Codex Alimentarius Commission: Meeting of the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products

AGENCY:

U.S. Codex Office, USDA.

ACTION:

Notice of public meeting and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The U.S Codex Office is sponsoring a public meeting on August 31, 2021. The objective of the public meeting is to provide information and receive public comments on agenda items and draft United States (U.S.) positions to be discussed at the 35th Session of the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (CCFFP) of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which will meet by correspondence during the period of September 20-October 20, 2021 with report adoption on October 25, 2021. The U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius and the Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs recognize the importance of providing interested parties the opportunity to obtain background information on the 35th Session of the CCFFP and to address items on the agenda.

DATES:

The public meeting is scheduled for August 31, 2021, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. ET.

ADDRESSES:

The public meeting will take place via Video Teleconference only. Documents related to the 35th Session of the CCFFP will be accessible via the internet at the following address: http://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/meetings/detail/en/?meeting=CCFFP&session=35.

Melissa Abbott, U.S. Delegate to the 35th Session of the CCFFP, invites U.S. interested parties to submit their comments electronically to the following email address: Melissa.Abbott@fda.hhs.gov.

Registration: Attendees must register to attend the public meeting here: https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJItcuuhrDkiHcpY8OPpLO2mPqE6lvXs-mQ. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

For Further Information about the 35th Session of the CCFFP, contact U.S. Delegate, Melissa Abbott, Melissa.Abbott@fda.hhs.gov, +1 (240) 402-1401.

For Further Information about the public meeting contact: U.S. Codex Office, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Room 4861, South Agriculture Building, Washington, DC 20250. Phone (202) 720-7760, Fax: (202) 720-3157, Email: uscodex@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Codex was established in 1963 by two United Nations organizations, the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization. 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 and ensure fair practices in the food trade.

The Terms of Reference of the Codex Committee on Fish and Fishery Products (CCFFP) are:

To elaborate worldwide standards for fresh, frozen (including quick frozen) or otherwise processed fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.

The CCFFP is hosted by Norway. The United States attends the CCFFP as a member country of Codex.

Issues To Be Discussed at the Public Meeting

The following items on the Agenda for the 35th Session of the CCFFP will be discussed during the public meeting:

• Adoption of the Agenda
• Matters arising from the Codex Alimentarius Commission and other subsidiary bodies
• Information on activities of FAO and WHO relevant to the work of CCFFP
• Proposed amendment of the Standard for Canned Sardines and Sardine-Type Products

Public Meeting

At the August 31, 2021 public meeting, draft U.S. positions on the agenda items will be described and discussed, and attendees will have the opportunity to pose questions and offer comments. Written comments may be offered at the meeting or sent to Melissa Abbott, U.S. Delegate for the 35th Session of the CCFFP (see ADDRESSES). Written comments should state that they relate to activities of the 35th Session of the CCFFP.

Additional Public Notification

Public awareness of all segments of rulemaking and policy development is important. Consequently, the U.S. Codex Office will announce this Federal Register publication on-line through the USDA web page located at: http://www.usda.gov/codex , a link that also offers an email subscription service providing access to information related to Codex. Customers can add or delete their subscription themselves and have the option to password protect their accounts.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

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How To File a Complaint of Discrimination

To file a complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which may be accessed online at https://www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_12.pdf,, or write a letter signed by you or your authorized representative. Send your completed complaint form or letter to USDA by mail, fax, or email.

Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410.

Fax: (202) 690-7442, Email: program.intake@usda.gov.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).