justification for 
use of emulsifiers;
     Proposals for new substances to be added to the list of 
acceptable previous cargoes;
     Provision of relevant information (if available from 
Member countries) to the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food 
Additives (JECFA) on the 23 substances on the list of acceptable 
previous cargoes currently on the list; and
     Discussion paper on the applicability of the fatty acid 
composition of all oils listed in Table 1 in relation to the fatty 
acid composition of corresponding crude (unrefined) forms in the 
Standard for Named Vegetable Oils.
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/Agricultural Research 
Service (ARS).
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables

    The Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables (CCPFV) 
is responsible for elaborating worldwide standards and related texts 
for all types of processed fruits and vegetables including, but not 
limited to canned, dried, and frozen products, as well as fruit and 
vegetable juices and nectars. Proposals for new work were received 
by Executive Committee of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC) 
and approved by CAC40 (July 17-22, 2017) for cashew kernels, chili 
sauce, mango chutney, dried sweet potato, gochujang, dried fruits, 
and canned mixed fruits.
    The Commission authorized CCPFV to work by correspondence until 
CAC 41 (2018) to prioritize the proposals for new work, prepare a 
work plan, and prepare recommendations on the establishment of 
electronic working groups. The Commission at its 41st Session in 
July 2018 endorsed the CCPFV Chairperson's proposed work plan and 
recommendations (1) to establish 7 EWGS to prepare proposed drafts 
for comments and consideration by the CCPFV, and (2) to schedule a 
physical meeting of the Committee at an appropriate time.
    Responsible Agencies: USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service; HHS/
FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Sugars

    The Codex Committee on Sugars (CCS) elaborates worldwide 
standards for all types of sugars and sugar products.
    The Committee has been re-activated to work by correspondence on 
a draft Standard for Non-Centrifuged Dehydrated Sugar Cane Juice. 
The work is behind schedule. The Commission at its 41st Session in 
July 2018 agreed to extend the work by correspondence by one year, 
reporting back to the Commission at its 42nd session, and noted the 
possibility that a physical meeting could be convened.
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes

    The Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and Legumes (CCCPL) 
elaborates worldwide standards and/or codes of practice, as 
appropriate, for cereals, pulses and legumes and their products.
    The Committee has been reactivated to work by correspondence to 
draft an international Codex Standard for quinoa. The following item 
was considered by the Commission at its 41st Session in July 2018:
     Standard for Quinoa
    The Commission agreed to adopt, subject to the endorsement of 
the labelling

[[Page 39047]]

provisions by CCFL45, the draft standard for quinoa at Step 8, 
except for the provisions for moisture content and grain size, which 
were returned to Step 6. The Commission also established an EWG, 
chaired by Costa Rica and co-chaired by Chile and the United States 
of America, to continue the work on the provisions for moisture 
content and grain size. The Commission further encouraged members to 
identify a validated method of analysis for saponins to allow for 
full implementation of the standard.
    Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

Certain Codex Commodity Committees

    Several Codex Alimentarius Commodity Committees have adjourned 
sine die. The following Committees fall into this category:
     Cocoa Products and Chocolate--adjourned 2001.
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA; DCO/NOAA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.
     Fish and Fishery Products--adjourned 2016.
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA/NOAA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.
     Meat Hygiene--adjourned 2003.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.
     Milk and Milk Products--adjourned 2017.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/AMS; HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.
     Natural Mineral Waters--adjourned 2008.
    Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.
     Vegetable Proteins--adjourned 1989.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/ARS.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.

FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating Committees

    The FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating Committees define the problems 
and needs of the regions concerning food standards and food control; 
promote within the Committee contacts for the mutual exchange of 
information on proposed regulatory initiatives and problems arising 
from food control and stimulate the strengthening of food control 
infrastructures; recommend to the Commission the development of 
worldwide standards for products of interest to the region, 
including products considered by the Committees to have an 
international market potential in the future; develop regional 
standards for food products moving exclusively or almost exclusively 
in intra-regional trade; draw the attention of the Commission to any 
aspects of the Commission's work of particular significance to the 
region; promote coordination of all regional food standards work 
undertaken by international governmental and non-governmental 
organizations within each region; exercise a general coordinating 
role for the region and such other functions as may be entrusted to 
them by the Commission; and promote the use of Codex standards and 
related texts by members.
    There are six regional coordinating committees:
Coordinating Committee for Africa
Coordinating Committee for Asia
Coordinating Committee for Europe
Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean
Coordinating Committee for the Near East
Coordinating Committee for North America and the South West Pacific

Coordinating Committee for Africa

    The Committee (CCAFRICA) will convene its 23rd Session in 2019.
    The Committee will continue to work on the following items:
     Proposed draft Regional Standard for Unrefined Shea 
Butter;
     Proposed draft Regional Standard for Fermented Cooked 
Cassava Based Products;
     Proposed draft Regional Standard for Gnetum Spp leaves;
     Priority Setting criteria for the establishment of work 
priorities as laid down in the Codex Procedural Manual;
     Comments on the preparation of the new global Codex 
Strategic Plan;
     Food quality and safety situation in countries of the 
Region (on-line platform, prioritization of needs in the region and 
comments for future consideration);
     Use of Codex Standards in the Region;
     Proposed draft Standard on Dried Meat;
     Discussion paper and project document on a Harmonized 
Food Law; and
     Discussion paper/project on a Regional Standard for a 
Fermented Non-Alcoholic Cereal Based Drink (Mahewu).
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.
    U.S. Participation: Yes (as observer).

Coordinating Committee for Asia

    The Committee (CCASIA) will convene its 21st Session in 2019.
    The Committee will continue to work on the following items:
     Report on the status of the Implementation of the 
Activities of the Strategic Plan Relevant to CCASIA;
     Discussion paper and project document on the 
Development of a Regional Standard for Rice Based Low Alcohol 
Beverages (cloudy types);
     Discussion paper and project document on the 
Development of a Regional Standard for Soybean Products Fermented 
with the Bacterium Bacillus Subtilis;
     Discussion paper and project document on the 
Development of a Regional Standard for Quick Frozen Dumpling 
(Jiaozi);
     Discussion paper and the project document on the 
Development of a Regional Standard/Code of Practice for Zongzi;
     Emerging Issues as priorities for the CCASIA region; 
and
     Information sharing on the Food Safety Control Systems.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.
    U.S. Participation: Yes (as observer).

Coordinating Committee for Europe

    The Committee (CCEUROPE) will convene its 31st Session in 2019.
    The Committee will continue to work on the following items:
     Survey of critical and emerging issues;
     On-line Platform and information sharing on the Food 
Safety Control Systems;
     Survey on the use of Codex Standards;
     Relevant languages of the Codex Alimentarius Commission 
in the work of CCEUROPE; and
     Funding translation and interpretation services into 
Russian for the effective operation of CCEUROPE.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.
    U.S. Participation: Yes (as observer).

Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean

    The Coordinating Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean 
(CCLAC) will convene its 21st in 2019.
    The Committee will continue to work on the following items:
     Monitoring of the Strategic Plan for CCLAC;
     Critical and Emerging Issues and prioritization of 
CCLAC issues within the framework of Codex;
     Comments on the Food Safety Control Systems Platform;
     Cross-cutting topics for the region, proposed draft 
standards and seeking regional support; and
     Proposal for the Development of a Standard for Yams.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.
    U.S. Participation: Yes (as observer).

Coordinating Committee for the Near East

    The Coordinating Committee for the Near East (CCNEA) will 
convene its 10th Session in 2019.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.
    U.S. Participation: No.

Coordinating Committee for North America and the South West Pacific 
(CCNASWP)

    The Committee (CCNASWP) will convene its 15th Session in 2019.
    The Committee will continue to work on the following items:
     New work on the development of a Regional Standard for 
Kava as a beverage when mixed with cold water;
     Recommendation that Vanuatu be re-appointed as 
Coordinator for North America and the South West Pacific;
     Proposed draft Regional Standard for Fermented Noni-
Juice; and
     Development of on-line platform for information on 
sharing food quality and safety systems.
    Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.
    U.S. Participation: Yes.
    Contact: U.S. Codex Office, United States Department of 
Agriculture, Room 4861, South Agriculture Building, 1400 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-3700, Phone: (202) 205-
7760, Fax: (202) 720-3157, Email: [email protected]

Attachment 2

U.S. Codex Alimentarius Officials

Codex Chairpersons From the United States

Codex Committee on Food Hygiene

Emilio Esteban, DVM, MBA, MPVM, Ph.D., Executive Associate for 
Laboratory Services, Office of Public Health Science, Food Safety 
and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 950 College 
Station Road, Athens, GA 30605, Phone:

[[Page 39048]]

(706) 546-3429, Fax: (706) 546-3428, Email: 
[email protected].

Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and Vegetables

Richard Boyd, Chief, Contract Services Branch, Specialty Crops 
Inspection Division, Specialty Crops Program, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue 
SW, Mail Stop 0247, Room 0726--South Building, Washington, DC 20250, 
Phone: (202) 690-1201, Fax: (202) 690-1527, Email: 
[email protected].

Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods

Kevin Greenlees, Ph.D., DABT, Senior Advisor for Science and Policy, 
Office of New Animal Drug Evaluation, HFV-100, Center for Veterinary 
Medicine, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 7500 Standish Place, 
Rockville, MD 20855, Phone: (240) 402-0638, Fax: (240) 276-9538, 
[email protected].

U.S. Delegates and Alternate Delegates

Worldwide General Codex Subject Committees

Contaminants in Foods

(Host Government--The Netherlands)

U.S. Delegate

Dr. Lauren Posnick Robin, Branch Chief, Plant Products Branch, 
Division of Plant Products and Beverages, Office of Food Safety 
(HFS-317), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food 
and Drug Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740, 
Phone: +1 (240) 402-1639, [email protected].

Alternate Delegate

Dr. Terry Dutko, Ph.D., Laboratory Director, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, Office of Public Health Science, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, 4300 Goodfellow Building, 105D Federal, St. Louis, 
MO 63120-0005, Phone: +1 (314) 263-2680, Extension 344, 
[email protected].

Food Additives

(Host Government--China)

U.S. Delegate

Paul S. Honigfort, Ph.D., Consumer Safety Officer, Division of Food 
Contact Notifications (HFS-275), Office of Food Additive Safety, 
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, 
MD 20740, Phone: +1 (240) 402-1206, Fax: +1 (301) 436-2965, 
[email protected].

Alternate Delegate

Daniel Folmer, Ph.D., Chemist, Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, 
Room 3017 HFS-265, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: +1 (240) 402-1274, 
[email protected].

Food Hygiene

(Host Government--United States)

U.S. Delegate

Jenny Scott, Senior Advisor, Office of Food Safety, Center for Food 
Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 
5001 Campus Drive, HFS-300, Room 3B-014, College Park, MD 20740-
3835, Phone: +1 (240) 402-2166, Fax: +1 (301) 436-2632, 
[email protected].

Alternate Delegates

William Shaw, Director, Risk, Innovation and Management Staff, Food 
Safety and Inspection Service, 355 E Street SW, Room 8-142, Patriots 
Plaza III, Washington, DC 20024, Phone: +1 (301) 504-0852, 
[email protected].
Andrew Chi Yuen Yeung, Ph.D., Branch Chief, Egg and Meat Products 
Branch, Division of Dairy, Egg and Meat Products, Office of Food 
Safety, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and 
Drug Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740, 
Phone: +1 (240) 402-1541, Fax: +1 (301) 436-2632, 
[email protected].

Food Import and Export Certification and Inspection Systems

(Host Government--Australia)

U.S. Delegate

Mary Stanley, Senior Advisor, Office of International Coordination, 
Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 3151, Washington, DC 20250, Phone: 
+1 (202) 720-0287, Fax: +1 (202) 690-3856, 
[email protected].

Alternate Delegate

Caroline Smith DeWaal, International Food Safety Policy Manager, 
Office of the Center Director, Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, 
Room 4A011, College Park, MD 20740-3835, Phone: +1 (240) 402-1242, 
[email protected].

Food Labelling

(Host Government--Canada)

U.S. Delegate

Douglas Balentine, Director, Office of Nutrition and Food Labelling, 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration, 5001 Campus Drive (HFS-830), College Park, MD 20740, 
+1 240 402 2373, Fax: +1 (301) 436-2636, 
[email protected].

Alternate Delegate

Jeffrey Canavan, Deputy Director, Labeling and Program Delivery 
Staff, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW--Mail Stop 5273, Patriots 
Plaza III, 8th Floor-161A, Washington, DC 20250, Phone: +1 (301) 
504-0860, Fax: +1 (202) 245-4792, [email protected].

General Principles

(Host Government--France)

    Delegate Note: A member of the Steering Committee heads the 
delegation to meetings of the General Principles Committee.

Methods of Analysis and Sampling

(Host Government--Hungary)

U.S. Delegate

Gregory Noonan, Director, Division of Bioanalytical Chemistry, 
Division of Analytical Chemistry, Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, College 
Park, MD 20740, Phone: +1 (240) 402-2250, Fax: +1 (301) 436-2332, 
[email protected].

