Today the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced it will hold a webinar on April 4 to discuss the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the agency’s Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) proposed rule to establish standards for growing, harvesting, packing and holding of produce for human consumption.
The FDA is holding this meeting to seek public input on the issues and alternatives that it should consider when preparing the EIS and to inform the public of the provisions of the proposed rule that may significantly affect the quality of the human environment and anticipated alternatives FDA plans to consider.
In an update received earlier today, FDA noted that it is “identifying a number of issues and a range of potential alternatives to be considered in the EIS.”
Alternatives have been identified in areas where potential environmental impacts are likely, including the following:
- Microbial standard for agricultural water used during growing activities for covered produce using a direct water application method
- Minimum application intervals for biological soil amendments of animal origin
- Measures related to animal grazing and animal intrusion
- Scope of proposed rule and implications to land use and land management.
The meeting will be from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at the Harvey W. Wiley Federal Building in College Park, Maryland. The meeting will also be Webcast at 2 p.m. For more details on how to participate in person or online, visit the FDA website.
PMA members and industry are also encouraged to visit the FSMA Resource Center for additional information on the FSMA and its numerous proposed rules.