Alternate Delegate

Dr. Timothy Norden, Technology and Science Division, Federal Grain 
Inspection Program, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, 10383 N Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153, 
Phone: +1 (816) 891-0470, Fax: +1 (816) 872-1253, 
[email protected].

Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses

(Host Government--Germany)

U.S. Delegate

Douglas Balentine, Director, Office of Nutrition and Food Labelling, 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration, 5001 Campus Drive (HFS-830), College Park, MD 20740, 
+1 240 402 2373, Fax: +1 (301) 436-2636, 
[email protected].

Alternate Delegate

Pamela R. Pehrsson, Ph.D., Research Leader, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Nutrient Data 
Laboratory, Room 105, Building 005, BARC-West, 10300 Baltimore 
Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705, 301.504.0630 (voice), 301.504.0632 
(fax), [email protected].

Pesticide Residues

(Host Government--China)

U.S. Delegate

Captain David Miller, Chief, Chemistry and Exposure Branch, and 
acting Chief, Toxicology and Epidemiology Branch, Health Effects 
Division, William Jefferson Clinton Building, 1200 Pennsylvania 
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460, Phone: +1 (703) 305-5352, Fax: +1 
(703) 305-5147, [email protected].

Alternate Delegate

Dr. John Johnston, Scientific Liaison/Chemist, Food Safety and 
Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2150 Centre 
Avenue, Building D, Suite 320, Fort Collins, CO 80526, Phone: (202) 
365-7175, [email protected].

Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods

(Host Government--United States)

U.S. Delegate

Ms. Brandi Robinson, MPH, CPH, ONADE International Coordinator, 
Center for Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 
7500 Standish Place (HFV-100), Rockville, MD 20855, Phone: +1 (240) 
402-0645, [email protected].

Alternate Delegate

Vacant

[[Page 39049]]

Worldwide Commodity Codex Committees (Active)

Cereals, Pulses and Legumes

(Host Government--United States)

U.S. Delegate

Dr. Henry Kim, Senior Policy Analyst, Office of Food Safety, Center 
for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration, 5001 Campus Drive (HFS-317), College Park, MD, USA 
20740-3835, Phone: +1 (240) 402-2023, [email protected].

Alternate Delegate

Mr. Patrick McCluskey, Supervisory Agricultural Marketing 
Specialist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing 
Service, Federal Grain Inspection Service, 10383 N Ambassador Drive, 
Kansas City, MO 64153, Phone: +1 (816) 659-8403, 
[email protected].

Fats and Oils

(Host Government--Malaysia)

U.S. Delegate

Dr. Paul South, Director, Division of Plant Products and Beverages, 
Office of Food Safety (HFS-317), Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, 
College Park, MD 20740-3835, Phone: +1 (240) 402-1640, Fax: +1 (301) 
436-2632, [email protected].

Alternate Delegate

Robert A. Moreau, Ph.D., Research Leader, Eastern Regional Research 
Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, Phone: +1 
(215) 233-6428, Fax: +1 (215) 233-6406, [email protected].

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

(Host Government--Mexico)

U.S. Delegate

Dorian LaFond, International Standards Coordinator, Fruit and 
Vegetables Program, Specialty Crop Inspection Division, Agricultural 
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW--Mail Stop 0247, Washington, DC 20250-0247, Phone: +1 
(202) 690-4944, Fax: +1 (202) 690-1527, [email protected].

Alternate Delegate

David T. Ingram, Ph.D., Consumer Safety Officer, Office of Food 
Safety, Fresh Produce Branch, Division of Produce Safety, Center for 
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, Room 3E027, College Park, MD 
20740-3835, Phone: +1 (240) 402-0335, [email protected].

Processed Fruits and Vegetables

(Host Government--United States)

U.S. Delegate

Dorian LaFond, International Standards Coordinator, Fruit and 
Vegetables Program, Specialty Crop Inspection Division, Agricultural 
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW--Mail Stop 0247, Washington, DC 20250-0247, Phone: +1 
(202) 690-4944, Fax: +1 (202) 690-1527, [email protected].

Alternate Delegate

Dr. Yinqing Ma, Branch Chief, Beverages Branch, Division of Plant 
Products and Beverages, Office of Food Safety (HFS-317), Center for 
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: +1 
(240) 402-2479, Fax: +1 (301) 436-2632, [email protected].

Spices and Culinary Herbs

(Host Government--India)

U.S. Delegate

Dorian LaFond, International Standards Coordinator, Fruit and 
Vegetables Program, Specialty Crop Inspection Division, Agricultural 
Marketing Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence 
Avenue SW--Mail Stop 0247, Washington, DC 20250-0247, Phone: +1 
(202) 690-4944, Fax: +1 (202) 690-1527, [email protected].

Alternate Delegate

Dr. Aparna Tatavarthy, Microbiologist, Spices and Seasoning Mixes 
Team, Division of Plant Products and Beverages, Office of Food 
Safety (HFS-317), Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. 
Food and Drug Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 
20740, Phone: +1 (240) 402-1013, Fax: +1 (301) 436-2632, 
[email protected].

Sugars

(Host Government--United Kingdom)

U.S. Delegate

Dr. Chia-Pei Charlotte Liang, Chemist, Office of Food Safety, Center 
for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: +1 
(240) 402-2785, [email protected].

Worldwide Ad Hoc Codex Task Forces (Active)

Antimicrobial Resistance (Reactivated 2016)

(Host Government--Republic of Korea)

U.S. Delegate

Donald A. Prater, DVM, Assistant Commissioner for Food Safety 
Integration, Office of Foods and Veterinary Medicine, Food and Drug 
Administration, 10903 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20993, 
Phone: +1-301-348-3007, [email protected].

Alternate Delegate

Neena Anandaraman, DVM, MPH, Veterinary Science Policy Advisor, 
Office of Chief Scientist, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Jamie L. 
Whitten Building, Room 339A, 1200 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20024, Phone: +1 (202) 260-8789, 
[email protected].

Worldwide Commodity Codex Committees (Adjourned)

Cocoa Products and Chocolate (adjourned sine die 2001)

(Host Government--Switzerland)

U.S. Delegate

Michelle Smith, Ph.D., Senior Policy Analyst, Office of Food Safety, 
Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration (HFS-317), Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building, 5001 
Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740-3835, Phone: +1 (240) 402-2024, 
Fax: +1 (301) 436-2632, [email protected].

Fish and Fishery Products (adjourned sine die 2016)

(Host Government--Norway)

U.S. Delegate

Dr. William R. Jones, Deputy Director, Office of Food Safety (HFS-
300), U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, College 
Park, MD 20740, Phone: +1 (240) 402-2300, Fax: +1 (301) 436-2601, 
[email protected].

Alternate Delegate

Steven Wilson, Deputy Director, Office of International Affairs and 
Seafood Inspection, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, 
Maryland 20910, Phone: +1 (301) 427-8312 [email protected].

Meat Hygiene (adjourned sine die 2003)

(Host Government--New Zealand)

U.S. Delegate

Vacant

Milk and Milk Products (adjourned sine die 2017)

(Host Government--New Zealand)

U.S. Delegate

Christopher Thompson, Dairy Standardization Branch, Mail Stop 0230, 
Room 2756, Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250, 
Phone: +1 (202) 720-9382, Fax: +1 (844) 804-4701, 
[email protected].

Alternate Delegate

John F. Sheehan, Director, Division of Dairy, Egg and Meat Product 
Safety, Office of Food Safety, Center for Food Safety and Applied 
Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (HFS-315), Harvey W. 
Wiley Federal Building, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740, 
Phone: +1 (240) 402-1488, Fax: +1 (301) 436-2632, 
[email protected].

Natural Mineral Waters (adjourned sine die 2008)

(Host Government--Switzerland)

U.S. Delegate

Dr. Yinqing Ma, Branch Chief, Beverages Branch, Division of Plant 
Products and Beverages, Office of Food Safety (HFS-317), Center for 
Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug

[[Page 39050]]

Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: +1 
(240) 402-2479, Fax: +1 (301) 436-2632, [email protected].

Vegetable Proteins (adjourned sine die 1989)

(Host Government--Canada)

U.S. Delegate

Vacant

Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Forces (Dissolved)

Animal Feeding (Dissolved 2013)

(Host government--Switzerland)

U.S. Delegate

Vacant

[FR Doc. 2018-16944 Filed 8-7-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-DM-P



                                                                                                                                                                                               39041

                                                Notices                                                                                                       Federal Register
                                                                                                                                                              Vol. 83, No. 153

                                                                                                                                                              Wednesday, August 8, 2018



                                                This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER                       • Hand- or courier-delivered                       States membership in the WTO was
                                                contains documents other than rules or                  submittals: Deliver to 1400                           approved and the Uruguay Round
                                                proposed rules that are applicable to the               Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065,                    Agreements Act (Uruguay Round
                                                public. Notices of hearings and investigations,         Washington, DC 20250–3700.                            Agreements) was signed into law by the
                                                committee meetings, agency decisions and                   Instructions: All items submitted by               President on December 8, 1994, Public
                                                rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
                                                                                                        mail or email are to include the Agency               Law 103–465, 108 Stat. 4809. The
                                                petitions and applications and agency
                                                statements of organization and functions are            name and docket number FSIS–2018–                     Uruguay Round Agreements became
                                                examples of documents appearing in this                 0013. Comments received in response to                effective, with respect to the United
                                                section.                                                this docket will be made available for                States, on January 1, 1995. The Uruguay
                                                                                                        public inspection and posted without                  Round Agreements amended the Trade
                                                                                                        change, including any personal                        Agreements Act of 1979. Pursuant to
                                                DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                               information to http://                                section 491 of the Trade Agreements Act
                                                                                                        www.regulations.gov.                                  of 1979, as amended, the President is
                                                Food Safety and Inspection Service                         Please state that your comments refer              required to designate an agency to be
                                                                                                        to Codex and, if your comments relate                 ‘‘responsible for informing the public of
                                                [Docket No. FSIS–2018–0013]                             to specific Codex committees, please                  the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS)
                                                Trade and Foreign Agriculture Affairs;                  identify the committee(s) in your                     standard-setting activities of each
                                                Codex Alimentarius Commission:                          comments and submit a copy of your                    international standard-setting
                                                International Standard-Setting                          comments to the delegate from that                    organization’’ (19 U.S.C. 2578). The
                                                Activities                                              particular committee.                                 main international standard-setting
                                                                                                           Docket: For access to background                   organizations are Codex, the World
                                                AGENCY: Office of Trade and Foreign                     documents or comments received, call                  Organisation for Animal Health, and the
                                                Agriculture Affairs (TFAA), USDA.                       (202) 720–5627 to schedule a time to                  International Plant Protection
                                                ACTION: Notice.                                         visit the FSIS Docket Room at 1400                    Convention. The President, pursuant to
                                                                                                        Independence Avenue SW, Room 6065,                    Proclamation No. 6780 of March 23,
                                                SUMMARY:    This notice informs the public              Washington, DC 20250–3700.                            1995, (60 FR 15845), designated the U.S.
                                                of the sanitary and phytosanitary                       FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                      Department of Agriculture as the agency
                                                standard-setting activities of the Codex                Mary Frances Lowe, United States                      responsible for informing the public of
                                                Alimentarius Commission (Codex), in                     Manager for Codex Alimentarius, U.S.                  the SPS standard-setting activities of
                                                accordance with section 491 of the                      Department of Agriculture, Office of                  each international standard-setting
                                                Trade Agreements Act of 1979, as                        Food Safety, South Agriculture                        organization. The Secretary of
                                                amended, and the Uruguay Round                          Building, 1400 Independence Avenue                    Agriculture has delegated to the Office
                                                Agreements Act. This notice also                        SW, Room 4861, Washington, DC                         of Trade and Foreign Agricultural
                                                provides a list of other standard-setting               20250–3700; Telephone: (202) 205–                     Affairs the responsibility to inform the
                                                activities of Codex, including                          7760; Fax: (202) 720–3157; Email:                     public of the SPS standard-setting
                                                commodity standards, guidelines, codes                  USCodex@fsis.usda.gov.                                activities of Codex. The Office of Trade
                                                of practice, and revised texts. This                       For information pertaining to                      and Foreign Agricultural Affairs has, in
                                                notice, which covers Codex activities                   particular committees, contact the                    turn, assigned the responsibility for
                                                during the time periods from June 1,                    delegate of that committee. A complete                informing the public of the SPS
                                                2016, to May 31, 2017, and June 1, 2017,                list of U.S. delegates and alternate                  standard-setting activities of Codex to
                                                to July 20, 2018, seeks comments on                     delegates can be found in Attachment 2                the U.S. Codex Office (USCO).
                                                standards under consideration and                       of this notice. Documents pertaining to                  Codex was created in 1963 by two
                                                recommendations for new standards.                      Codex and specific committee agendas                  United Nations organizations, the Food
                                                ADDRESSES: The U.S. Codex Office                        are accessible via the internet at http://            and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and
                                                invites interested persons to submit                    www.codexalimentarius.org/meetings-                   the World Health Organization (WHO).
                                                their comments on this notice.                          reports/en/. The U.S. Codex Office also               Codex is the principal international
                                                Comments may be submitted by one of                     maintains a website at http://                        organization for establishing standards
                                                the following methods:                                  www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/                    for food. Through adoption of food
                                                   • Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: This                  topics/international-affairs/us-codex-                standards, codes of practice, and other
                                                website provides the ability to type                    alimentarius.                                         guidelines developed by its committees
                                                short comments directly into the                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                            and by promoting their adoption and
                                                comment field on this web page or                                                                             implementation by governments, Codex
                                                attach a file for lengthier comments. Go                Background                                            seeks to protect the health of consumers,
                                                to http://www.regulations.gov. Follow                      The World Trade Organization (WTO)                 ensure fair practices in the food trade,
                                                the on-line instructions at the website                 was established on January 1, 1995, as                and promote coordination of food
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                for submitting comments.                                the common international institutional                standards work undertaken by
                                                   • Mail, including CD–ROMs, etc.:                     framework for the conduct of trade                    international governmental and
                                                Send to Docket Clerk, U.S. Department                   relations among its members in matters                nongovernmental organizations. In the
                                                of Agriculture, Food Safety and                         related to the Uruguay Round Trade                    United States, U.S. Codex activities are
                                                Inspection Service, 1400 Independence                   Agreements. The WTO is the successor                  managed and carried out by the United
                                                Avenue SW, Mailstop 3758, Room 6065,                    organization to the General Agreement                 States Department of Agriculture
                                                Washington, DC 20250–3700.                              on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). United                   (USDA); the Food and Drug


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   22:37 Aug 07, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00001   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM   08AUN1


                                                39042                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 153 / Wednesday, August 8, 2018 / Notices

                                                Administration (FDA), Department of                     or receive information about specific                 Commission from each of the following
                                                Health and Human Services (HHS); the                    committees, please visit the web page or              geographic regions: Africa, Asia, Europe,
                                                National Oceanic and Atmospheric                        notify the appropriate U.S. delegate or               Latin America and the Caribbean, Near East,
                                                                                                                                                              North America, and South-West Pacific; and
                                                Administration (NOAA), Department of                    the U.S. Codex Office, Room 4861,                     regional coordinators from the six regional
                                                Commerce (DOC); and the                                 South Agriculture Building, 1400                      committees. The United States participated
                                                Environmental Protection Agency                         Independence Avenue SW, Washington,                   as the member elected on a geographic basis
                                                (EPA).                                                  DC 20250–3700 (uscodex@                               for North America. The Executive Committee
                                                   As the agency responsible for                        fsis.usda.gov).                                       conducted a critical review of the elaboration
                                                informing the public of the SPS                            The information provided in                        of Codex standards; reviewed the
                                                standard-setting activities of Codex, the               Attachment 1 describes the status of                  implementation status of the 2014–2019
                                                U.S. Codex Office publishes this notice                 Codex standard-setting activities by the              Strategic Plan and preparation of the 2020–
                                                                                                                                                              2025 Strategic Plan; and considered the work
                                                in the Federal Register annually.                       Codex Committees for the time periods
                                                                                                                                                              of committees working by correspondence
                                                Attachment 1 (Sanitary and                              from June 1, 2016, to May 31, 2017, and               and the possibility of a pilot for a committee
                                                Phytosanitary Activities of Codex) sets                 June 1, 2017, to July 20, 2018.                       on standards advancement, FAO/WHO
                                                forth the following information:                        Attachment 2 provides a list of U.S.                  Scientific Support for Codex work, other
                                                   1. The SPS standards under                           Codex Officials (including U.S.                       matters arising from FAO and WHO, and
                                                consideration or planned for                            delegates and alternate delegates). A list            financial and budgetary issues.
                                                consideration; and                                      of forthcoming Codex sessions may be                     Responsible Agency: USDA/TFAA/USCO.
                                                   2. For each SPS standard specified:                  found at: http://www.fao.org/fao-who-                    U.S. Participation: Yes.
                                                   a. A description of the consideration                codexalimentarius/meetings/en/.                       Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary
                                                or planned consideration of the                                                                               Drugs in Foods
                                                standard;                                               Additional Public Notification
                                                                                                                                                                 The Codex Committee on Residues of
                                                   b. Whether the United States is                        Public awareness of all segments of                 Veterinary Drugs in Foods (CCRVDF)
                                                participating or plans to participate in                rulemaking and policy development is                  determines priorities for the consideration of
                                                the consideration of the standard;                      important. Consequently, FSIS will                    residues of veterinary drugs in foods and
                                                   c. The agenda for United States                      announce this Federal Register                        recommends Maximum Residue Limits
                                                participation, if any; and                              publication on-line through the FSIS                  (MRLs) for veterinary drugs. The Committee
                                                   d. The agency responsible for                                                                              also develops codes of practice, as may be
                                                                                                        web page located at: http://                          required, and considers methods of sampling
                                                representing the United States with                     www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register.                   and analysis for the determination of
                                                respect to the standard.
                                                                                                          Done at Washington, DC.                             veterinary drug residues in food. A veterinary
                                                   TO OBTAIN COPIES OF THE                                                                                    drug is defined as any substance applied or
                                                STANDARDS LISTED IN                                     Mary Frances Lowe,
                                                                                                                                                              administered to any food producing animal
                                                ATTACHMENT 1, PLEASE CONTACT                            U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius.                  such as meat or milk producing animals,
                                                THE CODEX DELEGATE OR THE U.S.                          Attachment 1                                          poultry, fish, or bees, whether used for
                                                CODEX OFFICE.                                                                                                 therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic
                                                   This notice also solicits public                     Sanitary and Phytosanitary Activities of              purposes, or for modification of physiological
                                                comment on standards that are currently                 Codex                                                 functions or behavior.
                                                under consideration or planned for                                                                               A Codex MRL for residues of veterinary
                                                                                                        Codex Alimentarius Commission and                     drugs is the maximum concentration of
                                                consideration and recommendations for                   Executive Committee                                   residue resulting from the use of a veterinary
                                                new standards. The delegate, in                            The Codex Alimentarius Commission                  drug (expressed in mg/kg or ug/kg on a fresh
                                                conjunction with the responsible                        convened for its 41st Session July 2–6, 2018,         weight basis) that is recommended by the
                                                agency, will take the comments received                 in Rome, Italy. At that time, the Commission          Codex Alimentarius Commission to be
                                                into account in participating in the                    adopted standards recommended by                      permitted or recognized as acceptable in or
                                                consideration of the standards and in                   Committees at Step at 8 or Step 5/8 (final            on a food. Residues of a veterinary drug
                                                proposing matters to be considered by                   adoption), and it advanced the work of                include the parent compounds or their
                                                Codex.                                                  Committees by adopting draft standards at             metabolites in any edible portion of the
                                                   The U.S. delegate will facilitate public             Step 5 (for further comment and                       animal product, and include residues of
                                                                                                        consideration by the relevant committee).             associated impurities of the veterinary drug
                                                participation in the United States
                                                                                                        The Commission also considered proposals              concerned. An MRL is based on the type and
                                                Government’s activities relating to                     for new work; discontinuation of work;                amount of residue considered to be without
                                                Codex. The U.S. delegate will maintain                  amendments to Codex standards and related             any toxicological hazard for human health as
                                                a list of individuals, groups, and                      texts; matters arising from the reports of the        expressed by the Acceptable Daily Intake
                                                organizations that have expressed an                    Commission, the Executive Committee and               (ADI) or on the basis of a temporary ADI that
                                                interest in the activities of the Codex                 subsidiary bodies; committees working by              utilizes an additional safety factor. When
                                                Committees and will disseminate                         correspondence and a possible pilot for a             establishing an MRL, consideration is also
                                                information regarding U.S. delegation                   committee on standards advancement;                   given to residues that occur in food of plant
                                                                                                        regular review of Codex work management;              origin or the environment. Furthermore, the
                                                activities to interested parties. This
                                                                                                        Codex budgetary and financial matters for             MRL may be reduced to be consistent with
                                                information will include the status of                  2020–2021; FAO/WHO Scientific Support for             official recommended or authorized usage,
                                                each agenda item; the U.S.                              Codex activities; matters arising from FAO            approved by national authorities, of the
                                                Government’s position or preliminary                    and WHO; reports on side events on FAO                veterinary drugs under practical conditions.
                                                position on the agenda items; and the                   and WHO capacity development activities,                 An ADI is an estimate made by the Joint
                                                time and place of planning meetings                     the Codex Trust Fund, and discussion panels           FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food
                                                and debriefing meetings following the                   with International Government Organizations           Additives (JECFA) of the amount of a
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                Codex committee sessions. In addition,                  and Non-Governmental Organizations;                   veterinary drug, expressed on a body weight
                                                                                                        election of the chairperson and vice-                 basis, which can be ingested daily in food
                                                the U.S. Codex Office makes much of
                                                                                                        chairpersons of Codex; and other business.            over a lifetime without appreciable health
                                                the same information available through                     Before the Commission meeting, the                 risk.
                                                its web page at http://                                 Executive Committee met for its 75th Session             The Committee convened for its 24th
                                                www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/                      from June 26 to 29, 2018. It is composed of           Session (CCRVDF24) in Chicago, Illinois,
                                                topics/international-affairs/us-codex-                  the chairperson and vice-chairpersons of the          April 23–27, 2018. The relevant document is
                                                alimentarius. If you would like to access               CAC; seven members elected by the                     REP18/RVDF. The following items were



                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   22:37 Aug 07, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00002   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM   08AUN1


                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 153 / Wednesday, August 8, 2018 / Notices                                               39043

                                                adopted by the 41st Session of the                      other matters assigned to it by the                   wheat, maize, sorghum and rice (specifying
                                                Commission in July 2018:                                Commission in relation to contaminants and            the categories));
                                                   Adopted at Step 5/8:                                 naturally occurring toxicants in food and                • Discussion paper on development of a
                                                   • Proposed draft MRLs for amoxicillin                feed.                                                 COP for the prevention and reduction of
                                                (finfish fillet, muscle); ampicillin (finfish              The Committee convened for its 12th                cadmium contamination in cocoa;
                                                fillet, muscle; lufenuron (salmon and trout             Session (CCCF12) in Utrecht, the                         • Discussion paper on forward workplan
                                                fillet); monepantel (cattle fat, kidney, liver,         Netherlands, March 12–16, 2018. The                   for CCCF; and
                                                muscle).                                                relevant document is REP18/CF. The                       • Priority list of contaminants and
                                                   Adopted at Step 8:                                   following standards were forwarded to the             naturally occurring toxicants for evaluation
                                                   • Draft Risk Management                              CAC for consideration and adopted by the              by JECFA.
                                                Recommendation for gentian violet.                      41st Session of the Commission in July 2018:             The Committee also agreed to start
                                                   Adopted at Step 5:                                      Adopted at Step 5/8:                               discussion on the following items:
                                                   • Proposed draft MRL for flumethrin                     • MLs for lead in selected commodities                • Discussion paper on lead and cadmium
                                                (honey).                                                (revision of MLs and consequential                    in quinoa;
                                                   The Commission also adopted the                      revocation of corresponding MLs/                         • Discussion paper on general guidance on
                                                proposed amendment to the Risk Analysis                 amendments to MLs in the General Standard             data analysis for ML development; and
                                                Principles Applied by CCRVDF in the Codex               for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and                  • Discussion paper, including a project
                                                Procedural Manual, and approved new work                Feed (GSCTFF) (CXS 193–1995));                        document, for a proposal for new work on
                                                on the priority list of veterinary drugs for               • MLs for cadmium in chocolate                     the revision of the COP for prevention and
                                                evaluation by the Joint Expert Committee on             containing or declaring ≥50% to <70% total            reduction of lead contamination in foods
                                                Food Additives, as recommended by                       cocoa solids on a dry matter basis; and               (CXC 56–2004).
                                                CCRVDF24.                                               chocolate containing or declaring ≥70% total             Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/
                                                   The Committee will continue working on               cocoa solids on a dry matter basis;                   FSIS.
                                                the following items:                                       • MLs for methylmercury in tuna,                      U.S. Participation: Yes.
                                                   • Proposed draft MRLs for zilpaterol                 alfonsino, marlin and shark, and revocation
                                                hydrochloride (cattle fat, kidney, liver,               of the GLs for methylmercury in predatory             Codex Committee on Food Additives
                                                muscle);                                                and non-predatory fish;                                  The Codex Committee on Food Additives
                                                   • Draft Priority List of veterinary drugs               • Amendment to the note for the ML on              (CCFA) establishes or endorses acceptable
                                                requiring approval by CAC;                              inorganic arsenic in rice (consequential              maximum levels (MLs) for individual food
                                                   • Discussion paper on extrapolation of               amendment); and                                       additives; prepares a priority list of food
                                                MRLs to one or more species (including a                   • COP for the prevention and reduction of          additives for risk assessment by the Joint
                                                pilot on extrapolation of MRLs identified in            dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and non-dioxin-             FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food
                                                Part D of the Priority List);                           like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)                  Additives (JECFA); assigns functional classes
                                                   • Coordination with the Codex Committee              contamination in food and feed.                       to individual food additives; recommends
                                                on Pesticide Residues/Electronic Working                   Adopted at Step 5:                                 specifications of identity and purity for food
                                                Group on the revision of the Classification of             • COP for the reduction of 3–MCPDE and             additives for adoption by the Codex
                                                Food and Feed for the development of a                  GE in refined oils and products made with             Alimentarius Commission; considers
                                                harmonized definition for edible offal/animal           refined oils; and                                     methods of analysis for the determination of
                                                tissues for the establishment of MRLs;                     • Guidelines for risk analysis of instances        additives in food; and considers and
                                                   • Database on countries needs for MRLs;              of contaminants in food where there is no             elaborates standards or codes of practice for
                                                and                                                     regulatory level or risk management                   related subjects such as the labeling of food
                                                   • Discussion paper on advantages and                 framework established.                                additives when sold as such. The 50th
                                                disadvantages of a parallel approach to                    The Commission also approved                       Session of the Committee (CCFA50)
                                                compound evaluation.                                    discontinuation of work on the following              convened in Xiamen, China, March 26–30,
                                                   The following items were discontinued:               items, as recommended by CCCF12:                      2018. The relevant document is REP18/FA.
                                                   • Discussion paper on the revision of the               • Establishment of MLs for cadmium in              Immediately prior to the Plenary Session,
                                                criteria for the use of multi-residue analytical        dry mixtures of cocoa and sugars sold for             there was a two-day physical Working Group
                                                methods for the determination and                       final consumption; and                                (PWG) on the General Standard for Food
                                                identification of veterinary drugs in foods in             • Establishment of MLs for methylmercury           Additives (GSFA) chaired by the United
                                                the Guidelines for the design and                       in amberjack and swordfish.                           States.
                                                implementation of national regulatory food                 The Committee suspended working on the                The following items were recommended by
                                                safety assurance programs associated with               following items:                                      CCFA50 and considered by the 41st Session
                                                the use of veterinary drugs in food producing              • Establishment of MLs for total aflatoxins        of the Commission in July 2018:
                                                animals; and                                            in ready-to-eat peanuts; and                             Adopted at Step 5/8:
                                                   • Discussion paper on MRLs for groups of                • Establishment of MLs for total aflatoxins           • Proposed draft specifications for the
                                                fish species.                                           and ochratoxin A in nutmeg, chili and                 identity and purity of food additives; and
                                                   Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA/Center                 paprika, ginger, pepper and turmeric.                    • Proposed draft amendments to the Class
                                                for Veterinary Medicine; USDA/FSIS.
                                                                                                           The Committee will continue working on             Names and International Numbering System
                                                   U.S. Participation: Yes.
                                                                                                        the following items:                                  (INS) for Food Additives (CAC/GL 36–1989).
                                                Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods                   • MLs for lead in wine and edible offals;             Adopted at Step 8 and 5/8:
                                                   The Codex Committee on Contaminants in                  • MLs for cadmium in chocolate and                    • Draft and proposed draft food additive
                                                Foods (CCCF) establishes or endorses                    cocoa-derived products (category of                   provisions of the GSFA.
                                                permitted maximum levels (MLs), as                      chocolate and chocolate products containing              Adopted:
                                                necessary, revises existing guideline levels            or declaring (1) <30% and (2) ≥30% to <50%               • Replacement of the name ‘‘sodium
                                                (GLs) for contaminants and naturally                    total cocoa solids on a dry matter basis;             aluminosilicate’’ with ‘‘sodium aluminum
                                                occurring toxicants in food and feed;                      • Discussion paper on establishment of             silicate’’ in the GSFA (CXS 192–1995); Class
                                                prepares priority lists of contaminants and             MLs for hydrocyanic acid (HCN) in cassava             Names and the INS for Food Additives (CXG
                                                naturally occurring toxicants for risk                  and cassava-based products and occurrence             36–1989); Standard for Milk Powders and
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                assessment by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert                  of mycotoxins in these products;                      Cream Powder (CXS 207–1999); Standard for
                                                Committee on Food Additives (JECFA);                       • Discussion paper on structured approach          a Blend of Skimmed Milk and Vegetable Fat
                                                considers and elaborates methods of analysis            to prioritize commodities for which new MLs           in Powdered Form (CXS 251–2006); and
                                                and sampling for the determination of                   for lead could be established for inclusion in        Standard for Edible Casein Products (CXS
                                                contaminants and naturally occurring                    the General Standard for Contaminants and             290–1995);
                                                toxicants in food and feed; considers and               Toxins in Food and Feed;                                 • Revised food additive provisions of the
                                                elaborates on standards or codes of practice               • Discussion paper on aflatoxins in cereals        GSFA related to the alignment of the annexes
                                                (COPs) for related subjects; and considers              (establishment of MLs for total aflatoxins in         of the Standard for Certain Canned Fruits



                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   22:37 Aug 07, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00003   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM   08AUN1


                                                39044                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 153 / Wednesday, August 8, 2018 / Notices

                                                (CXS 319–2015) and to the alignment of 14               ‘‘unprocessed’’ and ‘‘untreated’’ in existing            • Development of a system within the
                                                standards for fish and fish products; and               Codex texts (Russian Federation).                     classification of food and feed to provide
                                                   • Revised food additive sections of 14                  The Committee also agreed to hold a one            codes for commodities not meeting the
                                                standards for fish and fish products and the            and one-half day PWG on the GSFA                      criteria for crop grouping;
                                                Standard for Certain Canned Fruits (CXS                 immediately preceding the 51st Session of                • Discussion Paper on the review of the
                                                319–2015).                                              the CCFA, to be chaired by the United States.         International Estimated Short-term Intake
                                                   Revoked:                                             That group will discuss the                           Equations (IESTI);
                                                   • Food additive provisions of the GSFA;              recommendations of the EWG on the GSFA,                  • Discussion paper on management of
                                                   • Food-additive provisions for specific              new proposals and proposed revisions of               unsupported compounds;
                                                malates and/or tartrates from the Standards             food additive provisions in the GSFA.                    • Discussion paper on biopesticides;
                                                for Mozzarella (CXS 262–2006), Cottage                     The Committee also agreed to hold a half              • Discussion paper on the revision of the
                                                Cheese (CXS 273–1968), Cream Cheese (CXS                day PWG on the GSFA immediately                       guidelines on the use of mass spectrometry
                                                275–1973), Fermented Milks (CXS 243–2003),              preceding the 51st Session of the CCFA to be          for the identification, confirmation and
                                                and Dairy Fat Spreads (CXS 253–2006) due                chaired by Australia. That group will discuss         quantitative determination of residues;
                                                to a lack of JECFA specifications for these             the recommendations of the PWG on                        • Discussion paper on the opportunities
                                                additives; and                                          alignment.                                            and challenges related to the participation of
                                                   • Food-additive provisions for sodium                   Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA.                       JMPR in an international joint review of a
                                                sorbate (INS 201) from the Standards for
                                                                                                           U.S. Participation: Yes.                           new compounds;
                                                Instant Noodles (CXS 249–2006), Fermented
                                                                                                        Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues                    • National Registration Database of
                                                Milks (CXS 243–2003), Dairy Fat Spreads
                                                                                                                                                              Pesticides; and
                                                (CXS 253–2006), Cottage Cheese (CXS 273–                   The Codex Committee on Pesticide                      • Establishment of Codex Schedules and
                                                1968), Cream Cheese (CXS 275–1973), the                 Residues (CCPR) is responsible for
                                                General Standard for Cheese (CXS 283–197),                                                                    Priority Lists of Pesticides.
                                                                                                        establishing MRLs for pesticide residues in              Responsible Agencies: EPA; USDA/FSIS.
                                                and 11 standards for named cheeses due to               specific food items or in groups of food;
                                                a lack of JECFA specifications for the                                                                           U.S. Participation: Yes.
                                                                                                        establishing MRLs for pesticide residues in
                                                additive.                                               certain animal feeding stuffs moving in               Codex Committee on Food Import and Export
                                                   The Committee will continue working on:              international trade where this is justified for       Inspection and Certification Systems
                                                   • Draft and proposed draft food additive             reasons of protection of human health;                   The Codex Committee on Food Import and
                                                provisions of the GSFA, and technological               preparing priority lists of pesticides for            Export Inspection and Certification Systems
                                                justification for the use of preservatives and          evaluation by the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting               (CCFICS) is responsible for developing
                                                anticaking agents for surface treatment of              on Pesticide Residues (JMPR); considering             principles and guidelines for food import and
                                                mozzarella with high moisture content                   methods of sampling and analysis for the              export inspection and certification systems,
                                                covered by Standard for Mozzarella (CXS
                                                                                                        determination of pesticide residues in food           with a view to harmonizing methods and
                                                262–2006) (EWG led by the United States);
                                                                                                        and feed; considering other matters in                procedures that protect the health of
                                                   • Proposals for additions and changes to
                                                                                                        relation to the safety of food and feed               consumers, ensure fair trading practices, and
                                                the Priority List of Substances Proposed for
                                                                                                        containing pesticide residues; and                    facilitate international trade in foodstuffs;
                                                Evaluation by JECFA (PWG led by Canada);
                                                                                                        establishing maximum limits for                       developing principles and guidelines for the
                                                   • Alignment of the food additive
                                                                                                        environmental and industrial contaminants             application of measures by the competent
                                                provisions of commodity standards and
                                                relevant provisions of the GSFA; consider               showing chemical or other similarity to               authorities of exporting and importing
                                                revisions to the ‘‘References to Commodity              pesticides in specific food items or groups of        countries to provide assurance, where
                                                Standard for GSFA Table 3 Additives’’                   food.                                                 necessary, that foodstuffs comply with
                                                section of Table 3; proposed revisions to                  The 50th Session of the Committee                  requirements, especially statutory health
                                                food-additive provisions in Food Categories             (CCPR50) met in Haikou, China, April 9–14,            requirements; developing guidelines for the
                                                13.1.1, 13.1.2, and 13.1.3 for ascorbyl                 2018. The relevant document is REP18/PR.              utilization, as and when appropriate, of
                                                palmitate (INS 304) and ascorbyl stearate               The following items were considered at the            quality assurance systems to ensure that
                                                (INS 305) (EWG led by Australia, Japan and              41st Session of the Codex Alimentarius                foodstuffs conform with requirements and
                                                the United States);                                     Commission in July 2018:                              promote the recognition of these systems in
                                                   • Revision of the Class Names and the INS               Adopted at Step 8 and 5/8:                         facilitating trade in food products under
                                                for Food additives (EWG led by Iran and                    • Three hundred eighty-six (386) MRLs for          bilateral/multilateral arrangements by
                                                Belgium);                                               different pesticide residues.                         countries; developing guidelines and criteria
                                                   • New or revised provisions of the GSFA                 • Revisions of the Classification: Class A—        with respect to format, declarations, and
                                                (PWG led by the United States);                         Primary Commodities of Plant Origin—Type              language of such official certificates as
                                                   • Clarification of the appropriate                   04 Nuts, Seeds, and SAPs (Step 8 and 5/8);            countries may require with a view towards
                                                descriptors for Food Categories 14.1.4.2 and               • Revision of the Classification: Class A-         international harmonization; making
                                                14.1.5 for ready-to-drink coffee and tea                Primary Commodities of Plant Origin—Type              recommendations for information exchange
                                                beverages (Codex Secretariat);                          05 Herbs and Spices (Step 8).                         in relation to food import/export control;
                                                   • Review of all group food additives in the             Adopted at Step 5/8:                               consulting as necessary with other
                                                GSFA to determine if all food-additives in                 • Tables with Examples of Representative           international groups working on matters
                                                the group share a Group Acceptable Daily                Commodities for Commodity Groups in Type              related to food inspection and certification
                                                Intake (Codex Secretariat in consultation               04 and Type 05 (For inclusion in the                  systems; and considering other matters
                                                with JECFA Secretariat);                                Principles and Guidance for the Selection of          assigned to it by the Commission in relation
                                                   • Development of an inventory of data                Representative Commodities for the                    to food inspection and certification systems.
                                                available on the use of nitrates (INS 251, 252)         Extrapolation of Maximum Residue Limits               The 24th Session of the Committee will
                                                and nitrites (INS 249, 250) with a view to              for Pesticides for Commodity Groups).                 convene in Brisbane, Australia, October 22–
                                                consulting with JECFA and CCFA regarding                   The Commission also discontinued work,             26, 2018.
                                                next steps (eWG led by the European Union               approved new work, and revoked existing                  The Committee will continue working on
                                                and the Netherlands);                                   MRLs as recommended by CCPR50.                        the following items:
                                                   • Development of an alternative to Note                 The Committee will continue working on                • Project document for new work on
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                161 relating to the use of sweeteners and,              the following items:                                  guidance on paperless use of electronic
                                                subject to agreement on the wording of an                  • Revision of the Classification: Impact of        certificates (Revision of Guidelines for
                                                alternative, review of recommendations in               the Revised Commodity Groups and                      Design, Production, Issuance and Use of
                                                CX FA 14/47/13 in the context of pending                Subgroups in Type 03, Type 04 and Type 05             Generic Official Certificates);
                                                and adopted provisions (EWG led by United               on the CXLs adopted by the Codex                         • Project document for new work on
                                                States and the European Union); and                     Alimentarius Commission;                              guidance on regulatory approaches to third
                                                   • Preparation of a discussion paper on the              • Draft and proposed draft Revision of the         party assurance schemes in food safety and
                                                use of the terms ‘‘fresh’’, ‘‘plain’’,                  Classification of Food and Feed;                      fair practices in the food trade;



                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   22:37 Aug 07, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00004   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM   08AUN1


                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 153 / Wednesday, August 8, 2018 / Notices                                                39045

                                                   • Discussion paper on food integrity and             Codex Committee on Food Labelling                     Commission in July 2018, as recommended
                                                food authenticity;                                         The Codex Committee on Food Labelling              by CCFH49:
                                                   • Discussion paper on consideration of               (CCFL) drafts provisions on labeling                     Adopted at Step 5/8:
                                                emerging issues and future directions for the           applicable to all foods; considers, amends,              • Proposed draft Revision of the Code of
                                                work of the Codex Committee on Food                     and endorses draft specific provisions on             Practice (COP) for Fish and Fishery Products
                                                Import and Export Inspection and                        labeling prepared by the Codex Committees             (Guidance for histamine control), with minor
                                                Certification Systems;                                  drafting standards, codes of practice,                amendment accepted to section 13.1.2.
                                                   • Framework for the preliminary                      guidelines; and studies specific labeling                The Commission also approved new work
                                                assessment and identification of priority               problems assigned by the Codex                        as recommended by CCFH49:
                                                areas for CCFICs; and                                   Alimentarius Commission. The Committee                   • Code of Practice on food allergen
                                                   • Inter-sessional physical working groups:           also studies problems associated with the             management for food business operators; and
                                                trial.                                                  advertisement of food with particular                    • Guidance for the management of
                                                   Responsible Agencies: USDA/FSIS; HHS/                reference to claims and misleading                    (micro)biological foodborne crises/outbreaks.
                                                FDA.                                                    descriptions.                                            The Committee will continue working on
                                                   U.S. Participation: Yes.                                The Committee convened its 44th Session            the following items:
                                                Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis                  (CCFL44) in Asuncion, Paraguay, October                  • Proposed draft Revision of the General
                                                and Sampling                                            16–20, 2017. The relevant document is                 Principles of Food Hygiene and its HACCP
                                                                                                        REP18/FL. The following item was adopted              Annex;
                                                   The Codex Committee on Methods of                    by the Commission at its 41st Session in July            • The placement for the guidance on
                                                Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) defines the               2018, as recommended by CCFL44:                       histamine control in CXC 52–2003, the
                                                criteria appropriate to Codex Methods of                   Adopted at Step 8:                                 amendments of other sections of CXC 52–
                                                Analysis and Sampling; serves as a                         • Draft Revision of the General Standard           3002, and the revision of the section on
                                                coordinating body for Codex with other                  for the Labelling of Prepackaged Foods: Date          sampling, examination and analyses in
                                                international groups working on methods of              marking.                                              standards for fish and fishery products
                                                analysis and sampling and quality assurance                The Committee will continue working on             related to histamine food safety;
                                                systems for laboratories; specifies, on the             the following items:                                     • Discussion paper on future work on
                                                basis of final recommendations submitted to                • Proposed draft Guidance for the                  Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli
                                                it by the bodies referred to above, reference           Labelling of Non-Retail Containers;                   (STEC); and
                                                methods of analysis and sampling                           • Proposed draft Guidelines on Front of               • New work proposals/Forward Workplan.
                                                appropriate to Codex standards which are                Pack Nutrition Labelling;                                Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/
                                                generally applicable to a number of foods;                 • Discussion paper on internet sales/e-            FSIS.
                                                considers, amends if necessary, and endorses            commerce;                                                U.S. Participation: Yes.
                                                as appropriate, methods of analysis and                    • Discussion paper on allergen labelling;
                                                sampling proposed by Codex commodity                                                                          Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and
                                                                                                           • Discussion paper on innovation—use of            Vegetables
                                                committees, except for methods of analysis              technology in food labelling;
                                                and sampling for residues of pesticides or                 • Discussion paper on labelling of                    The Codex Committee on Fresh Fruits and
                                                veterinary drugs in food, the assessment of             alcoholic beverages;                                  Vegetables (CCFFV) is responsible for
                                                microbiological quality and safety in food,                • Discussion paper on criteria for the             elaborating worldwide standards and codes
                                                and the assessment of specifications for food           definition of ‘‘high in’’ nutritional descriptors     of practice, as may be appropriate, for fresh
                                                additives; elaborates sampling plans and                for fats, sugars and sodium;                          fruits and vegetables, consulting as
                                                procedures, as may be required; considers                  • Discussion paper on labelling of foods in        necessary, with other international
                                                specific sampling and analysis problems                 joint presentation and multipack formats;             organizations in the standards development
                                                submitted to it by the Commission or any of             and                                                   process to avoid duplication.
                                                its Committees; and defines procedures,                    • Discussion paper on future work and                 The 20th Session of the Committee
                                                protocols, guidelines or related texts for the          direction of CCFL (update).                           (CCFFV20) met in Kampala, Uganda, October
                                                assessment of food laboratory proficiency, as              Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/               2–6, 2017. The relevant document is REP 18/
                                                well as quality assurance systems for                   FSIS.                                                 FFV.
                                                laboratories.                                              U.S. Participation: Yes.                              The following items were considered by
                                                   The 39th Session of the Committee                                                                          the Commission at its 40th Session in July
                                                (CCMAS39) met in Budapest, Hungary, May                 Codex Committee on Food Hygiene                       2018, and the Commission took action as
                                                7–11, 2018. The relevant document is REP18/                The Codex Committee on Food Hygiene                recommended by CCFFV20:
                                                MAS.                                                    (CCFH):                                                  Adopted at Step 8:
                                                   At its 41st Session in July 2018, the                   • Develops basic provisions on food                   • Draft Standard for Aubergines.
                                                Commission adopted, amended and revoked                 hygiene, applicable to all food or to specific           Adopted at Step 5:
                                                methods of analysis and sampling as                     food types;                                              • Draft Standard for Ware Potatoes.
                                                recommended by CCMAS39. The                                • Considers and amends or endorses                    Approved new work:
                                                Commission also approved new work as                    provisions on food hygiene contained in                  • Standards for yam, onions and shallots,
                                                proposed by CCMAS:                                      Codex commodity standards and codes of                and berry fruits.
                                                   • Revision of the Guidelines on                      practice developed by Codex commodity                    The Committee will continue working on
                                                Measurement Uncertainty (CXG 54–2004);                  committees;                                           the following items:
                                                and                                                        • Considers specific food hygiene                     • Proposed Layout for Standards for Fresh
                                                   • Project plan and amendment of the                  problems assigned to it by the Commission;            Fruits and Vegetables;
                                                General Guidelines on Sampling (CXG 50–                    • Suggests and prioritizes areas where                • Draft Standard for Garlic;
                                                2004).                                                  there is a need for microbiological risk                 • Draft Standard for Kiwifruit;
                                                   The Committee will continue working on               assessment at the international level and                • Draft Standard for Ware Potatoes;
                                                the following item:                                     develops questions to be addressed by the                • Proposed Draft Standard for Fresh Dates;
                                                   • Review/Revision of the General Standard            risk assessors; and                                      • Discussion paper on glossary of terms
                                                for Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CSX                  • Considers microbiological risk                   used in the layout for Codex standards for
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                234.                                                    management matters in relation to food                fresh fruits and vegetables; and
                                                   At CCMAS 39, the Committee agreed to                 hygiene and in relation to the FAO/WHO risk              • Recommendation on the inclusion of
                                                discontinue work on criteria for endorsement            assessments.                                          mono and di-glycerides of fatty acids and
                                                of biological methods to detect chemicals of               The Committee convened for its 49th                salts of myristic, palmitic and stearic acids
                                                concern.                                                Session (CCFH49) in Chicago, Illinois,                with ammonia, calcium, potassium and
                                                   Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/                 November 13–17, 2017. The relevant                    sodium in the GSFA under the food
                                                AMS.                                                    document is REP 18/FH. The following item             categories ‘‘surface-treated fresh fruits’’ and
                                                   U.S. Participation: Yes.                             was adopted by the 41st Session of the                ‘‘surface treated fresh vegetables.’’



                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   22:37 Aug 07, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00005   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM   08AUN1


                                                39046                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 153 / Wednesday, August 8, 2018 / Notices

                                                   Responsible Agencies: USDA/Agricultural              Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance              the list of acceptable previous cargoes
                                                Marketing Service (AMS); HHS/FDA.                       (AGISAR) and relevant World Organisation              currently on the list; and
                                                   U.S. Participation: Yes.                             for Animal Health (OIE) documents. The                   • Discussion paper on the applicability of
                                                Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for              objective of the Task Force is to develop             the fatty acid composition of all oils listed in
                                                Special Dietary Uses                                    science-based guidance on the management              Table 1 in relation to the fatty acid
                                                                                                        of foodborne antimicrobial resistance, taking         composition of corresponding crude
                                                   The Codex Committee on Nutrition and                 full account of the WHO Global Action Plan            (unrefined) forms in the Standard for Named
                                                Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU) is             on Antimicrobial Resistance, in particular            Vegetable Oils.
                                                responsible for studying nutrition issues               objectives 3 and 4, the work and standards               Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/
                                                referred to it by the Codex Alimentarius                of relevant international organizations, such         Agricultural Research Service (ARS).
                                                Commission. The Committee also drafts                   as FAO, WHO, and OIE, and the One-Health                 U.S. Participation: Yes.
                                                general provisions, as appropriate, on                  approach, to ensure members have the
                                                nutritional aspects of all foods and develops                                                                 Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and
                                                                                                        necessary guidance to enable coherent                 Vegetables
                                                standards, guidelines, and related texts for            management of antimicrobial resistance
                                                foods for special dietary uses, in cooperation          along the food chain. The Task Force is                  The Codex Committee on Processed Fruits
                                                with other committees where necessary;                  expected to complete its work within three            and Vegetables (CCPFV) is responsible for
                                                considers, amends if necessary, and endorses            (or a maximum of four) sessions.                      elaborating worldwide standards and related
                                                provisions on nutritional aspects proposed                 The Task Force will convene for its 6th            texts for all types of processed fruits and
                                                for inclusion in Codex standards, guidelines,           Session (the 2nd Session since reactivation in        vegetables including, but not limited to
                                                and related texts.                                      2016) in the Republic of Korea, December              canned, dried, and frozen products, as well
                                                   The Committee convened for its 39th                  10–14, 2018.                                          as fruit and vegetable juices and nectars.
                                                Session (CCNFSDU) in Berlin, Germany,                      The Committee will continue to discuss:            Proposals for new work were received by
                                                December 4–8, 2017. The reference document                 • The Proposed draft Revision of the Code          Executive Committee of the Codex
                                                is REP 18/NFSDU. The following item was                 of Practice to Minimize and Contain                   Alimentarius Commission (CCEXEC) and
                                                adopted by the Commission at its 41st                   Antimicrobial Resistance;                             approved by CAC40 (July 17–22, 2017) for
                                                Session in July 2–6, 2018, as recommended                  • Proposed draft Guidelines on Integrated          cashew kernels, chili sauce, mango chutney,
                                                by CCNFSDU39.                                           surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance; and         dried sweet potato, gochujang, dried fruits,
                                                   Adopted at Step 5:                                      • Request for Scientific Advice from Food          and canned mixed fruits.
                                                   • Review of the Standard for Follow-up               and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and                   The Commission authorized CCPFV to
                                                Formula: Proposed ‘‘Essential composition               World Health Organization (WHO) in                    work by correspondence until CAC 41 (2018)
                                                requirements for older infants and young                collaboration with OIE.                               to prioritize the proposals for new work,
                                                children.’’                                                Responsible Agencies: FDA/USDA.                    prepare a work plan, and prepare
                                                   The Committee will continue working on                  U.S. Participation: Yes.                           recommendations on the establishment of
                                                the following items:                                                                                          electronic working groups. The Commission
                                                   • Proposed draft Claim for ‘‘free of’’ trans         Codex Committee on Fats and Oils
                                                                                                                                                              at its 41st Session in July 2018 endorsed the
                                                fatty acids;                                               The Codex Committee on Fats and Oils               CCPFV Chairperson’s proposed work plan
                                                   • Discussion of biological methods used to           (CCFO) is responsible for elaborating                 and recommendations (1) to establish 7
                                                detect chemicals of concern;                            worldwide standards for fats and oils of              EWGS to prepare proposed drafts for
                                                   • Review of the Standard for Follow-up               animal, vegetable, and marine origin,                 comments and consideration by the CCPFV,
                                                Formula: Scope, product definition,                     including margarine and olive oil.                    and (2) to schedule a physical meeting of the
                                                labelling;                                                 The Committee will convene in 2019 for its         Committee at an appropriate time.
                                                   • Proposed draft definition for                      26th Session.                                            Responsible Agencies: USDA/Agricultural
                                                biofortification;                                          The Committee will continue working on             Marketing Service; HHS/FDA.
                                                   • Proposed draft Nutrient Reference                  the following items:                                     U.S. Participation: Yes.
                                                Values—Noncommunicable Disease (NRV–                       • Revision of the Standard for Named
                                                NCD) for EPA and DHA;                                   Vegetable Oils: Essential composition of              Codex Committee on Sugars
                                                   • Proposed draft guideline for ready to use          sunflower seed oils;                                     The Codex Committee on Sugars (CCS)
                                                therapeutic foods;                                         • Revision of the Standard for Named               elaborates worldwide standards for all types
                                                   • Nutrient Reference Values—                         Vegetable Oils: Inclusion of walnut oil,              of sugars and sugar products.
                                                Requirements (NRV–R) for older infants and              almond oil, hazelnut oil, pistachio oil,                 The Committee has been re-activated to
                                                young children;                                         flaxseed oil, and avocado oil;                        work by correspondence on a draft Standard
                                                   • Mechanism/framework for considering                   • Revision of the Standard for Named               for Non-Centrifuged Dehydrated Sugar Cane
                                                the technological justification of food                 Vegetable Oils: Replacement of acid value             Juice. The work is behind schedule. The
                                                additives;                                              with free fatty acids for virgin palm oil and         Commission at its 41st Session in July 2018
                                                   • Discussion paper on harmonized                     inclusion of free fatty acids for crude palm          agreed to extend the work by correspondence
                                                probiotic guidelines for use in foods and               kernel oil; and                                       by one year, reporting back to the
                                                dietary supplements; and                                   • Revision of the Standard for Olive Oils          Commission at its 42nd session, and noted
                                                   • General guidelines to establish                    and Pomace Olive Oils (Codex Stan 33–                 the possibility that a physical meeting could
                                                nutritional profiles.                                   1981).                                                be convened.
                                                   Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA; USDA/                    • Gathering information on technical                  Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA.
                                                Agricultural Research Service (ARS).                    difficulties in the implementation of the fish           U.S. Participation: Yes.
                                                   U.S. Participation: Yes.                             oil standard, specifically on monitoring its
                                                                                                                                                              Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses and
                                                   Ad hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task                  application with respect to the conformity of
                                                                                                                                                              Legumes
                                                Force on Antimicrobial Resistance (re-                  named fish oils with the requirements
                                                activated in 2016).                                     (especially the fatty acid profile), and its             The Codex Committee on Cereals, Pulses
                                                   The Ad hoc Codex Intergovernmental Task              effect on trade;                                      and Legumes (CCCPL) elaborates worldwide
                                                Force on Antimicrobial Resistance (TFAMR)                  • Alignment of food additives provisions           standards and/or codes of practice, as
                                                is responsible for (1) reviewing and revising,          in standards for fats and oils (except fish oils)     appropriate, for cereals, pulses and legumes
                                                as appropriate, the Code of Practice to                 and technological justification for use of            and their products.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                Minimize and Contain Antimicrobial                      emulsifiers;                                             The Committee has been reactivated to
                                                Resistance (CAC/RCP 61–2005) to address                    • Proposals for new substances to be               work by correspondence to draft an
                                                the entire food chain, in line with the                 added to the list of acceptable previous              international Codex Standard for quinoa. The
                                                mandate of Codex; and (2) considering the               cargoes;                                              following item was considered by the
                                                development of Guidance on Integrated                      • Provision of relevant information (if            Commission at its 41st Session in July 2018:
                                                Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance,               available from Member countries) to the Joint            • Standard for Quinoa
                                                taking into account the guidance developed              FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food                         The Commission agreed to adopt, subject
                                                by the WHO Advisory Group on Integrated                 Additives (JECFA) on the 23 substances on             to the endorsement of the labelling



                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   22:37 Aug 07, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00006   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM   08AUN1


                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 153 / Wednesday, August 8, 2018 / Notices                                               39047

                                                provisions by CCFL45, the draft standard for            Coordinating Committee for Asia                          • Relevant languages of the Codex
                                                quinoa at Step 8, except for the provisions for         Coordinating Committee for Europe                     Alimentarius Commission in the work of
                                                moisture content and grain size, which were             Coordinating Committee for Latin America              CCEUROPE; and
                                                returned to Step 6. The Commission also                   and the Caribbean                                      • Funding translation and interpretation
                                                established an EWG, chaired by Costa Rica               Coordinating Committee for the Near East              services into Russian for the effective
                                                and co-chaired by Chile and the United                  Coordinating Committee for North America              operation of CCEUROPE.
                                                States of America, to continue the work on                and the South West Pacific                             Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.
                                                the provisions for moisture content and grain                                                                    U.S. Participation: Yes (as observer).
                                                                                                        Coordinating Committee for Africa
                                                size. The Commission further encouraged                                                                       Coordinating Committee for Latin America
                                                members to identify a validated method of                  The Committee (CCAFRICA) will convene
                                                                                                                                                              and the Caribbean
                                                analysis for saponins to allow for full                 its 23rd Session in 2019.
                                                implementation of the standard.                            The Committee will continue to work on                The Coordinating Committee for Latin
                                                  Responsible Agencies: HHS/FDA.                        the following items:                                  America and the Caribbean (CCLAC) will
                                                  U.S. Participation: Yes.                                 • Proposed draft Regional Standard for             convene its 21st in 2019.
                                                                                                        Unrefined Shea Butter;                                   The Committee will continue to work on
                                                Certain Codex Commodity Committees                                                                            the following items:
                                                                                                           • Proposed draft Regional Standard for
                                                  Several Codex Alimentarius Commodity                  Fermented Cooked Cassava Based Products;                 • Monitoring of the Strategic Plan for
                                                Committees have adjourned sine die. The                    • Proposed draft Regional Standard for             CCLAC;
                                                following Committees fall into this category:           Gnetum Spp leaves;                                       • Critical and Emerging Issues and
                                                  • Cocoa Products and Chocolate—                          • Priority Setting criteria for the                prioritization of CCLAC issues within the
                                                adjourned 2001.                                         establishment of work priorities as laid down         framework of Codex;
                                                  Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA; DCO/                                                                              • Comments on the Food Safety Control
                                                                                                        in the Codex Procedural Manual;
                                                NOAA.                                                                                                         Systems Platform;
                                                                                                           • Comments on the preparation of the new
                                                  U.S. Participation: Yes.                                                                                       • Cross-cutting topics for the region,
                                                                                                        global Codex Strategic Plan;
                                                  • Fish and Fishery Products—adjourned                                                                       proposed draft standards and seeking
                                                                                                           • Food quality and safety situation in
                                                2016.                                                                                                         regional support; and
                                                                                                        countries of the Region (on-line platform,               • Proposal for the Development of a
                                                  Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA/NOAA.
                                                                                                        prioritization of needs in the region and             Standard for Yams.
                                                  U.S. Participation: Yes.
                                                  • Meat Hygiene—adjourned 2003.                        comments for future consideration);                      Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.
                                                  Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS.                           • Use of Codex Standards in the Region;               U.S. Participation: Yes (as observer).
                                                  U.S. Participation: Yes.                                 • Proposed draft Standard on Dried Meat;
                                                                                                           • Discussion paper and project document            Coordinating Committee for the Near East
                                                  • Milk and Milk Products—adjourned
                                                2017.                                                   on a Harmonized Food Law; and                            The Coordinating Committee for the Near
                                                  Responsible Agency: USDA/AMS; HHS/                       • Discussion paper/project on a Regional           East (CCNEA) will convene its 10th Session
                                                FDA.                                                    Standard for a Fermented Non-Alcoholic                in 2019.
                                                  U.S. Participation: Yes.                              Cereal Based Drink (Mahewu).                             Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.
                                                  • Natural Mineral Waters—adjourned                       Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.                   U.S. Participation: No.
                                                2008.                                                      U.S. Participation: Yes (as observer).             Coordinating Committee for North America
                                                  Responsible Agency: HHS/FDA.                          Coordinating Committee for Asia                       and the South West Pacific (CCNASWP)
                                                  U.S. Participation: Yes.                                                                                       The Committee (CCNASWP) will convene
                                                                                                           The Committee (CCASIA) will convene its
                                                  • Vegetable Proteins—adjourned 1989.                                                                        its 15th Session in 2019.
                                                                                                        21st Session in 2019.
                                                  Responsible Agency: USDA/ARS.                                                                                  The Committee will continue to work on
                                                                                                           The Committee will continue to work on
                                                  U.S. Participation: Yes.                                                                                    the following items:
                                                                                                        the following items:
                                                FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating                              • Report on the status of the                         • New work on the development of a
                                                Committees                                              Implementation of the Activities of the               Regional Standard for Kava as a beverage
                                                  The FAO/WHO Regional Coordinating                     Strategic Plan Relevant to CCASIA;                    when mixed with cold water;
                                                Committees define the problems and needs of                • Discussion paper and project document               • Recommendation that Vanuatu be re-
                                                the regions concerning food standards and               on the Development of a Regional Standard             appointed as Coordinator for North America
                                                food control; promote within the Committee              for Rice Based Low Alcohol Beverages                  and the South West Pacific;
                                                contacts for the mutual exchange of                     (cloudy types);                                          • Proposed draft Regional Standard for
                                                information on proposed regulatory                         • Discussion paper and project document            Fermented Noni-Juice; and
                                                initiatives and problems arising from food              on the Development of a Regional Standard                • Development of on-line platform for
                                                control and stimulate the strengthening of                                                                    information on sharing food quality and
                                                                                                        for Soybean Products Fermented with the
                                                food control infrastructures; recommend to                                                                    safety systems.
                                                                                                        Bacterium Bacillus Subtilis;
                                                                                                                                                                 Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.
                                                the Commission the development of                          • Discussion paper and project document
                                                worldwide standards for products of interest                                                                     U.S. Participation: Yes.
                                                                                                        on the Development of a Regional Standard
                                                to the region, including products considered                                                                     Contact: U.S. Codex Office, United States
                                                                                                        for Quick Frozen Dumpling (Jiaozi);
                                                                                                                                                              Department of Agriculture, Room 4861,
                                                by the Committees to have an international                 • Discussion paper and the project
                                                market potential in the future; develop                                                                       South Agriculture Building, 1400
                                                                                                        document on the Development of a Regional
                                                regional standards for food products moving                                                                   Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
                                                                                                        Standard/Code of Practice for Zongzi;
                                                                                                                                                              20250–3700, Phone: (202) 205–7760, Fax:
                                                exclusively or almost exclusively in intra-                • Emerging Issues as priorities for the            (202) 720–3157, Email: uscodex@
                                                regional trade; draw the attention of the               CCASIA region; and                                    fsis.usda.gov.
                                                Commission to any aspects of the                           • Information sharing on the Food Safety
                                                Commission’s work of particular significance            Control Systems.
                                                to the region; promote coordination of all                 Responsible Agency: USDA/FSIS/USCO.                Attachment 2
                                                regional food standards work undertaken by                 U.S. Participation: Yes (as observer).
                                                international governmental and non-                                                                           U.S. Codex Alimentarius Officials
                                                governmental organizations within each                  Coordinating Committee for Europe
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                                                              Codex Chairpersons From the United States
                                                region; exercise a general coordinating role               The Committee (CCEUROPE) will convene
                                                for the region and such other functions as              its 31st Session in 2019.                             Codex Committee on Food Hygiene
                                                may be entrusted to them by the                            The Committee will continue to work on             Emilio Esteban, DVM, MBA, MPVM, Ph.D.,
                                                Commission; and promote the use of Codex                the following items:                                    Executive Associate for Laboratory
                                                standards and related texts by members.                    • Survey of critical and emerging issues;            Services, Office of Public Health Science,
                                                  There are six regional coordinating                      • On-line Platform and information                   Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S.
                                                committees:                                             sharing on the Food Safety Control Systems;             Department of Agriculture, 950 College
                                                Coordinating Committee for Africa                          • Survey on the use of Codex Standards;              Station Road, Athens, GA 30605, Phone:



                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   22:37 Aug 07, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00007   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM   08AUN1


                                                39048                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 153 / Wednesday, August 8, 2018 / Notices

                                                  (706) 546–3429, Fax: (706) 546–3428,                    Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug                       U.S. Delegate
                                                  Email: emilio.esteban@fsis.usda.gov.                    Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, HFS–             Gregory Noonan, Director, Division of
                                                Codex Committee on Processed Fruits and                   300, Room 3B–014, College Park, MD                    Bioanalytical Chemistry, Division of
                                                Vegetables                                                20740–3835, Phone: +1 (240) 402–2166,                 Analytical Chemistry, Center for Food
                                                                                                          Fax: +1 (301) 436–2632, Jenny.Scott@                  Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and
                                                Richard Boyd, Chief, Contract Services
                                                                                                          fda.hhs.gov.                                          Drug Administration, 5001 Campus Drive,
                                                  Branch, Specialty Crops Inspection
                                                  Division, Specialty Crops Program,                    Alternate Delegates                                     College Park, MD 20740, Phone: +1 (240)
                                                  Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S.                  William Shaw, Director, Risk, Innovation and            402–2250, Fax: +1 (301) 436–2332,
                                                  Department of Agriculture, 1400                        Management Staff, Food Safety and                      Gregory.Noonan@fda.hhs.gov.
                                                  Independence Avenue SW, Mail Stop                      Inspection Service, 355 E Street SW, Room            Alternate Delegate
                                                  0247, Room 0726—South Building,                        8–142, Patriots Plaza III, Washington, DC
                                                  Washington, DC 20250, Phone: (202) 690–                                                                     Dr. Timothy Norden, Technology and
                                                                                                         20024, Phone: +1 (301) 504–0852,
                                                  1201, Fax: (202) 690–1527, Email:                                                                             Science Division, Federal Grain Inspection
                                                                                                         William.Shaw@fsis.usda.gov.
                                                  richard.boyd@ams.usda.gov.                                                                                    Program, Agricultural Marketing Service,
                                                                                                        Andrew Chi Yuen Yeung, Ph.D., Branch
                                                Codex Committee on Residues of Veterinary                                                                       U.S. Department of Agriculture, 10383 N
                                                                                                         Chief, Egg and Meat Products Branch,
                                                Drugs in Foods                                                                                                  Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153,
                                                                                                         Division of Dairy, Egg and Meat Products,
                                                                                                                                                                Phone: +1 (816) 891–0470, Fax: +1 (816)
                                                Kevin Greenlees, Ph.D., DABT, Senior                     Office of Food Safety, Center for Food
                                                                                                                                                                872–1253, Timothy.D.Norden@
                                                  Advisor for Science and Policy, Office of              Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food
                                                  New Animal Drug Evaluation, HFV–100,                                                                          ams.usda.gov.
                                                                                                         and Drug Administration, 5001 Campus
                                                  Center for Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Food              Drive, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: +1             Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses
                                                  and Drug Administration, 7500 Standish                 (240) 402–1541, Fax: +1 (301) 436–2632,              (Host Government—Germany)
                                                  Place, Rockville, MD 20855, Phone: (240)               Andrew.Yeung@fda.hhs.gov.
                                                  402–0638, Fax: (240) 276–9538,                                                                              U.S. Delegate
                                                  kevin.greenlees@fda.hhs.gov.                          Food Import and Export Certification and
                                                                                                                                                              Douglas Balentine, Director, Office of
                                                                                                        Inspection Systems
                                                U.S. Delegates and Alternate Delegates                                                                          Nutrition and Food Labelling, Center for
                                                                                                        (Host Government—Australia)                             Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S.
                                                Worldwide General Codex Subject                         U.S. Delegate                                           Food and Drug Administration, 5001
                                                Committees                                                                                                      Campus Drive (HFS–830), College Park,
                                                                                                        Mary Stanley, Senior Advisor, Office of
                                                Contaminants in Foods                                    International Coordination, Food Safety                MD 20740, +1 240 402 2373, Fax: +1 (301)
                                                (Host Government—The Netherlands)                        and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of             436–2636, Douglas.Balentine@fda.hhs.gov.
                                                U.S. Delegate                                            Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue                Alternate Delegate
                                                                                                         SW, Room 3151, Washington, DC 20250,                 Pamela R. Pehrsson, Ph.D., Research Leader,
                                                Dr. Lauren Posnick Robin, Branch Chief,
                                                                                                         Phone: +1 (202) 720–0287, Fax: +1 (202)                U.S. Department of Agriculture,
                                                  Plant Products Branch, Division of Plant
                                                                                                         690–3856, Mary.Stanley@fsis.usda.gov.                  Agricultural Research Service, Nutrient
                                                  Products and Beverages, Office of Food
                                                  Safety (HFS–317), Center for Food Safety              Alternate Delegate                                      Data Laboratory, Room 105, Building 005,
                                                  and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug             Caroline Smith DeWaal, International Food               BARC-West, 10300 Baltimore Avenue,
                                                  Administration, 5001 Campus Drive,                      Safety Policy Manager, Office of the Center           Beltsville, MD 20705, 301.504.0630 (voice),
                                                  College Park, MD 20740, Phone: +1 (240)                 Director, Center for Food Safety and                  301.504.0632 (fax), Pamela.Pehrsson@
                                                  402–1639, Lauren.Robin@fda.hhs.gov.                     Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug                 ars.usda.gov.
                                                Alternate Delegate                                        Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, Room             Pesticide Residues
                                                Dr. Terry Dutko, Ph.D., Laboratory Director,              4A011, College Park, MD 20740–3835,                 (Host Government—China)
                                                  Food Safety and Inspection Service, Office              Phone: +1 (240) 402–1242,
                                                                                                          Caroline.DeWaal@fda.hhs.gov.                        U.S. Delegate
                                                  of Public Health Science, U.S. Department
                                                  of Agriculture, 4300 Goodfellow Building,             Food Labelling                                        Captain David Miller, Chief, Chemistry and
                                                  105D Federal, St. Louis, MO 63120–0005,                                                                       Exposure Branch, and acting Chief,
                                                                                                        (Host Government—Canada)                                Toxicology and Epidemiology Branch,
                                                  Phone: +1 (314) 263–2680, Extension 344,
                                                  Tery.Dutko@fsis.usda.gov.                             U.S. Delegate                                           Health Effects Division, William Jefferson
                                                Food Additives                                          Douglas Balentine, Director, Office of                  Clinton Building, 1200 Pennsylvania
                                                                                                          Nutrition and Food Labelling, Center for              Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460,
                                                (Host Government—China)                                                                                         Phone: +1 (703) 305–5352, Fax: +1 (703)
                                                                                                          Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S.
                                                U.S. Delegate                                             Food and Drug Administration, 5001                    305–5147, Miller.Davidj@epa.gov.
                                                Paul S. Honigfort, Ph.D., Consumer Safety                 Campus Drive (HFS–830), College Park,               Alternate Delegate
                                                  Officer, Division of Food Contact                       MD 20740, +1 240 402 2373, Fax: +1 (301)            Dr. John Johnston, Scientific Liaison/
                                                  Notifications (HFS–275), Office of Food                 436–2636, Douglas.Balentine@fda.hhs.gov.              Chemist, Food Safety and Inspection
                                                  Additive Safety, U.S. Food and Drug                   Alternate Delegate                                      Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
                                                  Administration, 5001 Campus Drive,
                                                                                                        Jeffrey Canavan, Deputy Director, Labeling              2150 Centre Avenue, Building D, Suite
                                                  College Park, MD 20740, Phone: +1 (240)
                                                  402–1206, Fax: +1 (301) 436–2965,                        and Program Delivery Staff, Food Safety              320, Fort Collins, CO 80526, Phone: (202)
                                                  Paul.Honigfort@fda.hhs.gov.                              and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of           365–7175, John.Johnston@fsis.usda.gov.
                                                                                                           Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue              Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Foods
                                                Alternate Delegate
                                                                                                           SW—Mail Stop 5273, Patriots Plaza III, 8th
                                                Daniel Folmer, Ph.D., Chemist, Center for                                                                     (Host Government—United States)
                                                                                                           Floor–161A, Washington, DC 20250,
                                                  Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S.                  Phone: +1 (301) 504–0860, Fax: +1 (202)            U.S. Delegate
                                                  Food and Drug Administration, 5001                       245–4792, Jeff.Canavan@fsis.usda.gov.              Ms. Brandi Robinson, MPH, CPH, ONADE
                                                  Campus Drive, Room 3017 HFS–265,                                                                             International Coordinator, Center for
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                  College Park, MD 20740, Phone: +1 (240)               General Principles
                                                                                                                                                               Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Food and Drug
                                                  402–1274, Daniel.Folmer@fda.hhs.gov.                  (Host Government—France)                               Administration, 7500 Standish Place
                                                Food Hygiene                                              Delegate Note: A member of the Steering              (HFV–100), Rockville, MD 20855, Phone:
                                                (Host Government—United States)                         Committee heads the delegation to meetings             +1 (240) 402–0645, Brandi.Robinson@
                                                U.S. Delegate                                           of the General Principles Committee.                   fda.hhs.gov.
                                                Jenny Scott, Senior Advisor, Office of Food             Methods of Analysis and Sampling                      Alternate Delegate
                                                  Safety, Center for Food Safety and Applied            (Host Government—Hungary)                             Vacant



                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   22:37 Aug 07, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00008   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM   08AUN1


                                                                           Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 153 / Wednesday, August 8, 2018 / Notices                                              39049

                                                Worldwide Commodity Codex Committees                      Department of Agriculture, 1400                     Worldwide Commodity Codex Committees
                                                (Active)                                                  Independence Avenue SW—Mail Stop                    (Adjourned)
                                                Cereals, Pulses and Legumes                               0247, Washington, DC 20250–0247, Phone:             Cocoa Products and Chocolate (adjourned
                                                                                                          +1 (202) 690–4944, Fax: +1 (202) 690–               sine die 2001)
                                                (Host Government—United States)                           1527, Dorian.Lafond@usda.gov.
                                                U.S. Delegate                                                                                                 (Host Government—Switzerland)
                                                                                                        Alternate Delegate
                                                Dr. Henry Kim, Senior Policy Analyst, Office                                                                  U.S. Delegate
                                                                                                        Dr. Yinqing Ma, Branch Chief, Beverages
                                                  of Food Safety, Center for Food Safety and                                                                  Michelle Smith, Ph.D., Senior Policy Analyst,
                                                                                                          Branch, Division of Plant Products and                Office of Food Safety, Center for Food
                                                  Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug
                                                  Administration, 5001 Campus Drive (HFS–                 Beverages, Office of Food Safety (HFS–                Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food
                                                  317), College Park, MD, USA 20740–3835,                 317), Center for Food Safety and Applied              and Drug Administration (HFS–317),
                                                  Phone: +1 (240) 402–2023, henry.kim@                    Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug                         Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building, 5001
                                                  fda.hhs.gov.                                            Administration, 5001 Campus Drive,                    Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740–
                                                                                                          College Park, MD 20740, Phone: +1 (240)               3835, Phone: +1 (240) 402–2024, Fax: +1
                                                Alternate Delegate                                        402–2479, Fax: +1 (301) 436–2632,                     (301) 436–2632, Michelle.Smith@
                                                Mr. Patrick McCluskey, Supervisory                        Yinqing.Ma@fda.hhs.gov.                               fda.hhs.gov.
                                                  Agricultural Marketing Specialist, U.S.
                                                                                                        Spices and Culinary Herbs                             Fish and Fishery Products (adjourned sine
                                                  Department of Agriculture, Agricultural
                                                  Marketing Service, Federal Grain                      (Host Government—India)                               die 2016)
                                                  Inspection Service, 10383 N Ambassador                U.S. Delegate                                         (Host Government—Norway)
                                                  Drive, Kansas City, MO 64153, Phone: +1                                                                     U.S. Delegate
                                                  (816) 659–8403, Patrick.J.Mccluskey@                  Dorian LaFond, International Standards
                                                  ams.usda.gov.                                          Coordinator, Fruit and Vegetables Program,           Dr. William R. Jones, Deputy Director, Office
                                                                                                         Specialty Crop Inspection Division,                    of Food Safety (HFS–300), U.S. Food and
                                                Fats and Oils                                            Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S.                   Drug Administration, 5001 Campus Drive,
                                                (Host Government—Malaysia)                               Department of Agriculture, 1400                        College Park, MD 20740, Phone: +1 (240)
                                                U.S. Delegate                                            Independence Avenue SW—Mail Stop                       402–2300, Fax: +1 (301) 436–2601,
                                                                                                         0247, Washington, DC 20250–0247, Phone:                William.Jones@fda.hhs.gov.
                                                Dr. Paul South, Director, Division of Plant
                                                                                                         +1 (202) 690–4944, Fax: +1 (202) 690–                Alternate Delegate
                                                  Products and Beverages, Office of Food
                                                                                                         1527, Dorian.Lafond@usda.gov.
                                                  Safety (HFS–317), Center for Food Safety                                                                    Steven Wilson, Deputy Director, Office of
                                                  and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug             Alternate Delegate                                      International Affairs and Seafood
                                                  Administration, 5001 Campus Drive,                    Dr. Aparna Tatavarthy, Microbiologist,                  Inspection, National Marine Fisheries
                                                  College Park, MD 20740–3835, Phone: +1                  Spices and Seasoning Mixes Team,                      Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of
                                                  (240) 402–1640, Fax: +1 (301) 436–2632,                 Division of Plant Products and Beverages,             Commerce, 1315 East-West Highway,
                                                  Paul.South@fda.hhs.gov.                                 Office of Food Safety (HFS–317), Center for           Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, Phone: +1
                                                Alternate Delegate                                        Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S.               (301) 427–8312 Steven.Wilson@noaa.gov.
                                                Robert A. Moreau, Ph.D., Research Leader,                 Food and Drug Administration, 5001                  Meat Hygiene (adjourned sine die 2003)
                                                  Eastern Regional Research Center,                       Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740,               (Host Government—New Zealand)
                                                  Agricultural Research Service, U.S.                     Phone: +1 (240) 402–1013, Fax: +1 (301)
                                                                                                          436–2632, Aparna.Tatavarthy@                        U.S. Delegate
                                                  Department of Agriculture, 600 East
                                                  Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038,                       fda.hhs.gov.                                        Vacant
                                                  Phone: +1 (215) 233–6428, Fax: +1 (215)               Sugars                                                Milk and Milk Products (adjourned sine die
                                                  233–6406, Robert.Moreau@ars.usda.gov.                                                                       2017)
                                                                                                        (Host Government—United Kingdom)
                                                Fresh Fruits and Vegetables                                                                                   (Host Government—New Zealand)
                                                                                                        U.S. Delegate
                                                (Host Government—Mexico)                                                                                      U.S. Delegate
                                                                                                        Dr. Chia-Pei Charlotte Liang, Chemist, Office
                                                U.S. Delegate                                             of Food Safety, Center for Food Safety and          Christopher Thompson, Dairy
                                                Dorian LaFond, International Standards                    Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug                 Standardization Branch, Mail Stop 0230,
                                                  Coordinator, Fruit and Vegetables Program,              Administration, 5001 Campus Drive,                    Room 2756, Agricultural Marketing
                                                  Specialty Crop Inspection Division,                     College Park, MD 20740, Phone: +1 (240)               Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture,
                                                  Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S.                    402–2785, Charlotte.Liang@fda.hhs.gov.                1400 Independence Avenue SW,
                                                  Department of Agriculture, 1400                                                                               Washington, DC 20250, Phone: +1 (202)
                                                  Independence Avenue SW—Mail Stop                      Worldwide Ad Hoc Codex Task Forces                      720–9382, Fax: +1 (844) 804–4701,
                                                  0247, Washington, DC 20250–0247, Phone:               (Active)                                                Christopher.D.Thompson@ams.usda.gov.
                                                  +1 (202) 690–4944, Fax: +1 (202) 690–                 Antimicrobial Resistance (Reactivated 2016)           Alternate Delegate
                                                  1527, Dorian.Lafond@usda.gov.
                                                                                                        (Host Government—Republic of Korea)                   John F. Sheehan, Director, Division of Dairy,
                                                Alternate Delegate                                                                                              Egg and Meat Product Safety, Office of
                                                                                                        U.S. Delegate
                                                David T. Ingram, Ph.D., Consumer Safety                                                                         Food Safety, Center for Food Safety and
                                                                                                        Donald A. Prater, DVM, Assistant
                                                  Officer, Office of Food Safety, Fresh                                                                         Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug
                                                                                                         Commissioner for Food Safety Integration,
                                                  Produce Branch, Division of Produce                                                                           Administration (HFS–315), Harvey W.
                                                                                                         Office of Foods and Veterinary Medicine,
                                                  Safety, Center for Food Safety and Applied                                                                    Wiley Federal Building, 5001 Campus
                                                                                                         Food and Drug Administration, 10903 New
                                                  Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug                                                                                 Drive, College Park, MD 20740, Phone: +1
                                                                                                         Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD                    (240) 402–1488, Fax: +1 (301) 436–2632,
                                                  Administration, 5001 Campus Drive, Room
                                                                                                         20993, Phone: +1–301–348–3007,                         John.Sheehan@fda.hhs.gov.
                                                  3E027, College Park, MD 20740–3835,
                                                  Phone: +1 (240) 402–0335, David.Ingram@                Donald.Prater@fda.hhs.gov.
                                                                                                                                                              Natural Mineral Waters (adjourned sine die
                                                  fda.hhs.gov.                                          Alternate Delegate                                    2008)
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                Processed Fruits and Vegetables                         Neena Anandaraman, DVM, MPH, Veterinary               (Host Government—Switzerland)
                                                (Host Government—United States)                          Science Policy Advisor, Office of Chief
                                                                                                         Scientist, U.S. Department of Agriculture,           U.S. Delegate
                                                U.S. Delegate                                            Jamie L. Whitten Building, Room 339A,                Dr. Yinqing Ma, Branch Chief, Beverages
                                                Dorian LaFond, International Standards                   1200 Independence Avenue SW,                           Branch, Division of Plant Products and
                                                  Coordinator, Fruit and Vegetables Program,             Washington, DC 20024, Phone: +1 (202)                  Beverages, Office of Food Safety (HFS–
                                                  Specialty Crop Inspection Division,                    260–8789, Neena.Anandaraman@                           317), Center for Food Safety and Applied
                                                  Agricultural Marketing Service, U.S.                   osec.usda.gov.                                         Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug



                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   22:37 Aug 07, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00009   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM   08AUN1


                                                39050                      Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 153 / Wednesday, August 8, 2018 / Notices

                                                  Administration, 5001 Campus Drive,                    Attn: South Revilla IRP, 3031 Tongass                 conditions in the project area to support
                                                  College Park, MD 20740, Phone: +1 (240)               Avenue, Ketchikan, Alaska 99901;                      viable wildlife, fish, and plant
                                                  402–2479, Fax: +1 (301) 436–2632,                     telephone (907) 225–2148. The FAX                     populations and to sustain diversity and
                                                  Yinqing.Ma@fda.hhs.gov.
                                                                                                        number is (907) 225–8738. Comments                    production. Restoration would
                                                Vegetable Proteins (adjourned sine die 1989)            may be emailed to: comments-alaska-                   contribute to traditional, cultural, and
                                                (Host Government—Canada)                                tongass-ketchikan-mistyfiord@fs.fed.us                subsistence uses by residents of
                                                U.S. Delegate                                           with South Revilla IRP in the subject                 Southeast Alaska. There is a need to
                                                Vacant                                                  line. In all correspondence, include                  provide sustainable recreation
                                                                                                        your name, address, and organization                  opportunities to a diverse and growing
                                                Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Forces                    name if you are commenting as a                       group of forest users. A sustainable
                                                (Dissolved)                                                                                                   recreation program in terms of
                                                                                                        representative of an organization.
                                                Animal Feeding (Dissolved 2013)                                                                               operations and maintenance is needed
                                                                                                        FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
                                                (Host government—Switzerland)                           Susan Howle, District Ranger, Ketchikan               to maintain infrastructure at an
                                                U.S. Delegate                                           Misty Fjords Ranger District, 3031                    acceptable level.
                                                Vacant                                                  Tongass Avenue, Ketchikan, Alaska                     Proposed Action
                                                [FR Doc. 2018–16944 Filed 8–7–18; 8:45 am]              99901; Daryl Bingham, Planning Staff,
                                                                                                                                                                The Forest Service proposes to
                                                                                                        (907) 228–4114, or Damien Zona,
                                                BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P                                                                                        harvest timber, construct and
                                                                                                        Interdisciplinary Team Leader, (907)
                                                                                                                                                              reconstruct roads, restore watershed
                                                                                                        228–4126. Individuals who use
                                                                                                                                                              function, enhance or restore fish and
                                                DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE                               telecommunication devices for the deaf
                                                                                                                                                              wildlife habitat, and develop recreation
                                                                                                        may call the Federal Information Relay                opportunities in the Shelter Cove, Shoal
                                                Forest Service                                          Service at 1–800–877–8339 between 8                   Cove and Thorne Arm areas within the
                                                                                                        a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern Time, Monday                 Ketchikan Misty Fjords Ranger District,
                                                Tongass National Forest; Ketchikan                      through Friday.
                                                Misty Fjords Ranger District; Alaska;                                                                         Tongass National Forest. The project
                                                                                                        SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This EIS                   area includes the following land use
                                                South Revillagigedo Integrated
                                                                                                        will tier to and incorporate by reference             designations (LUDs): Wilderness, Semi-
                                                Resource Project Environmental
                                                                                                        the 2016 Tongass Land and Resource                    remote Recreation, Old-growth Habitat,
                                                Impact Statement
                                                                                                        Management Plan Final EIS. The project                Special Interest Area, Scenic River,
                                                AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.                           area is located on Revillagigedo Island,              Modified Landscape, and Timber
                                                ACTION:Notice of intent to prepare an                   approximately 17 miles northeast of                   Production (Forest Plan, Chapter 3).
                                                environmental impact statement.                         Ketchikan, Alaska, within the Ketchikan               Proposed activities will be consistent
                                                                                                        Misty Fjords Ranger District, Tongass                 with Forest Plan direction. A proposed
                                                SUMMARY:   The Forest Service will                      National Forest and encompasses about                 action map and information on the 2018
                                                prepare an Environmental Impact                         58,159 acres of National Forest System                Shelter Cove and Saddle Lakes
                                                Statement (EIS) for the South                           lands.                                                Recreation Area Master Plan is provided
                                                Revillagigedo Integrated Resource
                                                                                                        Purpose and Need for Action                           on the project web page at: https://
                                                Project (South Revilla IRP) which
                                                                                                                                                              www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project
                                                proposes to harvest timber, restore                        The purpose of the South Revilla IRP               =53477.
                                                watershed function, enhance or restore                  is to implement the 2016 Tongass Land
                                                fish and wildlife habitat, and develop                  and Resource Management Plan (Forest                  Forest and Transportation Management
                                                recreation opportunities using an                       Plan) direction to move the project area                The Forest Service proposes to
                                                integrated approach in the Shelter Cove,                toward the desired future conditions                  harvest about 60 million board feet of
                                                Shoal Cove, and Thorne Arm areas                        described in that plan. More                          old-growth timber from up to 6,000
                                                within the Ketchikan Misty Fjords                       specifically, the purpose is to manage                acres of forested land in the Modified
                                                Ranger District, Tongass National                       the timber resource for production of                 Landscape and Timber Production
                                                Forest. The Proposed Action would                       sawtimber and other wood products,                    LUDs using one or more timber sales,
                                                harvest about 60 million board feet of                  improve ecosystem and watershed                       with activities that would occur over the
                                                timber from up to 6,000 acres over the                  health, and provide a range of recreation             course of 15 years. The Proposed Action
                                                course of 15 years. In addition,                        opportunities to meet public and                      would construct about 30 miles of new
                                                transportation management activities                    tourism business demand through an                    National Forest System road and
                                                such as road construction,                              integrated approach to meet multiple                  reconstruct about 104 miles of existing
                                                reconstruction, maintenance, and                        resource objectives. Maintaining                      roads. Temporary road construction
                                                decommissioning are proposed. At the                    existing, and expanding opportunities                 would include about 105 miles. Existing
                                                same time that it would approve the                     for the recreation and tourism sector                 rock quarries would be used as available
                                                proposed project, the Forest Service                    would contribute to the local economy.                or new quarries would be developed as
                                                may approve a project-specific Forest                      There is a need to provide a                       necessary to provide raw materials for
                                                Plan amendment to ensure the project is                 sustainable level of forest products to               road construction. Existing log transfer
                                                consistent with the Plan.                               contribute to the economic                            facilities at Shelter Cove and Shoal Cove
                                                DATES: Comments concerning the scope                    sustainability of the region. Providing               could be used. Young-growth harvest
                                                of the analysis must be received by                     old-growth timber would preserve a                    may be considered during this planning
                                                September 7, 2018. Designated                           viable timber industry during the
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES




                                                                                                                                                              phase if it meets the purpose and need
                                                opportunities for additional comments                   transition to young-growth management                 of the Proposed Action.
                                                will be provided. The draft EIS, is                     and would provide jobs and
                                                expected to be published July 2019. A                   opportunities for Southeast Alaska                    Watershed and Wildlife Habitat
                                                final EIS is expected July, 2020.                       residents. Past management activities                 Management
                                                ADDRESSES: Send or hand-deliver                         have affected watershed function in the                 Watershed enhancement and
                                                specific written comments to the                        project area. There is a need to improve              restoration activities would include
                                                Ketchikan Misty Fjords Ranger District,                 and restore the natural range of habitat              instream and floodplain wood


                                           VerDate Sep<11>2014   22:37 Aug 07, 2018   Jkt 244001   PO 00000   Frm 00010   Fmt 4703   Sfmt 4703   E:\FR\FM\08AUN1.SGM   08AUN1



Document Created: 2018-08-08 02:06:20
Document Modified: 2018-08-08 02:06:20
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice.
ContactMary Frances Lowe, United States Manager for Codex Alimentarius, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Food Safety, South Agriculture Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4861, Washington, DC 20250-3700; Telephone: (202) 205-7760; Fax: (202) 720-3157; Email: [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 39041 

2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR